Is this tour private or group-based?

This is a private tour ensuring a more personalized experience tailored around your interests.

Are meals included during the tour?

Lunch breaks are incorporated, though meals themselves are at your own expense.

What level of fitness is required?

Moderate fitness is sufficient, as walking is typically short and along well-maintained paths.

Can children participate in this tour?

Yes, the tour accommodates children with appropriate supervision and pacing.

Are the thermal pools safe for swimming?

Yes, but access requires pre-booking; the pools maintain comfortable temperatures and are well regulated.

What should I bring for the tour?

Bring layered clothing, sturdy shoes, water, and a swimsuit if you plan to use the thermal pools.

Azorean Tours’ Nordeste & Fire Lake Private Adventure | Sightseeing Tour | Guided Tour

São Miguel, the largest island in Portugal’s Azores archipelago, offers a rugged panorama where volcanic peaks meet Atlantic waters and verdant valleys conceal hidden gems. Azorean Tours specializes in connecting travelers with this wild landscape through their Private Tour of the Nordeste Area and Fogo’s Fire Lake—a deliberate 8-hour journey that peels back the layers of São Miguel’s natural grandeur.

Starting from Ribeira Grande, the island’s second largest city, this private excursion weaves through a sequence of dramatic vantage points and pristine parks. Each stop is a window into the island’s volcanic heritage and lush ecosystem: Miradouro da Caloura and Miradouro da Povoação frame coastline cliffs and ocean spray, while Ponta da Madrugada and Ponta do Sossego present cliffside gardens and rugged promontories that hint at São Miguel’s wild Atlantic face.

Midday pauses at Ribeira dos Caldeirões Park offer an immersive experience of waterfalls tumbling over basalt formations and dense native flora. Caldeira Velha, perhaps the highlight, invites visitors to soak in its steaming thermal pools beneath a canopy of tropical plants—an otherworldly contrast to the island’s cooler highlands.

The journey culminates at the Fire Lake (Lagoa do Fogo), a volcanic crater lake perched nearly 750 meters above sea level. Views from Pico da Barrosa, near 950 meters altitude, provide panoramic sights that capture the island’s dramatic topography in a single sweep.

Azorean Tours stands out not only for its thoughtfully curated daily itineraries but also for its commitment to sharing São Miguel’s ecological story with respect and insight. Small-group privacy, expert local guides, and attention to detail make this more than a sightseeing trip—it’s a deep dive into an island still shaped by fire and water, geology and ocean wind. For those drawn to volcanic landscapes and coastal wilderness, this tour is a rare chance to connect closely with the Azores’ distinct natural legacy.