Itinerary
Eight days in the Azores, all on São Miguel, the archipelago's largest island, explored by land and sea from Ponta Delgada. We trek Lagoa do Fogo, Vista do Rei and Lagoa Azul, try canyoning at Ribeira dos Caldeirões and walk Europe's only, and oldest, tea plantation.
Then we sail out after dolphins and whales and circle a crater rim in the Caldeira Nature Reserve. Trekking and volcanic nature lead the way, with ocean swims and thermal baths to balance the effort. Hiking boots by day, warm water by afternoon: sound like a plan?


Welcome to the Azores: São Miguel Arrival
Check-in: our adventure kicks off
We land on São Miguel and ease into island life: the walking starts tomorrow!
Check-in and welcome meeting: we check into the hotel and gather for the welcome meeting, where the plan for the week gets laid out and everyone finally has a face.
A first taste of the island: local specialities and a toast to the start of the trip, the fastest way to recharge body and soul after a travel day.

Trekking to Lagoa do Fogo and Salto do Cabrito
The lake in the volcanic crater
Boots on for the first hike: ready to see what the island's wild interior looks like?
Around Lagoa do Fogo: a lake tucked inside a volcanic crater, with scenery that at times feels straight out of Hawaii. We loop around it and admire it from several viewpoints.
Around four hours of walking and 300 metres of elevation gain: nothing too intense.
Relax by the waterfall
Lunch comes with a twist: a sandwich eaten with our feet dipped in the lake.
To the Salto do Cabrito waterfall: then a short walk to Salto do Cabrito, a stunning waterfall.
Back to Ponta Delgada: some time in the lush nature before heading back to base in Ponta Delgada.

Canyoning at Ribeira dos Caldeirões and Chá Gorreana Tea
The thrill of canyoning
Adrenaline first, tea second: today swings from a gorge in the northeast of the island to a plantation! With water-carved gorges, waterfalls and lush green walls, the Azores are considered one of the top places in the world for canyoning.
Canyoning at Ribeira dos Caldeirões: we head to Ribeira dos Caldeirões to try canyoning: jumping, climbing, swimming and diving into natural pools for a few hours of pure fun.
The lush tea plantations
The afternoon is gentler.
Among the tea plants: a walk through the agricultural landscape of Chá Gorreana, Europe's oldest tea plantation, ending with a tour of the processing facility.

Vista do Rei, Lagoa Azul and Sete Cidades
A thousand shades of green
New day, new hike, and this one is all about a viewpoint. Which trail do we pick?
Up to Vista do Rei: various trails lead to the Miradouro da Vista do Rei, all through lush nature in countless shades of green, until the view opens onto the twin lakes below.
A blue lake and a green one
After a break to refuel, we head down.
Down to Sete Cidades: we drop to the colonial town of Sete Cidades.
Walk to the two lakes: then we walk to the tranquility of Lagoa Azul and the nearby Lagoa Verde.

Whale Watching and Ponta da Ferraria Pool
Between whales and dolphins
After days spent inland, we go looking for company in the water. Spring is best, but chances stay high all year.
Up for whale watching? We hop on a boat and watch for whales and dolphins, up to 28 species a year, splashing around undisturbed near this remote Atlantic island.
Chill out in Ferraria's natural pool
Then back in the cars.
Soak at Ponta da Ferraria: at the natural pool of Ponta da Ferraria, warm water from a volcanic spring meets the cool Atlantic Ocean at an ideal temperature.

Vila Franca do Campo and Lagoa das Furnas
Vila Franca do Campo Island
Two volcanic set pieces today: one sits a kilometre offshore, the other bubbles away beside an inland lake.
The island off Vila Franca: opposite the village of Vila Franca do Campo, famous for its cliff diving competition, lies an island paradise: an ancient submerged volcano with a circular pool at its centre. Who's jumping in first?
The calderas at Lagoa das Furnas
We dive in, dry off and move on.
Around Lagoa das Furnas: a stroll around Lagoa das Furnas leads to the calderas, or fumaroles, little craters of rainwater bubbling from the heat underground.
Beyond the steaming pools, the lake holds plenty of other points of interest in a volcanic landscape enhanced by abundant local vegetation.

Caldeira Nature Reserve and Caldeira Velha Pools
On the crater of a volcano
Last day, and unstructured on purpose: we leave the cars in the morning and do whatever we want!
Around a crater rim? One option is the Caldeira Nature Reserve, where a trail runs a circular route around a crater a whopping two kilometres in diameter, ocean air included.
Treat yourself to a spa day
The other option is a well-earned reward after the past few days.
Rather a warm soak? The natural pools of Caldeira Velha hide warm water in a wild landscape. We settle at the foot of the warm waterfall, take in the forest and go back over everything the week has thrown at us.
Bye bye São Miguel
Check out
Time for goodbyes: after eight days on this island, they take a while!
Check-out: we check out and say farewell to São Miguel and the Azores at the hotel door, bags already piled up.
Then it's see you on the next WeRoad, which someone in the group will start planning before we even reach the airport.
What's included
7 nights: accommodation in a shared bedroom with a private bathroom for WeRoad participants.
- All breakfasts
- Car rental from day 2 to day 7
An adrenaline-pumping canyoning experience to learn simple things like sliding down a rock face and (metaphorically) dropping into natural pools
Group Leader's Assistance
Medical and baggage insurance - (coverage limits by destination country/region - €10,000 Italy, €20,000 Europe, €30,000 World, €50,000 USA/Canada)
What's not included
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
- Accommodation
Hostels, B&Bs, apartments, or small hotels. The private room option isn't available for all trips.
- TransportsRental 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
Find your flight
For this trip, we recommend arriving and departing from these airports.
















