AZORES:
a trip to the heart of the Atlantic through 5 islands
11 DAYS
19 PEOPLE
- EURO
11 DAYS / 10 NIGHTS
03.06.2026 - 13.06.2026
Description
We created this trip for those who like to relax with adventures, feel the romance of island life with a pronounced heritage of continental history. For those who love the charm of small villages with colorful houses, vineyards, farms surrounded by the boundless waters of the Atlantic Ocean, incredible landscapes shaped by the struggle of lava, wind and water, and adore the history, architecture of Spanish and coastal culture; who love active walks and the unity of the team spirit.
The Azores will surprise even those who have heard about them before. We will visit with you not two, not three, but as many as five islands. Between the islands we will sail on ferries, fly on planes, our movements will give the feeling of a real journey with a change of vivid pictures of our impressions.
The program includes trekking, visits to museums, family farms and vineyards, fumarole and mineral water valleys, incredible caves; conquering the highest island points, a volcano; an unexpected meeting with tea fields, many viewing platforms and locations for incredible photos.
We will walk a lot, have fun, and listen to local stories about why this or that island is better than the others are. We will taste and compare the most delicious dishes of the islands, recharge with the energy of antiquity created by man, and marvel at the creations of nature, which does not stop in its movement towards even more amazing landscapes and changing landscapes.
ITINERARY
Lisbon ➙ São Miguel (3 nights) ➙ Pico (3 nights) ➙ Faial ➙ São Jorge (2 nights) ➙ Terceira (2 nights) ➙ Lisbon
• All flights on the route Lisbon-Ponta Delgada-Pico-Terceira-Lisbon
• Accommodation in double rooms (10 nights) in hotels.
• All transfers according to the program
• Introductory walk around the city of Angra do Heroísmo on the island of Terceira
• Sightseeing tour on Terceira Island
• Sightseeing tour on São Jorge Island
• Trekking on São Jorge Island
• Sightseeing tour on Pico Island
• Sightseeing tour on Faial Island
• Introductory walk around Madalena (Pico Island)
• Excursion to the Furnas volcanic valley and Lagoa do Fogo (São Miguel Island)
• Ferry tickets for the Pico–Faial–Pico crossing
• Ferry tickets for the Pico–São Jorge crossing
• Entrance fees to museums, parks, and geological attractions as per the program
• Breakfasts included
• Six lunches during excursions
• One dinner
• Services of guide accompanying the group on the island of São Miguel
• Services of the expedition leader of the Paganel Studio team
• International flight to Lisbon;
• Transfer upon arrival in Lisbon;
• Various activities, including ocean activities
• Entrance fees to museums and parks (unless otherwise specified in the program)
• Meals not included in the program
• Schengen visa
• Personal insurance
● visibility on observation decks depends on weather conditions;
● the possibility of visiting museums under the program will depend on the rules in force at the time of your stay on the islands (closure of public places, limited opening hours, maximum occupancy of the halls, etc.);
● the expedition leader reserves the right to make changes to the program due to:
- weather conditions;
- changes in airline/ferry schedules.
TRAVEL PROGRAM
Day 1
03.06.2026
In the morning, we will all meet at Humberto Delgado International Airport (LIS). The whole group will check in for a domestic flight. Departure is at 12:30 p.m., and the flight to the first island, São Miguel, takes 2.5 hours.
(The program does not include free time in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, so if you would like to stroll through the streets of this city, you should arrive a couple of days earlier, or even better, stay on after the program ends (see the final day of the trip).
We arrive at our first island and transfer to the hotel.
Речі залишаємо в камері схову готелю і стартуємо для ознайомчої прогулянки по острову. Фінальною точкою буде обід в одному з найпопулярніших ресторанів Сан-Мігеля - Mariserra, щоб скуштувати рис з морепродуктами, молюсками та рибою. Страву готують у каструлі з бразильського каменю. Єдиний ресторан, де їжу готують в незвичайний спосіб. Завжди в асортименті свіжа риба. Знаходиться на океанській набережній за 20 хвилин ходьби від готелю.
After a hearty lunch, we have the afternoon free.
We take a leisurely stroll back to the hotel. We enjoy the promenade and the colorful streets of Ponta Delgada. There will be an opportunity to visit local shops and look for souvenirs.
(Included: hotel, breakfast, and lunch)
Day 2
04.06.2026
It's time to rush to meet new island impressions. We are going to the famous Furnas Valley and Lagoa do Fogo Lake. These places are so famous that you have probably already seen or read about them somewhere. According to the World Travel Guide, a trip to Furnas is one of the five best locations in the world to learn about the various forms of volcanic activity.
First, we head to Lagoa do Fogo (Lagoa do Fogo), located at the top of the volcano of the same name, 900 meters above sea level. The inner slopes of the lake are covered with endemic plants and are one of the main nesting sites for seabirds. Lagoa do Fogo is a nature reserve. Therefore, any human activity is prohibited here, and nature reigns supreme.
The journey continues to the Santa Iria viewpoint, which offers a magnificent panorama of the island's northern coast. Next, we will visit the Gorreana tea factory, where black and green tea are produced. The fact that the only place in Western Europe where tea is grown is the island of San Miguel makes it unique. Here you will see the entire tea production process, learn about the history of its appearance on San Miguel and the history of the factory itself. You will have the opportunity to taste not only tea, but also... (!) ice cream with various additives, which is produced right here at the tea factory and is considered the most delicious on the island.
After lunch, the program includes a visit to the idyllic Terra Nostra Park, which features a mix of exotic plants from the tropics and cold countries. You will have the opportunity to swim in a pool filled with water rich in iron and heated by the Earth's internal heat. We recommend wearing dark swimwear, as the water is rich in iron!
Then we return to the hotel. Dinner is at your leisure.
(Included: hotel, breakfast)
Day 3
05.06.2026
After breakfast, we head to our first stop to visit pineapple greenhouses, where you can see the entire process of their growth and ripening, and taste pineapple liqueur. The only place in the world where pineapples are grown in greenhouses on an industrial scale is the island of San Miguel!
Next, we will visit the Furnas Valley. These places are so famous that you have probably already seen or read about them somewhere. According to the World Travel Guide, a trip to Furnas is one of the five best locations in the world to learn about the various forms of volcanic activity.
At noon, visit the shores of Lake Furnas in Caldeiras, where the famous Cozida (a stew made from local meats and vegetables, simmered for about 6 hours in the ground) is prepared in the scorching steam of the pits.
n the presence of tourists, it is extracted from the bowels of the earth and served for lunch at one of the local restaurants. If there are vegetarians or vegans in the group, please let us know in advance. They will be served appropriate dishes.
Day 4
06.06.2026
Today we check out, load our things onto the bus, and then head to the western part of the island. We climb the mountain road to the famous Vista do Rei, which offers a magnificent view of one of Portugal's seven officially recognized natural wonders — the Blue and Green Lakes.
Descent into the valley of Sete Cidades, a short stop to rest, an opportunity to visit the Church of St. Nicholas, try the local gastronomic specialty — San Jorge cheese cakes — and stroll along the lake shore. The lake is surrounded by farmland and green, pristine fields.
Let's make a stop and walk to the Boca do Inferno viewing platform with its mesmerizing view.
We bid farewell to the first island on our journey. A transfer to the airport and a flight to Pico Island await us. Departure is at 4:20 p.m., and the flight time is 55 minutes. Small planes operated by the local airline SATA fly between all nine islands of the Azores archipelago. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel, dinner, and evening walk along the promenade.
(Included: Caravelas 4* hotel, breakfast)
Day 5
07.06.2026
Today is a free day, with a choice of additional activities.
For trekking enthusiasts, there is a unique opportunity to organize a climb to the highest point in Portugal. Yes, it is the volcano of the same name, Pico, with its 2351 m above sea level. But don't worry, you will only have to climb half of its height. The distance to the top is 3.8 km with an elevation gain of 1,150 m.
Those who enjoy cycling can rent bicycles or scooters right at our hotel and take an interesting trip through the vineyards, which are listed as a World Heritage Site, stroll through them and swim in natural pools, and find beautiful locations for photo shoots.
You can also book a boat trip in advance to watch whales and dolphins.
(Included: Hotel Caravelas 4*, breakfast)
Day 6
08.06.2026
Today we have a day trip to visit the neighboring island of Faial. The ferry ride from Pico Island takes 30 minutes.
Often, even during a simple crossing between islands, you can hear cries of “Golfinhos,” which means “dolphins” in Portuguese! Everyone immediately rushes to the right side of the boat and enjoys watching the dolphins jumping alongside.
We hop on the bus and depart from the village of Horta, stopping at viewing points on the way to the Caldeira crater, surrounded by lush vegetation and one of the main attractions of Faial. In good weather, from the viewing point near the crater, you can enjoy the view of the neighboring island of Pico.
Next, we head to the Capelinhos volcano, one of the most significant volcanic phenomena of recent years and the main tourist attraction of Faial. The eruption of the Capelinhos volcano in 1957 changed the geography of the island. The island ended where the lighthouse now stands.
During the eruption, the lighthouse was covered with volcanic ash up to about the second floor. Now there is an interactive museum here — a research center for volcanic activity, where you can learn not only about the eruption of Capelinhos, but also about similar eruptions in other parts of the world. You can climb the lighthouse and see breathtaking views of the volcano, and around it there is still only a desert of volcanic ash. To visit Faial and not walk on the youngest land in Europe, and not descend into the lighthouse still covered with volcanic ash, is like sailing past Faial. If there is no strong wind and you have a ticket to the museum center, you are allowed to climb the lighthouse. During the tour, there will be stops at the most beautiful viewpoints on the island.
Next, we will have lunch at a typical rural restaurant, where a traditional Faiyal lunch will end with a delicious volcanic pudding, prepared by the restaurant owner according to her own recipe.
Finally, we will take a walk around Orta, one of the most beautiful towns in the archipelago, with its beautiful old facades, many of which are examples of 18th-19th century architecture. Despite its small size, the town has many attractions, including churches with rich interior decoration. We will have a unique opportunity to stroll along the famous Orta promenade and admire the colorful “carpet” of hundreds of autographs from yachtsmen from all over the world. We will also visit the Piter Cafe Sport, which has become the unofficial club for all yachtsmen crossing the Atlantic.
At 5 p.m., we will take the ferry back to the island of Faial to our hotel.
Free dinner at one of the coastal restaurants in Madalena.
(Included: Hotel Caravelas 4*, breakfast and lunch)
Day 7
09.06.2026
It's time to say goodbye to Pico Island. Our hotel, Caravelas, is located opposite the port (ferry departure time to be confirmed). We check out, leave our luggage in the hotel's storage room, and then set off on a sightseeing tour of Pico Island, including some easy walks.
We will get to know the “gray” island of Pico, an island of harsh, truly volcanic beauty. After all, it is the youngest of the Azores islands. We will visit the wine museum in Madalena, where we will learn about the history of winemaking on Pico Island, rightly considered the wine capital of the Azores. We will find out what wine was served at the king's table and which wines are now the pride of the Azoreans.
The vineyards of Pico are a unique sight: the grapevines are protected from the wind and weather by volcanic stone fences. The landscape that includes the vineyards of Pico Island is also included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Then we will drive along a picturesque mountain road to the village of Lajes. We will visit the whaling museum, which tells the story of this craft, and admire the talent of the sailors who made exquisite objects from the teeth and bones of sperm whales. And of course, we will have lunch at a village restaurant with delicious food to recharge our batteries.
When crossing the mountain pass, we will stop to take photos of the stunning views of the ocean and natural lava pools. We will also visit the interpretation center for the landscape and culture of the vineyards of Pico Island. We will walk along the majestic lava cliffs.
We will return to the port, load our belongings onto the ferry, and cross over to the island of São Jorge. The journey will take 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Today we will spend the night on the ocean shore with a wonderful view.
(Included: Sao Jorge Garden 3*, breakfast)
Day 8
10.06.2026
Without wasting any time, we hop on the bus and set off to explore São Jorge — a large brown rock created by a series of eruptions that moved from east to west. The island's landscape is considered unique and one of a kind among all the islands in the archipelago.
Its uniqueness lies in the presence of small flat, fertile terraces (faija) at the base of the rocks. They were formed as a result of landslides caused by earthquakes or when boiling lava flowed into the ocean. Many of them have been turned into fruit-bearing gardens where, thanks to the special microclimate, tropical fruits, dragon trees, and even coffee (the only place in the entire archipelago) grow.
More than 20,000 cows graze on the vast green pastures that cover 80% of the island's territory. According to statistics, there are two cows for every inhabitant of the island. This determines the main industry of the island's economy — cheese and dairy products. São Jorge cheese is famous not only in the archipelago, but also in mainland Portugal and around the world. It has a distinctive tart and pungent taste. Moreover, this depends on the length of its aging period. The “older” the cheese, the sharper its taste.
The views here are extraordinary, wherever you look — the ocean and neighboring islands. We will stop at the most popular viewing points.
After lunch, we will walk 10 km down one of the most scenic parts of the island.
This wonderful walking route is considered the island's hallmark, with its stunning views of green landscapes, endless ocean, lagoons, and unique cliffs. On the Caldeira de Santo Cristo terrace, there is a famous lake where Ameijoas mussels are found (the only place in Portugal where this is the case).
While on the terrace, we will learn about how these unique geological phenomena were formed, as well as interesting biological information and the history of the people who brought these terraces, destroyed by the 1980 earthquake, back to life. There will also be time to swim in the lake, located almost on the ocean shore (another unique phenomenon). There will be stops for rest and lunch along the way.
After walking around, we will return to the hotel with stops at viewing platforms along the way.
Today, Portugal shows its hospitality by treating us to a communal dinner of traditional island dishes in a cozy restaurant near the hotel.
(Included: Sao Jorge Garden 3*, breakfast and dinner)
Day 9
11.06.2026
We wake up early, have breakfast, and head to the airport.
The flight to Terceira Island departs at 9:25 a.m. and lasts 30 minutes.
A transfer to the Terceira Mar Hotel is waiting for us at the airport.
First, we check in, and then we continue exploring Angra do Heroísmo.
The historic center of Angra do Heroísmo consists of a network of streets and alleys, churches, palaces, mansions, monuments, squares, and gardens that have survived to this day despite natural disasters. The title “noble, loyal, and faithful” given to Angra do Heroísmo highlights the importance of this city in the history of Portugal and the Azores.
UNESCO included the historic center of Angra do Heroísmo in the World Heritage List for the preservation of the city as an architectural complex and in recognition of the strategic role its port played in the Atlantic.
(Included: flight to Terceira Island and Hotel Terceira Mar 4*)
Day 10
12.06.2026
Today we will devote our entire day to exploring the island of Terceira.
We will start our walk from the observation deck on Monte Brasil, a volcanic crater on the western side of the bay, which offers the most picturesque panoramic view of the city of Angra do Heroísmo.
In the 15th and 16th centuries, Angra Bay and the city itself were of great importance in the political and economic development of the entire country. At the foot of the mountain is a fortress built by order of the King of Spain during the Spanish rule. It is one of the most impressive fortresses in 16th-century Portugal and the largest Spanish fort in the world.
We will continue our journey through the southern part of the island with a stop at a café where you can try the best coffee on the island and find out why it is served here. Then we will visit the Gothic church of Sao Sebastiao, built by the first settlers, and get acquainted with one of Terceira's landmarks — the colorful Imperius, where religious objects for the Feast of the Holy Spirit are kept.
After walking around to our hearts' content, it's time for lunch at a local village restaurant, with the typical Terceira meat dish Alcatra and the most famous local cake, Dona Amelia. It's delicious!
Next, we will head to the northern part of the island and stop at the famous Serra do Cume viewpoint, which offers breathtaking views of the interior of the island in good weather.
We plan to visit a unique geological phenomenon, the hollow volcano Algar do Carvao. We will stop at Ponta dos Biscoitos to explore the natural sea pools formed by solidified lava. Weather permitting, there will be an opportunity to swim. We will return to our hotel for dinner (at the hotel restaurant with panoramic ocean views or at one of the city's restaurants).
Our adventure is coming to an end, so after all the activities, we will gather for a glass of wine at our hotel, share our emotions, and recharge our team spirit.
(Included: Hotel Terceira Mar 4*, breakfast and lunch)
Day 11
13.06.2026
Our final day in the Azores. In the morning, we will sleep in, calmly pack our suitcases, leave them at the reception, and go for a morning walk along the promenade.
We will buy any souvenirs we need and have time for a seafood lunch.
After that, we load our luggage onto the bus and arrive at the airport at 3:30 p.m. We go through all the formalities. Here we will also have the opportunity to have a snack before departure. Departure to Lisbon at 6:15 p.m. Arrival in Lisbon at 9:35 p.m.
Please note: departure from Lisbon on June 14 is not possible before 1:00 a.m.!
The end of the journey, tears of farewell, and hugs. We have grown again — friends, like-minded people, Paganels!
Those who wish can continue their journey on their own for a couple of days. Get to know the capital Lisbon and the luxurious royal gardens of Quinta da Regaleira, visit the colorful Palacio da Pena, and stop by the westernmost point of continental Europe — Cabo da Roca (Cape Roca).
(Included: breakfast and flight to Lisbon)
WHY WITH PAGANEL?
We are unique
For many years, we have been traveling the world to our small planet's most remote and unusual places. We do not use the services of domestic travel agencies. The trips we invent and carry out are always unique and have their unique zest, charm, and adventurous spirit.
Creation
The first thing that interests us is creativity in everything. During the expeditions, we shoot a lot of videos, take pictures, write stories, draw pictures. If you are interested in a creative approach to life and travel, then WELCOME... we are very happy to meet you!
Interest
By joining our team, you join a kind of club family, which already consists of several hundred people who are interested in discovering the world with us.
Since most of the expenses for organizing a trip – air tickets and travel documents for other modes of transportation, accommodation, excursions, services of local companies and guides, etc. – are made by us in advance, long before the trip, the prepayment or payment for the trip is non-refundable in the event of cancellation.
Since most of the expenses for the organization of the trip are air tickets and travel documents for other types of transport, accommodation, excursions, services of local companies and guides, etc. are not refundable in case of your cancellation of the trip. We simply have no way to return it.
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