Azores walking holiday, Portugal
Verdant vineyards, simmering calderas, tea plantations and sunken volcanoes; if you're wishing to experience four of the Azores then this walking tour is a natural choice.
Santa Luzia Vineyards Faja dos Cubres Trupes do Capelo Capelinhos Volcano Scrimshaw Museum Lagoa do Fogo Sete Cidades Vista do Rei Lake Furnas Terra Nostra Botanical Gardens Optional activities include: climbing Mt Pico, swimming with dolphins or half day whale watching
Price
£2449To£2899including UK flights
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More info
From £1999 - £2099 excluding flights.
Optional single supplement £325.
Minimum age 16.
Optional single supplement £325.
Minimum age 16.
Description of Azores walking holiday, Portugal
Although the Azores are part of Europe, Portugal to be precise, they still conjure up some incredibly exotic scenes that would perhaps be far more fitting for somewhere a bit further south.
Of course, the archipelago's volcanic origins have a lot to do with the luscious foliage, UNESCO listed vineyards and blooming hydrangeas that you'll discover on a walking holiday with solidified lava, black sand and steep calderas providing yet more evidence of a land that time forgot.
This 8 day walking holiday provides the perfect opportunity to revel in the very best of the Azores, just 1,500km off the coast of Portugal, where a short flight to Pico Island signals the start of a very exotic small group adventure with average daily walking distances of 10km.
Map
Price information
£2449To£2899including UK flights
Convert currency:
From £1999 - £2099 excluding flights.
Optional single supplement £325.
Minimum age 16.
Optional single supplement £325.
Minimum age 16.
Check dates, prices & availability
Travel guides
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Holiday information
Small group tours:
Small group travel is not large group travel scaled down. It is modeled on independent travel – but with the advantage of a group leader to take care of the itinerary, accommodation and tickets, and dealing with the language. It’s easy to tick off the big sights independently – but finding those one-off experiences, local festivals, travelling markets and secret viewpoints is almost impossible for someone without the insider knowledge gained from years in the field. Those with a two-week holiday, a small group tour will save valuable planning time.
Our top tip:
The weather in the Azores can be pretty changeable, especially if you're visiting in spring to watch whales. It's worth investing in a quality pack-o-mac so you're prepared for all eventualities.
Trip type:
Small group. Maximum size 16. Minimum age 16.
Activity level:
Moderate. Average walking distance of 9km on 5 days.
Accomm:
2 x good standard hotels with en-suite facilities.
Included:
Accommodation, transport, listed activities and tour leader throughout.
Meals:
All breakfasts and 5 lunches.
Solos:
Single hotel rooms available.
Reviews
2 Reviews of Azores walking holiday, Portugal
4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 22 Sep 2019 by Tony Shepherd
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The Faial walk to the volcano was the most memorable; however, all 4 islands we visited were all special.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Please take walking poles as this certainly helps especially on a descent. Yes
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes and our guide’s passion on the environment and his love of the Azores was excellent.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Reviewed on 03 Jun 2019 by Carole Bowman
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Fantastic and diverse scenery on the walks.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Check your internal flights have been booked. Mine were not.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
It benefited local people in terms of providing transport and eating at local restaurants.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Great despite some hiccups.
Responsible Travel
As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we've screened this (and every) holiday so that you can travel knowing it will help support the places and people that you visit, and the planet. Read how below.
Planet
UK officeIt all starts at home so we have first worked at reducing our carbon footprint in our UK offices. Through energy conservation measures and recycling policies in place, we are proud to be actively reducing the waste produced and our impact on the environment. We support various projects all over the world to try and give something back to the places we visit.
Group size
We operate small group tours that have a low impact on the communities we visit and we always ensure our operations do not disrupt or lead to the displacement of local people. This allows us to stay in unique and characterful accommodation that would not have benefitted from tourism due to their limited size.
Activity
Few holidays have as little detrimental impact on the environment and local residents as a walking trip. It is a quiet, low impact activity requiring comparatively little resources to support. Erosion on and adjacent to popular paths is a growing problem and our trip leaders encourage clients not to stray from paths to minimise this.
People
Leaders & local suppliersBoth companies used for our whale and dolphin watching tours respect the animals during times of feeding or resting by maintaining a distance and avoiding any interference. We use a small family-run company in Ponta Delgada who use small boats and in Horta the company plants a tree every time they go to sea. Our hotels source as much local food as possible and conserve energy where possible. Leaders are employed locally and are very conscious of environmental concerns so they ensure clients follow them in the best practices to reduce our footprint.
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