Portugal – Active Azores Trip Summary Experience an active journey hiking the lakes of the volcanic crater of Sete Cidades, where you can also kayak and paddle board. Bathe in natural thermal pools in the midst of the outdoors and learn about the volcanic formation of the islands in Capelinhos Volcano. Cook your dinner in natural volcanic ovens and sip the wine of the tsars in the UNESCO World Heritage designated Pico Island vineyards. Enjoy a world-class whale watching excursion to discover the marine wildlife of the Azores Islands such as our resident sperm whales, common dolphins and bottlenose dolphins. This adventure is an all-encompassing Azorean experience! Itinerary Day 1: Ponta Delgada / Sete Cidades / Ferraria Arrive and transfer to your hotel for check-in and a welcome breakfast (rooms are booked to guarantee your use immediately) • Meet your companions and guide at noon for a short meeting • Head to Sete Cidades volcanic complex and lake • Hike the crater rim to learn about the fauna, flora, history, and volcanic formation of the island • Enjoy a picnic lunch on the lake shore – complete with a welcome drink and toast • Transfer to Ferraria, to swim in oceanic pools heated by volcanic vents • Transfer back to hotel to rest before dinner • Pre-dinner meeting with guide introductions, schedule review, discussion of weather forecast, necessary gear, meals, etc. • Family-style dinner in the city center, followed by a short walk throughout the Azorean capital • Overnight at Hotel do Colégio (B, L, D) Day 2: Ponta Delgada / Faial Island Short walk to Ponta Delgada Marina for whale and dolphin watching excursion, where you can spot up to 25 cetacean species, along with turtles, seabirds, and other marine life • A biologist will explain which species you’re observing, how to respect the animals and their ocean habitat, historical facts, and safety procedures • Lunch at local restaurant, followed by a walk to main city attractions such as São Francisco Square, the seafront, city hall, and forts • After you fly to Faial Island and transfer to your hotel, you’ll meet your guide in the hotel lobby and set out for a short walk to dinner at a local restaurant • Overnight at Pousada Forte da Horta (B, L, D) Day 3: Capelinhos Volcano / Horta City Transfer to Capelinhos Volcano which last erupted in 1956-57 • Visit the volcano’s interpretive center, then hike up to the historic lighthouse for a view of the island • ‘Walk the moon’ across the volcanic area, examine the unique vegetation, then enjoy a picnic lunch in a natural forest reserve • Tour Horta City, their famous marina, and the infamous Peter’s Café for tales of whalers and sailors that called this island home, with a refreshing gin & tonic in hand • Cook your own meal over hot stones at a Horta restaurant using fresh fish, local seafood, and meat • Overnight at Pousada Forte da Horta (B, L, D) 1 The toughest part is going home.SM Portugal – Active Azores Day 4: Pico Island / Casa da Montanha After a hearty breakfast at your hotel, transfer to Pico Island via ferry • Walk through the Vinhas da Criação Velha vineyards (a UNESCO heritage site) where you will learn about this unique style of vineyard and the varietal found here • Visit Gruta das Torres, the Azores’ longest lava cave formed from the flow and cooling of subterranean magma rivers • Lunch outdoors among the beautiful vineyards • After fueling up with lunch, hike up Casa da Montanha (Mountain House) and ascend to the top • Camp at the summit, from sunset to sunrise, and, if the weather is right, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of up to five of the neighboring Azorean Islands • Overnight Casa da Montanha camp (B, L, D) Day 5: Casa da Montanha / Madalena After you wake from your mountaintop camp to a beautiful sunrise (weather permitting), descend Casa da Montanha to a local restaurant for a well-deserved and invigorating lunch • After lunch, enjoy a drink in Cella Bar while overlooking the mountain views of Faial and São Jorge Islands • Check in at your hotel to rest for the rest of the afternoon • Dinner is at a special restaurant in Madalena that offers a unique atmosphere and panoramic views of the Islands of Pico and Faial • Overnight at Baía da Barca (B, L, D) Day 6: Fajã dos Cubres This morning we journey to Fajã dos Cubres for a coastal hike towards Caldeira do Santo Cristo • Enjoy the guide’s insights into the story of this magical place where clams grow in a salt water lagoon and surfers rock what are considered some of the longest waves in Europe • Then indulge in a special, local meal on a typical house terrace with ocean views and the sound of nearby waves breaking • Hike back to Fajã dos Cubres and transfer to the hotel to check in before dinner • Enjoy a delicious dinner on your hotel terrace, overlooking the ocean and Pico Mountain • Overnight at Cantinho das Buganvilias (B, L, D) Day 7: São Jorge / São Miguel Island / Furnas Start the day with a visit to a local cheese factory to learn about São Jorge’s delicious cheeses • Walk to a local coffee plantation in Fajã dos Vimes (a Fajã is a land formation of volcanic origin that are very conductive to plant growth) • Return to Velas to lunch at a local restaurant • Transfer to the airport for flight to São Miguel Island then transfer to Furnas • Savor a traditional barbeque at a site overlooking the sea while enjoying a “Viola da Terra” (traditional Azorean guitar) live music performance • Indulge in a private night bath in the naturally iron-rich hot water that has a temperature of 35-40ºC, an exquisite experience! • Drinks served under the stars complete this perfect moment of relaxation • Overnight at Terra Nostra Garden Hotel (B, L, D) 2 The toughest part is going home.SM Portugal – Active Azores Day 8: Furnas / Furnas Lake / Salto do Prego This morning we have an early start as we shop for ingredients for tonight’s dinner at the local market • We then head to Caldeiras da Lagoa das Furnas (Furnas Lake Calderas), where we prepare the famous Portuguese dish “cozido das Furnas” and let it “cook” underground for six hours using only geothermal heat • While we wait for dinner to cook, we’ll enjoy a picnic lunch and transfer to Faial da Terra for a hiking tour of the island interior • Reach Salto do Prego’s waterfall and enjoy refreshments • After the hike, savor a coffee in town as we mingle with the locals • In the afternoon, enjoy some free time to dip in the amazing tank of iron-rich hot water in front of the hotel • Your dinner will be served at the hotel in the beautiful art-deco restaurant, with views of the iconic botanical park • After dinner, a cocktail workshop with local ingredients awaits • Overnight at Terra Nostra Garden Hotel (B, L, D) Day 9: Lagoa do Fogo / Caldeira Velha / Ponta Delgada After breakfast, enjoy a van tour of Lagoa do Fogo • You’ll have awesome views from atop Fogo Mountain of the lake within the volcano’s crater and over the island and ocean (this vivid blue lake is known as one of the most beautiful lakes of the island) • Upon descent, we’ll stop where you can take some time to bathe and relax in Caldeira Velha’s thermal pool which is surrounded by endemic fauna and flora • After lunch, we will transfer to João Paulo II Airport • No overnight (B, L) *Trip itineraries are subject to change without notice due to road, weather and other factors outside of our control, for the safety and enjoyment of our guests, as deemed necessary and appropriate by Austin Adventures. Our Partner – Futurismo Austin Adventures is excited to be offering this trip in conjunction with Futurismo Azores Adventures. Futurismo, a local company based in the heart of Ponta Delgada on the largest of 9 Azorean islands (Sao Miguel), was established in 1990. When the Azores turned away from the whale hunting industry in the 80s, Futurismo led the travel evolution to a holistically sustainable way of using the island's traditions by being the first to introduce whale watching. Since then, Futurismo has been carving out unparalleled active travel experiences from every corner of their wild and beautiful volcanic archipelago. Futurismo supports many local and international projects, including sharing the data collected by their biologists and onshore lookouts with universities and other researchers around the world, contributing to studies which develop policies to better protect whales and the marine environment. Austin Adventures looks forward to partnering with Futurismo to show our guests the best of these beautiful islands! 3 The toughest part is going home.SM Portugal – Active Azores Activities Hiking: Up to 11km with one mountain climb to 7713ft (a climb of 3,776ft), some technical hiking. Please note that the Casa da Montanha trail is technical because most of the way is very steep and rocky. At this time of the year the top of the mountain is unlikely to be covered with ice and snow, but the nights are cold. This hike is not recommended for people with knee or ankle problems. Picnic dinner and camping gear included. Kayaking: Easy to moderate lake kayaking. Discovery: Learn about the fauna, flora, history, and volcanic formation of the island. Explore oceanic pools heated by volcanic vents. Spot up to 25 cetacean species, along with turtles, seabirds, and other marine life, during a whale watching excursion. Discover the seafaring history of this island archipelago. Tour Horta City, their famous marina, and the infamous Peter’s Café for tales of whalers and sailors that called this island home.