Active Holiday on Terceira

Day 1 - Day of arrival - Terceira

On arrival on Terceira, you will be transferred to your hotel in Angra do Herosimo.

Afternoon and evening at leisure to explore the island capital and to familiarise yourself with the city’s maze of cobbled streets and its picturesque harbour.

Overnight at the Palacio Santa Catarina in Angra do Heroismo.

Angra do Heroismo, Terceira

Day 2 - Half day guided bike tour (Santa Barbara)

Departs daily at 09:00 or 14:00. Discover the west side of the island. The ride is graded as medium difficulty and includes both uphill and downhill sections. You will cycle to Santa Barbara Mountain (highest point on the island) and also at sea level through old rural paths or pasture lands and stop to visit the Natural Park’s Interpretation Center (Volcano museum). On the way back, there will be time to visit the lava tube ‘Christmas cave’ (entrance fee payable locally) and a small volcano. The itinerary covers some of the most scenic roads on Terceira. At the end of the day, be blessed by the sunset light in one of the most scenic roads on Terceira. Distance covered: 25km.

Overnight at the Palacio Santa Catarina in Angra do Heroismo.

Guided bike tour

Day 3 - Full day guided walk with picnic lunch (Rocha do Chambre)

Departs Mondays and Thursdays at 08:30. This 8.8km walk takes you to the heart of the island along one of Terceira’s most spectacular trails surrounded by nature. A varied landscape takes you to one of the highest points of the island where, weather dependent, it is possible to see the outer reaches of the island. You will discover how the island would have looked before the first settlers arrived. On the way to the interior of the island, you will have the opportunity to observe fields where wild cattle live, as well as how rich the interior of the island is preserved and maintained by the local population over the centuries, until today. The trail is focused at the centre of Terceira and, along the way, you will see the endemic flora of the Azores, such as cryptomeria forests, large pastures and even observe some of the island's fauna. The attraction of this route is the visit to the “Rocha de Chambre”, a vertical wall located at an altitude of 708m where the view over the Azinhal Valley and the caldera of the Pico Alto Volcano is spectacular. Following this climb, you will reach a spot from which you can admire the view from Pico das Caldeirinhas and Pico Vermelho. The final part of the trail runs along a dry-stone wall, in an area dominated by Azorean Heather, an endemic species. After your picnic lunch, there will be time to time to visit the Algar do Carvão Cave, a volcanic chimney that is undoubtedly the most famous volcanic cavity in the Azores. On the way back to Angra do Heroísmo, there is a stop at the Caldeira do Guilherme Moniz, a protected resource management area of the Terceira Natural Park, with its protected Macaronesian plant species.

Overnight at the Palacio Santa Catarina in Angra do Heroismo.

Guided walk on Terceira

Day 4 - Half day sea kayaking

Departs daily at 09:00. The kayaking takes place along the Coast of Monte Brasil, in the bay of the UNESCO city of Angra do Heroísmo. Here you can enjoy the beautiful blue Azorean waters against the backdrop of the island’s dramatic terrain. Afternoon at leisure in Angra do Heroismo.

Overnight at the Palacio Santa Catarina in Angra do Heroismo.

Sea kayaking

Day 5 - 2-3 hours Whale and Dolphin watching excursion

Departs daily at 08:30 or 11:30. Twenty eight of the planet’s 90 species of whales and dolphins have been sighted off the coast of the Azores. One member of our staff actually saw a Blue Whale, an experience she will never forget. For many of us at Sunvil this is the highlight of a trip to the islands. The meeting point for this excursion is Angra do Heroismo’s marina. The excursion lasts 2 to 3 hours and there is a pre-tour briefing from a marine biologist.

Overnight at the Palacio Santa Catarina in Angra do Heroismo.

Whale and dolphin watching

Day 6 - Full day Terceira van tour

Departs daily (excluding Sundays) at 09:00. The tour starts by visiting Monte Brasil and the amazing view towards Angra do Heroísmo, the Island capital and UNESCO Heritage Site. After visiting this submarine volcano the drive threads through the city centre in the direction of Praia da Vitória, passing by Porto Judeu, Salga Bay where the island natives fought against the Spanish army, Contendas Bay, and Porto Martins with its beautiful natural pools. After passing by Praia da Vitória’s historical centre the excursion continues to Serra do Facho for an incredible overview of Praia Bay, the biggest bay on the island. Then on to Serra do Cume, considered one of the most beautiful viewpoints on the island, and the spectacular view of the patchwork quilt landscape, the largest flat land area on the Archipelago. At lunch in a local restaurant with a warm and friendly atmosphere there is the opportunity to sample the delicious Tercerian dish ‘Alcatra’ This is a dish of beef rump cooked for 12 hours to intensify the flavour and texture of the dish. After lunch, the next destination is Biscoitos village and its natural lava pools, the locals’ favourite swimming spot. En route the excursion passes by the Biscoitos vineyards that thrive in the village's microclimate. Then on to Algar do Carvao, a natural monument and a unique lava chimney, that gives the feeling of what it is like to be inside of a real volcano. Then the drive heads south, in the direction of Veredas viewpoint, for an incredible overview of Angra do Heroísmo and Monte Brasil.

Overnight at the Palacio Santa Catarina in Angra do Heroismo.

Tour the countryside of Terceira

Day 7 - Day at Leisure

Today you have the opportunity to explore the island at your leisure, stroll through Angra do Heroismo, the island's World Heritage town or simply take some time to relax and unwind at your hotel.

Overnight at the Palacio Santa Catarina in Angra do Heroismo.

Angra do Heroismo

Day 8 - Day of departure

Transfer to the airport for your return flight home to the UK.