4 x 4 Offroad Small Group Shore Excursion to Lombadas Valley & Fogo / Fire Crater Lake

Path of 4 x 4 Offroad Small Group Shore Excursion to Lombadas Valley & Fogo / Fire Crater Lake

TOUR DURATION: 7 hours or during your ship stay.

Pick up at the Sea pier Portas do Mar where your ship docks.

You will be met at the port by a Azorean Tours representative who will then guide you to your transport. Leaving the pier behind, your tour starts with a drive along the South coast to our first stop of the day to see Praia do Degredo. At that stop on one side you can see the Degredo beach, and a hidden beautiful natural waterfall, and on the other side the islet of Vila Franca do Campo, a circular submarine volcano.

Our next stop is the chapel of Nossa Senhora da Paz that is on a high hill viewpoint. From there you can see or even walk up the zigzag stone stairs into an eighteen century reconstructed chapel and have a better look of the town of Vila Franca do Campo with several banana and pineapple plantations, and the islet of Vila Franca do Campo, sometimes named as the ring of the Princess due is circular volcanic structure and an emerald colour water pool.

Then from there we will drive down and in the direction of Lombadas Valley. We will drive quite up to Lombadas area leading us first through vast pastures and than vast forest areas until we get to the top of the mountain to see all the incredible Lombadas nature protected reservate valley area with our Azorean endemic vegetation, Lombadas waterfall from a distance, and all the North coast. Probably the most dramatic view of the day tour.

From there we will slowly drive down to see Caldeiras da Ribeira Grande hot springs and thermal area. At that area we will see fumaroles including an area where they also cook food underneath the earth, and its surroundings. Good stop for the WC, coffee for those who need it.

Then when everyone is ready we will drive to Ponta do Cinturão viewpoint to see its dramatic north coast cliffs and coast line.

Then we will drive to Ribeira Grande to see Santa Barbara black sand beach, which features world-class surf conditions.

When everyone is ready, start going up the mountain of Barrosa to go to see the Fire Lake. Before we will stop to see Salto Cabrito waterfall, an area much more excluded from the normal tourist attractions 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 practically less then a 5 min easy walk each way to see and appreciate the refreshing Salto Cabrito waterfall.

Then travel onwards to the first view stop to see the Fire Lake, Miradouro da Lagoa do Fogo at 755 meters / 2477 feet. Fire lake is a natural protected reservated area with a stunning, crisp turquoise color lake. The views are incredible!

Then you will drive to the other view Pico da Barrosa at 947m altitude / around 3107 feet to see the lake from another perspective. It is the highest point to see Fire Lake and the highest point you can drive on the island. From that view you can see the South and the North coast at the same time (the thinnest area of the Sao Miguel island), all the Picos Volcanic Fissural System that formed all that flatter area, with the opportunity to see your ship at the pier. Definitely a tour highlight!

From there, travel down from the Fire lake Mountain towards Lagoa town on the south coast, passing through several small villages and volcanic black sand beaches until you arrive back at Ponta Delgada with a return to your ship.

During the Tour there will always be WC stops, and in the middle of this Tour a stop to drink and eat depending how long 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.