Walks and Whales in the Azores Archipelago

Walks & Whales in the Azores Archipelago ~ or ~ Escaping the London Olympics!

Nothing could offer a greater contrast to the brouhaha of the Olympics than the peaceful, slow-paced way of life on the islands of the Azores, set far out in the Atlantic Ocean. We walk on four different islands, all with spectacular views and fascinating flora and geology; take a whale and dolphin watching trip (Azorean waters are renowned as a cetacean hotspot); visit botanical gardens, volcanic lakes and interesting small museums; and enjoy excellent local wines and seafood and some very comfortable historic hotels.

TRIP ITINERARY

DAY 1

D included

After meeting in the afternoon at Ponta Delgada’s small airport on the main island of the archipelago, São Miguel, we have a scenic drive northeast to our hotel, an elegantly refurbished 1930s building set in the celebrated Terra Nostra Gardens. We have time to walk in the 12 acre gardens, with their camellias, ferns, cycads and Malesian rhododendrons, and to swim in the heated indoor pool, before dinner.

DAY 2

B, L, D included

This morning we walk around the nearby crater lake of Furnas, following a good path and encountering sulphurous springs - where local people slow bake meat and potatoes in holes dug in the hot earth - some isolated chapels and lovely views across the green hills. We visit the 19C Gorreana tea estate, reputedly unique in Europe, and return to our hotel with time to wallow in the outdoor geothermally heated pool.

DAY 3

B, L, D included

Today we undertake one of the classic walks of the Azores, following a farm track along the crater rim around the 2 lakes (1 blue and 1 green) of Sete Cidades and enjoying, weather permitting, some superb views. En route back to our hotel after lunch we visit the Museum of Sacred Art in Ponta Delgada to see some of the most important 18C monuments in Portugal.

DAY 4

B, L, D included

After breakfast we transfer to the airport for the short inter-island flight to São Jorge where our hotel has a large outdoor pool and rooms with private balconies giving fine views across the sea to Pico island. Our afternoon walk takes us along the coastal strip below the steep hills, cultivated for beans and potatoes by local farmers, and ends in a picturesque fishing village from where Cory’s shearwaters can be seen flying to the island reserve of Topo.

DAY 5

B, L, D included

Given clear weather, today we walk high in the mountains (starting at 900 m), following a wide unsurfaced track along the island spine - a gradual ascent is followed by an easy descent through grassy calderas with superb views and the final section is through endemic dwarf juniper and tree heathers. Dinner by the harbour typically features a thick vegetable soup, freshly grilled fish with garlic and lemon, sharp São Jorge cheese and an orange cake.

DAY 6

B, L, D included

After a leisurely breakfast we catch a ferry for the 1.5 hour crossing to the island of Pico, dominated by its 2,351 m peak, an extinct volcano. We drive to our first class hotel, a series of stone buildings in charming gardens set on a cliff above the sea, with a well-known restaurant. In the afternoon we visit the Whaler’s Museum documenting the centuries-old tradition of whaling in the archipelago (whaling finally ended in 1985).

DAY 7

B, L, D included

An early start for a 3 hour whale and dolphin watching trip by boat, hoping to find sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus), Cuvier’s beaked whale (Ziphius caviostris) and Atlantic, Bottlenose and Risso’s dolphins. Returning to land we have lunch then an afternoon walk along the east coast of the island, with the chance of swimming in a rock pool in the sea.

DAY 8

B, L, D included

Indefatigable whale watchers can opt for an additional excursion this morning (at extra cost) - otherwise we walk from a high point in the centre of the island down to the south coast, seeing the Azorean endemic buzzard soaring overhead, remnant laurasilva forest, large specimens of euphorbia species and wonderful views in good weather. We visit the Wine museum, housed in a former Carmelite convent to taste some of Pico's special wines and see their small grove of dragon trees.

DAY 9

B, L, D included

Departing after breakfast we drive west to Madalena to catch a ferry for the 30 minute crossing to Faial island, arriving in the colourful port of Horta, famous as the best harbour for trans-Atlantic yachts. We settle into our Pousada hotel, recently renovated to a high standard and set within the walls of a 16C fortress on the harbour, then set off on foot to explore the historic town spread across two adjacent small bays. A gin and tonic at Peter’s Bar is de rigeur before dinner!

DAY 10

B, L, D included

This morning we walk a circuit of the outer edge of the crater of Faial’s central volcano, with extraordinary views down into the green basin - we are within the Caldeira do Faial Nature Reserve and encounter endemic plants (Daboecia azorica, Thymus caespititius) and the Azorean races of birds such as the chaffinch and blackcap. We pause on the way back to our hotel to visit the Botanical gardens in the grounds of the Quinta de São Lourenço, devoted to the indigenous plants of the archipelago.

DAY 11

B, L, D included

Taking a picnic with us we travel to Capelinhos in the west of the island, site of a volcanic eruption in 1957, and walk on the new land formed there as well as in the forest park - an excellent interpretive centre gives a fascinating insight into the history of volcanoes on the islands. There is time to enjoy a swim in the hotel's outdoor pool before our farewell dinner in a renowned local restaurant.

DAY 12

B included

After a leisurely breakfast and time for a stroll round the harbour we transfer to the small island airport for flights home.

Price includes:

All accommodation for Days 1 through 12 on a double shared basis

All meals with wine at lunches and dinners, other than those excepted in the daily notation

All land transportation in a private vehicle as described except during free periods

Inter-island flight between São Miguel and São Jorge islands

Ferry tickets between São Jorge & Pico islands and Pico & Faial islands

One whale and dolphin watching trip as described

All entrance, sightseeing and guiding fees except during free periods

Gratuities for hotel and restaurant staff

Visa and Health Requirements

Visitors from the EU and the US currently require a valid passport, but not a visa, for entry to Portugal. If you are a national of any other country, please check visa regulations with your nearest Embassy of Portugal.

At present there are no specific and compulsory health requirements for entry to Portugal. Residents of countries in the EU can claim free (emergency) medical treatment in Portugal by presenting their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which is issued in the UK by the Department of Health. You may also wish to check the advice given to travellers by the FCO.

Insurance

It is essential, and a condition of booking, that you protect yourself with a suitable travel insurance policy as soon as you book a trip. Follow this link for a quote for a policy available to UK residents.

If you are already insured, or a non-UK resident, please inform us of your policy at the time of booking.