🌿 AZORES ADVENTURE

A Curated Journey Through São Miguel & Terceira

Day 1 — Arrival, Grounding & Welcome

• Arrival:
  You’ll be welcomed at Ponta Delgada Airport (PDL) at 07:00 AM and transferred to our home base Casa Palmeiras (~20–30 minutes).

• Arrival Flow:
  As rooms will not yet be ready, we’ll gently transition straight into the experience.
  Together, we walk to a nearby natural setting — ocean or park — for a grounding Welcome Ceremony.

  → Light movement to awaken the body after travel
  → Breathwork + cacao to settle the nervous system
  → Optional ocean dip to reset and refresh

  This is your moment to land — not just physically, but mentally.

• Late afternoon:
  Relaxed pace + Time to unwind, connect, or simply be.

• Midday:
  Guided City Experience with Sergio 10:30-11;30 Start with a Lunch/ late Breakfast place
  → Discover the charm of Ponta Delgada
  → Visit a local pineapple plantation, a unique Azorean tradition grown in volcanic soil

• Evening:
  Group Dinner in Town
  (Location shared via WhatsApp)

• Overnight: Casa Palmeiras

Fun Fact * Cafe Clipper - K’s fav local Coffee pub - I do 7am Outtings for anyone interested in a STRONG ONE

Day 2 — Lagoa do Fogo & Furnas

Fire, Water & Deep Nature

• 07:30 AM: Morning Yoga

• 08:30 AM: Breakfast

• 09:30 AM: Departure

• Adventure:
  Journey into the wild heart of the island to Lagoa do Fogo (Lake of Fire) — one of the most untouched and dramatic landscapes in the Azores.

  → Descend along lush, green ridgelines toward a secluded volcanic lake
  → Surrounded by raw, untouched nature and sweeping views
  → A hike that feels both grounding and expansive

  A picnic lunch will be enjoyed in nature.

• Afternoon:
  Continue to Furnas, a geothermal wonderland.

  → Walk through steaming earth and volcanic activity
  → Experience the famous natural hot springs
  → Optional soak in mineral-rich waters — deeply relaxing after the hike

• Evening:
  Return to the accommodation

  → Dinner Options:
  • Join a reserved group dinner (confirm at least 1 week in advance)
  • Or enjoy a relaxed evening exploring on your own

• Overnight: Casa Palmeiras

Day 3 — Sete Cidades & Ocean Energy

Iconic Landscapes & Open Horizons

• Morning Ritual:
  Optional early coffee run with Carrie ☕ (local gem: Café Clipper)

  • Morning Yoga

• Breakfast

• 09:30 AM: Departure

• Adventure:
  Explore the legendary Sete Cidades crater, one of the most iconic natural wonders of the Azores.

  → Walk along volcanic ridgelines with panoramic views over the twin lakes
  → Continue into lush forests of eucalyptus and Japanese cedar
  → A longer, flowing hike that blends movement, nature, and perspective

  Picnic lunch included.

• Afternoon:
  Head to Mosteiros Beach

  → Dramatic black volcanic sand
  → Powerful Atlantic waves
  → Swim, relax, or unwind at a local beach bar

• Evening:
  Return to Ponta Delgada
  → Optional stretch / reset
  → Casual aperitif or free evening

• Overnight: Casa Palmeiras

Day 4 — Wild Nature Immersion with Sergio

Off-the-Beaten-Path Experience

• Morning: Yoga + Breakfast

• Full Day Adventure:
  Today we go deeper — into the less-traveled, raw side of São Miguel with local guide Sergio.

  Depending on conditions and group energy, routes may include:

  → Ribeira da Fajã da Terra — lush jungle-like trails, waterfalls, and hidden paths
  → Coastal or interior routes far from the main tourist flow

  This is a true immersion day:
  → Flowing routes rather than rigid structure
  → Water elements, wild landscapes, and unexpected moments

  A day to trust the experience and drop fully into nature.

• Evening:
  Return + rest

• Overnight: Casa Palmeiras

Day 5 — Choose Your Experience/ Transfer to Terceira

Adventure or Integration

(With the flight moved to the evening, we gain a full extra day to enjoy the island.)

• Morning: Yoga + Breakfast

Option 1 — Coastal Hike with Karrie

A guided coastal experience:
→ Cliffside trails, ocean views, and fresh Atlantic air - Ribeira Funda to Maia - 3 hrs.
→ A final movement-based adventure to close the São Miguel chapter

Option 2 — Relax & Explore with Barb

→ Beach time, gentle movement, and free exploration
→ Swim, shop, or simply slow down and soak it all in

• Afternoon:
  Regroup + free time - With our flight moved to the evening, we take advantage of a full final day on São Miguel — with space to choose your rhythm.

• ~16:00: Transfer to airport

• Evening Flight (~19:05-19:45): São Miguel → Terceira

• Arrival GLAMING - 20:15-20:30

Arrival in Terceira

• Transfer to Quinta do Abacate Glamping Resort

• Settle In:
  → Check-in + time to explore the grounds
  → A softer, more spacious environment to land after travel

• Evening:
  buffet dinner at the resort - 20:45
  (simple, relaxed, and nourishing)

• Overnight: Quinta do Abacate Glamping

Day 6 — Terceira Interior & Adventure

Earth, Culture & Raw Island Energy

• Morning:
  Begin the day with a slower rhythm
  → Breakfast + gentle wake-up

• Adventure:
  Journey through the interior of Terceira, where the island reveals a completely different character.

  → Rolling green fields, volcanic terrain, and wide open landscapes
  → A quieter, more grounded energy compared to São Miguel

• Hike:
  Rocha do Chambre Loop (~9 km | ~350 m elevation | ~3 hours)

  → A scenic circular route through volcanic formations and lush forest
  → Expansive viewpoints and unique geological features
  → A balanced hike — not overly intense, but deeply immersive

• Afternoon:
  Island Tour with Local Guide (Hildeberto Adventures) - 2 hours
  → Discover hidden corners of Terceira
  → Cultural insights + local stories
  → A deeper connection to the island beyond the trails

• Evening:
  Cooking Experience & Dinner with Sara at the Resort

  → A chance to experience local flavors and traditions
  → Relaxed, social, and grounding

• Overnight: Quinta do Abacate Glamping

Day 7 — Free Adventure Day

Choose Your Energy

• 08:00 AM: Optional Morning Yoga

• 09:00 AM: Breakfast

Today is yours to explore, play, or fully unwind.

Optional Experiences:

• Scuba Diving
  → Discover the volcanic underwater world of the Azores
  → Rich marine life and clear Atlantic waters

• Boat Trip & Snorkeling (Cabras Islet)
  → Explore coastal formations from the water
  → Swim and snorkel in protected areas

• Whale Watching
  → One of the best locations in the world for spotting marine giants
  → A powerful, unforgettable experience

• Segway Tour
  → A fun and easy way to explore the island’s terrain

• Mountain Bike / E-Bike Rental
  → Freedom to explore at your own pace
  → Ride through scenic landscapes and coastal paths

Or… Do Nothing (Highly Recommended)

→ Stay at the resort
→ Lounge by the pool
→ Journal, reflect, integrate the week
→ Let the experience land fully in your body

• Pre Dinner Massages - starting at 16:00

• Evening: Buffet Dinner made by Joanna 19:00

• Overnight: Quinta do Abacate Glamping

Day 8 — Departure & Closing

Wrapping Up the Journey

• Morning:
  Slow morning at the resort
  → Breakfast
  → Final moments to soak in the space and the experience

• ~10:00 AM:
  Departure from Quinta do Abacate Glamping Resort

  → Transfer onward to your next destination
  → Or continue your stay at the resort if you’ve chosen to extend

For Guests Returning to Toronto 🇨🇦

→ The group will reconnect on the 25th for the journey back to Toronto
→ Final travel details will be shared in the WhatsApp group

✨ Final Note

This isn’t just a departure — it’s a transition.

You leave with:
→ A body that has moved
→ A mind that has softened
→ And a whole lot of moments you didn’t expect

And let’s be honest…
→ A lot of good memories
→ And probably a group chat that won’t go quiet 😄

Take this energy with you.

And if you feel a little different than when you arrived…
that was kind of the point 😉

See you all soon. 🌿