Small Group Shore Excursion # 2 - Fire Crater Lake & Sete Cidades Crater Lake

Path of Small Group Shore Excursion # 2 - Fire Crater Lake & Sete Cidades Crater Lake

TOUR DURATION: 6 hours or during your ship stay.

Pick up at the Seapier after the ship is fully docked.

Drive towards the West direction to the most West side of the island to see Ponta do Escalvaldo viewpoint to see Mosteiros village from the top and Ferraria volcanic thermal area.

Then drive up and down through Sete Cidades village to see one of the most Azorean village of Sao Miguel Island. We will stop at the center of the village for the WC, coffee, and see Sete Cidades Church, with time to relax for a moment.

When everyone is ready, then drive to the bridge that divides the two lakes. We will start up the Crater from the other side, stop first at Sao Tiago Lake viewpoint, and then stop at “Cerrado das Freiras” viewpoint (view from a different perspective of the Twin Lakes), and then drive until we reach the most popular view of the Azores, Vista do Rei viewpoint, to see Sete Cidades Crater Lake (the blue and green lake). From there drive to “Pico do Carvão” viewpoint, from that view you can see the South and the North coast at the same time (the most flat and thinner area of the island of Sao Miguel). After seeing that side of the island, the next drive is to see the Fire Crater Lake.

Drive from there to the North Coast to Capelas town and stop at Miradouro das Pedras Negras (view of the North Coast and volcanic black stones). Our next stop is Ribeira Grande city (view of the city garden, center, liquor tasting possibility or coffee/chocolate shop, and view of the Ribeira Grande mother church (first construction in 1517 and reconstructed in the eighteen century).

Start going up the mountain of Pico da Barrosa to go to see the Fire Lake, our first stop is at Caldeira Velha Park (entrance fee not included), short walk and photo stop around 15 to 20 minutes with WC area there, see the warm iron waterfall, hot spring and exotic scenery, with many Australian Tree Ferns.
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See Salto Cabrito waterfall, an area much more excluded from the normal tourist atractions or even bus excursions. The drive to see this area is quite an adventure down and narrow off road. Reaching the bottom, the area looks like a rain forest , with pratically less then a 5 min mild walk to see and apreciate the refresring Salto Cabrito waterfall.

Then drive to the first view to see the magical emerald green Fire Lake.

After that view drive to the other view, almost at the highest point to see the Fire Lake from another perspective; from that view you can see to the South and the North coast at the same time (the thinnest area of the island) with the opportunity to see at 947m / around 3000 feet altitude) your ship at the pier. From there we will go down Barrosa Mountain to the South coast. At the bottom and before the arrival of your ship, we will pass through Lagoa city, several small villages and volcanic beaches until we reach Ponta Delgada. After that we will check the time and determine what more we can fit or what is the client’s mood (for example the Pineapple Plantation, if time permits). During the Tour there will be always WC stops, and in the middle of this Tour to drink and eat depending how long is your ship stays here that day, and what the clients feel like doing.

Note: Sao Miguel island weather may affect this itinerary and alternate sites may be visited if necessary.