Volcano Travel · Tour
North São Miguel with WildScape: Two Tea Factories and a Buffet
Ratings collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
Sao MiguelA day on the north side of the island, taken on the secondary roads rather than the main one. It starts on the Fogo volcano, at 947 metres, where the Lagoa do Fogo sits in the crater and, if the cloud allows, both coasts are visible at once. Then the waterfalls: Salto do Cabrito, 40 metres of it, and later the valley at Ribeira dos Caldeirões with its old water mills. Both of the island's tea factories are on the route. Porto Formoso, reached by a back road, and Gorreana, the only place in Europe where every stage of tea production still happens on site. There is a tasting at each. Lunch is a buffet of regional food at Achadinha, with meat, fish and vegetarian options: starter, main course, drink, dessert and coffee. Ribeira Grande is the second city of São Miguel and the surf capital of the Azores, with the beach at Santa Bárbara for the waves. The pace is up to you. It is built for people who like being outdoors, but it can be taken gently.
What's included
- Local sweet delicacy
- Optional Hikes and Swimming (depending on weather conditions)
- Bottled water
- Air-conditioned vehicle
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- Local Knowledgeable Tour Guide
- Local Food Buffet Lunch cooked the Azorean way (vegetarian available)
Itinerary
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Campo de São Francisco 11, Ponta Delgada
The statue between the São Francisco square and the military fort.
Miradouro da Barrosa
The day starts by driving up the Fogo volcano, where the Lagoa do Fogo sits inside the crater. The viewpoint is at 947 m, and if the cloud plays fair both the north and the south coast of São Miguel are visible from it, along with the other big volcanoes on the island.
Miradouro Da Lagoa Do Fogo
A closer look at the whole of the Lagoa do Fogo, inside the crater of the Fogo volcano. Endemic birds live here and migratory species stop over, so most of what you hear is birds.
Salto do Cabrito
Salto do Cabrito, one of the best known waterfalls on the island: 40 metres in total, clear water, and thick vegetation around it. Hard to walk past.
Praia do Areal de Santa Barbara
One of the most popular beaches on the north side. Santa Bárbara has big waves and strong currents, which is why the surfers are here. The ground around it and the view west along the island are the other reason to stop.
Ribeira Grande
Ribeira Grande is the second city of São Miguel and the surfing capital of the Azores. The north-coast surf beaches are here, along with a waterfall that drops straight into the ocean, the old main square, the churches and a rebuilt garden. Where the city's name comes from gets explained on the spot.
Ribeira Grande
A back road to the old tea factory at Porto Formoso, with a stop at a viewpoint most people drive past, and a last look back over Ribeira Grande.
Arriving at the tea plantation you'll be able to admire its…
The tea plantation has a garden and a view out to sea, and the old building is kept in good order. Inside, the tea production is explained: this is one of the very few places in Europe where it happens at all. There is a free sample, grown organically, without additives or fertilisers.
Achadinha
A buffet of regional food, traditionally made, with meat, fish and vegetarian options. Starter, main course, a drink, dessert and coffee are all included.
Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeiroes
The Ribeira dos Caldeirões valley, in the north-east, where the water never stops running and the vegetation is thick. The walk follows a series of waterfalls past the old water mills.
Plantacoes de Cha Gorreana
Gorreana: traditional tea growing in the Azores, and the only place in Europe where every stage of the production happens on site. There is a tasting of organic black or green tea, and a shop with local products and handmade things in it. Anyone who has had enough tea can take the optional walk instead, to a waterfall very few people know about.
Miradouro de Santa Iria
A cliff that cuts across part of the northern coast, with Ponta do Cintrão from a different angle and the colours of sky, sea and land set against each other.
Campo de São Francisco 11, Ponta Delgada
Not included
- WiFi on board
Good to know
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
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- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The remaining time of the Tour is the minimum time driving between our destinations. Don't worry we'll have plenty to see even while driving.
- Any options chosen outside the menu for lunch will be charged separately.
- Up to 12 travelers per booking.
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Guiding available in: pt, en, es.
Reviews
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Ratings collected by Viator and Tripadvisor