Azores
ISLANDS, VOLCANOS, SHARKS & RAYS
AUG-SEP 2022 • 17 DAYS • 8 GUESTS
The Azores' breathtaking islands are a mix of nature's finest, with a unique culture, stunning island landscapes, and epic marine life. Immerse yourself in the abundance of life above and below the water on this incredible small-group island adventure.
Uninhabited until the 15th century, the Azores are situated where the North American Plate, the Eurasian Plate, and the African Plate meet, creating a unique and diverse set of volcanic islands in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Thanks to their unique location and upwellings, the Azores have some of the most diverse marine life found anywhere in the world. The Atlantic's clear waters that surround the islands are cultivated from the subtropical oceanic climate, combined with the Gulf Stream's nutrient-rich waters, full of krill, plankton, and shoals of small fish providing the perfect hunting ground for larger predators. 28 species of whales and dolphins and over 460 different fish species have been recorded in the Archipelago.
Spend 8 days island-hopping, immersing yourself in the natural beauty and culture of the Archipelago. See picturesque shorelines with dramatic cliff- and rock formations that drop vertically to the sea. Stroll through lush green pastures, dark forests, and abundant vineyards. Observe glistening streams, springs, and volcanic lakes. Enjoy a vast diversity of flora, including cryptomerias, ferns, fuchsias, azaleas, and several types of climbers. Explore striking volcanos and lose yourself in complex cave networks and lava trails. Take a dip in thermal pools, cascading waterfalls, and magical lagoons. Learn about the Azores' history as you visit the oldest city in the Archipelago, idyllic fairytale towns, and remote fishing villages. Eat local delicacies, including a meal cooked on the heat of a volcano, and participate in a cooking class to learn how to prepare traditional Azorean dishes.
Embark on our privately chartered luxury catamaran for the next week to explore the diverse marine life of the Archipelago. Limited to 8 guests only, experience the best dive and snorkel sites of the European Atlantic with excellent visibility and a wealth of fish and marine mammals. Explore dramatic encrusted walls, spectacular seamounts, caverns, and canyons covered in fish life. When sailing in between sites, observe resident Sperm whales and playful pods of dolphins ride the yacht's bow. These waters are home to a wide variety of fish from the macro to the might. Mantas and mobulas, hammerheads and blue sharks, marlin, moray eels, schools of tuna, barracuda, jacks, and even whale sharks are frequent visitors in summer.
Take the plunge at world-famous Princess Alice Banks, a very remote seamount in the middle of the Atlantic that is host to an underwater symphony of pelagic life, especially famous for close blue shark encounters and schools of hunting Mobula rays. Find yourself amid schooling triggerfish, jacks, barracuda, tuna, and watch mantas and sharks glide past you at the pinnacles of Formigas and Dollabarat. With our bespoke itinerary, experience the best marine life that the Azores has on offer in comfort and style from our intimate catamaran.
HIGHLIGHTS
Dive and snorkel spectacular remote seamounts and rocky pinnacles covered in schools of fish.
Get close to blue sharks and watch mantas and Mobula rays glide past.
Watch Sperm whales and dolphins ride the bow
Enjoy island hopping from the comfort of a catamaran
Witness spectacular island scenery and enjoy volcano and nature walks
Swim in natural thermal pools, waterfalls, and magic lagoons.
Experience authentic Azorean island life.
Delight in culinary delicacies and fresh regional food and overnight in historic accommodations.
Tour significant historical sites and visit quaint fishing villages.
Climb Mount Pico for spectacular sunrise views or Tour of Pico
Explore the historic, vibrant, and unique city of Lisbon as an add-on
Video © Saildive / Video produced by: Behind the Mask
POST-EXTENSION - Mount Pico Volcano Trek or Tour of Pico
SEP 2022 ● 3 DAYS ● 8 GUESTS
The tallest peak of Portugal, Mount Pico, situated at 2'351 m above sea level, is one of the highest Atlantic mountains. For the fit and adventurous, finish your Azores expedition with a trek to summit the peak and witness spectacular sunrise views across the islands from the volcano's rim.
Or if you would like to join the Pico extension but are not interested in participating in the trek, we have exclusively hired a gorgeous private villa and can easily arrange a nice tour around Pico while the others are trekking. Please enquire if you’re interested in this option.
ADD-ON a City Break in Lisbon
04 DAYS – Suggested (can be extended and personalized)
As the capital of Portugal, Lisbon is both historic and cosmopolitan. Hailed as one of the most photogenic cities in Europe, it has a rich history and culture dating back to the golden age of the 15th and 16th centuries. Why not take a few days to find out what makes this city so unique on a bespoke add-on to your Azores adventure?
ADD-ON a Discovery of Azorean Birds
1-2 DAYS - Suggested
São Miguel is a bird-watching spot of high significance. This is where most of the 30 endemic Azorean bird species can be found, including one of the rarest birds of Europe: the Azores bullfinch, which lives in the eastern part of the island. The Azores, and São Miguel in particular, have become an internationally recognized hot spot for bird watching. Why not enjoy the unique summer flux of endemic birds and be guided by a birding expert for a couple of days and tick off a few special species on your life list.
ENQUIRIES
Love this itinerary and wondering when we are returning? Don't hesitate to contact us today.
“I spent three weeks in Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia on an amazing odyssey with Wild Earth Expeditions. Wild Earth Expeditions may be the best small group expedition travel company today. This trip, far exceeded my expectations. Thomas and Natalia have spent 25 years in the travel business honing skills that set them apart from most guides. What sets them apart? Meticulous attention to detail, liaisons with only the best ground operators (developed through extensive personal travel in the countries they go to), an empathy with other travellers, a keen sense of timing in planning each days activities, and most of all, a love of exploring and an ability to let their fellow travellers see new places in a fresh and exciting manner. My trip to South East Asia included many activities that brought us in contact with local people and Thomas’ ability to draw them out allowed to experience them in unexpected ways. These included bike rides through the country side and river boats to inaccessible villages. Thomas’ skill in creating a lively and fun atmosphere among our small group greatly enhanced our trip. Along with his skill as a leader, Thomas is an outstanding and accomplished photographer who was always willing to share his knowledge with the group.”
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ITINERARY OVERVIEW
AZORES - ISLANDS, VOLCANOS, SHARKS & RAYS
AUG – SEP 2022 ● 17 DAYS ● 8 GUESTS
Day 01 | Depart Home / En Route to Sao Miguel, Azores
Day 02 | Arrive in Sao Miguel / Sete Cidades / Welcome Cocktails
Day 03 | Furnas Valley-Volcano / Hot Springs
Day 04 | Ponta Delgada / Fly to Terceria
Day 05 | Explore Terceira
Day 06 | Fly São Jorge / Nature walk
Day 07 | Explore São Jorge
Day 08 | Faial / Explore Horta / Cooking class
Day 09 | Faial Island Discovery / Embark SY SailDive
Day 10-15 | 7-day dive, snorkel and sail adventure
Day 16 | Disembark SY SailDive / Fly home or travel to Pico
Day 17 | Arrive home
POST-EXTENSION – MOUNT PICO VOLCANO TREK
SEP 2022 ● 3 DAYS ● 8 GUESTS
Day 01 | Ferry to Pico / Explore Pico
Day 02 | Volcano climb or Tour of Pico
Day 03 | Fly home / Arrive home
ADD ON - a City Break in LISBON (either pre or post to the main expedition)
04 DAYS - Suggested (can be extended and personalized)
One of the oldest cities in the world and hailed as one of the most photogenic cities in Europe, Lisbon has a rich history dating back over 2700 years and is home to two UNESCO sites. The exquisite charm and history are enhanced by the abundance of excellent wine and food with an eclectic mix of flavours. Take a few days to experience the history and vibrancy of this extraordinary city, hailed by Lonely Planet as one of the top ten cities in the world to visit!
ADD-ON - a Discovery of Azorean Birds
1-2 DAYS - Suggested
São Miguel is a bird-watching spot of high significance. This is where most of the 30 endemic Azorean bird species can be found, including one of the rarest birds of Europe: the Azores bullfinch, which lives in the eastern part of the island. The Azores, and São Miguel in particular, have become an internationally recognized hot spot for bird watching. Why not enjoy the unique summer flux of endemic birds and be guided by a birding expert for a couple of days and tick off a few special species on your life list.
S.Y. SAILDIVE
The 14m long ocean catamaran S.Y. Saildive from the Lagoon 450F series was built in France in 2018 and is a very stable and comfortable ship for a select few. 8 passengers are accommodated in four double cabins. The stern cabins are slightly larger than the bow cabins. All cabins can be reached from the saloon. The elegant and efficient design of the four double cabins creates the perfect accommodation and means to get to some of the more remote pinnacles and seamounts like Princess Alice banks. All cabins can be configured as double or, using a small partition board, as two-individual beds for twin sharing. The cabins, which are typical of a catamaran and naturally somewhat small, are the perfect place to watch videos on the cabin's own flat screen, listen to music, read or just sleep in complete privacy. The large hull windows ensure that you always have everything in view and create a bright, light-flooded room in addition to a pleasant atmosphere. Each cabin has a separate small bathroom with a hand basin, shower and toilet. Clean towels are always at your disposal. In keeping with the nature of a catamaran, there is very little storage space in the cabins. Each cabin also has a USB connection and bedside lamps. Air conditioning is not necessary in the Azores. Whether you spend your day diving, snorkeling, reading, sunbathing or just relaxing, onboard the S.Y. Saildive you will always feel well taken care of. The trampoline foredeck is a great place to look for Sperm whales and dolphins often play in the bow waves. There are several well-kept lounge areas on the foredeck and on the cabin roof, a small lounge area in the salon and the covered and shaded seating area at the stern.
Two small engines with 57 hp each ensure that the S.Y. Saildive can quickly make its way between the dive sites. However, with its 129m² of sail area, it literally shoots across the water when the engines are not in use. The ship is state-of-the-art in terms of safety and technology: satellite phone, VHF radio, deep sonar, radar, GPS, EPIRB as well as ocean life raft, oxygen & first aid kit are available as well as Wi-Fi, boat sound system, 220V and USB in all cabins. A small 3.6m dinghy with 30hp accompanies the vessel.
On this elegant catamaran you can simply enjoy the breathtaking scenery while enjoying the warm hospitality onboard. Sit back and enjoy this lovely yacht gently swaying in the waves as you pass by the volcanic islands.
WILD EARTH LEADER
PHOTO CREDIT © Thomas & Natalia Baechtold, SailDive, Adobe Stock