Flight via Lisbon to the Azores, landing in the late afternoon. Upon arrival at Horta Airport, you will be met by your tour guide. Afterwards, you will check into your small hotel in Horta's old town. The tour begins with a first stroll through the charming port town and a break at the legendary "Café Peter Sport" by the marina. In the evening, a welcome dinner with a tour briefing will take place.

In 1957, activity began off the western tip of Faial. A new island emerged from the sea and, over the course of a turbulent year, merged with Faial. After a drive along the bizarre lava coast, we hike from Cabeço Verde to Capelinhos, the Azores' newest and youngest volcano. We then travel to the natural lava pools of Varadouro, an ideal spot for a first dip in the Atlantic.

After a short drive, today's hike begins at the main crater of Faial Island. In good weather, you can see the entire crater, which is about two kilometers in diameter and over 400 meters deep. Hydrangeas line the path, which eventually leads us down to the north coast. This day's hike also concludes with a stop for a swim. The black sand beach of Almoxarife is a popular spot with locals for a relaxing dip in the sea.

In the morning, we'll take a stroll through Horta. A visit to the marina with its famous murals is a must. This small port city has always been an important stop for merchant ships, whalers, and sailboats. Afterward, we'll climb Monte Guia, the city's local mountain, which offers a magnificent view of Horta and the island of Faial. The afternoon is free for you to explore on your own or take a dip in the fine, natural sand of Porto Pim, one of the few black sand beaches in the Azores.

In the morning, we'll take the ferry to the hiking island of São Jorge, which we'll explore over the next six days. In the afternoon, we'll climb Morro Grande – Velas's local mountain. From here, we'll have a breathtaking view of the island's capital and its dramatic cliffs. Later, we'll stroll through the charming old town. Our accommodation for the next few days is a modern apartment complex near Velas. It offers many amenities, including a sun terrace, a pool, and stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. A lovely swimming spot is also just a five-minute walk away.

Fajãs are the fertile plains typical of São Jorge, formed by landslides or solidified lava flows and situated at the foot of the steep slopes. We hike along a narrow path through isolated farming villages and terraced landscapes, first descending steeply. Then we continue along the south coast to Fajã São João. Some of the fajãs are only accessible on foot.

The northern slopes of São Jorge are densely covered with ancient laurel forest. Our hike leads past rushing waterfalls along an old path down to Fajã da Caldeira de Santo Cristo. How about a swim in the pools of a mountain stream along the way? The hike then continues along the coast to Fajã dos Cubres. The afternoon is free for you to explore at your leisure.

The island's central mountain range is untouched and wild. Like the back of a dinosaur, it stretches almost the entire length of the island. Today's hike takes us across lush green meadows and past crater lakes to the island's highest peak – the 1,053-meter-high Pico da Esperança volcano. Afterwards, we descend to the north coast and the tranquil village of Fajã do Ouvidor.

Today is yours to enjoy at your leisure. Relax and unwind in the beautiful apartment complex or take an excursion. Stroll through the island's capital, Velas, or explore the fascinating underwater world of the Azores with a mask and snorkel. Your tour guide will be happy to assist you with planning.

Today we're hiking along the cliffs to Fajã de Além, where the typical stone houses stand among the fields. Even today, yams (which you absolutely must try during your stay!) and wine are cultivated here at the foot of the cliffs.

A short ferry ride takes you to Pico, followed by a transfer to the old fishing town of Lajes, where you'll check into your hotel for the next three nights. Here, everyone knows everyone, and time seems to move at a more leisurely pace. You'll visit the whaling museum and take a stroll through the town. Quaint pubs and restaurants along the harbor invite you to linger. A whale watching excursion (optional) is a must on any Azores trip. With a bit of luck, you might spot one of the approximately 27 species of whales and dolphins that inhabit these waters from the boat. Being so close to these graceful marine creatures is a truly fabulous experience!

The climb to Portugal's highest mountain (Pico, 2351 m) is strenuous, but one of the most impressive experiences of this trip. The hike starts at an altitude of approximately 1200 m. Upon reaching the summit, the view stretches across the clouds and the sea, and on a clear day, extends to the neighboring islands of Faial and São Jorge. For those who find the climb too demanding, there is the option of an easier, equally scenic hike around Lajes or simply enjoying the day at one of the charming swimming spots in this fishing town.

Pico wine is cultivated between countless walls piled high with angular lava rubble. We hike along the dramatic coastline through the vineyards, which were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003. During a tasting, we sample the fiery red wine and the sweet Verdelho. At our farewell dinner in Lajes, we reminisce about our trip as the sun sets.

In the morning we take the ferry to Faial and then on to the airport. The tour guide reserves the right to make changes to the program due to weather conditions or necessary organizational changes.