Explore The Azores Expedition

This trip has been designed entirely for lower KS3 – Years 7 and 8 students at time of travel.

Discover the unspoilt beauty of the Azores, from walking along craters with stunning views of blue and green lakes to feeling the power of nature as you abseil along waterfalls.

  • Location Azores, Europe
  • Duration 8 days
  • Expedition Type Adventures By Camps

On this actioned packed expedition, you will get a chance to understand the culture of the Azores archipelago, become a marine biologist for a day and be amazed by whales and dolphins. You will feel and experience the volcanic origins of the islands through stunning panoramic views and tasting a special meal cooked only with the steam of the Earth. At every turn you will get the chance to be active and appreciate the nature around as you explore by hiking, kayaking, cycling and even abseil down cascading waterfalls.

Azores (Portugal) Map
Canyoning - Azores
Hiking Fogo - Azores
lagoa-empadadas-davidr2020-copy

A fully supported expedition, from start to finish

Your expedition cost is comprehensive and covers the incredible activities you’ll be taking part in, as well as the extensive support you’ll receive in the lead up to, and during, your expedition.

Don’t forget you’ll also need your vaccinations, visas, kit and some spending money. You can find guidance on all of these on your personal Traveller Gateway once you sign up.

  • Ongoing pre-expedition support
  • Flights and in-country transfers
  • Travel insurance
  • Food and accommodation
  • Project costs
  • Leader and staff costs
  • Camps t-shirt
  • Orientation and language lessons
  • 24 hour emergency support
  • Reserve location

This sample itinerary will give you an insight into what you’ll be getting up to. Please note, the exact projects, activities and camps may change closer to the time of your expedition.

Day Activities More details
Day 1 Arrival at Ponta Delgada Upon arrival in Ponta Delgada Airport you will be taken to your accommodation. Depending on arrival you will have the afternoon to explore the city of Ponta Delgada.
Day 2 Full Day Cultural Tour Discover Ponta Delgada the biggest city of the entire Azores archipelago through a cultural and historical walking tour that will take interesting places all around town, including for example the well-known Mercado da Graça (farmers’ market), the famous Portas da Cidade (city gates); Forte de São Brás, Church of São Pedro and the marina. After lunch, visit the pineapple plantations in Fajã de Baixo , and learn about tropical fruit cultivation. Continue your tour towards the town of Capelas to visit the Oficina Museu (Workshop Museum) where you will be taken back in time to the forties and fifties. Learn more about the Azorean way of life and culture as well as how it has developed throughout the years.
Day 3 Be a Marine Biologist for a Day If you are a whale and dolphin lover, then you are in for a treat. More than 3,000 sperm whales and 500 blue whales have been identified in the Azores and throughout your day you are bound to learn a lot about the cetaceans of the Azores. Today you will spend your day between the observation at sea in a zodiac and “work” in the office with our experienced marine biologists. You will be able to register some of the species you will see during your boat trip, you will help to collect microplastics with a plankton network, to quantify the microplastics present in it and you will record acoustic data.
Day 4 Hike at Serra Devassa and Nascentes do Canário Today is another day full of adventure. You will hike along the hydrographic basin of Sete Cidades volcanic complex, seeing numerous lakes with different characteristics. Your guide will give a briefing before you start the trail where you will get to enjoy the beautiful surroundings of Lagoa das Éguas, Pico das Éguas and Lagoa do Canário. Learn about the importance of water courses for the municipality of Ponta Delgada and about the endemic vegetation that exists in this unique place. Enjoy a light lunch before you continue to the famous Grota do Inferno viewpoint on São Miguel island before continuing along Canário springs to reach Serra Devassa and then return to the starting point via Lagoa Rasa. You will get to learn about the geomorphology as you hike around the island.
Day 5 Van Tour to Furnas Feel and experience the volcanic origins of the island in Furnas, a magical place full of geothermal activity. The tour will start at the South Coast and pass-through Vila Franca do Campo where we will be able to see the Princess Ring islet and learn more about the first capital of the island and the strong earthquake of 1522. The tour will not be complete without tasting the famous “Cozido”, one of the most emblematic dishes of the Azores. It is a mixture of regional vegetables and meats cooked with the help of volcanic activity. This is a very special meal cooked only with the steam of the Earth. After lunch, visit the Caldeiras das Furnas to see the famous fumaroles and taste gasocarbonic mineral waters from different springs. You will also visit the centenary Terra Nostra botanical garden, famous for its extraordinary collection of native plants from the Azores, have the change to go for a dip in an iron-rich hot water swimming pool that has a temperature of 35-40ºC (95-104°F). On the way back to Ponta Delgada, take in the visatas over Furnas: Pico do Ferro before sampling some Azorean tea at the local tea factory Gorreana. This is definitely a day to have your camera at the ready.
Day 6 Geotour and hiking Half day Geotour where you will visit the Coal Cave and the Monitoring Center for Volcanology and Geothermal Energy of Azores, where you will learn more about the formation of the islands and the volcanic phenomena of the Azores archipelago. Hike around Fogo lake, one of the most beautiful lakes of São Miguel island and one of the best naturally preserved throughout the years. Take in the amazing views as you descend down to the beach made of the peculiar white sand of pumice stone. Let your guide tell you everything about this mysterious place including the vegetation and conservation projects of the famous lake, as well as its importance, before making your way back up the path. (Walking trail 2kms)
Day 7 Canyoning at Ribeira dos Caldeirõe Visit Ribeira dos Caldeirõe. A place where you will jump, slide and abseil in a 100% natural environment, descending along the stream that flows from the mountain top, completely surrounded by lush forest. Abseiling down waterfalls is an unforgettable experience, as you feel the power of nature close to you.
Day 8 Departure Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
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See what life is like on expedition

Check out the photos from our previous travellers for a first-hand view into life on expedition.

Lagoa-Empadadas - Azores
Azores
Azores - Pineapple plantation
City Tour Ponta Delgada
Canyoning - Azores
Hiking Serra Devassa - Views
Lagoa-Empadadas - Azores
Azores
Azores - Pineapple plantation
City Tour Ponta Delgada
Canyoning - Azores
Hiking Serra Devassa - Views

For more of our travellers’ best photos visit our photo competition gallery. See more

Interested in this expedition?

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