Alpine Logistics

Level 1

Like precious stones in the middle of the ocean, these islands are green volcanoes submersed in flowers and tropical vegetation. A relaxed walking itinerary takes us through a beautifully preserved natural landscape; passing near craters, along the shores of volcanic lakes and past mineral-tinted, intensely-coloured calderas. We explore some of the island’s weird and wonderful volcanic phenomenon: geysers, pools of boiling water and outlets of sulphur steaming from the earth’s crust. We stay in hostels and hotels along the way, with a minibus for transfers.

• Day 1 - Departure from Milan Linate airport. Change in Lisbon and arrival on the island of San Miguel. We accommodate ourselves in the hostel, an old fort, before visiting the beautiful town. Dinner in a typical local restaurant.
• Day 2 - After breakfast we leave for Sete Cidades via Pico do Carvaio. A panoramic journey on the rim of an enormous caldera incredibly densely covered by hydrangea blooms. We descend into the caldera to visit the beautiful volcanic lakes within: Lagoa Verde and Lagoa Azul. Return to the hostel; dinner in a restaurant.
• Day 3 - Today we visit the surreal geothermal landscape of Furnas, which is covered in geysers. Then a trip to the beautiful botanical gardens Terra Nostra, where it is also possible to take a bath in the thermal pool. Typical local ‘Cozido’ dinner cooked in the geothermal vapours. Return to the hostel.
• Day 4 - Trekking along the shores of Lago de Fogo. A lake of volcanic origins with white sandy beaches; immersed in a wild and dramatic landscape. Next a visit to Caldeira Velha: a small, hot cavern with boiling waters and sulphur vapour. Finally, we take a trip to the tea plantations and production houses before returning to the hostel.
• Day 5 - Flight to the island of Faial. Here we take a walk on Monte de Guia, visit the towns of Horta, Porto Pim and caldera ‘do Inferno’. Overnight in a hotel with dinner in a typical local restaurant.
• Day 6 - Short ferry transfer to the island of Pico. This is the most demanding day of the trip, in which we ascend the spectacular and imposing rim of Pico crater at 2280m. 5-6hrs walking. Overnight in a guest house or hotel.
• Day 7 - Return to Fiail where we visit the interior of a beautiful crater in the centre of the island in the Caldera Faial Nature reserve. A walk to the heart of the crater reveals a rich assortment of endemic tropical vegetation. Overnight in hotel.
• Day 8 - Today we visit the Natural Forest Reserve of Capelinhos; a volcanoe that imerged from the sea only 50 ears ago to expand the island of Faial. Transfer to Ponte Delgada. Dinner in a local restaurant and overnight in a hostel.
• Day 9 - Free morning before departure for Lisbon and then Milan.

Dates

Departures are from Milan. Please book no less than one month in advance.

• 12 May
• 16 June

Prices

These vary according to season, those below are approximate. The price is per person and includes flights from Milan to the Azores, all transport on the trip (mini bus), half board accommodation in hostels or hotels, nature guide, mountain guide and travel insurance: 1.840 Euros.