FaialPico WesternGroup
5
Day Itinerary •
Portugal
Five days across Faial, Pico and the Western Group gives you the full extraordinary depth of the most remote and spectacular island group in the Azores, from the Pico summit ascent at 2,351 metres to the extraordinary Flores Island day trip to the westernmost point in Europe, the remarkable sperm whale watching from Lajes do Pico, the extraordinary Capelinhos eruption landscape and the finest transatlantic marina in the Atlantic. This extended route covers the Western Group completely. Faial Caldeira, Capelinhos and Horta Marina on Day 1, the extraordinary Pico summit ascent on Day 2, a full Flores Island day trip on Day 3 to see the finest waterfalls and sea cliffs in the Azores, the remarkable Pico lava tube and whale watching from Lajes on Day 4, and the extraordinary Faial northeast coast and Varadouro lava pools on Day 5.
Best Time To Visit
June to September for summit climbs and finest weather
Getting There
Fly into Horta Airport (HOR), Faial
Getting Around
Hired car on Faial and Pico, ferry between islands, charter to Flores
Budget Per Day
Approx 80 to 180 EUR per person per day
Difficulity
Strenuous for Pico summit, otherwise moderate
DAY 1
FAIAL
MORNING
FAIAL CALDEIRA RIM WALK
The extraordinary Faial Caldeira rim trail, the finest volcanic walk in the Western Azores, traversing the remarkable 7.5km circuit above the extraordinary 400-metre deep caldera. The fine view of Pico Volcano across the water from the western caldera rim, with the extraordinary 2,351-metre cone rising directly from the ocean, is the finest single viewpoint in the Azores. 20 min drive
MIDDAY
CAPELINHOS VOLCANO AND ERUPTION CENTRE
The extraordinary Capelinhos peninsula, the newest land in the Azores created by the remarkable 1957 eruption over 13 months. The fine buried lighthouse, the extraordinary barren lava field and the outstanding Capelinhos Interpretation Centre telling the remarkable story of the eruption and the Azorean emigration it triggered are the finest volcanic heritage in the archipelago. Entry approx 7 EUR. 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
HORTA MARINA MURALS AND PETER'S CAFE SPORT
The extraordinary Horta Marina, the finest transatlantic yacht waypoint in the Atlantic, with the remarkable collection of over 30,000 boat murals painted by yachts from every ocean since 1930. The outstanding Peter's Cafe Sport in operation since 1918 is the finest sailors' bar in the mid-Atlantic. The extraordinary Horta town with its fine Baroque church and the remarkable Forte de Santa Cruz are the finest historic buildings in the Western Group.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Monte da Guia volcanic headland on the southern tip of Faial, a remarkable double crater forming a fine natural harbour and the finest viewpoint over the Horta bay with Pico Volcano directly across the water, is almost entirely overlooked by visitors who focus on the Caldeira and Capelinhos. The remarkable trail to the crater edge takes 30 minutes from the road. Free access.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Horta hotel Good breakfast before the Faial Caldeira drive. | Lunch: Capelinhos area Simple local lunch near the extraordinary eruption site. | Dinner: Peter's Cafe Sport, Horta Outstanding traditional Azorean dinner. Fine scabbard fish and extraordinary lapas limpets.
DAY 2
PICO SUMMIT
MORNING
PICO FERRY AND PICO VOLCANO BASE TO SUMMIT
The extraordinary Pico Mountain ascent from the mountain house at 1,200 metres to the 2,351-metre summit, the finest mountain climb in Portugal, through remarkable volcanic desert terrain of extraordinary aa lava fields, fine volcanic bombs and the remarkable fumarole activity near the Piquinho inner cone at the summit. The extraordinary 360-degree Atlantic panorama from the summit on clear days shows every island in the Azores simultaneously. Guide required. Approx 30 EUR. Allow 5 to 6 hours return. 30 min drive
MIDDAY
PICO VINEYARD UNESCO LANDSCAPE
The extraordinary UNESCO-listed Pico Vineyard Landscape, where the remarkable system of black basalt currais walls creates a fine geometric pattern of tiny vine enclosures across the extraordinary dark lava field to the sea. The remarkable Verdelho grape grown here supplied Portuguese royalty for centuries. The fine Museu do Vinho do Pico tells the extraordinary story of Pico wine. 1 hour ferry back
AFTERNOON
RETURN TO HORTA AND FAIAL EVENING
The extraordinary return ferry to Horta with the remarkable silhouette of the Pico cone behind and the fine profile of Faial ahead. The extraordinary view from the ferry of both islands simultaneously in the Atlantic afternoon light is the finest inter-island panorama in the Azores.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Gruta das Torres lava tube on Pico Island, one of the longest and most extraordinary lava tubes in the Azores at over 5km, with remarkable lava formations and outstanding geological features formed by the extraordinary Pico volcanic activity, is one of the finest cave experiences in the Atlantic islands. Guided tours approx 7 EUR. The remarkable tube dimensions and lava structures are extraordinary.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Early hotel breakfast Very early breakfast before the Pico ferry and summit departure. The climb starts at dawn. | Lunch: On Pico after descent Outstanding Adega A Buraca restaurant. Extraordinary Pico wine and local cured meats after the summit. | Dinner: Taberna do Conquilhas, Horta Outstanding fine dining. Extraordinary Azorean seafood and local produce.
DAY 3
FLORES ISLAND
MORNING
FLORES ISLAND DAY TRIP
FLORES ISLAND DAY TRIP Full day The extraordinary Flores Island 200km west of Faial, the most dramatically beautiful island in the Azores and the westernmost point of Europe, where remarkable waterfalls cascade directly into the ocean from extraordinary sea cliffs, fine crater lakes fill the volcanic calderas and the remarkable Pozo da Alagoa waterfall and the extraordinary Faja Grande canyon are the finest natural landscapes in the archipelago. 30-minute charter flight from Horta or Sata scheduled service.
MIDDAY
FLORES LAKES AND WATERFALLS CIRCUIT
The extraordinary chain of volcanic crater lakes in the centre of Flores, including the remarkable Lagoa Funda, fine Lagoa Rasa and the extraordinary Lagoa Comprida, connected by remarkable trails through outstanding laurel forest. The fine waterfall walks descending to the extraordinary coastal cliffs give the finest combination of lake and ocean scenery in the Azores. The remarkable Caldeira Rasca and the fine Lagoa Seca are the most extraordinary. 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
FAJA GRANDE AND WESTERN CLIFFS
The extraordinary Faja Grande, the most remarkable village in the Azores, at the base of extraordinary 500-metre sea cliffs with fine natural lava pools at the ocean edge. The remarkable 9 waterfalls visible simultaneously from the village are the finest concentration of waterfalls in the Azores. The extraordinary isolation of Faja Grande at the westernmost inhabited point in Europe and the fine traditional agriculture of the lava shelf are remarkable.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Pozo da Alagoa waterfall on Flores plunges directly into the ocean from a remarkable 50-metre cliff, one of only a handful of waterfalls in the world that fall directly into the open sea. The extraordinary sight from the clifftop above is the finest single natural spectacle in the Western Azores.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Horta hotel or airport Early breakfast before the Flores flight. | Lunch: Faja Grande village Outstanding local goat cheese and extraordinary lapas at a fine Flores village restaurant. | Dinner: Horta, after return flight Fine dinner at Peter's Cafe Sport or Restaurante Genuino after the extraordinary Flores day.
DAY 4
PICO WILDLIFE
MORNING
PICO LAVA CAVES AND LAJES WHALE MUSEUM
The extraordinary Gruta das Torres lava tube on Pico, one of the longest in the Azores at over 5km with remarkable lava stalactites and fine volcanic formations. Then the outstanding Museu dos Baleeiros in Lajes do Pico, the finest whaling museum in the world, with extraordinary open whaleboats, remarkable harpoons and the outstanding story of the last hand-harpooned whale killed by the Azorean fleet in 1987. 30 min drive
MIDDAY
LAJES DO PICO SPERM WHALE WATCHING
The extraordinary sperm whale watching from Lajes do Pico, the finest whale watching in Europe, where remarkable resident sperm whales in the extraordinary deep channel between Pico and Faial are located by traditional shore-based vigias lookouts on the clifftops. The fine common dolphin pods, outstanding Risso's dolphins and the remarkable blue whale encounters in summer make this the finest cetacean experience in the North Atlantic. Tours approx 65 EUR. 1.5 hours ferry
AFTERNOON
RETURN TO FAIAL AND HORTA EVENING
The extraordinary final evening in Horta after the remarkable Pico whale watching. The fine view of the extraordinary Pico cone across the water from the Horta marina at dusk, with the remarkable yacht murals in the foreground and the Atlantic light fading behind the volcano, is the finest evening scene in the Azores.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary vigias cliff lookout system used by Azorean whalers and now by whale watch operators, where remarkable shore-based spotters with binoculars direct the whale watch boats to the exact position of the sperm whales, gives the finest whale sighting rate in Europe. The remarkable traditional vigia towers on the Pico cliffs are extraordinary heritage.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Pico hotel or cafe Early breakfast before the lava tube and museum. | Lunch: Lajes do Pico after whale watch Outstanding fresh Atlantic fish at a Lajes soda restaurant. | Dinner: Peter's Cafe Sport farewell Fine Azorean dinner and the extraordinary Peter's atmosphere for the final evening.
DAY 5
FAIAL FAREWELL
MORNING
FAIAL NORTHEAST COAST AND RIBEIRA FUNDA
The extraordinary northeast coast of Faial, the finest and least visited part of the island, where remarkable hydrangea hedgerows line the roads in extraordinary blue profusion in June and July, fine sea cliffs give outstanding Atlantic views and the remarkable Caldeira do Faial appears on the horizon above the extraordinary pastoral landscape. The fine miradouros along the coast road give the finest consecutive viewpoints on the island. 20 min drive
MIDDAY
VARADOURO NATURAL HOT SPRING LAVA POOLS
The extraordinary Varadouro natural lava pools on the southwest coast of Faial, where fine geothermal-influenced seawater fills remarkable natural basalt pools against the extraordinary Atlantic cliff. The fine bathing in the remarkable clear lava pools with the ocean swells arriving from the extraordinary open Atlantic is the finest swimming experience on Faial. Entry free. The remarkable volcanic geology of the pool edges is extraordinary. 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
DEPARTURE FROM HORTA
A final extraordinary look at the remarkable Peter's Cafe Sport yacht murals before departure, and the fine view of the extraordinary Pico Volcano cone from the airport road as it recedes in the Atlantic light. The remarkable Peter's tradition states that yachts that do not paint a marina mural in Horta will suffer bad luck at sea. The extraordinary tradition has been observed by the finest sailors in the Atlantic since 1930.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Caldeira das Sete Cidades walk is the finest on Faial, but the remarkable Ribeira Brava trail down the extraordinary northwest sea cliffs of Faial to the fine natural harbour at the base is the finest hidden coastal walk on the island. The remarkable 400-metre descent and the extraordinary isolated bay at the bottom are unlike any other on Faial. Allow 3 hours return.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Horta hotel Good breakfast before the northeast coast drive. | Lunch: Varadouro area Simple local lunch near the extraordinary lava pools. | Dinner: Horta airport area or Ponta Delgada Fine farewell meal before the flight.
Where To Stay
Horta, All Nights Hotel do Canal or Faial Resort Hotel. Marina views. Approx 80 to 200 EUR per night. Pico Alternative Casa das Baleias on Pico for nights 2 to 3. Approx 70 to 160 EUR per night. Budget Residenciais and guesthouses in Horta. Approx 40 to 80 EUR per night.
Top Tips
1. Pico summit requires good weather. Check forecast at the mountain house. Abandon if clouded.
2. Book Flores flights with SATA at least 3 days ahead. Capacity is limited on the small planes.
3. The Pico summit guide is required and gives the finest volcanic commentary on the climb.
4. Book Pico whale watching with a Lajes operator using shore-based vigias for the finest sighting rate.
5. The Faial Caldeira rim walk takes 2 to 3 hours. Start early before Atlantic cloud covers the caldera.
6. Peter's Cafe Sport tradition: buy the famous gin and tonic made with fresh lemon from the Azores.
Total Budget
95 to 395 EUR/day