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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!

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Party and nightlife
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Nature and adventure
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Monuments and history
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Itinerary

The Azores in eight days, 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, canyon at Ribeira dos Caldeirões, walk Europe's only, oldest tea plantation, sail after dolphins and whales, and circle a crater rim in the Caldeira Nature Reserve. Trekking and volcanic nature lead, with ocean swims and thermal baths.

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 land on São Miguel and dive straight into island life, easing in rather than rushing, because the walking starts tomorrow.

  • Local specialities and a toast to the start of this trip, which is the fastest way to recharge both body and soul after a travel day.

  • 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 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

Boots on for the first hike, and the Azores waste no time showing what the island's wild interior looks like.

  • Today is Lagoa do Fogo, a lake tucked inside a volcanic crater, looped from several viewpoints, with scenery that at times feels straight out of Hawaii.

  • Around four hours of walking and 300 metres of elevation gain, nothing too intense, plus a sandwich eaten with our feet dipped in the lake.

 

Relax by the waterfall

  • Then a short walk to Salto do Cabrito, a stunning waterfall, and some time in the lush nature before heading back to 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

Adrenaline first, tea second. Today runs from a gorge in the northeast of the island to a plantation, which is a wide swing.

  • We head to Ribeira dos Caldeirões to try canyoning, jumping, climbing, swimming and diving into natural pools for a few hours of pure, unfiltered fun.

  • With water-carved gorges, waterfalls and lush green walls, the Azores are considered one of the very top places in the whole world for this sport.

 

The lush tea plantations

  • The afternoon is gentler: a walk through the agricultural landscape of Chá Gorreana, Europe's oldest tea plantation, ending with a tour of the processing facility.

 

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, and this one is about a viewpoint the island seems to have built specifically to be looked at.

  • 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 drop to the colonial town of Sete Cidades, then walk to 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 inland, today the island gets left behind for a few hours and we go looking for company in the water.

  • 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; spring is best, chances stay high all year.

 

Chill out in Ferraria's natural pool

  • Then the cars, and the natural pool of Ponta da Ferraria, where warm water from a volcanic spring meets the cool Atlantic Ocean at an ideal temperature.

 

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

Two volcanic set pieces today: one sits a kilometre offshore, and the other bubbles away quietly beside an inland lake.

  • Opposite the village of Vila Franca do Campo, famous for its cliff diving competition, lies an island paradise that is an ancient submerged volcano with a circular pool at its centre.

 

The calderas at Lagoa das Furnas

  • We dive in, dry off, then stroll around Lagoa das Furnas to find 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, all set in a volcanic landscape enhanced by the abundant local vegetation.

 

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

Last day, and unstructured on purpose: we leave the cars in the morning and do whatever we want with the time.

  • 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 is the natural pools of Caldeira Velha, a wild landscape hiding warm water and, after the past few days, a fairly well-earned reward.

  • We settle at the foot of the warm waterfall, take in the forest around us and go back over everything the week has thrown at us.

 

Check out

Time for goodbyes, and after eight days on this island they take a fairly good while to get through properly.

  • We check out, and it is farewell São Miguel, farewell Azores, said fairly slowly at the hotel door with all the bags already piled up.

  • Then it is see you on the next WeRoad, which somebody in the group will inevitably start planning long before we even reach the airport.

 

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

From$ 1,796
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$ 1,530
Book with $ 0
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