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Geography School Trip To The Azores Request a quote
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Geography School Trip To The Azores

The Azores, an archipelago of nine islands, lies on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge near the junction of the North American, Eurasian and African tectonic plates. São Miguel, the largest and most developed of the islands, is a great place to study geography with your students.

AzoresSchool TripsGeography
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Highlights

01

Bubbling hot springs and fumaroles of Furnas

02

The waterfall and sub-tropical vegetation of Caldeira Velha

03

Walking inside a lava tube

04

Spectacular volcanic scenery at Sete Cidades

Please contact us for a price
Schools - São Miguel, Azores

The trip was brilliant from beginning to end and I would highly recommend it to any school considering a unique and untouched destination.

King's College School

Suggested itinerary

Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5
Flight UK to Sao Miguel via Lisbon Coach transfer to your accommodation Evening meal
Breakfast and packed lunch or optional Cozido lunch Full day guided tour taking in the Furnas Valley, Interpretation Centre, Caldera Lake, hot springs fumaroles and Botanical gardens Visit the Tea Plantation Visit Santa Iria Viewpoint Evening meal
Breakfast and collect packed lunch Full day guided visit to Lagoa do Fogo Caldera Lake. Visit the Caldeira Velha hot spring Evening meal
Breakfast and collect packed lunch Full day guided visit to the Sete Cidades, Caldera Lakes (approximately a two hour walk) Visit to Ponta Delgada and Gruta do Carvão lava tube Optional Presentation about the Islands Sustainability Credentials Evening meal
Breakfast and packed lunch Coach transfer to airport Return flight to the UK via Lisbon

What's included*

Return flights UK to São Miguel Island
Return airport coach transfer to your hotel
Transport for the featured itinerary
Guide & entrance fees for featured excursions
Full board accommodation
Insurance
1 teacher place for every 10 students
24/7 emergency support on tour

Recommended excursions

01 Furnas Valley: Caldera Lake and Interpretation Centre
02 Furnas Valley: Furnas Village and Terra Nostra Botanical Gardens
03 Tea Plantation
04 Lagoa do Fogo – Caldera Lake
05 Caldeira Velha Hot Spring
06 Ribeira Grande
07 Sete Cidades (Caldera and Caldera lakes)
08 Ponta Delgada
09 Gruta do Carvão Lava Tunnel
10 Whale Watching, Azores
11 Presentation about the Islands Sustainability Credentials
01 Furnas Valley: Caldera Lake and Interpretation Centre

Descend into the Caldera and visit the Lake and Interpretation Centre. The interpretation Centre explains the work completed over recent years to clean the lake and re-establish and sustain the ecosystem of this special natural environment. Close to the lake see the hot springs and fumaroles, the visible signs of volcanic activity in this area. See the cooking holes used by local restaurants and residents to cook the island’s speciality Cozido stew using geothermal heat.

2 hours See on map
02 Furnas Valley: Furnas Village and Terra Nostra Botanical Gardens

At Furnas village consider how people choose to live in inside a dormant volcano. See the bubbling hot springs and fumaroles in the town centre. Take on the optional study of microbes in the hot springs and visit the small microbiology museum (paid locally). At the Terra Nostra Botanical Gardens admire the beautiful plants and trees that grow in this micro-climate and fertile volcanic soil, irrigated by iron bearing hot springs.

2 hours See on map
03 Tea Plantation

The Gorreana tea factory and plantation has been in operation since 1883 and was the first tea plantation in Europe producing almost 40 tonnes of tea per year. Learn how the tea plant has adapted to the conditions on the island and gain an understanding of the tea-making process at the factory. There is an opportunity to taste the different types of tea produced here.

1 hour See on map
04 Lagoa do Fogo – Caldera Lake

Take a view of this Caldera Lake from the view point, 900 metres above sea-level. The area is now a nature reserve in the volcanic complex called Fogo. The last eruption here was in 1553.

See on map
05 Caldeira Velha Hot Spring

This geothermally heated iron bearing waterfall of on the north slope of the Fogo volcano has created an area of lush rainforest. Small thermal wading pools enable visitors to take an optional dip in the warm waters. Visit the Interpretation Centre which explains the local volcanism, geology, flora and fauna.

See on map
06 Ribeira Grande

Ribeira Grande is a historic town located on a volcanic plateau on the north shore of São Miguel island. See the town’s unique architecture and 17th century baroque churches and buildings, including one of the oldest churches in the Azores. Visit the town square, the Town Hall and an eight arched bridge from the 18th century.

1 hour See on map
07 Sete Cidades (Caldera and Caldera lakes)

This beautiful volcanic landscape with its green and blue Caldera lakes is considered one the seven Natural Wonders of Portugal. Take a guided 1 hour and a half  moderate walk around the rim of the crater starting at the highest point of the Caldera. From this view point you will see the lakes on one side and the western coast of the island on the other, while five small volcanoes complete the landscape.

Half day See on map
08 Ponta Delgada

Ponta Delgada is the vibrant capital city of São Miguel Island which has developed around a natural bay. The city is also a tourist centre with sea-front hotels and leisure activities. The old town has historic Portuguese architecture with buildings constructed from volcanic stone including the 16th century church of San Sebastien. The 18th century city gates in the historical centre have become the symbol of the city.

See on map
9 Gruta do Carvão Lava Tunnel

Located north-west of Ponta Delgada this is the longest lava tube on São Miguel, extending 2,500 metres in three sections, two of which can be visited. The tube was created when the surface and lateral areas of a basaltic lava flow were cooled creating a crust. The hot lava continued to flow underneath the surface, eventually reducing, lowering and stopping creating a cavity. This special geological volcanic feature contains lava stalactites, stalagmites and flow marks.

1- 2 hours See on map
10 Whale Watching, Azores

Students can see whales, dolphins and other cetaceans. The location of the island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean means the surrounding sea is rich with 24 cetacean species. The Azores is considered one of the best locations in the world for whale watching. Historically the islanders hunted whales until 1987 and the activity was important to the islands’ economy.

3 hours See on map
11 Presentation about the Islands Sustainability Credentials

The Azores is the first archipelago in the world certified as a sustainable destination. The presentation takes place in an establishment specialising in sustainable tourism and will cover principles and practises of  sustainable tourism and Urban permaculture (agroecology and the importance of reconnecting to food production & supply). Broader topics include sustainability in the Azores and the world, Biodiversity, Renewable energies, Circular economy and the Islands Sustainable Development Goals. The Presentation will be followed by  a Q & A session.

1.5 hours
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Typical accommodation

Image displaying the Hotel Vila Nova***
Hotel Vila Nova***

Why groups like it:

Comfortable 3 star hotel
Located in the historic part of Ponta Delgada
Close to the sea-front and fort

Facilities:

All rooms with private facilities
Rooms with Air conditioning and TV
Bar
Free Wifi
Lounge and TV room
Small swimming pool (seasonal and no life guard)

 

Learning outcomes

Subject focus

Students can:

  • develop a deeper understanding of human and physical geography, sustainability and the effects of tourism
  • explore the effects of plate tectonics
  • experience São Miguel’s geothermal activity
  • identify the impact of sustainability issues on local tourism
  • consider the implications of living in a remote location

Student outcomes

Students will have had an opportunity to:

  • learn about sustainable tourism and the preservation of the natural landscape
  • understand the need for sustainable energy in this remote location
  • consider the management of tectonic hazards
  • see the examples of nature’s wonders and other outstanding geological features
  • learn about agricultural and economic sustainability and population migration
  • carry out field research in a spectacular setting

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