Guided Walks
Caminho dos Burros Trail (Half Day)\
This 11.2km (3.5 hours) hike to Topo offers a unique view to the south coast of the Island. Discover how Pico Island was originally formed whilst climbing (1022m) the oldest volcano on the Island.
- Difficulty: Grade 2 (Medium)
Price is £81 per adult and £61 per child (4-12yrs)
Notes
- Pick-up from hotels in Madalena (Pico) at about 09:00
- Departures: Daily - all year
- Guided walks with English speaking guide and picnic lunch included
- Minimum 2 people and maximum 16
- Recommended: Comfortable clothing, walking boots, swim suit, towel, rain jacket, sun lotion, binoculars and a camera
Pico Mountain Hike - Daytime climb
For the more adventurous traveller a climb to the summit of Mount Pico can present the opportunity of a lifetime especially if you are blessed with clear skies. The peak, at 2,351 metres, offers spectacular views over the central islands of the archipelago. The ascent generally takes between 3½ and 4½ hours depending on how fit you are and weather conditions. The climb should only be attempted by strong walkers. The walk is not technically difficult but would involve some steep slopes along uneven paths and in places slippery vegetation and loose stones. The climb starts from 1200 metres. To climb the mountain you must be accompanied by a qualified guide.
Price from Madalena is £109 per person (based on 2 people)
Notes
- Daily pick-up from hotels in Madalena
- Duration: 8 hours including 3-4 hours uphill
- Difficulty Level: High
- Mountain access fee and walking pole included
- Accompanied by an experienced English speaking guide
- Equipment required: Comfortable layered clothing (1st layer lycra, 2nd layer polar and 3rd layer waterproof jacket), walking boots, rain jacket, sun lotion, water, food supplies and a camera
Private Taxi Tours
Sunvil is able to pre-book the following private taxi tours on Pico with English speaking driver. Tours can also be tailor-made to suit the individual requirements of our clients, please telephone us for a quotation.
Pico Island (Full Day)
Depart from Madalena to the village of São Roque on the north coast of Pico, visiting the black rocks of Cachorro en route. Take the mountain road (altitude 900m) towards the village of Lajes do Pico, which for many years was the centre of the whaling industry in the Azores. Continue on to the Whaler’s Museum and home to a fascinating exhibition about the industry. Return to Madalena stopping at ‘Verdelho’ wine cellar en route.
Price from Madalena is £165 per taxi
Notes
- Pick-up from hotels in Madalena (Pico) at about 09:00
- Prices are based on a maximum of 3 people per taxi
- Full day (7 hours)
- Not included: Lunch and entrance fees to museums and parks
- A qualified English speaking guide can be provided at a supplement on request
Pico Van Tour - Full Day
Learn all about the historical, cultural and natural characteristics of Pico Island. Experience the striking Unesco World Heritage landscape where you will learn about the viticulture on the Island with a visit to typical wineries The tour will take you to the central plateau where you will be pleasantly surprised by the green landscape and striking lakes. You will also be introduced to the island’s whaling heritage with a visit to the boathouses, whale lookouts and the Whaler’s Museum.
Price is £97 per adult and £73 per child (4-12yrs)
Notes
- Minimum 2 people required
- Children 0-3 yrs free of charge
- Included: Transportation, guide service, lunch at a local restaurant and entrance fees at ONE of the following museums: Whaler’s Museum, Whale Factory, Wine Museum or Gruta das Torres (Lava cave). Clients will be given a choice locally and the majority vote dictates which museum is visited. If more than one chosen then there will be a local charge for the additional museums at 5.56 Euros or 11.11 Euros for the wine museum including wine tasting.
Wine Tour - Full Day
This tour will take you on a voyage of discovery through vineyards and wine production on Pico island. There will be a walk through the vineyards classified as a World Heritage Site by Unesco and where you will learn about the cultural heritage linked to wine production. There will also be time for some wine and liqueur tastings that are produced locally.
Price is £124 per adult and £93 per child (4-12yrs)
Notes
- Minimum 2 people required
- Children 0-3 yrs free of charge
- Included: Transportation, guide, walking trail at Criação Velha vineyards, wine tasting at the wine cooperative, visit to the coastal areas of Cachorro and Lajido, liqueur tasting at Adega a Buraca and lunch at a local restaurant.
Whale & Dolphin Watching Trip - Half Day
Take a trip of a lifetime on board a Zodiac in search of cetacean activity – 27 of the planet’s 80 species of whales and dolphins have been sighted off the coast of the Azores.
Price £56 per person (25Mar-07Apr and 09Sep-07Nov)
Price £61 per person (06May-07Jul and 19Aug-08Sep)
Price £71 per person (08Apr-05May and 08Jul-18Aug)
Notes
- Departures: Daily 3-hour excursions
- Meeting point is Espaço Talassa’s base in Lajes do Pico marina departing at 09:00 or 14:00
- Transfers to/from the whaling base are not included
- Minimum child age is 6 years (accompanied by a parent or guardian)
- Briefing by a marine biologist (c.20-minute talk)
- Zodiac boats (small, rigid hull inflatable carrying up to 14 people) are used
- We cannot guarantee that you will see a cetacean but it is unlikely that you should be so unlucky
- Pre-booking in July and August is recommended
Important: Children aged 5yrs or under, pregnant women or any person suffering from severe back problems are not allowed on the Zodiac boats.
Whale & Dolphin Watching - Azorean biodiversity - Full Day
Join a tour where you will be able to birdwatch from land and sea; search for whales & dolphins in their natural habitat; stop for a picnic lunch; take a short walk on São Jorge Island; and have time to do some snorkelling.
Price £108 per person (25Mar-07Apr and 09Sep-07Nov)
Price £118 per person (06May-07Jul and 19Aug-08Sep)
Price £138 per person (08Apr-05May and 08Jul-18Aug)
Notes
- Departures: Fridays
- Duration: 8-hour
- Meeting point is Espaço Talassa’s base in Lajes do Pico marina departing at 09:00
- Transfers to/from the whaling base are not included
- Minimum child age is 6 years (accompanied by a parent or guardian)
- Briefing by a marine biologist (c.20-minute talk)
- Zodiac boats (small, rigid hull inflatable carrying up to 14 people) are used
- We cannot guarantee that you will see a cetacean but it is unlikely that you should be so unlucky
- Pre-booking in July and August is recommended
Important: Children aged 5yrs or under, pregnant women or any person suffering from severe back problems are not allowed on the Zodiac boats.
