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Green Volcanoes
15 days geo and photo tour to the Azores Islands
Sete Sidades (Sau Migel Island)
Sete Sidades (Sau Migel Island)
Flores Island
Flores Island

Green Volcanoes

15 days geo and photo tour to the Azores Islands
Tour type
Walking & study tour: geology & volcanism - photography - nature & culture
Difficulty
Custom (variable)
Group size: 5-7
Duration
15 days / 14 nights
4-18 Oct 2024
Price per person
The Azores – who doesn't know them from the weather forecast?
About 1500 km from the Portuguese capital of Lisbon to the west, there are nine green volcanic islands sticking out from the depth of the blue Atlantic Ocean, in older times the end of the western world...
The evergreen home area of the high-pressure zone is a dream not only for hikers but also for lovers of nature as well as photographers, geologists, geographers, botanists and everybody enjoying nature. National Geographic voted the Azores one of the most beautiful archipelagos in the world.
Our excursion will lead to five islands: Sao Miguel, Faial, Terceira, Pico and Flores –each with its distinct character to discover. You will see their diversity, watch endless horizons and get a deep insight into the nature of the birth and life of volcanic ocean islands.
Join our small group, guided by an experienced photographer and geologist on this adventurous photo and geo tour.
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  • 5 islands of one of the most beautiful archipelagos in the world: Faial, Flores, Terceira, Pico, Sao Miguel
  • Unspoiled breathtaking landscapes
  • Delicious local food
  • Small groups
  • Great variety of volcanic and geologic features
  • Accompanying photographer and geologist

15 days itinerary on the Azores

Day 1: Arrival to Ponta Delgada (Sao Miguel)
Participants arrange their own arrival in Ponta Delgada depending on their origin, typically by charter flight from various airports or via Lisbon. After the group has arrived, we meet for dinner in a typical restaurant in town in the evening
Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Lagoa do Fogo and hot springs
Visit Pico Barrosa (947 m) to overview the Island Sao Miguel. Swim in the hot springs of Caldeira Velha. Enjoy the tranquility of Ribeira Grande in the north. Return to the hotel in the evening.
Day 3: Tea, Furnas and the wild East
Visit of the only European tea plantation Chà Gorrena on the north coast east of Porto Formoso; hike down from the Pico do Ferro to the Fumaroles Caldeiras da Lago das Furnas; swim in hot springs in Furnas; enjoy marvelous views of the fissure cliff line and romantic little hamlets at the Miradouros.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 4: Seven volcanoes in a green setting
Visit volcano massif Sete Cidades, so called “the seven cities”. Stop at different viewpoints to take pictures.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 5: Flight to Horta – centre of seafaring
Flight to Horta, Faial island (1h flight). Short walks in the center of Horta.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 6: Capelinhos volcano and its crater
Drive to the rim of the crater of Cabeco Gordo to make a tour around.
Lunch in a typical Azorian pub, popular with the locals. Optional: a short trip to Ponta dos Capelinhos.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 7: Day trip to the island of Pico
Optional trip to Pico island (extra cost 40 EUR) to have a tour around the volcano Pico, visit the hamlet of Lajes do Pico and the little lake Lagoa do Capitao which is situated to the east of the volcano Pico.
On the way back make a stop at an old whale catching station and at the craggy cliffs. A ferry back to Horta is at 18:00.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 8: Flight to Flores – the most western point of Europe
Flight to Flores island. After arrival drive to the west coast to Fajazinha to check in the romantic country hotel. In the evening a walk to Faja Grande, the most western point of geographical Europe or to the Lagoa dos Patos, where small cascades are precipitating to the small idyllic lake.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Along the most western coast of Europe
Spectacular hike to the north. The unpaved and stony cattle track takes us through pasture land and then down along the cliffs. Marvellous views open for about 400 m. The tour (19 km) ends at Faja Grande (420 m high) where the bus picks us up.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: From the high plateau of the crater to the coast
Transfer by bus to the green heart of the island. A walk through green bushes around the Caldeira Comprida to the Caldeira Seca in direction of Caldeira Branca. Cross a ridge of mountains (difficult, 6,5 km, 3 h; mounting 100 m, descending 740 m) before returning back to Faja Grande.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11: Day of rest
A day of rest. Optional walk to the cascades of Lagoa dos Patos (depends on weather and effects of light).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12: Flight to Terceira
A walk to Aldeia in the morning. Flight to Terceira Island in the afternoon. Transfer to the hotel in Angro do Heroismo (capital of Terceira).
Visit of Monte do Brasil with fantastic view over the city and the surroundings.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13: Through the jungle and into netherworld
A hike to the Misterio Negro (black mysteries) 5 km long. Visit Lagoa do Negro, and the lava cave of Gruta do Natal, to see the impressive lava tubes of the recent lava eruptions. Exploration of the volcanic pipe Algar do Carvao.
Day 14: Rest and flight to Sao Miguel
Some short walks in the morning. Flight to Sao Miguel. A nice farewell dinner in the evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 15: End of tour
Transfer to the airport or own extension.
Dates and details
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Arrival info:

The tour starts and ends in Sao Miguel, the largest Azores Island, which is easily reached by plane from European cities. Thу airport is situated in Ponta Delgada. Travel arrangements to and from Sao Miguel are not included in the tour package in order to give everybody maximum flexibility to plan his/her trip.

Tour guide

This tour is organised by German volcanologist and photographer Chris Hug-Fleck who has extensively traveled in Iceland, the Azores and many other volcanic destinations over the past 30 years. As a result, he has guided many tours there and published a number of geological and photographic textbooks on this fascinating country.
Volcanologist and photographer Chris Hug-Fleck who organises and guides the Iceland volcano adventures.

Additional info

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