Join us and discover the astonishing beauty of São Miguel Island in the Azores archipelago. We’ll show you the highlights of this island, as well as to some of the lesser known gems found at the heart of São Miguel. The trip’s relaxed island pace combines breathtaking scenery, with adventure and tranquility, earning it a 5-star rating.
A direct flight from Boston, Toronto, Madrid or Lisbon will take you to this string of lush volcanic islands, sitting in the middle of the Atlantic, with temperate weather all year round. Composed of nine islands, this Portuguese archipelago is one of the few unspoilt paradises left on the planet. Often described as the tip of the lost continent of Atlantis, the islands retain an Old World charm that is difficult to find anywhere else in Europe.
Trip Highlights
- Discover the best kept secrets of São Miguel island
- Hike by famous volcanic crater lakes and hidden waterfalls in the forest
- Explore quaint whitewashed towns and villages
- Delight in fresh cuisine – seafood, local cheeses and Portuguese wines
- Enjoy breathtaking scenery – lush vegetation & ocean views; visit Terra Nostra Botanical gardens
- Join a biologist-led whale & dolphin watching excursion
Activities – Hiking, Walking
Easy Active [2]. Trip members should be capable of hiking up to 4 hours (up to 6 miles) on consecutive days. Hikes may include trails with loose dirt, rocks, sand, numerous stone stairs of variable height, and short sections with steeper ascents and descents. Elevation gain/loss is moderate on this trip.
Moderate [3]. Days are full and you should anticipate rising early and retiring for the evening after 9pm. The daily hikes range from 2.5–10 miles (4–6 hours). The terrain will vary and includes forested trails, grassy lanes, dirt paths and sandy beaches. It is important to note there will be uneven, rocky, steep and/or hilly sections, and some trail sections have areas of exposure. The better shape you are in, the more you’ll be able to enjoy all that ruggedly beautiful Island of São Miguel has to offer!
| DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION: | Vila Galé Collection S. Miguel, Ponta Delgada, S. Miguel Island, Azores | |||||
| DEPARTURE TIME: | Please arrive by 9 am for a welcome brief and departure at 9:30 am. | |||||
| RETURN TIME: | Ponta Delgada, São Miguel 4 pm. | |||||
| WHAT TO WEAR: | Comfortable athletic clothing, hiking boots, hat and jacket. | |||||
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| NOT INCLUDED: |
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| SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: | €100/night (2026) | |||||
| SMALL GROUP SUPPLEMENT (2-3 guests): | €600/guest |
Sete Cidades Lagoon Walk
Hiking: Sete Cidades: 4.6 miles (7.5 km); Driving: 30 min + 40 min.
Serra da Devassa, Ponta da Ferraria Ocean Hot Springs
As the sun rises over São Miguel, we begin our second day with a scrumptious breakfast at the hotel. Today’s adventure takes us on a journey through the landscape of Serra da Devassa. After a short transfer, we begin our hike at Lagoa do Canário following a picturesque trail through forests of Japanese cedar (cryptomeria japonica), introduced to the island in the mid-18th c. for wood and as a windbreak for pastures. Our hike concludes by the Aqueduto de Carvão, an aqueduct built in the mid-17th c. to bring much needed water from Lagoa do Canário to Ponta Delgada during a water shortage. After lunch, we change gears and transfer to the singular Ponta da Ferraria, for an refreshing dip* in the hot spring waters bubbling out of the ocean in a cove by the lava cliffs. We return to our hotel in Ponta Delgada, for a well-deserved rest and time to enjoy the pool and pick up some souvenirs in town. All meals included.*Bring a swimsuit and footwear for walking on lava rock to ocean hot springs. Water temperature varies subject to tides,
Hiking: 2.1 miles (3.4 km); Duration: 2.5hrs; Driving: 25 min + 45 min.
Whale and Dolphin Watching and Gorreana Tea Plantation
Wake up to another exciting day in São Miguel and catch an early breakfast in time to leave at 8 am for a thrilling whale watching adventure. We’ll walk to the pier where our local guide awaits us in a zodiac boat to explore the pristine Atlantic waters to search for dolphins, whales and other marine life. After freshening up at our hotel, we’ll head to the north side of the island to a special restaurant to partake of the most buttery, tender beef you’ll ever try, having grazed on the island’s lush pastures. Our bellies full, we’ll walk through the hills of the Gorreana tea plantation, founded in 1883, and the only remaining tea plantation in Europe. This evening you have time to explore the center of Ponta Delgada and dine at leisure on your own. Breakfast and lunch included.
Hiking: 2 miles (3 km); Duration: 2 hrs; Driving: 25 + 15 min.
Moinho do Félix and Night in Furnas
Hiking: 1.8 miles (2.9 km); Duration: 2hrs; Terrain: some steeper sections but nice trails through the forest. Allow 1-2h to walk in the botanical gardens; Driving: 40 + 30 min.
Faial da Terra Waterfalls
Hiking (partial loop): 4.3 miles (7 km); Duration: 2.5h; Driving: 40 min.
Lagoa das Furnas: Lunch Like the Locals
Hiking: 3 miles (5 km); duration: 3h; Driving: 10 + 45 min.
What’s included
- Transportation during the course of the trip
- Guilt-free van support with snacks and water
- Highly experienced and enthusiastic trilingual guides
- Entries for specific monuments, events or points of interest
- Gratuities for all accommodations and group meals
- Baggage transfers and handling
- Optional transfer to the airport at end of the trip
- Wine with group lunches and dinners
- Lodging and meals as indicated below
Accommodations
Hotels, 5 nights:
- Ponta Delgada – 3 nights
- Furnas – 2 nights
Meals: 5 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches* and 4 dinners:
Day 1: Lunch (or picnic) and Dinner
Day 2: Breakfast, Lunch (or picnic) and Dinner
Day 3: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 4: Breakfast, Lunch (or picnic) and Dinner
Day 5: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Breakfast and Lunch
*Picnics are subject to weather conditions.
Tour Dates – 2026
Note: 2026 dates include Sat night lodging prior to Sunday tour start, 6 days/6 nights.
- Apr 18 – Apr 24
- May 2 – May 8
- May 30 – Jun 5
- Sep 5 – Sep 11
- Sep 12 – Sep 18
Tour Reviews
Genuine, Knowledgeable, and Fun Guides Create a Meaningful Trip
We worked with Eva and Pedro with Terracotta Journeys to put together a 3-week trip in Portugal with a few months notice. We wanted to experience the culture, enjoy food and wine and walk through beautiful landscapes.
The team built an INCREDIBLE trip, from start to finish.
We wanted to go to the Azores, see Lisbon & around and check out northern Portugal. The team moved quickly, were flexible, and asked good questions. They were totally fine with me handling the Lisbon leg, and knitted together 3 of their trips in a custom itinerary. The entire experience was very meaningful.
We truly felt that we got an authentic glimpse of Portuguese food, culture, history, natural world and, most importantly: people.
Eva, Pedro and all their guides (Andre, Bel, Nuno, Manuel and Matilde) are knowledgeable, professional, fun and all-around genuinely good people. It was a pleasure to spend time with them, and they made the experience even more enriching. We walk away with new friends made!
Whether we were alone or on a group trip, they made the experience easy, with clear communication, all kinds of interesting facts, and really great picks for restaurants, trails, wineries off the beaten path and more, tailoring to our interests and enthusiasm.
I highly recommend Terracotta Journeys if you want a fulfilling, once-in-a-lifetime trip. Very worth the money.
Diana K. – Oct. 2025 (we also did the Douro Hiking tour and part of the Portugal Coastal Hiking tour)
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