8 Days Faial Island Trail in the Azores, Portugal

Facilities

Day 1: Arrival

Arrival at Faial (Airport Horta – HOR), transfer to PÁTIO Lodge and first contact with the horses. Communal dinner. Overnight.

Day 2: Lighthouse-Trail

Today’s ride passes through the lonely countryside. We might pass occasionally farmers on their way to their cattle. The Atlantic Ocean sparkles in the sunlight. We will enjoy a picnic at the Cabouco Forest Park. After cantering past hedges of hydrangea bushes we reach the old Lighthouse Farol da Ribeirinha with impressive views of the volcano Pico. Communal dinner. Overnight.

Day 3: Bay of Horta-Trail

The second relaxing day of riding takes us along the east coast. The giant heather bushes alongside the trail look a bit like gigantic broccoli plants. We do a break at the black lava beach of Praia Almoxarife. The afternoon’s ride takes us to the historic Quinta São Lourenço. The farm is located close to the island’s beautiful town, Horta. You have enough time to take a stroll through the town - visiting the colorful harbor and taking a break at the most famous bar between Europe and America, Peter Café Sport. This bar offers the best gin tonic in the Atlantic Ocean. Communal dinner. Overnight.

Day 4: Go West-Trail

The trail continues through the beautiful green valley of Flamingos. A steep track leads us up into the valley, where the air is full of the scent of thyme and mint. Long straight trails through the forest are perfect for cantering. After a picnic in the countryside, we arrive in the village Varadouro full of orchards and vineyards surrounded by old black stone walls. After riding through the jungle, we reach our horses’ accommodation for the evening. Communal dinner. Overnight.

Day 5: Volcano Capelinhos-Trail

Today’s trail leads us to the impressive and bizarre volcanic desert landscape of Capelinhos. We pass ruins of old houses buried with ash from the volcano’s last eruption in 1957. The highly awarded Volcano Center is located underneath the lighthouse, buried with ash from the eruption. We ride over volcanic ash and enjoy a break at a small volcanic cave. A long canter around the green volcano Cabeço Verde takes us back to our horses’ paddock. Communal dinner. Overnight.

Day 6: Fajã Bay-Trail

Today we arrive at the black beach of the tip of Fajã Bay. After a beautiful canter in a wonderful eucalyptus forest, we follow the steep trail down to Fajã Bay. This uniquely beautiful location is home of vineyards, gardens, and wildly romantic places. Today’s ride is a little shorter and gives us time for an individual relaxing like a swim in the Atlantic or a stroll along the coast in the afternoon. Communal dinner. Overnight.

Day 7: Whale Spotter-Trail

This is the last day of our trail. We cross the island from the dry south to the green north, enjoying views over terraced meadows down to the blue ocean. At lunchtime, we arrive at Faial’s highest located village Ribeira Funda where we enjoy a picnic at the viewpoint. Seated on sun-warmed stone benches we can listen to the wind and the wild cries of the buzzards. We move closer and closer to our final destination. We pass the old whale watching point Vigia dos Cedros and complete our circular trail of the island, returning to the Lodge with our horses. This evening we enjoy a farewell banquet at the Lodge.

Day 8: Extension of your stay or departure

After breakfast, we offer an airport transfer for departure, or you can decide on an individual extension of your stay.

The Azores Archipelago

The nine islands in Azores Archipelago are the tips of submarines gigantic mountains. Among the island the distance between the westernmost Flores and Santa Maria island (the eastern) is 600 kilometers. Pico is the highest point of the Portuguese territory (2,351 meters).

The Azores archipelago is divided into three island groups. In the Central-Group there is the island of Faial with 14,800 inhabitants. Its highest point the "Cabeço Gordo" (1,000 meters), 80 kilometers of coastline and more than 250 kilometers horse trails.

Faial Island

Faial Island is part of the Azores Archipelago. With an area of ​​approximately 172 square kilometers, Horta city is the only county seat of the island. The island is designated as Blue Island by the abundance of hydrangeas bordering roads and dividing fields and pastures.

Its location close to other islands produces a comfortable feeling of togetherness and a strong aesthetic impression. Pico, in particular, is a presence which greatly enhances ​​the landscape.

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The package includes seven Lodge breakfasts, 6 saddlebag or large picnics, 7 Lodge dinners, and selected drinks.

Breakfast (08:00 - 09:30)

• In or outside on the terrace
• Pressed juices, coffee, and tea
• Cereals, homemade yoghurt, island cheese, and sausage
• Homemade marmalade and honey
• Bread out of the wood oven
• Island butter and milk

Picnic

• PÁTIO's famous picnics for take-away

Dinner (19:30)

• In or outside on the terrace
• Traditional menu with a selection of fish, meat or vegetarian
• Additional: starter, salad, and dessert
• Delicious house wine from Azores

Before or after a week on horseback, Faial offers more fascinating activities to extend the holiday. Please ask for the optimal extension program:

Whale watching (from 60 EUR)

A must do! Discover with marine biologist the fascinating cetacean.

Swimming with dolphins (from 65 EUR)

The ultimate experience. Swimming with dolphins in their natural environment.

Pico Island Tour (from 70 EUR from two people onward)

Discover the UNESCO World Heritage Site at the foot of the 2.351 meters high Pico Volcano.

Descend into the crater (from 50 EUR)

Pure Jurassic Park. 400 meter deep into the sleeping volcano of Faial Island.

• All transfers according to program
• 6 Trail days with experienced English spoken trail guide
• Daily multi-media trail briefing
• Well-behaved and well-trained trail horses (Lusitano and Cruzado Portuguese)
• Special trail equipment (Prestige Trekker saddle)
• 7 night in Lodge double room, private bathroom, lounge with open fire, garden, free WIFI
• 7 Lodge breakfast, 6 saddlebag or large picnic, 7x Lodge dinner incl. selected drinks

• Optional extra trips and visit of museums
• Australian Raincoats can be rented on site for 5€/day
• Food and beverages not mentioned in the program
• Gratuity and other personal spendings
• Travel insurance

Recommended Airports

• A reservation requires a deposit of 50% of the total price.
• The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
• The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.