Small Group Shore Excursion # 3 - Lombadas Valley & Fire Crater Lake

Path of Small Group Shore Excursion # 3 - Lombadas Valley & Fire Crater Lake

TOUR DURATION: 6 hours or during your ship stay.

Pick up at the Seapier after the ship is fully docked.

Drive from the South coast to the North coast towards Fire Lake. We will start going up the mountain of Pico da Barrosa to see the Fire Lake. Our first stop is Salto Cabrito waterfall, an area much more excluded from the normal tourist atractions or even bus excursions. The drive to see this area is quite an adventure down and narrow off road. Reaching the bottom, the area looks like a rain forest , with pratically less then a 5 min mild walk to see and apreciate the refresring Salto Cabrito waterfall.

Then we will stop at Caldeira Velha Park (entrance fee not included), short walk and photo stop around 15 to 20 minutes with WC area there, see the warm iron waterfall, hot spring and exotic scenery, with many Australian Tree Ferns.

Then drive to the first view to see the magical emerald green Fire Lake.

After that view drive to the other view, almost at the highest point to see the Fire Lake from another perspective; from that view you can see to the South and the North coast at the same time (the thinnest area of the island) with the opportunity to see at 947m / around 3000 feet altitude) your ship at the pier.

From there we will go down Barrosa Mountain to the South coast. After drive down to stop at the viewpoint on the South coast at Praia do Degredo viewpoint. On one side you will see a waterfall right beside a beach, and the other side the islet of Vila Franca do Campo. Then we will drive to stop at a viewpoint of Nossa Senhora da Paz to see the Vila Franca do Campo islet and visit the chapel of Nossa Senhora da Paz. Then drive down through Vila Franca do Campo town (the first capital of the island, before the earthquake in 1522) in the direction of Lombadas Valley. Drive up to Lombadas Valley through pasture areas and through forest areas until we stop and see on the top of the mountain the Lombadas waterfall and nature protected reservate area.

We will slowly drive down to see Caldeiras da Ribeira Grande and stop for the WC, coffee and see some hot springs including another area where they also cook food underneath the earth, and its surroundings. Then when everyone is ready we will drive to see Ponta do Cinturão (north coast cliffs and coast line). If time permits we will stop and see Ribeira Grande city center and walk around (liquor tasting, church, city center OR Santa Barbara surfing beach). After that we will check the time and determine what more you can fit or what is the client’s mood. During the Tour there will be always WC stops, and in the middle of this Tour a stop to drink and eat depending how long is your ship stays here that day, and what the clients feel like doing.


Note: Sao Miguel island weather may affect this itinerary and alternate sites may be visited if necessary.