São Miguel: Solo Trip with Guided Group Tours

The São Miguel: Solo Trip with Guided Small Group Tour includes 7 nights on São Miguel Island, round-trip flights, hotel accommodation, airport transfers, a Multi-Day Tour Pack, one additional Whale Watching experience, an expert trip manager, and taxes and fees related to the booking.

The Multi-Day Tour Pack includes 3 guided activities, with one activity scheduled on each of three different days:

• Walking City Tour in Ponta Delgada
• Sete Cidades & Lagoa do Fogo Tour
• Furnas Tour

In addition to the Multi-Day Tour Pack, the package also includes a separate Whale Watching: Half Day – Catamaran experience.

This gives you 4 included experiences in total: 3 activities within the Multi-Day Tour Pack + 1 separate Whale Watching experience.

The package also includes 2 free days, allowing you to explore São Miguel independently or add optional activities at an additional cost.

The Multi-Day Tour Pack includes:

• Walking City Tour in Ponta Delgada - an approximately 3-hour guided walking tour of the historic center, including the Portas da Cidade, São Sebastião Parish Church, Campo de São Francisco, the area around São Brás Fortress, and Ponta Delgada Marina. Guide/interpreter and hotel pickup are included.
• Sete Cidades & Lagoa do Fogo Tour - a full-day guided tour visiting Ribeira Seca, Ribeira Grande, Lagoa do Fogo, Sete Cidades, scenic viewpoints, and pineapple plantations. Buffet lunch, guide/interpreter, and hotel pickup are included.
• Furnas Tour - a full-day guided tour visiting Vila Franca do Campo, Furnas Valley, Lagoa das Furnas, the calderas and fumaroles, Pico do Ferro, Gorreana tea plantations, and Santa Iria Viewpoint. Traditional Cozido das Caldeiras lunch, guide/interpreter, and hotel pickup are included.

Each of these activities is scheduled on a separate day as part of the Multi-Day Tour Pack.

Yes.

The Whale Watching: Half Day – Catamaran is included as a separate experience in addition to the Multi-Day Tour Pack.

The whale-watching experience is approximately 3 hours and offers the opportunity to observe some of the 28 species of cetaceans identified in Azorean waters, as well as turtles, birds, and other marine species.

Before departure, expert biologists provide information about the species you may encounter, safety measures, responsible wildlife observation, and rules for observing animals at sea.

Because this is a nature-based experience, wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Yes. Airport transfers are included for both arrival and departure.

Your transfer from the airport to your hotel on arrival and your transfer back to the airport for your departure are arranged as part of the package.

The package includes a selection of 3- to 5-star hotels on São Miguel Island.

The exact hotel, room category, and location depend on the travel dates, availability, and hotel option selected. Hotel options and package pricing may vary.

Your specific hotel is confirmed during the booking process.

The package price depends on the accommodation selected.

Yes. Breakfast is included at all hotel options available for this package.

Other meals are not generally included in the package, except where a specific included activity already includes a meal as part of the experience.

The following 2 lunches are included:

• The Sete Cidades & Lagoa do Fogo Tour includes a buffet lunch.
• The Furnas Tour includes a traditional Cozido das Caldeiras lunch at a local restaurant.

These lunches are included as part of the respective activities and are not separate meal inclusions.

All other lunches, dinners, and meals are at your own expense unless specifically stated in your selected hotel or booking.

The included experiences are primarily sightseeing, cultural, and nature-based activities.

The Ponta Delgada City Tour involves walking through the city's historic streets and squares.

The Sete Cidades & Lagoa do Fogo and Furnas tours include walking at viewpoints, towns, and attractions but are not designed as strenuous hikes.

The Whale Watching Catamaran is a boat trip on the Atlantic and may involve movement on the boat and changing sea conditions.

Comfortable clothing and shoes are recommended, along with a coat or jacket, hat, sunscreen, water, and snacks.

If you are prone to seasickness, consider bringing appropriate medication for the catamaran trip.

Yes. Hotel pickup is included for the three land-based activities in the Multi-Day Tour Pack:

• Ponta Delgada Walking City Tour
• Sete Cidades & Lagoa do Fogo Tour
• Furnas Tour

The Whale Watching Catamaran is a separate boat-based experience and does not use the same hotel-pickup arrangements.

The whale-watching meeting point is:

Portas do Mar – Loja 24
9500-771 – Ponta Delgada

Please arrive at the meeting point 10 minutes before the scheduled starting time to allow time for the briefing.

Exact meeting and departure arrangements are confirmed in your travel documents.

No. Entrance fees for thermal experiences are not included.

During the Furnas Tour, there is an opportunity to enjoy a thermal bath, including at Terra Nostra Botanical Garden, but admission is paid separately.

If you plan to use the thermal waters, bring a dark swimsuit, towel, and a change of clothes. Thermal water may stain light-colored swimwear and can affect dyed hair.

Yes. São Miguel offers a wide range of optional tours and experiences that can be added for an additional cost, including hiking, Nordeste excursions, and food and wine experiences.

The package's 2 free days also give you the flexibility to explore independently or arrange additional activities.

You'll join group tours with a maximum capacity of 55 travelers, though groups are typically much smaller. Expert local guides share insider knowledge about Azorean culture, history, and geology while managing the group efficiently. 

The whale-watching operator uses different types of vessels, with the following maximum capacities:

• Zodiac: up to 30 people
• Catamaran: up to 70 people

Your included experience is the Whale Watching: Half Day – Catamaran.

Exact group sizes may vary depending on the operating arrangements for your trip.

Yes, round-trip flights are included. The package price varies depending on your departure airport. Other departure cities are available on request. Contact the Azores Getaways team before booking to discuss departure options. Checked luggage is not always included and depends on the airline and fare type. Confirm what is included and add luggage during the booking process. Seat selection and cabin class upgrades can be arranged as paid add-ons, subject to availability.

Checked luggage depends on the airline and fare included with your specific flight itinerary.

The exact baggage allowance should be confirmed during the booking process or in your final flight details. Additional baggage may be purchased separately, subject to the airline's rules and applicable fees.

City taxes are not included in the package price and are paid directly at the hotel, if applicable.

São Miguel is a year-round destination thanks to its mild Atlantic climate.

Spring and early summer are particularly attractive for lush landscapes and outdoor activities. Summer is warmer and popular with visitors, while fall and winter are generally quieter and São Miguel remains relatively mild.

The Azores have a changeable Atlantic climate, so rain and changing weather conditions are possible in any season.

São Miguel's weather can change quickly, particularly in mountainous areas and at sea.

If an included experience needs to be modified, postponed, or rescheduled because of weather or operating conditions, the local operator and Azores Getaways team will work to find the best available solution, subject to availability and the applicable booking terms.

This is particularly relevant to the Whale Watching Catamaran, as boat trips are dependent on sea and weather conditions.

Yes. You can customize your trip before booking, including adding extra nights, adjusting flights, changing hotel options, and making other travel arrangements, subject to availability.

For personalized assistance, contact the Azores Getaways travel team before booking. An expert trip manager is also included with the package to provide support with your travel arrangements.

Yes. The package includes 2 free days, giving you plenty of flexibility to explore São Miguel independently.

A rental car is not required for the three activities included in the Multi-Day Tour Pack, as hotel pickup is provided for those land-based tours.

However, renting a car can be a convenient option if you want to explore independently on your free days.

A rental car is not included in the package and can be arranged separately, subject to availability and applicable charges.

To book your trip or request any customization, simply select “See Dates & Prices” on the package page and complete your booking securely online, or contact our travel team for personalized assistance.

For assistance with your booking or trip, contact the Azores Getaways travel team using the contact information provided on your booking page and travel documents.

You will also receive emergency contact details for your trip as part of your travel information.

For a local emergency while in Portugal, dial 112 for police, medical assistance, fire, or other urgent services.