Wild Island Adventure in the Azores
Hike, canyon, coasteer, e-bike, kayak and whale watch your way around the island of Sao Miguel in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean
What's Included?
Activities & Certified Guides
All itinerary activities with local, expert, English-speaking guidesHotels & Camping
6 nights in boutique hotels and 1 night campingMeals
All breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinnersTransfers
Airport transfers and everything in betweenEquipment
All equipment for each activity, plus all your camping gearSmall Like-minded Groups
Solo-friendly by design, join our small n’ sociable groups of up to 12 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people…
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What's it like?
A jam-packed week of adventure among mountainous peaks, turquoise lakes, lush vegetation and stunning coastlines
Swim, scramble and cliff jump into the wild Atlantic on an epic coasteering adventure and slide, jump and abseil down the canyons of Ribeira dos Caldeirões
Hike through Sao Miguel's jaw-dropping landscapes, scope out secret spots to catch sunrise and wild swims, and soak in thermal hot springs
Hop on an e-bike to pedal around Sete Cidades, kayak to the iconic islet of Vila Franca and head out to sea to spot ocean giants on a whale watching trip
Key Information
Day 1
Welcome to the Azores
Catch your first glimpse of the beautiful Azores archipelago as you approach Ponta Delgada on the island of Sao Miguel. Depending on your trip date, you'll either transfer downtown to your hotel in Ponta Delgada itself or transfer a half hour along the coast to Vila Franca do Campo. Settle into your accommodation and meet up with your fellow adventurers and guide for a welcome dinner and a chat over the epic trip ahead.
Day 2
Hike to Fogo Lake
Hiking
Kick start your Azores adventure with a hike to Fogo Lake, following epic trails in the wilderness area in the centre of Sao Miguel island. Setting off from the north side of the island, you'll enjoy amazing views along the trail towards Vila Franca do Campo on the coast, as well as its famous islet which you'll be kayaking around later in the trip. After an ascent over open pastures, you'll descend down to the lake flanked by high walls of thick, lush vegetation until you reach the water. Enjoy a leisurely picnic lunch by this stunning lake before continuing the hike later in the afternoon. Finish the day with a sundowner on a local beach near your base.
Day 3
E-biking Sete Cidades and coasteering by the Atlantic
Cycling
Coasteering
Sete Cidades is one of the Azores' picture-postcard spots, and one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal. You'll explore this stunning geological wonder on two wheels as you hop on an e-bike, pedalling along easy dirt tracks to reach a series of epic viewpoints. There's a long ascent where your e-bike will be your aid to reach the highest spots before rolling along a summit rim and a fun descent back down to Sete Cidades village. In the afternoon, you'll hit the coast for a truly wild time of it in the Atlantic Ocean. Your expert guides will take you coasteering along this rugged section of coastline as you navigate the route by swimming, climbing and jumping from cliffs, exploring the ocean and the incredible volcanic rock formations.
Day 4
Kayak to Vila Franca islet and go whale watching
Kayaking
Wildlife Watching
An unforgettable paddle awaits as you hop in a kayak this morning, setting off into the great expanse of the Atlantic bound for the iconic islet of Vila Franca do Campo. The islet is a marine protected area and was formed by a submerged ancient volcano – its flooded crater has formed a semicircle above the ocean's surface. Explore this incredible islet before kayaking back to Sao Miguel to enjoy lunch before a must-do Azores experience: witnessing the huge congregation of ocean giants in the waters around Sao Miguel on a whale watching trip. Settle on board and travel to deeper waters with a marine biologist for company to help with sightings. Sperm whales are a resident species in the Azores; while fin, blue, and sei whales migrate through the Azores and are often possible to spot at various times of the year.
Day 5
Canyoning, wild swims and an Azorean barbecue
Canyoning
Head into one of Sao Miguel's canyons today: at either Salga or Salto do Cabrito, two of the most beautiful locations on the island and the scene for another amazing few hours of adventure. Spend the morning exploring streams, natural pools and waterfalls using different canyoning techniques, such as jumps (optional), rappels, and natural water slides. Dry off and enjoy lunch before heading to the north east corner of the island, creatively called 'Nordeste'. Here you reach your camp area in a beautiful spot with a nice stream nearby. With camp already setup by your guides, head off to explore the village of Nordeste to perhaps grab a swim in the local harbour, or feel free to relax at camp. This evening your guides are laying on a special Azorean barbecue to tuck into round the campfire, before a night under canvas.
Day 6
Secret sunrise spot, hike to waterfalls and night-time hot springs
Hiking
Embrace an early start today to catch sunrise in one of the best spots on the island at Ponta da Madrugada, waiting for the light to hit the dramatic coastline to kickstart another day in this beautiful archipelago. Grab breakfast in your host's favourite coffee shop nearby, before bidding farewell to Nordeste. Today you're tackling another hike, this time through Faial da Terra. You'll set off from the small village on the south coast and into the forested valley, bound for two stunning waterfalls: Salto do Cagarrão and Salto do Prego. Reaching each one you can spend some time taking in the spectacle and grab a wild swim (brace yourself, the water is very fresh!). Continue on to Sanguinho, a small rural village where the hike ends. Hop back in the van and head to your final base of the trip at Furnas. This is in the heart of the most active volcanic region of the Azores, home to over 30 geothermal pools and geysers dotted around the Furnas Valley. After settling into your beautiful hotel, you'll have the chance to head off to a nearby hot spring for a relaxing soak in the naturally thermal waters.
Day 7
Exploring Furnas
On your final full day of the trip, it's time to explore the Furnas Valley more deeply, hiking along a network of trails to reach fumaroles, geysers and hot springs and taking in the forested hillside backdrop. This evening your host will take you to a local restaurant for a farewell dinner of local Azorean specialities.
Day 8
Adeus to the Azores
Enjoy a last breakfast on the Azores before heading back to the airport in Ponta Delgada in time for your flight home.
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Ponta Delgada Airport
Any time on Day 1
Ends
Ponta Delgada Airport
Any time on Day 8
Transfers
Your host will meet you on arrival at Ponta Delgada Airport on Day 1 to start your adventure. On Day 8, your host will drop you back at the airport in time for your onward flight. If you plan to extend your trip and arrive or depart outside of these days, your host can arrange airport transfers for an extra cost.
Travel options
There are regular flights to Ponta Delgada Airport from airports across the UK and Europe, while North American travellers can fly direct from New York, Boston, Montreal and Toronto. Lisbon is a common transit point if your flight route does not have direct options to Ponta Delgada. UK travellers: please note that low-cost carriers such as Ryanair (who offer direct routes from London to Ponta Delgada) release their flights less far in advance than the likes of TAP Portugal. If you are searching eight months or more ahead for flights, you may see the TAP flights via Lisbon but not the Ryanair direct options. In this case, you can wait until the Ryanair flights are released in order to book the direct flight option.
Day 1
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2 – Day 3
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 4
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 5
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 6
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 7
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 8
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What is the food like?
Breakfasts in the hotels are a plentiful, high quality continental-style affair accompanied by fresh juices, teas and coffees. The provided lunches will be picnics in beautiful locations, generally consisting of baguette sandwiches or salads with dried snacks and fruits. There's an Azorean barbecue included on your night camping in the Nordeste region and you'll have the opportunity to sample the famous Cozido das Furnas – a meaty stew slow-cooked for hours in the volcanic soil of the town of Furnas. Where dinners aren't included, there are plenty of restaurants to choose from in Furnas, Ponta Delgada and Vila Franca offering traditional Azorean and international cuisine. Please budget around €20 per dinner, not including drinks.
Vegetarian, vegan and most other dietary requirements can be accommodated. Please request this on your passenger information form.
What is the accommodation like?
Vila Franca do Campo
For departures in April, September and October, you'll spend four nights at the Vinha d'Areia Beach Hotel in the coastal town of Vila Franca do Campo, overlooking the famous islet which you'll be kayaking to later in the trip. The hotel has a cracking location, just moments away from a lovely beach for morning and evening sea swims before and after your days out adventuring. You'll stay in twin-share rooms with ensuite bathrooms.
Ponta Delgada
On May and June departures, you'll stay four nights at the Neat Hotel in Ponta Delgada, the capital of the Azores archipelago. A boutique hotel set in a 19th-century manor house, it has a highly regarded restaurant, an outdoor swimming pool and spacious, quiet guest rooms. It's perfectly located in the historic centre of Ponta Delgada. You'll stay in twin-share rooms with ensuite bathrooms.
Camping in Nordeste region
You'll spend one night under canvas in the beautiful region around Nordeste. The campground is spacious and surrounded by green landscapes, with space for an Azorean barbecue and a fire pit for your evening here. You'll stay in twin-share tents with sleeping mats, bags and pillows. There are shared bathroom and shower facilities with hot water showers available.
Furnas
On all departures, you'll spend the final two nights in a twin-share room at the Terra Nostra Garden Hotel, considered one of the best hotels in the Azores. The hotel is adjacent to the Terra Nostra Botanical Park, complete with a geothermal lake – guests are free to wander the grounds. The hotel has a wellness spa with indoor and outdoor pools, perfect for winding down at the end of each day. You'll stay in twin-share rooms with ensuite bathrooms.
Upgrades
For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room and tent can be booked for an extra charge. See Optional Extras for the price and please request these at the time of booking.
This trip has been rated as Easy
This trip is all about a fun mindset rather than needing any previous experience or a high level of fitness. You just need to enjoy being active for a large part of the day, in an outdoor environment with some moments of adventure and adrenaline. The canyoning and coasteering on the trip don't require any huge fitness levels or prior experience, but a fondness for getting wet will help! Your expert guides are there to help on any sections where you might feel less confident.
What if i need to skip an activity?
You are welcome to skip any activity at any stage of this trip.
What will I need to carry?
Your main luggage will be transported for you throughout the trip and can remain in your hotel room whenever you are out and about doing activities. You'll just need a daypack of 20-30 litres to carry water, snacks and waterproofs each day.
Being surrounded by a huge expanse of sea and influenced by the warm Gulf Stream gives the Azores a mild climate that's pleasant all year round with relatively small temperature variations.
April can be somewhat unpredictable, with a mix of sunny and cloudy days and chances of rain. Temperatures are 13°C (55°F) to 18°C (64°F) and the ocean is still cool, with water temperatures around 16-17°C (61-63°F).
May and June warm up a little with temperatures from 14°C (57°F) to 22°C (72°F) and less rainfall. The sea warms up to 19°C (66°F).
September and October are two of the best months to visit the Azores. The weather is typically sunny and warm, with relatively low chances of rain. The sea is at its warmest, around 23-24°C (73-75°F), perfect for swimming and other water activities. October things start to cool a little, with more chance of rain.
We’re still waiting to collect any reviews from other travellers on this trip. However, all our hosts go through an extensive vetting process to ensure that your adventure is awesome.
Enjoy 12.5% Off Outdoor Gear
In need of a few more items? All bookings receive a 12.5% discount to use at Cotswold Outdoor, Snow + Rock and Runner's Need.
What's included?
- All equipment and safety gear for all activities throughout the trip
- Twin-share tents, sleeps mats, sleeping bags and pillows for the night camping in Nordeste
What do I need to bring?
BAGS
- Soft overnight duffel bag or rucksack
- Daypack (20-30 litres)
- Waterproof cover for daypack
- Small drybag(s) to take with you on any of the water based activities
CLOTHES
- Waterproof jacket
- Waterproof trousers
- Fleece jacket or similar for evenings
- Buff or neckscarf
- Lightweight trousers/shorts/skirts
- T-shirts
- Underwear and socks
- Swimwear: multiple sets for activities, pools at the hotels and thermal springs
- Sunglasses
- Sunhat
- Sleepwear
- Hiking boots or trail runners (worn-in)
- Sandals or trainers for downtime at hotels or the campground in Nordeste
OTHER
- Universal travel plug adapter
- Power bank or solar charger
- Passports (and visas)
- Travel insurance documents
- Ear plugs
- Insect repellent
- Suncream
- Personal first-aid kit (inc. blister treatment)
- Personal items (biodegradable toiletries, sanitary wear etc)
- Quick-dry towel
- Alcohol hand-gel
- Reusable water bottle x1 litre (or x2)
- Energy bars and snacks - read our article on Best Hiking Snacks
April trips
Payable Before Departure
April trips
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May-Jun, Sep-Oct trips
Payable Before Departure
May-Jun, Sep-Oct trips
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We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity.
What's the number?
It works out on average at 183kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.
The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.
But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:
- Driving 1000miles/1609km would be approx. 281kg of CO2 in an average car (or 140.5kg per person if there was 2 of you in it).
- A return economy class flight London - New York would be approx. 1,619kg (1.66 tonnes) per person.
- 10 trees in a temperate forest are estimated to remove approx. 250kg of CO2 from the air in a period of 5-10 years.
What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity, ensuring the protection of the reserve and its wildlife.
Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.
Your host is a true Azores specialist, with many years of experience operating a variety of activities on all parts of Sao Miguel. They use their knowledge and experience of adventure activities on the island to carefully manage each trip, tracking the weather and ocean conditions to check whether activities can go ahead. This trip has a variety of activities in different parts of the island, so the itinerary is subject to some reordering depending on weather conditions, if required. For example, if sea conditions are great at the start of the trip, but forecast to be poor later on, you will do the kayak trip to islet Vila Franca earlier than planned.
This trip visits locations where wild animals are present in a natural environment, where protections and controls on their movement may be limited or non-existent. Some wild animals may be predatory in nature, poisonous, venomous or otherwise can be considered dangerous in a close encounter. Wild animals by their nature are unpredictable and visitors into their habit should follow the safety instructions given by their local guide(s) and/or any signage present. It is a privilege to see wild animals in a natural environment and an experience that should be respectfully conducted at all times.
You'll have a tour leader throughout the trip as your main guide, plus additional activity guides will join the group at various stages throughout the trip as you tuck into the smorgasbord of activities on this adventure.
Your luggage can be safely left in your hotels while you're away doing activities. You'll just need a daypack and/or drybag for the daytime.
We recommend checking out the country specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.
Tap water in the Azores is completely safe to drink, so you can fill your bottles up at the hotel and at various points throughout the trip. Your guides will factor in water refill spots during the hikes and activities.
Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine.
Travel insurance is compulsory for all of our adventures and you are required to provide your policy information before departing.
Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. We also strongly recommend it includes cancellation and curtailment insurance, should you be unable to join your trip for specific reasons such as illness.
We fully endorse Campbell Irvine as their insurance offers all of the above, so get in touch with them or call on 020 7938 1734 to get your insurance sorted. We suggest that you book travel insurance as soon as you book your adventure, just to cover you for any last-minute life changes. We know you’re an active lot and injuries do happen!
We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.
If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.
All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. Children can be accommodated on some private departures.
You're always in good company on one of our adventures.
Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.
Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.
It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.
Don't just take our word for it:
- 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
- 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
- 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends
See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.
Interested in a more exclusive experience? Opt for a 'Private Group' through the dates and prices tab to book this adventure for just you and your chosen companions.
Our team of Adventure Hunters create exclusive adventures with highly vetted, specialist hosts. We only work with independent, local in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with.
Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website, where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).
For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.
Got questions? We've got answers
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Connect before you go
You'll be invited to join a WhatsApp group to get to know each other before your big adventure together. Full details
DEPARTURE DATES
Tuesday 15th April 2025
to Tuesday 22nd April 2025
New Trip Offer - Next 2 spots available at 10% off
