NOTE: All trails itineraries are general guidelines and in order to offer our guests the best-riding holiday experience we may change these. Depending on the number of trails running, the season, the weather and national holidays, we may make alterations to itineraries at short notice, which could affect the number of riding hours per day, the route we take to any given destination or the use of alternative accommodation. Trails can also be ridden in both directions. All changes are at the operator's discretion.
Sample Itinerary 2021 - subject to changes
You will be driven back to the Lodge every evening while the horses stay in a paddock on the trail.
Day 1 (Sunday): Arrival
Transfer from the airport to the lodge and first contact with the horses. Tonight, you will enjoy a welcome dinner.
Meals included: Dinner
Day 2 (Monday): Lighthouse Ride
Today’s ride passes through lonely countryside. We might occasionally see farmers on their way to their cattle. The Atlantic Ocean sparkles in the sunlight. We will enjoy a picnic at the Cabouco Forest
Park. After cantering past hedges of hydrangea bushes, we reach the old Lighthouse “Farol da Ribeirinha” with impressive views on the volcano Pico
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3 (Tuesday): Horta Bay Ride
Today, we go on a relaxing ride along the east coast of the island. The giant heather bushes alongside the trail look a bit like gigantic broccoli plants. We take our lunch break at the black lava beach of Praia Almoxarife. The afternoon’s ride takes us to the historic Quinta São Lourenço. The farm is located close to the island’s beautiful town, Horta. You have enough time to take a stroll around the town - visiting the colourful harbour and taking a break at the most famous bar between Europe and America, Peter Café Sport. This bar offers the best gin tonic in the Atlantic Ocean.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4 (Wednesday): Going West
Our journey continues through the beautiful green valley of Flamengos. A steep track leads us up into the valley, where the air smells of thyme and mint. Long straight trails through the forest are perfect for cantering. After a picnic in the countryside, we arrive in the village of Varadouro, full of orchards and vineyards surrounded by old black stone walls. After riding through the jungle, we reach our horses’ accommodation for the evening
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5 (Thursday): Capelinhos Volcano Trail
Today’s trail leads us to the impressive and bizarre volcanic desert landscape of Capelinhos. We pass ruins of old houses buried with ash from the volcano’s last eruption, in 1957. The highly awarded Volcano Center is located underneath the lighthouse, buried with ash from the eruption. We ride over volcanic ash and enjoy a break at a small volcanic cave. A long canter around the green volcano Cabeço Verde takes us back to our horses’ paddock.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6 (Friday): Fajã Bay Ride
Today we arrive at the black beach located on the tip of Fajã Bay. After a beautiful canter in a wonderful eucalyptus forest, we follow the steep trail down to Fajã Bay. This uniquely beautiful location is home of vineyards, gardens and wildly romantic places. Today’s ride is a little shorter, and gives us time for an individual relaxing, like a swim in the Atlantic or a stroll along the coast in the afternoon.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7 (Saturday): Whale Watcher Ride
We cross the island from the dry south to the green north, enjoying views over terraced meadows down to the blue ocean. At lunchtime we arrive at Faial’s highest located village, Ribeira Funda, where we enjoy a picnic at the viewpoint. Seated on sun-warmed stone benches we can listen to the wind and the wild cries of the buzzards. We move closer and closer to our final destination. We pass the old whale watching point, Vigia dos Cedros, and complete our circular trail of the island, returning to the Lodge with our horses. This evening we enjoy a farewell banquet at the Lodge.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 8 (Sunday): Departure
Departure after breakfast (around 8:30am) and transfer to the airport.
Meals included: Breakfast
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Sample Itinerary 2022 - subject to changes
You will be driven back to the Lodge every evening while the horses stay in a paddock on the trail.
Day 1 (Sunday): Arrival
Transfer from the airport to the lodge and first contact with the horses. Tonight, you will enjoy a welcome dinner.
Meals included: Dinner
Day 2 (Monday): Whales Ride
This morning, you will learn a lot about whales and their history on the island of Faial. Then you will get to know your horse and your equipment. We start riding on gently rising paths. After a short while, we begin the first trot and canter. We will reach a whale watching point. With a little luck and when the sea is calm, we can see whales and dolphins. We will then head back to the lodge along the coast. A delicious lunch is waiting for us.
In the afternoon we ride to two small whaling harbours. If the weather is good, you can swim. The horse resting place for the night is in a small hamlet. We drive back to the lodge.
Riding approx. 20 km (4-5 hours)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3 (Tuesday): Lighthouse Ride
Today you will learn about the impact of the 1998 earthquake on the island. We go to the horses early in the morning. Today's trail begins along the coast through blue hydrangea hedges, to the island's former lighthouse, which was destroyed during the earthquake. The nearby village still has a crumbling church that testifies to the power of the earthquake.
Around noon it is time for our saddlebag picnic and we leave the horses in a field to rest. Then, we drive to the town of Horta to meet a team of marine biologists. Together, we go out to the ocean in a powerfully motorised zodiac (during whale watching season only - price include in package). More than 30 different whales and dolphins can be encountered in the ocean surrounding Faial. It is a wonderful experience to be so close to the largest mammals in the world.
If the weather and season do not allow whale watching, you will find enough time to discover this colourful and cosmopolitan port town. Walk along the sailing harbour and find secluded spots in the town. Maybe a gin and tonic in the famous Peter Café Sport Bar? In the evening we drive back to the lodge for dinner.
Riding approx. 14km (3 hours)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4 (Wednesday): Caldeira Ride
Today we start early in order to get to Faial’s crater, the Caldeira, located at an altitude of over 1,000m in the center of the island.
This is a real challenge for riders and horses. Sometimes we meet farmers on the way. Heather trees along our route look like giant broccoli. The Atlantic Ocean glitters in the sun. We slowly ride our way up to the crater rim via switchback tracks. If you want, you can descend into the depths of the crater with our nature park guide (extra fee - see extension program).
After our picnic, we ride through the lonely and wild landscape of the high mountains. Our trail leads us over farm roads down to a small volcano whose inner crater we can reach on foot through a small tunnel. A very special atmosphere awaits us in this tunnel.
We then arrive at the Jungle Camp in the late afternoon. The transfer to the lodge is already waiting here.
Riding approx. 30 km (5-6 hours)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5 (Thursday): Fajã Bay Trail
Faja-Bay is a hidden bay where the islanders have grown wine and fruit for over 500 years. On the way there, we pass small adegas, wine houses with their vineyards. Riding through dense jungle we reach the black lava beach of Fajã Bay. Small lava stone houses, well-tended gardens and a wild sea await us. We enjoy our saddlebag picnic by the sea. Then, a wonderful canter takes us back to the jungle camp in the afternoon.
Today, like every evening, there is a thematic dinner that brings us closer to the tasty cuisine of the Azores.
Riding approx. 17km (4 hours)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6 (Friday): Volcano of Capelinhos Trail
Today the trail leads us through a mystical jungle landscape. We enjoy fantastic canters close to the coastline. Extensive vineyards, but also small adegas line our way. Via narrow tracks, close to the shore, we reach the volcano of Capelinhos, which erupted in 1957. An old whaling village covered with the ashes of the volcano sits there, abandoned. Hidden under the buried lighthouse is the modern interpretation center that reports on the volcanism of the Azores archipelago. We combine a saddlebag picnic with a visit to this attraction.
Riding over parts of the volcano, we reach the Jungle Camp in the late afternoon. The transfer back to the lodge is already waiting here.
Riding approx. 20km (4-5 hours)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7 (Saturday): Canyon Trail
For our last day on the trail, we cross the island from the dry south to the green north. Magnificent views over terraced pastures down to the blue ocean await us. Extended canters lead us to the highest village on the island, Ribeira Funda. A typical Azorean picnic is waiting for us directly above the 300m deep canyon. We let the sun warm us, listen to the wind and the wild cries of the buzzards circling over the deep gorge.
In the afternoon, the route takes us along yam fields through a small and wild valley. Once back at the Lodge, a big farewell dinner with wine tasting closes the fascinating trail week.
Riding approx. 17km (4-5 hours)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 8 (Sunday): Departure
Departure after breakfast (around 8:30am) and transfer to the airport.
Meals included: Breakfast
3-day extension - Whale watching & Volcano
To make the most out of your stay on the island, extend your holidays with our 3-day extension program before or after your Horse Trail. It is also possible to extend your stay at the Lodge without the following program, in case you just want to relax (inquire for night rates).
This extension program is also perfect for accompanying non-riders (longer program available, please inquire).
Day 1: Relax
Relaxing feels so good after one week on horseback. Enjoy your time in the Lodge Garden, on small hikes or go for a swim at nearby rock-pools.
Day 2: Whale-Watching (only available during high season)
or Island Van Tour & Volcano Trail (available all year)
Whale-watching option: Morning transfer to Whale Watching Station, in Horta. You spend the morning on the sea and observe the whales with a Marine Biologist Team. Then individual lunch. Free afternoon and transfer to the Lodge for overnight stay.
Island Van Tour & Volcano Trail option: In the morning you start your Faial Island Van Tour. Together with your guide you visit old whaling bays and explore the city of Horta. You will se the old whaling factory. Individual lunch. Our Nature Park Guide picks you up and drives you to the highest point of Faial, the huge caldeira of the volcano. Depending on your condition, you hike around the caldeira or descend 400m deep into it (2.5h hike). In cloudy weather, we will alternatively hike on the volcano of Capelinhos.
Day 3: Departure
After breakfast at 8:30 AM transfer for departure.
5-day extension - Whale watching & Volcano
Day 1: Relax
Relaxing feels so good after one week on horseback. Enjoy your time in the Lodge Garden, on small hikes or go for a swim at nearby rock-pools.
Day 2: Whale-Watching (only available during high season)
or Island Van Tour & Volcano Trail (available all year)
Whale-watching option: Morning transfer to Whale Watching Station, in Horta. You spend the morning on the sea and observe the whales with a Marine Biologist Team. Then individual lunch. Free afternoon and transfer to the Lodge for overnight stay.
Island Van Tour & Volcano Trail option: In the morning you start your Faial Island Van Tour. Together with your guide you visit old whaling bays and explore the city of Horta. You will se the old whaling factory. Individual lunch. Our Nature Park Guide picks you up and drives you to the highest point of Faial, the huge caldeira of the volcano. Depending on your condition, you hike around the caldeira or descend 400m deep into it (2.5h hike). In cloudy weather, we will alternatively hike on the volcano of Capelinhos.
Day 3: Excursion to the whale and wine island of Pico
Transfer to the first ferry that will take you to the island of Pico in the early morning (30 min. crossing). Your guide will be waiting for you there. Together you roam the vineyards around the town of Madalena (UNESCO World Heritage Site). You will visit an old schnapps distillery, the freshwater lakes on the high plateau, the Casa de Montanha at the foot of the steep Pico and the old whaling town of Lajes. Including typical island lunch. After the impressive day you will travel back to Faial with the last ferry. Transfer to the Lodge and overnight.
Day 4: Swimming with dolphins (only available during high season)
or Half-day horse trail (available all year)
Swim with dolphins option: We'll take you to the whale watching station in the morning, Horta. After the briefing you will receive your wetsuit and diving glasses. Together with your guide you go out to sea in the Zodiac boat and look for dolphins. As soon as they appear, you jump into their element and swim with them in the deep blue Atlantic. Individual lunch. Free afternoon. Transfer to the Lodge and overnight.
Half-day horse trail option: Your horse trail guide will show you the most beautiful riding trails along the north coast of the island of Faial on a half day horse trail. A delicious picnic will be waiting for you on your return. The perfect way to say goodbye to the horses. Overnight at the Lodge.
Day 5: Departure
After breakfast at 8:30 AM transfer for departure.
Non-Riders
Non-riders are welcome to join this trip (inquire for rates).
Non riding activities include: hiking, jeep tour, whale watching, swimming with dolphins & scuba diving.