Protocol P-11, Azores
São Miguel is the largest island of the Azores, a volcanic outpost in the Atlantic about halfway between Lisbon and nothing at all. Its craters hold lakes, its valleys steam, and warm water turns up in gardens, streams and even the sea.
Duration
7 days
Group
Up to 10
Season
Apr to Oct
Effort
Moderate
Meet at
Hotel hall, Mariánské Lázně
Indicative price
From CZK 64,900 per person
The price is indicative, per person in a shared double room. A manager confirms the final price when you send a request, because flights and hotel rates move with the season.
The island weather changes by the hour, so the order of our days is fixed only the evening before. Two days reach 3 on the effort scale, on crater rim paths that can be shortened.
Effort profile
Day by day
Day 1
To Lisbon
Coffee in the hotel hall at seven, the minibus to Prague and the afternoon flight to Lisbon, with a night near the airport.
Day 2
Ponta Delgada
The morning flight to the island and a walk around the black-and-white streets of Ponta Delgada.
Day 3
Sete Cidades
The rim path above the twin crater lakes, one blue and one green, and a picnic by the water.
Day 4
Furnas
To the Furnas valley: the iron-rich pool of Terra Nostra garden and a lunch of stew cooked in the hot ground.
Day 5
Ferraria
The west coast, where a hot spring flows into a rock pool in the ocean. Bathing depends on the tide; we time it.
Day 6
Nordeste
The quiet north-east: viewpoints, waterfalls and the small pools of Caldeira Velha in the woods.
Day 7
Home
The flight back via Lisbon and the drive to the hotel.
What we arrange
- Flights from Prague via Lisbon and back
- Minibus on the island with driver
- Six nights in hotels with breakfast
- Five suppers and the Furnas lunch
- Entry to the gardens and pools
What we leave to you
- Whale-watching trips
- Other lunches
- Travel insurance
What to bring
- A good waterproof and spare socks
- Dark swimwear: iron water stains light fabric
- Shoes for wet rock at Ferraria
Do not bring a white towel to Terra Nostra. The water is the colour of strong tea and will not wash out.