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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.