NEW TRIP
An adventure in a Breathtaking Archipelago
Hiking in the Azores Post-Eclipse
NEW TRIP! This itinerary is part of Total Solar Eclipse of 2026: Northern Spain, an eclipse program followed by a choice of six different adventures in Spain, Portugal & France:
Overview
After the thrill of witnessing the total solar eclipse in Lerma, Spain, we welcome you to an island-world of traditional villages, lake-filled calderas, and ancient vineyards—the Azores! On this volcanic archipelago, we explore four enchanting islands: São Miguel, Faial, São Jorge, and spectacular Pico, each with its own personality. We'll hike along crater rims, cross moorlands above a deep blue sea, and follow canadas (pathways) that link farms and villages. Along the way, we'll go whale watching, dine on fresh fish at local spots, and relish the unhurried pace of Azorean life. Our Azores accommodations include a 16th century fort and an Art Deco hotel with thermally heated bathing pools.
Arrive: Bilbao, Spain
Depart: São Miguel Island, Azores
Highlights
- Witness the dramatic phenomena of a total solar eclipse with renowned astrophysicist Alex Filippenko, PhD (veteran of 14 eclipse events with WT!)
- Enjoy the fabulous Parador de Lerma and our private eclipse-viewing site at a hilltop winery
- Hike and explore four lush volcanic islands, each with a unique culture and landscape
- Taste Pico Island’s wines from age-old vineyards
- Search for whales and dolphins in one of the world’s largest whale sanctuaries
- Stay in a converted 16th-century fort and the Art Deco grandeur of Terra Nostra Garden Hotel
Itinerary
Our eclipse program begins in Bilbao, with a tour of the world famous Guggenheim Museum, a cruise along the Nervión River, and a walking tour of the Old City. We then continue south to charming Burgos, where we'll have a tour of its imposing Gothic cathedral, a World Heritage Site. A short drive from Burgos brings us to the medieval town of Lerma and our private eclipse-viewing site at an expansive winery on a hill—virtually on the centerline of the eclipse. Our Bilbao accommodation on Days 1-2 is the Carlton Hotel. On Days 3-4, we stay at the fabulous Parador de Lerma, a ducal palace originally built for King Felipe III. En route to Lerma during the first few days of the trip, we enjoy lively talks on eclipses and other celestial topics by our esteemed eclipse expert Dr. Alex Filippenko, Professor of Astronomy at UC Berkeley.
Fly to Sâo Miguel Island in the Azores for a hike up to the twin crater lakes of Sete Cidades, one very blue (Lagoa Azul) and the other distinctly green (Lagoa Verde). We then fly to Faial Island for a hike on the Praia do Norte Levada with spectacular coastal views.
On Pico Island, crowned by a dormant 7,713-foot volcano, Portugal's highest point, we explore vineyards where wines have been produced since the 17th century. Whale watching is one of our delights at Lajes do Pico, once a whale-hunting hub and now a sanctuary and major whale-watching destination. A ferry ride brings us to Sâo Jorge Island for a coastal hike following a panoramic trail from the charming Fajã dos Cubres to the pilgrimage church in Fajã da Caldeira de Santo Cristo.
From the picturesque spa village of Furnas, nestled inside a huge caldera, we'll hike along the shores of Lake Furnas. Restaurant owners here make the famous local dish called cozido nas caldeiras (meat and vegetables slow-roasted in pots set in the geothermally heated soil of the caldera). One night we'll enjoy a hearty cozido feast for dinner. Depart on Day 14.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
This trip is rated Level 3, Moderate, according to our trip grading system. You will need to be comfortable hiking up to 7 miles a day and being on your feet for 5 hours a day. With the exception of one day, there are no alternative hiking options, so you will need to be able to keep up with the moderate but steady hiking pace of the group. Trail conditions, weather, and the group's level of fitness can affect hiking times and pacing.
Average Hiking Day
- 6 miles
- 3-4 hours
- 800 feet gain and 1,200 feet loss
Challenge Day
- Day 9 - Strenuous option: 5.6 miles, 8-9 hours, 3,700 feet gain and loss
We'll hike along crater rims in a volcanic landscape, traverse rugged moorlands above a deep blue sea, and follow ancient canadas (pathways) that crisscross the islands linking farms and villages. Occasionally there are steeper paths and steps on the coastal walks, and the ground can be uneven with some sharp rocks. If there has been rain, it can be muddy and slippery. Hiking poles will be beneficial on many days. Many of the trails are on rocky and uneven ground, so it is important that your footwear is comfortable and has a good hiking sole. On non-hiking days, we'll still be on foot for many hours as we explore the towns and sites.
The Azores have a subtropical maritime climate with mild temperatures throughout the year. In the summer, temperatures average between the mid-60s°F to the low 80s°F during the day and the 50s°F and 60s°F at night. It can be humid, and although it is usually sunny in the summer, clouds and rain is a very real possibility all year round—it is not uncommon for rain in the morning and sunshine in the afternoon. A light waterproof shell of a rain jacket and pants in your day pack are highly recommended for the short rainstorms that may pass us while hiking.
Our accommodations include a refurbished 16th century fort, a 17th century townhouse, and an Art Deco hotel with geothermally heated bathing pools. Since they are in historic buildings, the rooms are not always of uniform or international size. Our leaders do their best to assign rooms in a fair way so that all participants experience an equal advantage throughout the trip as a whole. Single rooms can be requested but are not always available, due to the limited space in the hotels. If you prefer a single room, please make your request as early as possible.
We'll enjoy the fresh and varied cuisine of the Azores which include many Portuguese specialties. The islands are known for excellent seafood, spicy stews, sweet desserts, and local wines from the island of Pico. Lunch will be picnic-style, at our hotel, or at one of the local restaurants. Dinner will be at our hotel or a local restaurant in town. Please note that in Europe, the dinner hour is considerably later than what it is in the US. We do our best to secure early reservations for our groups, but most often the evening meal will be at 7:30 pm.
Our van will transport the group's luggage, so you only need to carry a daypack for items you need during the day (rain gear, sweater, camera, water bottle, etc.). Trip members are always free to skip a day's hike and travel to the next destination in the support vehicle (or remain at the hotel if we are not transferring that day). On one day, we will spend a few hours in a 16-seater RIB for whale watching. We will also take ferries between the islands and take various forms of transportation on each island.
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Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult.