Ride & Relax on Faial Island Azores Portugal This tour is ideal for those who wish to mix riding with sightseeing in the Azores. Create your personal program to your liking and choose among hiking, horse riding, whale watching and many more activities to discover Faial Island! The flexibility of the program means this trip can be enjoyed by riders and non riders alike. Family Vacation Center-based ride Meeting: Cedros Airport: Horta Airport Transfer: Horta Airport Riders: Min 1 riders Max 9 riders (per riding group) Max Capacity 28 Trip Brochure (PDF) Trip Rating

Packages and Options

Click here for updated current rates.

 

Pick-up/ drop-off for this trip is from Horta airport (HOR). On the first day, we pick you up according to your arrival time. On the last day, we drop you off around 8:30am.

NOTE: All trails itineraries are general guidelines and in order to offer our guests the best-riding holiday experience we may change these. Depending on the number of trails running, the season, the weather and national holidays, we may make alterations to itineraries at short notice. All changes are at the operator's discretion.


Your package includes 10 activity units that be exchanged for riding and non-riding activities.
Create your personal program to your liking and choose among the following activities (we need to know which activities you want to do in advance in order to make sure we have enough guides).
It is also possible to purchase more activity units in case you want to do more.



Riding activities

Riding lesson - 45 min. (2 activity units)
Improve your riding seat, become a safer rider, learn to ride in the open terrain, learn to lead a hand horse, and much more. Determine your personal workload with your guide / trainer.

Lusitano Trail - 1.5 h (from 3.5 activity units)
Join our Lusitano trail ride to start learning the basics or to get back into riding after a break from the saddle. Steady paced ride in the countryside with instruction.

Half Day Ride * - 3h (from 4.5 activity units)
Ride our excellent Lusitano and Cruzado Portuguese horses out on trails (2 different itineraries available) through the beautiful island landscape.

Full Day Ride * - 5h (from 7.5 activity units)
Choose between 6 itineraries and ride to some of Faial's most popular attractions. Your trail guide will introduce you to the island. Wild nature and fascinating views await!

*: You must have previous riding experience (intermediate level recommended) to join these activities.



Non-riding activities

Whale watching - 4h (3.5 activity units)
Learn about the huge marine mammals with a team of marine biologists that will accompany you on this exciting tour on the ocean.

Dolphin swim - 4h (3.5 activity units)
Swim with dolphins in their natural element. These gentle animals will approach you within a meter. Marine biologist will accompany you.

Hiking into the volcano crater - 4h (4 activity units)
Explore the deep bottom of the huge island crater, lying at a depth of 400 meters. With your guide you descend and discover the silence.

Half-day hiking tour - 3h (1.5 to 2.5 activity units)
Choose between one of the 3 following trails: Levada Trail (Monday & Thursday), Caldeira Trail (Tuesday & Friday) or Capelinhos Trail (Wednesday & Saturday).

Full day hiking tour - 7h (4 to 4.5 activity units)
Choose between one of the 2 following trails: Lighthouse Trail (Monday, Wednesday & Friday) or Volcano Trail (Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday).

Horta town walk - 3h (2 activity units)
Starting at the Marina you will cross the beach of Porto Pim and visit the whalers museum. Back to town we will show you the old telegraph stations and the Parliament of the Azores. You will visit old gardens, see the marine biology University, the theatre, the market place and old squares and streets. You see the old fortress protecting Horta against pirates and can listen to anecdotes of the colourful Marina and its sailors.

Half-day island tour - 4h (4.5 activity units)
Choose to explore Faial by jeep or bus and visit the island's many attractions: craters, volcano, sea pools and the port city of Horta.

Full day island tour - 8h (4.5 activity units)
Choose to explore Faial by jeep or bus.
We will reach the 1.100m summit of Faial Island to enjoy awesome views to Pico, São Jorge and Graciosa Islands. A small tunnel leads us to the rim of the 400m deep Caldeira. An unbelievable 2.500m wide crater of a "sleeping volcano".
We drive over lonely roads to the beautiful subtropical Bay of Varadouro with its famous rock pools.
Along the Mystery Zone we reach the Volcano of Capelinhos. Time to visit the Interpretation Center of Capelinhos and to climb the old lighthouse (entrance incl.).
On our way back to Horta we will pass the North Coast of the Island and will enjoy a picnic stop at the Lusitano Horse Farm.
Later we pass a traditional whale spotter point and visit the old whalers harbour Salão. You will get in touch with the whale hunting history.
Driving along the North Coast, we head to the old Lighthouse where you still can observe the consequences of the 1998 earthquake.
The great finish will be the volcano Monte da Guia with an unforgettable view to the picturesque town of Horta and Faial Island.

                                                   Horta area

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average High Temperature (°F)	62	62	62	64	67	71	76	78	76	71	67	64
Average Low Temperature (°F)	55	54	55	56	58	62	66	68	67	63	59	56
Average High Temperature (°C)	17	17	17	18	19	22	24	26	24	22	19	18
Average Low Temperature (°C)	13	12	13	13	15	17	19	20	19	17	15	14

Source: NOAA

Seasons
The famous anti-cyclone over the Azores allows Faial island to get stable and mostly nice weather conditions.

Summer (May to October)
The maximum temperature can be 29ºC. Rain and wind are rare during this time of the year. The days are long and at night you can listen to the chirp of the crickets and watch the star strewn sky.

Shoulder season (November-December & April-May)
These month are ideal for trail riding with nice mild temperature (13-20°C). It is mostly sunny with some showers from time to time. 

Winter (January to February)
The weather can be wet and hard to predict at this time of the year. Fog and strong, sometimes horizontal, rain together with gale-force winds can affect the island. However, this weather give very special atmosphere to the island. Winter also has some wonderful days with blue sky and plenty of sun.

We suggest that you bring the following equipment with you:
- waterproof trekking footwear
- windproof and waterproof jacket and trousers
- riding helmet

We have Australian raincoats available for rental at 5 euros per person per day.

Riding equipment is free of charge up to 10 kg with the Azores Airlines.

This list is only a guideline for you

Travel documents and Voucher

Flight tickets

Passport

Visa (check with your consulate)

RIDING GEAR

Cotton shirts with long sleeves (protection against the sun!)

Riding pants or Jodhpurs (used if possible!)

Riding boots + Minichaps

Riding helmet (recommended for all trips)

Riding gloves

Hat (with chin strap) for sun protection

Rain coat

PERSONAL CLOTHING

Jacket or sweater for cool evenings

Comfortable T-Shirts/Shirts

Jeans

Shorts

Underwear and socks

Jogging suit / Pyjama

Light summer jacket

Comfortable shoes/sneakers

Swimsuit and towel

ADDITIONAL THINGS TO BRING

Personal Toiletries

Insect protection

Personal medications

Sore cream (for an emergency)

Sewing kit

Handkerchiefs

Adapter for electric appliances

Camera and enough extra films

Small bag to buckle on (for small items needed during the ride)

Spur straps (to tie sweater or parka onto the saddle)

Sun glasses with strap

Sun tan lotion and lip balm

Flash light

** No trip reports found with the tour ID you provided.

Accommodation
This is a stationary ride so all nights are spent at the same location.

Description
You can choose your preferred accommodation type for your stationary ride. There is free Wi-Fi access at this property, no matter the room option you choose.



Lodge
The lodge has been built with natural materials and was designed in order to be in harmony with its environment.
You can choose between 3 different rooming options:
- the Panorama Apartments. Each of the 7 apartments have their own entrance with splendid ocean view. They come equipped with one bedroom (double or twin), a spacious bathroom, a small kitchen, a living room and a private terrace.
- the Lodge Rooms. All 4 rooms feature a sea view, a double or twin beds and an ensuite bathroom with hairdryer.  
- the Tiny Houses. The 3 tiny houses are located in the garden and offers beautiful ocean view. They have a Queen size bed, a small bathroom and a kitchenette.



Camping
You will be accommodated in spacious 2-person tents on camp or airbed, with shared bathroom and shower facilities.

Room Occupancy
Solo travelers might be able to share a room with another solo traveler of the same sex in order to waive their single supplement fee - please inquire at time of booking.
This option is currently not available during the pandemic.



Meals
All breakfast are included in your package. Lunches and dinners need to be paid extra.


Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to most dietary restrictions with prior notice.

This trip can accommodate special dietary requests.

Tack:		Trail saddle with saddle bag
Horses:		Lusitano and Cruzado Portuguese horses
Pace:		All paces according to riding level | Walk | Trot | Canter |
Level:		(1 to 5 out of 5)    All riding levels
Age:		Min 16	Max 99
Weight:		Max 210 lbs / 95 kg
Riders:		Min 1 riders	Max 9 riders (per riding group)	Max Capacity 28

Riding Experience
You should be comfortable at all paces and in sufficient physical condition to ride for 4-5 hours to join the half-day and full day trail riding activities.
We expect support from our guests in feeding, tacking and cleaning.

Horses
We have about 20 horses are living as a herd in the meadows around the barn, all year round. Our horses are mostly Lusitano and Cruzado Portuguese horses averaging 7 years old.
Anja, our horse specialist and trainer (Horse Academy of Cologne, Germany) and Victor, Trail-Guide (German Trail-Rider-Academy) are training our horses carefully and permanently. In that way they are becoming cooperative, hard-working and relaxed companions.

Equipment
We use equipment approved by the German Trail-Rider Academy.
Our most important piece of equipment is the Trail-Saddle. We only use the First Class Trekker-Saddle from the Italian saddlery Prestige.
Seating, safety and correct fit are without comparison. All saddles are equipped with a Prestige saddle bag for personal stuff and tension belts for your coat.

Guide
All horse-trail guides are entertaining and passionate. They speak English and mostly a second or third language. Experienced in horsemanship and as well trained horseback riders, they have profound knowledge of the island nature, history, social life and small hidden secrets. Safety of the ride is top priority.

Passports

Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart except:

1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.

Passport Note

(a) Sufficient funds are required for all except EU nationals. (b) Portugal is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement.



Visas

Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for touristic stays of up to 90 days.

Visa Note

Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy/consulate to check visa requirements 

Passport Required?
British	Yes
Australian	Yes
Canadian	Yes
USA	Yes
Other EU	1
Visa Required?
British	No
Australian	No
Canadian	No
USA	No
Other EU	No
Return Ticket Required?
British	No
Australian	No
Canadian	No
USA	No
Other EU	No

This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult the embassy or consulate for updated info.