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Day 1: Journey, Arrival on Pico Island & first steps
You will be landing in the afternoon directly from Lisbon. The
lovely Rainbow Guest House bed & breakfast will welcome you warmly.
We will use the remaining daylight for a first orientation around Madalena.
Dinner will be freshly prepared for us on the barbeque in our own backyard.
While tasting the first sips of a local wine, we will have a look into our program
for the next days.
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Day 2: The course of time – wine-growers, citrus-plantations & self sufficiency
Our first hike we will lead us through the heritage of different
agricultural phases of Pico island and through the minglemangle
of modern and traditional ways of living.
This first hike may help us to a first insight into the Azorean
lifestyle and its intervention with the islands history. A vast
variety of local specialties will set the culinary end to this day.
18km, 6h, +450m, -450m
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Day 3: Tales from the inner core of our earth - 300.000 years in one day
The Azores islands are the result of a unique interaction
between a magmatic hotspot and the movement of our
continental plates. For the schooled eye the outcome of these
interactions become visible in the islands landscapes. We will
seize the day and listen to some theoretical explanations before
going on a geologic treasure hunt by car and by feet to find
some evidence of the still active volcanism of Pico Island. Our
hike will lead us along the biggest historic lava flow. Fine local
cuisine will take us back to the present.
9.5km, 3h, +22m, -777m
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Day 4: Horta & Faial’s Caldeira – the Silicon Valley of the Atlantic, right into the island's heart
1 million years ago a stratovolcano had grown from the bottom
of the sea to a height of 1500m above sea level and thus begun
the existence of what is today know as Faial Island. 1000m of
altitude have resisted collapse and erosion since then.
We will hike around Faial’s massive central Caldeira and enjoy
the splendid views in every direction.
A walking tour around the small town of Horta will unravel its restless history. You will
be surprised how this little place has been involved in world wide human history over
the last centuries. Fresh fish is on today’s menu.
8km, 3h, +75m, -75m
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Day 5: Island Tour Faial & Capelinhos – the Azores most famous Volcano
In 1957/58 the population of Faial witnessed an occurrence that is
today known as a Surtseyean eruption. A submarine volcano
formed outside the islands shoreline and merged with the island
in the course of its eruption. Faial gained 2.5 square kilometer of
land, but the fear of more severe events drove away one third of
its population.
We will cross the ash-covered fields of the famous eruption and
retrace the course of the volcanic activity on today’s landscape.
We will use the way towards the volcano for some interesting stops.
Dinner will be prepared by local hands directly at our
accommodation.
8km, +100m, -400m
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Day 6: free – enjoy your day
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Day 7: Pico summit – a very unique climb
Portugal’s highest Mountain, the roof of the Atlantic or simply ‘ó
Pico`rises 2351m above sea level. The summit leads us above the
vegetation line into a bizarre world of cooled lava flows. The
very top still releases hot air from the active volcano. The view
from the top is breathtaking.
There is an easier hiking option
prepared for those who do not wish to challenge themselves on
the steep summit. An all you can eat buffet fulfills the demands
of this strenuous day.
6km, +1100m, -1100m
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Day 8: Caves – Islands or Swiss cheese?
More than 170 caves are known to exist on Pico Island alone –
few have been inspected further than a few meters. Endemic
Bugs make the main faunistic features of the underworld and
bacterial mats give a golden or silvery shine to the otherwise
dark temples. We will visit the longest, and probably best
investigated tunnel system of the archipelago and explore some
lesser known caves.
At the brusque cliffs of Cachorro we hope for an
impressive Atlantic swell. Today’s dinner is held with a view and very close to the water.
10km, +500m, -800m
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Day 9: São Jorge - Fajã da Caldeira de Santo Cristo (and some delicious cheese!)
São Jorge grows from the ocean like the backbone of a giant
mythical creature. The head that goes with it can be found in
Velas in form of a fountain. The steep cliffs of the island have
restricted the early settlements to the so-called Fajãs – natural
platforms often merely a few meters above the roaring sea. We
find our way from the central ridge through deep ravines until
we end up in the microcosms that make the Fajãs.
The more adventurous type may pick an even steeper way and
rappel, professionally guided, down the many waterfalls of São Jorge. We will make a
stop at São Jorge’s cheese factory to watch the labor intense production and to prepare
for a picnic lunch.
10km, +100m, -700m
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Day 10: The Day of the Whales
No other creature of the sea has left a more indelible mark on
the centrals group destiny than the Sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus).
Its oil drove the engine of the industrial revolution and was
luckily replaced by synthetic oils early enough to prevent its
extinction. Nowadays the Sperm whale is the iconic marine
mammal of the Acores and well regulated whale watching
activities thrive for a more peaceful and respectful connection of
man and whale.
We will visit the land-based lookouts of whale spotters and listen to their tales, to learn more about the
impressive life of the Sperm Whales. But we will also shed light on the whaling times
and the interconnection into the Azores culture. International cuisine à la carte will end
this long day.
Optionally, we can also join a Whale Watching trip to admire these giants with our own eyes.
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Day 11: No-man’s-land – The Highlands
The wide and open countryside on the islands main ridge belong
to the cows and their farmers. Corkscrewed and crooked juniper
and heather trees fight the atlantic winds and freshwater lakes
serve as natural water reserves. In clear conditions the
highlands offer unreal scenery and views. In fog it feels like you
are searching for the exit from the rabbit hole in Alice’s
wonderland.
To fully sense this unreal scenery we will partly walk across
country. We will dine with a view in modern architecture.
12km, +400m, -400m
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Day 12: Farewell
You will catch a flight from the Azores to Lisbon, where connections to
almost all major European airports are available.
Hopefully, you will be taking with you some of the well-known Azorean calmness. For sure,
will have experienced the magic of what life looks like in the middle of the Atlantic!
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Please notice that the order of the activities in the
itinerary may be altered depending on weather forecast and conditions.