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Discover São Miguel in 8 days: craters to explore, lakes to admire, tea to taste, dolphins to chase, and hot springs to recharge. A week of WeRoad adventure between sky, sea, and volcanoes!

Is this trip for me?

Party and nightlife
Relax
Nature and adventure
City and cultures
Monuments and history
Physical effort
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Itinerary

The largest island in the Azores archipelago is São Miguel, and on this 8-day group trip, we'll explore it from top to bottom, by land and sea. We'll have plenty of time to soak in its natural landscapes, from Lagoa do Fogo to Vista do Rei with the magnificent Lagoa Azul, before finishing our treks at the Caldeira nature reserve, where we'll take a circular route around a crater's rim. We'll also add a visit to Europe's only tea plantation (which is also the oldest), a boat trip to make friends with dolphins and whales (here, you can spot up to 28 different species in a year!), and an afternoon at the thermal baths, because a little pampering never hurt anyone.

A grayscale map showing a travel itinerary across the island of São Miguel, with a marked start and end point.
A high-angle view of green volcanic hills surrounding two crater lakes, one green and one blue, with the ocean on the horizon.

Check-in: Our adventure kicks off in São Miguel

We dive straight into island life, easing ourselves in and recharging both body and soul as we sample some local specialities and raise a toast to the start of this epic adventure.

We'll check into our hotel and we gather for welcome meeting— click here to see how it works!

A WeRoad group trip of five people crouching and smiling on a hilltop overlooking two large crater lakes in a lush, green valley.

The lake in the volcanic crater

We’re kicking off this trip in style: lacing up our hiking boots and diving straight into the wild landscapes of the Azores. Today’s plan? Hiking to Lagoa do Fogo – a lake tucked inside a volcanic crater, with scenery that, at times, feels straight out of Hawaii. This awesome hike lets us “loop around” the lake and check it out from loads of different viewpoints. Nothing too intense: around 4 hours of walking and 300 meters of elevation gain – just enough to get those legs nicely warmed up.

Relax by the waterfall

After munching on a tasty sandwich with our feet dipped in the lake (I mean, when’s the next time that’s gonna happen?), we wrap up our trail and head to nearby Salto do Cabrito – a stunning waterfall just a short walk away. Time to kick back and soak up the lush nature all around us before heading back to our base in Ponta Delgada.

An aerial view of a WeRoad group trip with people scattered and waving among the green rows of a terraced tea plantation.

The thrill of canyoning

We’re kicking off the day with a serious hit of adrenaline – we’re heading to Ribeira dos Caldeirões, in the northeast of the island, to try out canyoning! With water-carved gorges, waterfalls, and lush green walls, the Azores are considered one of the top places in the world for this sport. So get ready to jump, climb, swim, and dive into natural pools for a few hours of pure, unfiltered fun.

The lush tea plantations

The day continues with a decidedly more relaxing activity, we're ready to uncover all the secrets of tea cultivation at Europe's oldest plantation, Chà Gorreana. We'll be enchanted by the surrounding agricultural landscape during this gentle walk, which ends with a tour of the facility where the tea is processed before being put on the market.
A WeRoad group trip poses for a photo at a viewpoint overlooking a vast landscape of green hills and two different colored lakes.

A thousand shades of green

New day, new hike! Today we're off to discover one of the island's most stunning viewpoints, the Miradouro Da Vista Do Rei. There are various trails to reach this incredible panoramic spot, and whichever we choose, we'll find ourselves in a landscape where lush nature paints everything in countless shades of green. Reaching the top, the view opens up to the twin lakes that dominate the valley below, making the scene even more harmonious.

A blue lake and a green one

After a quick break to refuel, we continue our journey towards the final destination: the splendid colonial town of Sete Cidades. But before reaching this charming town, we’ll get an even closer look at what we could already see from above. In fact, with a short walk, we can fully experience the tranquility of Lagoa Azul and the nearby Lagoa Verde.

A WeRoad group trip smiling for a selfie on a rigid inflatable boat sailing on the open blue sea.

Between whales and dolphins

After days spent exploring the inland beauty, today we're heading out into the ocean for some 'special encounters'. We'll hop on a boat and keep our eyes peeled for whales and dolphins, which are frequently spotted splashing around undisturbed near this remote Atlantic island. Spring is the best time, but the chances of spotting some are high all year round.

Chill out in Ferraria's natural pool

We'll grab the cars and head to a truly unique spot where we can treat ourselves to a few hours of relaxation surrounded by a breathtaking landscape. The natural pool of Ponta da Ferraria mixes the warm water from a nearby volcanic spring with the cool water of the Atlantic Ocean. This blend often creates an ideal temperature for the human body, so we can enjoy a lovely ocean dip without shivering!

A high-angle view of a green lake nestled within a valley of lush rolling hills and fields under a cloudy sky.

Vila Franca do Campo Island

The day kicks off at one of the island's most touristy spots, made famous especially since a renowned cliff diving competition started taking place here. About 1 kilometre off the coast opposite the village of Vila Franca do Campo lies a little island paradise that is, in fact, an ancient submerged volcano with a circular natural pool formed in its centre. We don't need telling twice and dive straight into the water – after all, when else are we going to get the chance to swim in such an unusual place?

The calderas at Lagoa das Furnas

We dry off, grab a bite, and we're ready for the next stop of the day. A leisurely stroll around Lagoa das Furnas will lead us to discover the calderas, or fumaroles, little craters filled with rainwater that bubble thanks to the heat from underground. Beyond these magical steaming pools, the lake offers many other points of interest set within a volcanic landscape enhanced by the abundant local vegetation that we've come to appreciate.
A WeRoad group trip swimming in a natural pool at the base of a small waterfall surrounded by a lush green forest.

On the crater of a volcano

It seems unbelievable, but we’ve reached the end of our journey. We leave the cars in the morning and make the most of our last day: we can do whatever we want!

One option is to hike in the Caldeira Nature Reserve, where we’ll take a trail that allows us to embark on a circular route and discover a crater a whopping 2 kilometres in diameter. Even for this final day of our trip, São Miguel has decided to wow us with its natural landscapes, so let’s breathe in the ocean air and soak up these views.

Treat yourself to a spa day

We venture into a wild landscape that conceals a true treasure. The natural pools of Caldeira Velha feel as though we’ve stepped straight into a fairytale – it’s almost impossible to believe all this splendour is real. After the efforts of the past few days, this spot is our well-deserved reward. We settle at the foot of the warm waterfall, take in the forest around us, and savour the moment together, reminiscing about all the wonders we’ve experienced on this adventurous itinerary.

Check out

Time for goodbyes: farewell São Miguel, farewell Azores. See you on the next WeRoad!

What's included

What's not included

Roundtrip flight to/from destination
  • Food and drinks where not specified

  • Gas/petrol, parking, toll fees 

  • All the extras you'll want to buy and manage to stuff into your backpack :);

  • Anything not mentioned in the "What's included" section

Optional activities

Please see below extra optional activities that you can experience during your trip. Your Group Leader will be happy to assist with organizing these activities for the group. Availability may vary depending on location and group preferences.

Please note these activities are provided by third party suppliers and liability rests exclusively with these third party suppliers.

  • Whalte watching excursion - approx. USD61

  • kayak Ilha do Vila Franca do Campo - approx. USD51

  • Termas Poca da Dona Beija approx. USD23

  • Treetop Adventure Park - approx. USD39

  • Surf class - appros. USD36

Additional info

Learn more about accommodation, transport, and other useful travel information.
  • Accommodation

    Hostels, B&Bs, apartments, or small hotels. The private room option isn't available for all trips.

  • Transports
    Rental car.
  • Info on private roomsShow all details

Why WeRoad

  • Small groups, on average 11 people

  • Move or change your trip for free up to 31 days before departure

  • Book with $ 0. Pay the $ 100 deposit only once the trip is confirmed

The Group Leaders

Our Group Leaders are chosen because they’re people just like you: passionate travelers who share the experience authentically, while having the skills to take care of the organisation, and help you get the most out of every moment of the trip.

Find your flight

For this trip, we recommend arriving and departing from these airports.

ArrivalPonta Delgada (PDL)
ReturnPonta Delgada (PDL)
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FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

About this trip

About WeRoad

About Azores