Faial Island Explorer

Introduction
Azores Portugal
Discover the beautiful Faial Island, in the Azores. 

During this tour, you will ride for 3 days and have another 3 days to join non-riding activities.
The riding trails take you along small vineyards and “Adegas”, along the coast, and to whale viewpoints and lighthouses.

Our team will love to support you in the organization of the remaining 3 days. Relax in the wonderful Ecolodge or discover by foot or car this amazing Island. You can opt to join a whale watching tour or hike around the Caldeira of Faial. You can also decide to travel with the ferryboat to Pico Island or enjoy another day of horseback riding.

Accomodation


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. Free wi-fi is available in all room types.

You can choose between 3 different rooming options:
- Panorama Apartments
- Lodge Rooms
- Tiny Houses

Panorama Apartments
Each of the 7 apartments have their own entrance with splendid view. They come equipped with one bedroom (double or twin), a spacious bathroom, a small kitchen, a living room and a private terrace.

Lodge Rooms
All 4 rooms feature a sea view, a double or twin beds and an ensuite bathroom with hairdryer.  

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.

Guests can use our spacious saltwater swimming pool, which is operated as a heated indoor pool in winter.
All year-round guests can use the sauna and infrared heat cabin as well as the yoga room. Our yoga instructors offer yoga sessions for advanced and beginners for an additional charge.

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 meals are included in your trip from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on your last day.

We provide our guests with sustainable organic vegetables and flowers, sourced as close as possible. We created also our own organic garden.

The restaurant team, led by our award-winning chef, offers a full continental breakfast buffet in the morning and wonderful picnics and light snacks at lunchtime.
Every evening, the team serves 3-course menus featuring freshly caught fish from the Atlantic, sustainable meat and the best organic vegetables.

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

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding


Riding Experience
You should be able to ride at all paces in open countryside. We expect support from our guests in feeding and tacking the horses as well as with cleaning the personal trail equipment.

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.

Itinerary

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, which could affect the number of riding hours per day, the route we take to any given destination or the use of alternative accommodation. Trails can also be ridden in both directions. All changes are at the operator's discretion.


Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

Please, note that the non-riding activities are not included in the rate and need to be paid extra locally.

Day 1: Arrival
Transfer from the airport to the lodge and first contact with the horses. Tonight, you will enjoy a welcome dinner. 
Meals included: Dinner

Day 2: Riding
Depending on the running course of the trail  you might ride at the northern coast, crossing the island from east to west, visiting the Caldeira of Faial or riding close to the Volcano of Capelinhos.
Each day, the horses stay overnight at several paddocks around the island whereas you will drive back to the lodge.
Riding approx. 20 km (4-5 hours)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3: Riding
Depending on the running course of the trail  you might ride at the northern coast, crossing the island from east to west, visiting the Caldeira of Faial or riding close to the Volcano of Capelinhos.
Each day, the horses stay overnight at several paddocks around the island whereas you will drive back to the lodge.
Riding approx. 20km (4-5 hours)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4: Riding
Depending on the running course of the trail  you might ride at the northern coast, crossing the island from east to west, visiting the Caldeira of Faial or riding close to the Volcano of Capelinhos.
Each day, the horses stay overnight at several paddocks around the island whereas you will drive back to the lodge.
Riding approx. 20 km (4-5 hours)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5: Non-riding activities
On your arrival date our Ecolodge-Team will organize with you the itinerary of your Activity-Days. Select out of a great choice of activities, from Whale Watching to hiking. Nature Park Guides will guide you on tours on Faial and Pico Island. Yoga Sessions and Meditation by the sea are also available. Or simply relax or decide to join another day of horseback riding.
On your activity days, depending on your choice of activities lunch might not be included.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6: Non-riding activities
On your arrival date our Ecolodge-Team will organize with you the itinerary of your Activity-Days. Select out of a great choice of activities, from Whale Watching to hiking. Nature Park Guides will guide you on tours on Faial and Pico Island. Yoga Sessions and Meditation by the sea are also available. Or simply relax or decide to join another day of horseback riding.
On your activity days, depending on your choice of activities lunch might not be included.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 7: Non-riding activities
On your arrival date our Ecolodge-Team will organize with you the itinerary of your Activity-Days. Select out of a great choice of activities, from Whale Watching to hiking. Nature Park Guides will guide you on tours on Faial and Pico Island. Yoga Sessions and Meditation by the sea are also available. Or simply relax or decide to join another day of horseback riding.
On your activity days, depending on your choice of activities lunch might not be included.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 8: Departure
Departure after breakfast (around 8:30am) and transfer to the airport.
Meals included: Breakfast


Non-Riding Activities (extra fee - to be booked locally)

Whale watching - 4h 
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 
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 
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 
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 
Choose between one of the 2 following trails: Lighthouse Trail (Monday, Wednesday & Friday) or Volcano Trail (Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday).

Horta town walk - 3h 
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 
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 
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.

Rates and Dates for Faial Island Explorer

Dates Note: Custom dates are possible from April to October (Mid & High season).
Sold Out Dates (as of Feb 24 2024): June 8-9, July 6-7 & 23-25, Aug 7-9, Sep 4-6 & 18-20

Other Info
Meeting: Cedros
Airport: Horta Airport
Transfer: Horta Airport

Climate:
                                                   Horta area

Source: NOAA