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Discover Faial, São Jorge, and the Pico Islands on guided tours and hike to Caldeira do Santo Cristo

Situated in the centre of the gloriously green Azores archipelago, the islands of Faial, São Jorge, and Pico form a triangle rich in natural beauty and local culture.

This ten-night holiday gives you a full introduction to the region, with a few nights in each location and visits to the highlights of each isle.

On a tour of Faial, you'll see the mighty volcanic Caldeira which rises high above the island. There will also be a trip to the sea-facing Capelinhos volcano and the iconic Ponta dos Capelinhos lighthouse which stands below.

While exploring Sao Jorge, you can look forward to the greenery of Sete Fontes Forest Park and the picture-perfect viewpoints of Fajã dos Cubres and Fajã do Ouvidor, as well as visits to welcoming local villages where you can enjoy handicrafts and traditional cooking. There's also the chance to hike to Caldeira do Santo Cristo, a vast volcano crater, rich in geological formations.

On Pico, you'll visit Portugal's longest lava tube which is over three miles long, and witness rich bird and plant life while enjoying stunning views of the ocean and neighbouring islands.

As well as guided excursions there'll be plenty of free time too, for you to explore the Azores at your own pace. Perhaps you'll choose to go whale and dolphin watching, or hike another of the unbeatably scenic trails.

You will travel between the islands by ferry, taking in heavenly ocean vistas as you go. Throughout the trip, you'll be staying in comfortable hotels on or close to the coast, adding an Atlantic touch to your stay.

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Price includes

  • Return flights from London to Faial (via Lisbon)
  • Transfers to and from the airport and activities
  • Ferry from Faial to São Jorge, ferry from São Jorge to Pico Island and ferry from Pico to Faial
  • Four nights in Hotel do Canal, three nights in Hotel São Jorge Garden, and three nights in Hotel Caravelas
  • 10 breakfasts and 4 lunches
  • Explore the great volcanic Caldeira crater
  • Visit some of the Azores fishing villages, including Urzelina and Manadas
  • Visit Portugal's longest lava tube
  • Go on day tours of Faial Island, Pico Island and São Jorge
  • Caldeira do Santo Cristo hike
  • Fully qualified guides and instructors during activities

Availability

From
Mon, Mon, Apr 1, 2024
To
Fri, Fri, Oct 25, 2024
Duration
11 days
Price per person
£2,395*

* From price is per person, based on two people sharing a room, subject to availability and based on departures between 1-20 April 2024. Call for alternative departure dates. Price and itinerary correct at time of print but may be subject to change. Single supplement on request. Deposit £400pp. Local charges such as tourist tax may apply. Travel insurance is not included but required for most of our overseas trips, and should be taken out at time of booking. Images used may not reflect your actual tour experience. This holiday may be sold through other selected brands. Tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Artisan Travel Company ABTA No. Y6261, ATOL No. 6865.

Call now to book 03301 735 345
Quote ref: ARTAZORES
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Itinerary

  1. Day
    1
    Arrival
    Faial, Portugal

    On arrival, you'll be met by a representative and transferred to Hotel do Canal, on the atmospheric Atlantic seafront.

    After checking in and settling into your room, why not head to one of the nearby restaurants for a delicious seaside dinner?

  2. Day
    2
    Faial Island
    Faial, Portugal

    After your first Azorean breakfast, you'll head off by minibus for a fascinating day tour of Faial Island. Your guide will take you to the volcanic Caldeira, an immense crater where you can look out to the ocean and admire the neighbouring Pico Island.

    You'll also visit the volcano of Capelinhos on the tip of the Capelo peninsula, the famous Ponta dos Capelinhos lighthouse and see the newest section of Faial Island, whose dark, rocky terrain was formed in 1957 during an eruption. There'll be time to visit the volcano information centre to learn more about these intriguing landscapes.

    Meals - Breakfast, Lunch
  3. Day
    3
    São Jorge Island
    São Jorge, Portugal

    After breakfast, you'll take a ferry ride to São Jorge via Pico Island. The journey takes around two hours in total. Have your cameras at the ready for snapshots of the Atlantic as you make your way across.

    You'll check in at Hotel São Jorge Garden, where your room will have a balcony, overlooking the hotel garden and the Atlantic waters.

    Then it's time for the day's activities. You can abseil down waterfalls and slide along streams during a canyoning session, or you might choose to take some of the hiking trails in the area, enjoying all the verdant scenery this island has to offer. All these optional activities can be booked in advance.

    Meals - Breakfast
  4. Day
    4
    Tour of São Jorge Island
    São Jorge, Portugal

    After breakfast you'll embark on an island tour, visiting several of São Jorge most famous sites.

    Marvel at the local handicrafts in Ribeira do Nabo before continuing to the welcoming local villages of Urzelina and Manadas. You'll stop at the eighteenth-century Santa Barbara Church before recharging with lunch in a Calheta village restaurant.

    You'll then spend the afternoon exploring the pretty parish of Ribeira Seca and the coffee plantation of Fajã dos Vimes and heading up to the viewpoints of Fajã dos Cubres and Fajã do Ouvidor.

    Finally, you'll have time to venture into the Sete Fontes Forest Park with its splendid natural sights.

    Meals - Breakfast, Lunch
  5. Day
    5
    Caldeira do Santo Cristo
    São Jorge, Portugal

    Today you'll have two excursions to choose from as you explore the Caldeira do Santo Cristo, a stunning area offering spectacular coastal views and exotic flora and fauna.

    The first option is a truly rewarding 10km walk. The walk begins at a height of 700m on the Serra do Topo hillside. The route is initially steep as you descend (so this is best suited to regular walkers) but the views are well worth it.

    When you reach the Caldeira do Santo Cristo you can take a dip in the lagoon and enjoy a picnic lunch. The lagoon is formed by a natural sea wall of volcanic rock. From here it's a further 4km to Fajã dos Cubres, where the walk ends.

    Option two is a relaxed walk from Fajã dos Cubres to Caldeira do Santo Cristo which is much flatter and covers a total of 8km. Lunch and swimming at the Caldeira are both included.

    Meals - Breakfast, Lunch
  6. Day
    6
    Pico Island
    Pico, Portugal

    After breakfast, you will be taken to the harbour for the ferry to Pico Island, once again being treated to beautiful views over the water. The ferry ride will take about one hour and twenty minutes in total, after which you'll be transferred to your hotel, Hotel Caravelas, where you'll have time to check in and settle into your room.

    You'll have a balcony with either an ocean or a mountain view, where you can relax with a drink before another busy day tomorrow.

    Meals - Breakfast
  7. Day
    7
    Tour of Pico Island
    Pico, Portugal

    After breakfast at your hotel, you'll set off to explore the island. Your tour will take you to the island's central plateau, where you will experience beautiful views of the ocean and discover the volcanic origins of the island.

    What was once a hostile volcanic hotspot is now a celebration of biodiversity, with hundreds of native plant species now making it their home.

    Following a picnic lunch, the adventure continues with a guided tour of Portugal's longest lava tube, Gruta das Torres, which can be explored on foot. Torches and helmets are provided during your visit to this geological wonder.

    Meals - Breakfast, Lunch
  8. Day
    8
    Explore the Azores
    Pico, Portugal

    Today you'll have a free day to spend exploring the Azores with more exciting optional activities. The archipelago is internationally famed as a site for whales and dolphins, and no visit to this part of the world is complete without a trip to spot them in the wild.

    Try a stunning whale and dolphin watching tour and feel the thrill of seeing these majestic animals in their natural habitat. Even better, you can book to swim with dolphins to get an even closer look at these intelligent creatures.

    Meals - Breakfast
  9. Day
    9
    Faial Island
    Faial, Portugal

    Today you'll check out of Hotel Caravelas and catch the ferry back to Faial. This ferry ride makes a brilliant vantage point to admire the islands from the water.

    Once back on land, you'll check back into Hotel do Canal and have the rest of the day free to explore the island independently or simply relax at the hotel.

    Meals - Breakfast
  10. Day
    10
    Day at leisure
    Faial, Portugal

    After breakfast you will have the day free to spend as you wish. You might like to explore more of Horta, or simply unwind in the hotel Jacuzzi.

    Better still, you can continue your adventures on Faial by booking an optional half-day or a full day hike on one of the island's scenic routes. You can return to the Caldeira and walk around its rim or follow the old Levada aqueduct system ringed by greenery.

    Meals - Breakfast
  11. Day
    11
    Departure
    Faial, Portugal

    After one last Azorean breakfast, it's time to transfer to the airport for your journey home.

    Meals - Breakfast

Accommodation

Hotel do Canal

0
Horta, Portugal

Based in the city of Horta on the island of Faial, Hotel do Canal gazes over bay waters, with the coast of Pico Island and its grand mountain filling the background. This four-star accommodation has rooms with stylish red and wooden interiors. It also boasts excellent fitness and wellbeing facilities.

Brought to you by

Artisan Travel
This tour is operated solely by Artisan Travel
The Artisan Travel Company have been providing holidays for over 15 years. Their itineraries are painstakingly researched in order to save you valuable planning time and the word "experience" is at the heart of everything they do. Destinations include Scandinavia, Iceland, Greenland and the Mediterranean and Atlantic Islands.

Holidays are operated by and subject to the booking conditions of The Artisan Travel Company.

To view Artisan Travel’s supplier’s terms and conditions click here.

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Availability

Call now to book 03301 735 345
Quote ref: ARTAZORES