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Azores

Hiking the Azores: A Nature Lover’s Paradise

Program No. 23579RJ
Learn about the Azores’ island beauty as you join expert naturalists on hikes to the woodlands, thermal spring pools, caves and volcanic landscapes of Europe’s best-kept secret.
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  • A view over stone walls of the white buildings and red roofs of a town in the Azores, set against a green mountain.
  • A group of hikers poses on a scenic coastal cliff path overlooking the ocean in the Azores.
  • A guide at a pineapple farm in the Azores explains the growing process while holding a small pineapple plant.
  • A group of people on a guided tour listen to a speaker in the lush Terra Nostra Garden in the Azores.
  • A scenic view of the twin lakes of Sete Cidades in the Azores, with lush green hills, a small village, and white flowers in the foreground.
  • A smiling woman holding trekking poles and waving her hat celebrates a hike overlooking the ocean in the Azores.
  • The Portas da Cidade city gates in Ponta Delgada, Azores, with its distinct three arches and a clock tower on a sunny day.
  • An older couple smiles while looking at a large collection of pens and dolls at a museum in the Azores.
  • A group of travelers smiles for a photo in a lush, mossy forest with palm trees in the Azores.
  • A group of travelers listens to a guide while hiking through a lush, green forest in the Azores.
  • Steaming geothermal hot springs in a rocky landscape with a lush green hillside and houses in the background in the Azores.
  • A couple smiles while hiking on a trail overlooking a scenic green valley and lakes in the Azores.
  • A group of hikers descend a staircase into the lush, moss-covered Algar do Carvão cave in the Azores.
  • Looking up from inside Algar do Carvão cave in the Azores, a stone path winds beneath an opening covered in lush green moss.
  • A woman wades up a ramp out of the natural Biscoito Pools, which are surrounded by dark volcanic rock in the Azores.
  • Colorful buildings line a river in a lush, green valley in the Azores, with mountains visible in the background.
  • Vibrant blue and purple hydrangeas bloom in a lush garden in the Azores, with a bird of paradise flower in the background.
  • A tour group stands among lush ferns and other foliage while listening to a guide in the Azores' Terra Nostra Garden.
  • A group of five women in hiking gear smile for a photo at a scenic overlook above the ocean in the Azores.
  • A guide shows a book to two hikers on a trail overlooking the lush green hills of the Azores.
  • A group of hikers walk on a dirt path through lush green hills overlooking the ocean in the Azores.
Walking/HikingOutdoor AdventuresSmall GroupMost Popular
Length
11 days
Rating (4.91)
Activity Level
Starts at
4,899
Special Offer
Flights start at
FREE
Program
At a Glance
Duration
11 days
Program Begins
Angra do Heroismo
Program Concludes
Furnas -Sao Miguel
Group Type
Small Group
Meals
23 ( 9B, 8L, 6D )
Activity Level
Lush, green landscapes as far as your eye can see. Waterfalls pouring into cool lakes. Soft footprints along black sand beaches and steamy thermal pools surrounding epic craters. Welcome to the Azores: An adventurer’s wonderland filled with colorful nature, beautiful birds and unspoiled scenery. Join naturalists on hikes through this remote archipelago to learn about its treasures along narrow paths, inside fascinating caves, through botanical gardens and alongside natural pools. Known for its unreal, verdant landscapes, explore the Azores on foot to uncover the precious secrets of this natural paradise.
Best of all, you'll...
  • Visit a vineyard for wine tastings paired with local produce and explore a coffee plantation in the Azores, Europe's only coffee-growing region.
  • Venture around a volcanic crater and marvel at the Twin Lakes and town below.
  • Immerse yourself in 31 acres of gardens, grottoes, streams and thermal pools as you explore the world-renowned Terra Nostra Botanical Park.
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Featured Expert
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Pedro Cordeiro
Pedro Cordeiro has a bachelor’s degree in sales and marketing from the University of the Azores. He also attended a two-year exchange program in Spain under Erasmus sponsorship, and has earned a degree in public relations and communication from the University of the Azores. In 2011, after a number of years in the hospitality industry, Pedro became a full-time Group Leader in order to share his love for the outdoors. He is fluent in English, Spanish, and has a good knowledge of French.
Please Note:
This expert may not be available for every date of the program
Please Note:
These experts may not be available for every date of the program
Pedro Cordeiro has a bachelor’s degree in sales and marketing from the University of the Azores. He also attended a two-year exchange program in Spain under Erasmus sponsorship, and has earned a degree in public relations and communication from the University of the Azores. In 2011, after a number of years in the hospitality industry, Pedro became a full-time Group Leader in order to share his love for the outdoors. He is fluent in English, Spanish, and has a good knowledge of French.
Filipe Lourenço was born on Terceira Island. His passion for nature and outdoor activities stems from his childhood, surrounded by the island’s lush beauty. He graduated as a nature guide from the University of the Azores, where he expanded and consolidated his knowledge of the archipelago’s natural and cultural heritage, then became one of the first specialized hiking guides on Terceira. Filipe has dedicated his life to sharing his local landscapes with visitors from around the globe and has worked with Road Scholar since 2019.
Diogo Falcao was born and raised on Terceira Island in the Azores. He moved to Portugal to attend university and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in tourism and heritage from the Instituto Politecnico de Leiria in 2009. His love for new cultures inspired him to spend time in the U.K. and Spain, where he became fluent in Spanish and English. With his passion for the Azores, Diogo works as a full time official guide. He has been working as a Road Scholar instructor since 2019.
Dr. Rita Martins earned a degree in Geology from the University of Lisbon followed by a Master’s in Dynamic Geology. She moved to the Azores in 2003 as a geologist on a short-term contract. Fascinated by the Azores, she extended her stay, working on geothermal projects in the islands of Terceira and Sao Miguel. Since 2017, she has been the Senior Project Manager responsible for the exploration and exploitation of geothermal resources for power production. Dr. Martins has worked with Road Scholar groups since 2019.
Arianna Meschia was born and raised in Genoa, Italy. After studying English, French, and Spanish, she graduated in Film & Creative Writing in London and worked as a Production Manager. Later, she decided to volunteer in a French refugee camp and then in Malawi. She began leading groups and continued her travels in East Africa, crossing six countries to Egypt. She also developed her travel writing portfolio with a wealth of online publications. She leads Road Scholar groups in the Cinque Terre and the Azores.
Activity Level
Outdoor: Spirited
Walking/Hiking up to 5 miles per day over uneven terrain including gravel paths, cobblestones, some steep inclines & descents, as well as forest trails, loose rocks, and narrow dirt paths. Standing up, a maximum total on average of 1.5 hours per day (Please note that this is a sum of all standing during the day on field trips, museums, airport lines, etc. A maximum of 20-30mins standing at any one time). Program will require approximately 18 miles of hiking and 15 miles of walking over 10 days. Elevation gain between 426ft to 1,480ft. Due to pacing and activities, this program is not suitable for wheelchairs, scooters, or canes. Must be physically capable of participating in all planned program activities.
Small Group (13 to 24)
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Suggested Books and Resources
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You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
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Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.

Assurance Plan

Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.

Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.

Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.

  • Peace of Mind

    We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.

  • Assurance Plan

    Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.

  • Want to Protect Your Investment?

    Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.

  • Sustainable Travel

    We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.