Discover the Azores on Horseback: A sttionary horseback ride around a Quinta (typical rural farmhouse) in the south of São Miguel Island, which offers an extensive network of beautiful trails that are perfect for exploring the island on horseback . You will discover new landscapes on horseback every day. For some rides, horses and riders are transfered to different starting points, allowing you to discover the variety of landscapes of the Azores, practicing various gaits. Two equestrian programs are offered: a relax program, and a more intense one for riders keen on horseback riding. Non-riders are welcome, taking advantage of the quinta's accommodation, and the non-equestrian activities and visits offered in both programs.
- On horseback in the most beautiful landscapes of the Azores
- 2 programs with more or less horse riding and visits
- Accommodation in a typical family finca
37.764839976006, -25.603582
Welcome to the Azores: a collection of nine green and volcanic islands in the middle of the Atlantic with a wonderful climate. We invite you to the green island of São Miguel, with two programs: a relaxing week alternating horseback and sightseeing, or a more intense week on horseback ! Non-riders are welcome: to visit the Azores, enjoy the quinta and the non-equestrian activities offered in the programs.
The Azores are a paradise for orchid lovers (especially on the island of Flores). The Azores are also one of the best places in the world, to see whales and dolphins and among the most sighted species are the sperm whale, the fin whale, common dolphin, bottlenose dolphin and Atlantic spotted dolphin. Your horseback adventure will be a discovery of the Isle of São Miguel, which has an extensive network of secluded tracks that are perfect for exploring by horseback. These paths have been built throughout the centuries throughout the countryside and most are still used by rural farmers going about their daily routines.
Your horse riding week offers half and full day rides, combined with interesting sightseeing trips into towns, craters and hot springs. Experience each day: a different experience and new scenery. Some days, horses and riders are transported to different trail heads, providing the most variety of trails, different landscapes and riding paces.
Your accommodation for this wonderful riding holiday, is at a family quinta (farm), on the South of the island, not far from Ponta Delgada main town, with some beautiful examples of Portuguese architecture dating back to the 17th Century. There are five lovely guest rooms, each with en suite facilities, a comfortable dining room and lounge.
AZORES WEEK EQUESTRIAN RIDES
INDICATIVE ITINERARIES *
Two programs are offered. A stay for novice riders in the Acores is also available (contact us). Please note that the following examples and are not exhaustive. The programs alternate days and half days on horseback. The "ATLANTIS" program offers fewer hours on horseback and more visits.
"GREEN ISLAND":
The Green Island Trail is named after the lush vegetation which grows year round due to its fertile soil and mild climate. This seven night itinerary offering riding on six days (about 24 hours total). You have three all day rides with up to six hours in the saddle and three half day rides leaving time to explore the island. Some non-riding excursions are included.
Day 1: Arrival. Transfer from the airport to the lodge and riding center.
Meals included: Dinner. Overnight at the Quinta.
Day 2: Introductory Ride & Visit of Ponta Delgada. After breakfast we enjoy a one hour riding lesson in the Picadeiro to get used to our new mounts. We enjoy lunch before heading off for our half day ride on the south side of Lagoa do Fogo. We ride on small roads and over pastures. A large part of the ride is on fields with milking cows. From the green pastures we have nice views over the middle parts of Sao Miguel. After lunch we all go an visit Ponta Delgada, the main city of Sao Miguel.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. Overnight at the Quinta.
Day 3: Livramento to Calhetas. After breakfast we get ready for a full day ride across Sao Miguel island. We start in Livramento and end on the north coast in the village of Calhetas. During the day we will enjoy everything from lush green valleys, admire splendid sea views look at green pastures and ride through villages. Our lunch picnic is out in nature.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. Overnight at the Quinta.
Day 4: Pico do Fogo Ride & Gorreana tea plantation visit. The half-day ride goes through the village and takes us up to Pico do Fogo, a mountain surrounded with what almost seems to be a tropical forest. We enjoy lunch. Afterwards, we do a half day excursion by car to Gorreana tea plantation. In the fantastic crater of Furnas, we will have a swim in a warm natural pool with water temperatures between 32 - 37 degrees.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. Overnight at the Quinta.
Day 5: Relva to Varzea. Today we have an early breakfast to get ready for another full day ride along the south coast to the village of Varzea. We will admire spectacular nature and beautiful views across the ocean. Lunch is served at a restaurant in the village of Feteiras.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. Overnight at the Quinta.
Day 6: Half-Day Ride. After breakfast, we will have a half day of leisure (maybe shopping, going to the beach, or visit the whale and dolphin safari for about 55 € per person). We have lunch and then head for a half day ride leading up and down on winding roads with several nice opportunities for a canter. We ride to the top of a field with a magnificent view of the north as well as the south coast.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. Overnight at the Quinta.
Day 7: Sete Cidades Ride. Today will be an unforgettable day, this is like riding in a fairytale. The full day ride takes us along the volcano crater rim overlooking the twin lakes on one side and the ocean on the other. The tranquility of the waters and the scent of the Hydrangeas, which border the crater rim, contrast the steep sides of the crater, creating a fascinating sight. Continuing down into the crater to the small and picturesque village of Sete Cidades and the Green and Blue lakes. Picnic on the grass shore of the Green lake.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. Overnight at the Quinta.
Day 8: Departure after breakfast and transfer to the airport.
Meals included: Breakfast
"ATLANTIS":
The Atlantis Ride is named after the legend that the Azores was part of the lost continent of Atlantis. This follows a similar itinerary to the Green Island Trail, but with four half day rides and one full day ride (about 17 hours total). There are more non-riding excursions included in the itinerary, which makes this a great for those wishing to relax and see more of the island.
Day 1: Arrival. Transfer from the airport to the lodge and riding center. Enjoy a delicious dinner and solid night's rest
Meals included: Dinner. Overnight at the Quinta.
Day 2: Livramento Ride. After breakfast we get to meet our horses and get to know one another during a 1-hour riding lesson to get to know our horses and then break for lunch. The ride this afternoon takes us through the village and along fantastic stone walls, which are easily looked over from horseback. Passing pastures with milking cows up to what almost seems to be a rainforest "jungle".
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. Overnight at the Quinta.
Day 3: Lagoa do Fogo Ride. Today we take a half day ride on the south side of Lagoa do Fogo. We ride on small roads and over pastures. A large part of the ride is on fields with milking cows. From the green pastures we have nice views over the middle parts of Sao Miguel. Afternoon at leisure (or maybe a whale & dolphin safari with about 55 € extra cost 55)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. Overnight at the Quinta.
Day 4: Pico do Refúgio Ride. Half day ride exploring the beautiful north cost. Valleys covered with exuberant vegetation, charming villages and panoramic sea views. After lunch, half day excursion by car to the fantastic crater of Furnas we will have a swim in a warm natural pool with water temperatures between 34 - 37 degrees. Drink sparkling mineral water directly from the spring and more.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. Overnight at the Quinta.
Day 5: Pico da Multa Ride & Ponta Delgada Visit. Today a ride that offers a bit of everything including fun canters. We start the ride close to the ocean, then up and over the hill Pico da Multa, continuing through the village of Gramas and we finish close to Ribeira Grande. After lunch, we visit to Ponta Delgada to do some shopping.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. Overnight at the Quinta.
Day 6: Sightseeing & Half-Day Ride. We leave by car to visit one of the most spectacular places on the island. Lagoa do Fogo (Firelake) and Caldeira Velha, a warm natural swimming pool with a beautiful waterfall. At the top of the mountain we look down in the crater of an extinct volcano to see the enormous lake. Next stop is Caldeira Velha where the warm water river joins into a waterfall, forming a pool in a steaming geyser under the leafy forest of tree ferns. Time for a nice bath. After lunch, we spend a charming half day ride leading up and down on winding roads with several nice opportunities for a canter. We ride to the top of a field with magnificent view of the north as well as the south coast.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. Overnight at the Quinta.
Day 7: Sete Cidades Ride. An unforgettable day, it is like riding in a fairytale landscape. The ride in Sete Cidades (twin lakes) takes us along the volcano crater rim overlooking the twin lakes on one side and the ocean on the other. The tranquility of the waters and the scent of the Hydrangeas, which border the crater rim, contrast the steep sides of the crater, creating a fascinating sight. Continuing down into the crater to the small and picturesque village of Sete Cidades and the Green and the Blue lakes.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. Overnight at the Quinta.
Day 8: Departure after breakfast and transfer to the airport.
Meals included: Breakfast
*These are just suggested itineraries and are subject to changes ... some of the order of rides may vary.
MEETING:
Day 1 of your choice. Flights often arrive and depart on Saturdays. Free afternoon transfer from Ponta Delgada airport on the São Miguel island.
DEPARTURE:
After breakfast on day 8. Free transfer to Ponta Delgada airport.
CAR RENTAL:
We recommend: www.autoeurope.fr
FLIGHTS:
Flights to the Azores are not included in our prices because it is generally more interesting to book your flights yourself, an inclusive flights package is generally more expensive with the agency commissions. However, we are at your disposal to help you find the best prices or to offer you a flight package included on request.
See the main airline companies to Ponta Delgada
See the low cost companies to Pota Delgada
RIDING LEVEL & CONDITIONS: 
You must be comfortable at three gaits (walk, trot, canter) on sometimes uneven terrain. Beaches are not allowed on horseback in the Azores.
Minimum age: 12. Maximum weight: 90 kg.
RYTHM:
You ride 3 to 6 hours a day on average.
GROUPS:
Up to 10 riders.
GUIDE:
Local guide speaking Portuguese and English.
HORSES:
The equestrian center has about fifty horses, Arabian crosses or Lusitanian. They are all well-schooled and a pleasure to ride, whether in the arena or out on the trail.
TACK:
English saddles.
ACCOMMODATION: 
You will stay in a typical 17th century quinta, one of the oldest on the island, located at the equestrian center. There are five bedrooms each with private bathroom (shower). Three have double beds and two have twin beds. The rooms have a TV. There are plenty of places to relax: indoors, on the veranda or in the gardens adjacent to the horse paddocks. Wifi available. Each guest room has been individually furnished and decorated to give a feeling of being at home. If you want to stay in a fancy hotel room, which could be in any hotel anywhere in the world, this is not the place for you. It is a special place, where Claude and Christina will make your stay special and unforgettable.
MEALS:
All meals are included in your trip. The food is a real highlight of the holiday. Christina's home cooked food is delicious! As much as possible local ingredients are used. We try to serve Azorean-style food whenever possible. An array of seasonal fruit and vegetables will appear in all the wonderful breakfasts, lunches and dinners consisting of local produce, allowing you to experience the different flavors from the Azores. The breakfast is a delight every morning and there is a big selection of fresh fruit, usually pineapple and a minimum of 3 varieties of melon, kiwi, pomegranate etc. There is also a selection of breads and jams and meat and cheese, every taste catered for and all fresh. Each evening meal includes 3 different courses. Christina will take into account guest preferences and dietary requirements. Soup to start, different every night, followed by, for example, fresh tuna or chicken in a creamy herby sauce, concluded with the best chocolate mousse.
2024 PRICES / PER PERSON:
" Green Island ":
01/01-31/03:
2030 € / rider in double bedroom
995 € / non rider in double bedroom
01/04-31/10:
2145 € / rider in double bedroom
1090 € / non rider in double bedroom
01/11-31/12:
2030 € / rider in double bedroom
995 € / non rider in double bedroom
"Atlantis":
01/01-31/03:
1900 € / rider in double bedroom
1060 € / non rider in double bedroom
01/04-31/10:
2000 € / rider in double bedroom
1150 € / non rider in double bedroom
01/11-31/12:
1900 € / rider in double bedroom
1060 € / non rider in double bedroom
" Green Island " & "Atlantis":
Single bedroom supplement *: 345 €
Booking fees: 15 €
* If you book in a shared bedroom and we do not have a rider registered to share, the “single bedroom” supplement will be charged and refunded if a same sex person registers who also wishes to share.
PRICES INCLUDE:
Horse and tack rental, guide, accommodation, meals, drinks during meals, transfers at fixed times from / to
PRICES DON’T INCLUDE:
Individual insurance, drinks out of meals, tips, any visits not included in the programs, the trip to and from the
INSURANCE:
A civil liability and travel insurance (assistance/repatriation) is compulsory. A cancellation insurance is strongly recommended.
A payment by credit card can make you benefit from its possible insurance (check your contract).
We offer to Europe Union, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway residents: the Chapka insurances.
Cap Security: full insurance with cancellation. Cap Cancellation: cancellation only.
See prices & information
FLIGHTS:
Flights are not included because it is more interesting to book directly your ticket: a transport package included is generally more expensive with agency commissions. However, we are at your disposal to help you find the best prices or to offer you a flight included package on request.
The welcome is excellent, the hosts Christina and Claude bend over backwards to please and organize everything for everyone.
The guides, I must especially greet Bruno who is as kind and generous in cultural explanations on horseback as in excursions. He is passionate about horses and his island and passes on his knowledge with contagious good humor.
The guide Anka is also very professional and smiling and makes sure that everything goes well on horseback by adapting to the group.
The horses are very well educated, the gallops are controlled. Good upholstery for me but to grease a little.
Very comfortable and clean room, very good homemade meals.
The Cap Rando services: Very responsiveness from the agency to finalize the registration.