Don't just admire David Attenborough's work; now you can copy it. Nature documentaries are good, but they pale in comparison to seeing the real thing, in this case the majesty of life in the teeming oceans.
This 7-night experience includes two whale and dolphin watching tours, an excursion through the wilderness of Faial Island and visits to Sao Miguel Island's famous Sete Cidades and Fire Lake. You will visit three islands of the Azores archipelago, with the option to spend more time on Pico on the free day.
With the Azores' extinct volcano craters, wild landscapes covered in blue hydrangeas and stunning coastal cliffs, plenty of stops will be included so there is enough time to take the best photographs or simply admire the views. There will be some walking, which is not technically difficult and should not present difficulties for anyone with a reasonable level of fitness.
The whale and dolphin watching excursions are not recommended for pregnant ladies or those with heart or back problems. As they depend completely on sea condition, the excursions can therefore never be guaranteed yet alternative activities will be offered. We will amend the itinerary over the week in order to provide the best chances to see whales and dolphins and if sea conditions remain the same for the duration of the week, we will instead offer a tour of Pico Island.
Accommodation is in 4 star hotels throughout, all with en-suite facilities. Hotels are located within walking distance of local harbours and restaurants.
What's Included
All breakfasts, 5 lunches
All accommodation
All transport and listed activities
Tour leader throughout
Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)
Arrival & departure transfers
Itinerary
Day 1 Fly to Ponta Delgada on Sao Miguel Island
Day 2 Fly to Pico and transfer to Faial Island and take a guided tour of Horta; visit Scrimshaw Museum and evening briefing on whale watching activities from local biologist.
Day 3
Whale and dolphin watching tour between Faial and Pico Islands (dependent on sea conditions).
Day 4 Visit islets and the coast of Faial Island to observe land and sea birds; evening walk down to the coast to hear the famous Shearwater songs.
Day 5
Free day to see the wilderness of Pico Island and try some of the famous local wine or go swimming with dolphins (all optional). Evening fly to Sao Miguel Island.
Day 6 Visit the crater lakes of Sete Cidades and the Fire Lake, situated inside the crater of an extinct volcano.
Day 7 Enjoy a boat trip to the southern part of the island for our final whale watching tour; then transfer to Furnas Valley to visit the hot springs.
Day 8 Fly to London
Prices
The tour, including return flights from London and transfers at your destination, starts from £1,649 per person.