Important Info

Trip Notes & Expectations

ACCOMMODATION

Our program fees are based on double-occupancy accommodation (see “Single Travelers” below if you do not have a travel companion and would be interested in a private room). Our accommodations are selected for safety, cleanliness, and convenient locations. While they are comfortable and well-suited for group travel, they are generally simple rather than luxury properties in order to keep the program affordable.

Single/Private Rooms: Single room accommodations in European hotels are often smaller, and may not be to the same service level as double-occupancy rooms.

LUGGAGE

We recommend using a backpack for your convenience, or a medium-sized suitcase if you prefer. A daypack is also essential for carrying everyday items. You will be responsible for carrying your own luggage. You must be prepared to carry your luggage up and down stairs, on and off transportation, and to hotels (max 15-20 mins.)

ACTIVITY LEVEL & PACE

This is an active trip suitable to most fitness levels as long as you are in good health and enjoy regular physical activity. The pace is moderate, featuring daily guided hikes that typically last 3-7 hours with distances ranging from 7 to 15 km, and elevation gains of 200 to 400 meters. The tour is structured to cover a significant amount of ground and diverse landscapes, with cultural excursions and some downtime. While hiking, you will be carrying a daypack with your water, snacks, and any other items you might need.

FLEXIBILITY

Weather in the Azores is highly variable and localized. Trail orders or routes may be adjusted by your Tour Leader to maximize visibility and safety.

LOCAL GUIDELINES & SAFETY

Outdoor & Trail Safety: Hiking in the Azores involves uneven terrain, slippery basalt rock, muddy soil, and steep volcanic caldera slopes. We strongly recommend sturdy, waterproof hiking boots with good tread, as well as trekking poles for stability. Weather conditions can change rapidly in the mid-Atlantic; always carry a waterproof jacket and stay on designated trails marked by the Azores Regional Government.

Volcanic & Geothermal Regulations: When visiting geothermal areas such as Furnas and natural lava tubes like Algar do Carvão, stay strictly on boardwalks and marked paths. Fumaroles emit high-temperature steam and sulfur gases—do not cross safety barriers.

Group & Cultural Etiquette: Respect local communities and agricultural land when passing through rural pastures and private gates along hiking trails; always leave cattle gates as you found them (open or closed). Travelers are expected to follow CEO safety instructions, adhere to group departure times, and maintain a respectful environment for fellow group members and local hosts.

GROUP LEADER

All GEEO programs are led by a G Adventures Chief Experience Officer (CEO), whose role is to take the hassle out of travel and help you get the most from your trip. They’ll share information about the places you visit, suggest activities and restaurants, and introduce you to our local friends. While not traditional guides, CEOs have broad knowledge of the region’s history, culture, and daily life. On some excursions, local guides are used for deeper insight.

Single Travelers

Traveling solo? You’re in good company—about half of our participants do the same.

Shared room by default. The program fee covers one person in a twin room. We’ll pair you with a roommate of the same gender if you don’t have a travel companion.

Want a private room? Most trips offer a “My Own Room” (single-supplement) upgrade. Check the price in the Add-Ons & Budgeting section, then email travel@geeo.org to reserve it. You pay the single-supplement only if you request it.

Emergency Contacts

If you need urgent help during your trip, call the local G Adventures office first. If no one answers, leave a detailed message with your name and contact information so they can return your call as soon as possible.

EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS:
G Adventures Berlin office: +441858378000

If you are unable for any reason to contact the local office, please call the numbers listed below, which will connect you directly with the 24-hour Sales team, who will happily assist you.
Toll-free, North America only: 1 888 800 4100
Calls from UK: 0344 272 0000
Calls from Germany: 0800 365 1000
Calls from Australia: 1300 796 618
Calls from New Zealand: 0800 333 307
Outside North America, Australia, New Zealand, Germany and the UK: +1 416 260 0999

Packing List

See our blog post of staff-recommended gear to help you pack for your upcoming travels. You must be able to carry your own luggage—up stairs, on and off of transport, and during 15 to 20 minute walks. Bring one small or medium backpack or rolling bag (22-30lb) and one daypack for daily items. Space is limited on transportation, so oversized bags cannot travel.

As you prepare your packing list, we recommend checking average weather conditions for your destination.

*Laundry: Laundry facilities are offered by some of our hotels for a charge. You can also use a local laundromat, if necessary.

Passports and Visas

Travelers are responsible for securing all required travel documents and meeting the entry requirements for every country on their itinerary, including applicable transit/layover countries.

PASSPORT
All travelers must have a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your trip dates with enough blank pages for stamps. Need to apply or renew? Start here.

ENTRY/VISA REQUIREMENTS
Visa rules change frequently—always verify the latest requirements on the U.S. State Department Country Information Pages. Non-U.S. passport holders should verify requirements with your country’s official government resources. You can also use Sherpa, a third-party service and trusted G Adventures partner to look up the latest requirements.

Money Exchange

Currency: Portugal is part of the Eurozone and uses the common currency, the euro (EUR). For current exchange rates, visit www.xe.com.

Credit/Debit Cards: Credit cards (especially Visa and Mastercard) are accepted at many hotels, shops, and restaurants, but not everywhere. Some vendors may also charge an international transaction fee, so check with your bank before you travel.

Cash: For small purchases, tipping, or places that don’t take cards, we recommend using ATMs to withdraw local currency while traveling. If you bring U.S. dollars to exchange, the bills must be new, unmarked, and in excellent condition—damaged or older notes are often rejected.

Emergency Funds: Bring at least $200 USD (or the equivalent in local currency) in cash for emergencies in case of ATM or card issues. Always carry more rather than less to avoid feeling short of funds while traveling.

For more advice, see our post, Smart Travel Finances: Your Guide to Money, ATMs, Fees, and Safety Abroad

Tipping

Tipping is optional but appreciated and goes a long way for the people who look after you on the trip. If you are happy with the service, use these ballpark amounts and adjust as you see fit:

Service providers/Waiters: €1-2 EURfor a snack or 10% of the bill.
Local guides and drivers: €6-8 EUR per person per day
G Adventures tour leader (CEO): €6-8 EUR per person per day. (We suggest pooling contributions in an envelope and presenting it as a group)

Tipping Kitty: On some trips, your CEO may suggest a “tipping kitty” where everyone contributes at the start of the tour, and the CEO uses that pooled amount to tip service providers for the group as a whole (not including your CEO). If your CEO doesn’t mention it and you’d like to use a kitty, we recommend asking about it early in the trip. Your CEO will advise the suggested amount and preferred currency for the kitty.

Flights

Wait for official trip confirmation via email from GEEO before booking your flights. Prices tend to be lowest 90–120 days out, but that window varies by route and year. Neither GEEO nor G Adventures bears responsibility for any flights purchased before the trip is confirmed.

This program begins in Ponta Delgada and ends in Angra do Heroísmo. Please double-check our itinerary for the date by which you must arrive in Ponta Delgada, which usually means departing the U.S. one day prior. You may want to arrive in the Azores or Portugal one or more days early in case you have flight disruptions. You can arrive at any time you choose, but try to make it in time for our 6:00 p.m. Welcome Meeting on Day 1. You can depart from Angra do Heroísmo at any time on the final day of the trip.

Most flights to and from the Azores will involve transferring in Lisbon (LIS), but there are direct flights from Boston through Azores Airlines that are worth trying to route through. For your return home the nearest airport to Angra do Heroísmo is Lajes International Airport (TER).

Plugs and Converters

Portugal uses Type C plugs and the voltage is 220-240V. To use your electronics safely, you’ll need to consider:

1. Adapter (plug shape)
Adapts your U.S. plug to fit another type of socket. See our recommended all-in-one travel adapter in our Gear Recommendations post.

2. Converter / transformer (voltage)
Steps the outlet voltage down to 120V for U.S. appliances that can’t handle higher voltage.
Check what you need: Look on your device’s plug or power brick. “Input: 100-240V” works worldwide—you only need a plug adapter. Any range narrower (e.g., “110-120V” or “Input: 120V”) means you need an adapter and a voltage converter to avoid damage. Converters are inexpensive and available online or in travel stores.

Weather

July is the most popular time to visit Azores due to the excellent weather. There is limited rainfall, light breezes, and around 14 hours of sunlight each day, so the weather is perfect for hiking and outdoor activities.

Advice From Past Participants

Train for the hikes — harder than “moderate” suggests
“I would just make sure you understand how rigorous the hiking is. We were scrambling over lava rocks and steep inclines while holding on to trees above to keep our balance. Participants should definitely be prepared for this type of challenge.”

“Practice stairs, incline treadmill or outdoor hikes and glute exercises.”

“We both underestimated the difficulty of the hikes… it was probably the most physical thing I’ve done in years.”

Pack for changeable, rough weather
“Excellent rain gear a must, including a cover for your day backpack.”

“More emphasis on the weather conditions — strong winds, mud, slippery trails.”

Bring hiking poles
“Collapsible hiking poles would be helpful due to the moderate level of hikes and uneven terrain.”

“Hiking sticks (imperative, IMHO)… I wouldn’t have made it [without them].”

Pack snacks for hiking and travel days
“The packed lunches were not very filling, so maybe bring snacks.”

“With dietary restrictions, I am glad that I had packed snacks from the states to have for the hike.”

Miscellaneous
“Some restaurants and public washrooms do not want TP in toilet — if there’s a bin, use it.”

Traditional Açoriano lace is hard to find, but available at the Ponta Delgado airport gift shop.