• Açores

Flores and Corvo, the Pearls of the Atlantic – 7 Days

  • Type: Walk Azores
  • Duration: 7
  • Price from: 2250€

2023 Calendar:
1st Season – 09.05 to 15.05*
2nd Season – 22.09 to 28.09*

*For other dates, the booking is on request.

Walk Hike Portugal is pleased to introduce and invite you to visit with us the islands of Flores and Corvo, which alone make up the Western Group of the Azores Archipelago. Starting with the first one, because it is in this one that we will spend 6 of the 7 days that make part of this program, the island of Flores, although it is a small island with only 17km long and 12km wide, with 911m of height, is surely one of the most beautiful places in the world for walking. Three factors contribute to this: the dramatic topography, with impressive cliffs and hills with several hundred meters high, the variety of plants and their profusion, which extend to the ocean and the incredible amount of water we find in the whole island, giving rise to a countless streams, many of which launch into monumental waterfalls, as well as 7 lagoons. Being one of them, the Funda (Deep), deserves the name, because with its 120m deep is the deepest of the all-archipelago. All this with the mighty Atlantic around them.

But it is not only for the dramatic landscapes that this island is worth visiting, but its great isolation has also shaped its people and culture, which are well present in our hikes.

In the background, about 18km away, there is Corvo Island, the smallest of the archipelago and also worthy of our visit. With just 6km by 4km and with a considerable height of 720m, Corvo is one of the most isolated places in the entire European continent and this reason already justifies a visit. Its cliffs and views are breathtaking, its small and unique village, where live a little more than 400 inhabitants, has a unique framework, but it is its enormous and disproportionate Caldera, with more than 2km in diameter and with its 321m of depth, That makes this island a “must”, where the beauty of its walls with the Atlantic behind, has no equal.

Welcome to Flores and Corvo.

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Day 1 – Welcome Day

Azores

Azores

On this first day of arrival, our hikers will get to know some of the Flores Island on the way to Aldeia da Cuada, the place where we will make our base, which is in the western zone of the island, the opposite side where the airport is.

The dinner will be in Aldeia da Cuada where we will taste some local delicacies. Before dinner, if there will be time, our hikers can still take a bath in the magnificent natural pools, very close to where we will stay. They can also explore the Aldeia da Cuada and delight with the many details that are part of this rustic and beautiful village.

Before dinner, we will have a short briefing where not only we will make a presentation of the island, where we will walk as well as giving some advice and answer all the questions that our hikers may have.

Details

 

Beginning of the Activities: Depending on the flight’s arrival timing.

Duration: 30 minutes from airport to the Aldeia da Cuada

Day 2 – The 4 Villages and the Eden

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Azores

This our first tour takes us to know 4 villages in the Western part of the Flores Island. Between extensive open valleys over the sea and beautiful vegetation corridors, always in the company of the ubiquitous cows, we will know some of the history of these settlements originating in the 19th century, at the same time that we will have the opportunity to appreciate the great basaltic stone walls that surround us.

Before we descend to the last village we will visit on this day, we will make a small detour on our way to marvel at a breathtaking view, where the vast ocean and a valley of great beauty  surrounded by walls of dense vegetation with hundreds of meters of height and countless waterfalls, combine in a landscape of overwhelming beauty.

Arriving at the last village we will visit its beautiful church and we will also visit a local small cheese factory and a water mill.

Our picnic lunch will be in a scenery worthy of Eden, where our hikers will be delighted not only with the repast but also with the stunning scenery that surrounds them.

After this moment of rest, we will be close to our goal, in Aldeia da Cuada. Those who prefer, can spend the rest of the afternoon in beautiful oceanic pools or, as an alternative, can stay in our village.

Dinner will be in a family restaurant, where the traditional centennial cuisine from Trás-os Montes, in the northeast of mainland Portugal, with the typical Azorean products, get together. All this accompanied by a good Portuguese wine.

Details

Beginning: 09:00 am

Duration of the Hike:  4 hours

Difficulty: Walk Hike Portugal (Moderate)

Walk Hike Portugal

Walk Hike Portugal

Day 3 – The Dramatic Western Shore 

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Azores

This second day of hiking starts in a very small village, Ponta da Fajã, near Aldeia da Cuada. After a spectacular trail on the cliff near the sea where we have on our backs the view of the Fajã Grande village, we begin a long and beautiful ascent, almost always in a corridor inside a dense vegetation. In some zones, we can enjoy the views not only of the ocean but also of the dramatic coastline.

Already at the top of the cliff is in a more flat terrain, where we will cross several streams. Here the views will be wider and from a certain point, we will start to see in the background, the island of Corvo, the smallest of the whole archipelago, which we will visit the next day. After a few small valleys, dominated by the Cedars, Sanguinhos and many Hortenses which give a great color to the whole route, as well as, once again, many creeks with beautiful waterfalls, we will arrive at the last part of our path.

This is an area where the meadows surrounded by the traditional stone walls of this region, dominate. It is also here where the views are more spectacular beyond the formidable coastline where the waterfalls towards to the sea abound, we can see the great islet of Maria Vaz as well as the Promontory of Albarnaz and it’s great lighthouse that radiates light and guides the sailors for more than 80 years. We are nearing at the end of our hike, but our walk still does not end here.

This is one of the zones where the coastline is most exposed to the strength of the Atlantic and as such, it is also here that we can appreciate the strength of the waves that shape to more than 2 million years these basaltic rocks, born in the bowels of the Earth.

Even before we return to Aldeia da Cuada where some may rest and others enjoy the oceanic pools, we will pass by another spectacular viewpoint and a river known for the strength of its waters.

The dinner before the day when we will visit the Crow Island and its spectacular Caldera will be at Aldeia da Cuada.

Details

Beginning of the Activities: 09:00 am

Duration of the Hike: 4 hours

Difficulty: Walk Hike Portugal(Moderate)

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Azores

Day 4 – The Island of the Crow

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Azores

On this 4th day, we will visit the Crow Island, the smallest island in the entire Archipelago, but it is there that is, perhaps, the most beautiful volcanic caldera in the Azores and one of the most beautiful in the world.

The day will begin, even before the connecting trip between the two islands, with a boat trip along the coastline of Flores Island. The waters of wide waves, the dark blue color that the Atlantic has in these latitudes, the various cascades and cliffs covered with vegetation to the sea, make us feel, more than ever, that we are in the middle of the film set of the “Jurassic Park”.

After this magnificent tour, we will continue to Crow Island. On this trip lasting about 1 hour, in addition to several seabirds, we may be lucky to see groups of dolphins, flying fish or even Minke whales.

The approach to the island is superb, and after docking, we will visit the Interpretation Center in the tiny village of Corvo, the only settlement in the whole island, where we will understand a little better not only the topography of the island but other curiosities. Then we will continue in a van towards the great volcanic Caldera where we will begin our hike. A stunning landscape is expecting us and it will be inside the Caldera where we will make our picnic lunch.

Back on the dock, the semi-rigid boat on which we will make the return trip will be waiting for us, where in addition to what we have already mentioned, we will have a new perspective of the island of Flores about 18km away.

Taking advantage of the fact that we dock in the village of Santa Cruz das Flores, the main village on the island of Flores, it will be there we will dine, in a local family restaurant with a simple decoration, but with tasting homemade food.

This long day will end, like all the others, in the Aldeia da Cuada for a well-deserved rest.

Note: This tour is always dependent of the weather and sea conditions, therefore the date can be changed.

Details

Beginning of the Activities: 08:30 am

Duration of the Hike: 3 hours

Difficulty: Walk Hike Portugal(Easy)

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Azores

Day 5 – The Plateau of the 4 Lagoons and the Puddle of the Codfish

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Azores

This day 5 begins in the central plateau of the island, to about 750m of height. This is perhaps the most diversified track of all that we have done and will do, as we will go through several endemic ecosystems, all very different. Our hike starts at Lagoa Funda (Deep Lagoon), which deserves the name because with its 130m is the deepest of all the archipelago. The next ones are the Lagoa Comprida (Long Lagoon) and Seca (Dry Lagoon). This is a very humid area, where the fog is frequent and where mosses, Azorean Cedars and Briars feel at home. Depending on the time of the year, we can delight ourselves with large and tasty blackberries. In the background, if the fog allows, we will see the Morro Alto, the highest point of the island with 911m.

We follow into the last of the lagoons, the Branca (White). This is the most humid area of the whole path, where we will face numerous watercourses. It is also here that Turfs predominate, a kind of yellowish mosses which are authentic reservoirs of water, given their density, very important for the sustainability of the entire ecosystem of the island. The Branca lagoon is an important zone of migratory birds and for that reason, it was there that was installed the first structure for bird watching of the whole archipelago, which we will visit. After we start going up the Morro Alto and we will come across a wider perspective of this whole plateau.

The various deep valleys covered with forests of Cryptomeria on our right and the villages of Fajã Grande and Fajãzinha, far below, surrounded by huge cliffs with numerous waterfalls, on our left and with the ocean ahead, are stunning views and the fair prize for the effort of arriving here.

From here it is always descending, deep, first on an open ground and then through the middle of beautiful corridors of Incense, one of the invading species that cover vast areas of the island.

Already at the sea level are several ruins of old water mills, some of the 19th century and in front of us, we find the waterfall of Poço do Bacalhau (Codfish Well). With about 90m high, its crystalline waters land in a small pond where our hikers can take a bath before or after the picnic we will eat here.

The rest of the afternoon will be spent in the oceanic pool of Fajã Grande, 10 minutes walking from Poço do Bacalhau, where we had the picnic. Dinner will be at Aldeia da Cuada.

Details

Beginning of the Activities: 09:00 am

Duration of the Hike:  4 hours

Difficulty: Walk Hike Portugal(Moderate)

Walk Hike Portugal

Walk Hike Portugal

Day 6 – From the Red Promontory to the Stream of the Afterlife

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Azores

The last day of hiking on the island of Flores will begin on a huge promontory on the northeast coast of the island, where the village of Ponta Ruiva (Redhead Tip) is located. The views are spectacular, and we will start the hike along a trail on the slope, but quickly dive into a forest of Cryptomerias where we will cross several small bridges over small streams and some waterfalls.

After some descents and ascents of great beauty, we will begin to descend towards the sea in an old path used by the local populations, all inside a forest corridor. Much of this path is accompanied by large stone walls and in some parts, on the ground, we also have steps in basalt that are still used today by the locals. Down we will find a bay with has several small islets in front of it, in which the waves hit with a crash. This scenery together with the brave waters of a river that flows in this place, provide a scene of great beauty.

From here we will always climb up until the road where once again the stunning views will be a fair reward for the effort that our hikers have just done. After a few small trails we will follow a levada (men made water channel used to pipe highland waters), still in full operation and vital for the sustainability of this whole region of small farmers. Along with this water channel, we are going from an agricultural region to a dense forest area.

The oceanic pools of Santa Cruz village will be our next goal, where we will enjoy for the first time this natural pools. The various concrete platforms integrated into the basaltic rock, create several bathing areas where our hikers will spend the rest of the afternoon.

After having returned to our village and a reinvigorating shower, our hikers can expect a magnificent dinner in a local restaurant known not only for the delicious delicacies and sweets typical of this region but also for the beautiful moments provided by the sun to dive behind the Atlantic.

Details

Beginning of the Activities: 8:30 am

Duration of the Hike:  4 hours

Difficulty: Walk Hike Portugal(Moderate)

Walk Hike Portugal

Walk Hike Portugal

Day 7 – The Farewell Day

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Azores

This is the farewell day. After the last breakfast in the genuine Aldeia da Cuada, our hikers will be transported to the airport.

Behind, stays landscapes of great natural beauty, some unique and tough but genuine and gentle people who lead a hard life in these inhospitable islands since ancient times, dating back to the 16th century, as well as its culture and customs.

Prices Per Person

4 to 12 persons (per pax) – 2.250€

Individual room supplement – + 450€

Including flights between islands (São Miguel or Terceira to Flores) – + 300€*

*This is a reference price, which, depending on the time of purchase of tickets, is subject to change and it doesn’t include the flights from abroad to São Miguel or Terceira islands, from where we will fly to Flores island. 

For less than 4 people and more than 12 people, the price is on request.

This program requires a minimum of 4 participants. If this number won´t be reached, Walk Hike Portugal reserves the right not to go ahead with the program. If so Walk Hike Portugal will return, in full, the total amount already paid by the customers.

THESE PRICES ALREADY INCLUDE THE APPLICABLE VAT RATE

Calendar

2023 Calendar:

First Season – From the 09th to the 15th of May

Second Season – From 22nd to the 28th 0f September 

Note: The clients have to arrive on Flores island on the 09th of May of 2023, or the 22nd of September of 2022.

Because Walk Hike Portugal is a Corporate Client of the Azores Airlines, with direct flights to the Azores from several cities, such as Boston, Toronto, Montreal, London, Manchester, Amsterdam, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Oslo, Frankfurt, and Munich, through our partner travel agency, we have preferential conditions compared to the individual customer, so if you want to try us we will be pleased to present you a proposal.

Booking Confirmation / Payment

Following your contact, you’ll receive a confirmation email informing you that we still have availability for the pack you want (if available). The payment can be done by PayPal (click on the button at the bottom of our website home page) or Bank Transfer. In this last option, you will receive our bank identification account which should be made transfer of the value. For the bank transfer payment from abroad, please ensure that all bank and other charges on the transaction are paid at your end so that the correct amount (in Euros) is received by us. Once we have the booking confirmation transaction confirmed, we will send you an email with a Tour Booking Agreement and a receipt concerning the paid amount.

Schedule of payments:

  • 30% of the total amount to confirm the booking
  • Final payment is due 30 days prior to the activity date

Cancellations / Changes

Since the Walk Hike Portugal develops an outdoor activity, these are exposed to the climatic/environmental conditions and constraints that these impose. Thus, the Walk Hike Portugal reserves the right to change itineraries or activities, if weather conditions may threaten our customer’s safety, as well as our team members. Below are some examples of weather / environmental condition that may or not allow our walks or part of them:

  • Torrential rains
  • Strong thunderstorms
  • Strong winds
  • Landslide
  • Falling trees
  • Fires
  • Floods
  • Earthquakes
  • Sea storms

In these cases, the walks will be run on another date to match or replaced by another, if possible. If the cancellation of the tour is an inevitability, either because of the persistence of weather phenomena / environmental mentioned above, or customers inability to schedule, we will refund 75% of the amount paid, provided that cancellation occurs within 24 hours before the beginning of the purchased holiday pack, except all the costs with accommodation, flights or any other costs already paid by Walk Hike Portugal. The remaining 25% will be for Walk Hike Portugal to pay the logistics/bookings costs to imply in all our walks.

In case the reason is due to withdrawal by customers, Walk Hike Portugal returns 100% of the amount paid provided that it occurs until 60 days before the tour date. If the withdrawal occurs 45 days before the tour date we will refund 75% of the amount paid. If the withdrawal occurs 30 days before the tour we will refund 50% of the amount paid. If the withdrawal occurs later than 30 days before the tour we will not refund any of the amount paid. All these refunds don’t include the costs with accommodations, flights, or any other costs already paid by Walk Hike Portugal.

If the client does not arrive at the appointed day, the Walk Hike Portugal disclaims any responsibility for non-performance all activities considered in the program booked by the customer, as well as the return of any amount for the money already paid by the customer. Walk Hike Portugal also reserves the right to reschedule all program activities of the booked program tour, according to what they understand to be the most viable option.

This program requires a minimum of 4 participants (beyond the guides). If this number won´t be reached the Walk Hike Portugal reserves the right for not doing the program. If so, the amount of the 30% paid for the booking confirmation will be returned, in full.

Per day is Included

  • All transfers
  • All meals
  • 1 track guide
  • All activities included in the program
  • The legally required Personal and Liability insurances

Per day is not Included

  • Any costs concerned with flights, airport taxes or any other cost not mentioned or included in this program

Advised Equipment (depending on weather)

  • Sunscreen
  • Hiking poles
  • Sunglasses
  • Waterproof / Wind stopper
  • Comfortable clothes that allow different layers, adapted to the correspondent season and dependent on the weather it will be
  • Trekking shoes/boots
  • A cap and a hat