LUSH ISLAND PARADISE
Think volcanic craters and cliff side canters, sea views from your window and local Azorean food; Lusitano horses with no fear of people.
Ride in the remote mid-atlantic on a volcanic island rumoured to be the lost island of Atlantis.
Stay at the brand new PÁTIO Ecolodge, home to close to 30 Lusitano and Cruzado Portuguese (Lusitano cross) horses. The horses live outside on evergreen meadows all year.
From the Ecolodge you can enjoy an endless view over the Atlantic Ocean, and take in the gently sloping hills to the 2,350 m high volcano of Pico.
Within eyesight you can see the neighbouring islands of São Jorge and Graciosa.
The riding is surprisingly varied for such a small island. You’ll ride through thick lush rainforests, pass cows crazing in rock walled fields and gallop towards one of the newest landmasses with the sea on one side and an volcanic ash desert on the other!
365 days of endless Island horse adventures!
LET’S RIDE!
Overview
FAST FACTS
When: All year with January and February being slightly cooler. Temperatures usually range between 10-25 degrees.
Cost: From €1,495pp for 7 nights
Operator: PÁTIO Ecolodge
Where: Faial Island, Azores, Portugal
Languages: English, Portuguese, German
Riding level: Intermediate - experienced
Weight limit: Maximum of 95kg / 209lbs
Time in the saddle: 3 - 6 hours riding per day
HORSES
Almost 30 horses live in a herd the whole year- round in the meadows and the free barn of PÁTIO.
Their Lusitano and Cruzado Portuguese horses are on average seven years old. Due to adequate animal housing and their daily training, their horses are relaxed, well- balanced, and consistent.
Anja, their horse specialist and trainer (Horse Academy of Cologne, Germany) and Victor, trail-guide (German Trail-Rider-Academy) are training their horses so that they are cooperative, hard-working, and relaxed companions.
ACCOMMODATION
The brand new Boutique Ecolodge is located right in the heart of Faial Island.
You can walk from the Ecolodge directly to the cliff coast. Our property amenities and focus on sustainability were designed to reflect our passion for the island outdoor lifestyle.
Ecolodge facilities include a sauna, gym, swimming pool, fireplace lounge, garden - all available to your throughout your stay.
GET IN TOUCH
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Shared accommodation, all horse riding, transfer to and from Horta airport, expert guides, meals, wine, beer and soft drinks are included.
WHAT’S EXCLUDED
The price does not include international or domestic flights, travel insurance, or optional staff tips.
Full medical and holiday insurance is required to join the ride.
TRANSFERS
Transfers to and from Horta airport are included. You can get direct flights to Horta airport from Lisbon departing at 8am most days.
MEALS
Patio EcoLodge has an onsite restaurant and bar. Dinners are cooked by the quinta's chef and are accompanied by local wines.
Meals include high quality fish and meat alongside fresh vegetables and salad grown in their own garden.
Dessert is usually fruit or a sweet made according to a traditional recipe. Portuguese coffee is served afterwards.
There’s no better place to enjoy a good cocktail or great wines than on the jaw-dropping veranda with view to the ocean and the horses, or inside in the lounge sitting at the open fire
place.
WHAT TO PACK
Prestige trail saddles, saddlebags and Australian raincoats are provided.
Helmets are mandatory. We recommend our riders to wear a helmet to the correct standard and you should bring your own to ensure a proper fit.
We recommend waterproof trekking boots, wind and waterproof jacket and trousers and a small refillable water bottle.With Azorean airline SATA riding equipment is free of charge up to 10 kg
Refer to our FAQ for what to pack on a horse riding holiday.
INTERNET
Wifi is available for your entire stay at the Ecolodge.
PRICES & AVAILABILITY
PÁTIO Ecolodge is open year round for horse riding holidays.
New Year Trail: 27 DEC- 03 JAN
Package based on Apartment: €1,595 per person based on DBL/TWIN; SGL sup. €280
Package based on Lodge Room: €1,495 per person based on DBL/TWIN; SGL sup. €228
Fill in an obligation free Rider Form to book and we will get back to you with availability.
THE AZORES
A necklace of nine enchanting islands that huddle in the middle of the Atlantic but are part of Portugal.
The archipelago is an autonomous region located roughly 1,000 miles from the Portuguese mainland. The islands' thermal pools, lush calderas, crater lakes and steaming geysers all bear testament to the violent volcanic forces that birthed them.
It's a land where waterfalls cascade down iridescent green slopes; where roads are rimmed with hydrangea hedges; and where craggy coasts are blanketed with black sand beaches.
The Azores have a subtropical climate all year round, and have an average temperature of 17°c / 63°f.
Currency is Euros (EU€). It is suggested to get cash out in Lisbon before you arrive at the island for tips / gratuity.
Time Zone: GMT -1
YOUR ITINERARY
Please be prepared that the following itinerary may change throughout the week if your ride is threatened by bad weather. Generally the weather is moderate all year around though the stable does have wet weather gear you can borrow if you encounter rain.
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Arrival on Faial Island (Horta Airport - Code: HOR) and transfer to PÁTIO Ecolodge.
You will meet your horse and get to know your group and guide in the afternoon before enjoying your welcome dinner.
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Today you will learn a lot about whales and whale history on the island of Faial.
You will get to know your horse and your equipment.
You’ll start your first ride on gently rising meadow paths. Shortly after you set off you’ll get to have a trot and a canter to blow away the cobwebs.
Ride until you reach a whale watching point. With a little luck and calm sea, you can observe whales and dolphins.
Return to the lodge along the steep cliff coast. A delicious lunch is waiting for you.
In the afternoon you’ll ride to two small whaling harbours. If the weather is good, you can go for a swim.
The horses resting place for the night is in a small hamlet.
4-5 h riding time
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Today you will learn about the impact of the 1998 earthquake on Faial.
Drive to the horses in the morning. You’ll continue riding along the coast through blue hydrangea hedges, to the island's former lighthouse, which was destroyed in the earthquake.
The nearby village still has a crumbling church that testifies the incredible power of the earthquake.
At noon you’ll stop to enjoy a saddlebag-picnic right at the seaside.
Time to go for a swim or to wet your feet!
After a stop we carry on riding, enjoying the wonderful views to the sea and the neighbouring islands São Jorge, Pico and Graciosa.
The transfer team will then bring you back to the Ecolodge. Enjoy your evening and relax at the pool.
4 hrs riding time
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Today you will ride to one of the top highlights of the Azores, the Faial crater - Caldeira.
It is located at an altitude of 1000m at the center of the island, making it a real challenge for rider and horse.
You’ll often come across farmers heading to their cows as we set off on this trail. The heather along the route looks like giant broccoli, and the Atlantic Ocean glitters in the sun.
You will ride slowly up to the crater rim of Faial via switchback tracks. Here the Caldeira lies majestically in front of you; 400m deep and 2 500m wide.
If you want to extend your trail, you can descend into the depths of the crater with a nature park guide or simply walk around the rim on a 3h trail.
After a saddlebag picnic, you will ride through the lonely and wild landscape of Faial’s high mountains.
The trail lead you through country roads down to a small volcano, whose inner crater you can reach on foot through a small tunnel. A very special atmosphere awaits you.
Crossing jungle-like paths, you arrive at the Jungle Camp in the late afternoon, where the transfer to the lodge is already waiting for you.
Horses and riders have certainly earned a break.
Dinner is waiting for you.
6 - 7hrs riding
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Today the horses will have a rest day and you will visit the port town of Horta.
There will be a chance for a sight-seeing tour and to walk through the streets, visit the harbour and then take lunch near the beach of Porto Pim.
As a conclusion to the tour, you can enjoy a gin & tonic in the world-famous sailing club "Peter Café Sport".
In the early afternoon, you will drive back to the lodge for some relaxation time.
In the evening you go back to the city ready to enjoy the Azorean New Year's Eve menu in a cosy restaurant.
Just before midnight, the New Year fireworks in the harbour light up with music and sparkling wine.
You’ll ring in 2023 with a view of the endless ocean.
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Today the trail leads you through a mystical jungle landscape.
You’ll enjoy fantastic gallops close to the coastline, views of vineyards and small adegas line our way.
Via narrow tracks close to the shore you reach another top highlight of the Azores, the Volcano of Capelinhos, which erupted in 1957.
Desert-like solitude awaits you. An old whaling village covered with the ashes of the volcano.
Hidden under the buried lighthouse is the modern interpretation center that reports on the volcanism of the Azores and the eruption of the volcano. You’ll combine a saddlebag picnic with a visit to this attraction.
Riding over parts of the volcano, you reach the Jungle Camp in the late afternoon, where the transfer back to the lodge is already waiting here.
Dinner at the Ecolodge.
4- 5hrs riding.
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Today is the last day of the trail. Destination - Fajã Bay. Fajã Bay is a hidden bay where islanders have been growing wine and fruits for 500 years.
On the way, you’ll pass small adegas and wine houses with vineyards attached.
Cross the island from the dry south to the green north. Magnificent views over terraced pastures carry you down to the blue ocean.
Some exhilarating gallops lead you to the highest village on the island - Ribeira Funda, located directly above the 300 m deep canyon.
Allow yourself to be warmed by the sun, listen to the wind and the wild cries of the buzzards circling over the deep gorge.
A nice picnic is waiting for you so you can eat while overlooking the majestic canyon and the ocean.
In the afternoon the route takes you along yam fields through a small, wild and romantic valley. After 6 days of riding it’s time to head back to the PÁTIO Ecolodge.
A farewell dinner at the lodge closes the unforgettable week of trails.
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Time to say farewell!
Guests who do not extend their stay will be driven to the airport or the ferry port on the island of Faial after a final breakfast.
ACCOMMODATION
The brand new Boutique Ecolodge is located right in the heart of Faial Island.
You can walk from the Ecolodge directly to the cliff coast. Our property amenities and focus on sustainability were designed to reflect our passion for the island outdoor lifestyle.
Ecolodge facilities include a sauna, gym, swimming pool, fireplace lounge, garden - all available to your throughout your stay.
Garden Apartment (sleeps 1-4 people)
The Ecolodge owns several ~40 m² exclusive Garden Apartments serving best privacy.
The apartment owns a separate bedroom including two single or a double king size bed, open space living room, two sofa bed and kitchenette, as well as a bathroom with a walk-in rain shower. Private garden with furniture.
The apartments are beautifully decorated and furnished with local Japanese Cedar wood.
Lodge Room (sleeps 2)
Our four Ecolodge Rooms overlooks the whole premises with the proud Lusitano horses and the Atlantic Ocean with its islands. You will feel instantly relaxed as you settle into your room decorated with natural designed furniture and a cosy king size bed.
One thing we can guarantee is the perfect night’s sleep. Linens are soft and pillows plump, and you’ll find leaving the bed is very difficult.
This spacious room also boasts an extraordinary view of the Pico Mountain. Perfect for watching the sunrise over São Jorge Island.
