WONDERS OF AZORES 7 DAY PHOTO TOUR
Join me on an exciting adventure and explore the Wonders of Azores during this 7-day photo tour. Immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty and unique landscapes of São Miguel and Terceira Island. It’s a journey you won’t want to miss!
23-29 MARCH 2025 / 19-25 JUNE 2025 / 21-27 JULY 2025
Created by local photographer Bruno Ázera
Embark on a unique 7-day Wonders of Azores photo adventure tour and discover the pristine beauty of the Azores and its enchanting islands. Designed for photographers of all skill levels, my aim is to guide you to the most photogenic locations in the Azores, away from the tourist crowds. Throughout the journey, you’ll stay in accommodations that ensure the best possible experience.
Situated in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean, the Azores comprise nine stunning volcanic islands. Green, volcanic, and remote, this archipelago offers breathtaking landscapes in their purest state. Home to one of the largest whale sanctuaries, the Azores provide exceptional conditions for photography year-round. Join me for an unforgettable experience capturing the natural wonders of this hidden gem.
Join me on a seamless exploration of São Miguel and Terceira Island, where we’ll utilize private shuttles and commercial flights to traverse various photographic sights. The tour cost encompasses all transportation, local flights between islands, and accommodations, ensuring a stress-free experience. This setup allows participants to focus on relishing and capturing the mesmerizing scenery of the Azores.
Immerse yourself in the unique culture, warm-hearted people, and photographic treasures of the Azores islands. From volcanic villages and hot springs to captivating whale-watching excursions, this travel photography tour is perfect for those with a sense of adventure.
For ocean enthusiasts, the Azores rank among the world’s best whale-watching spots. We’ll maximize this opportunity by partnering with Ocean Emotion, a team of professional and passionate experts who share our love for the Azores.
One standout feature of the Azores is the proximity of every photography spot, with some just a 20-minute drive away. Throughout the tour, I’ll share my knowledge in-field and beyond, ensuring a comprehensive learning experience.
While we have a planned itinerary, we also embrace flexibility to seize unexpected photographic opportunities that may arise during our journey. Join me for an unforgettable exploration of the Azores, where every moment is an opportunity to capture the magic of these incredible islands.
These photo tours are always for small groups, a maximum of 5 participants, it’s a one-on-one experience.
TOUR PRICE
starting from 3500€
single occupancy in private room with a bathroom
DATES
23-29 MARCH 2025
19-25 JUNE 2025 / 21-27 JULY 2025
GROUP SIZE
3-5
TOUR GUIDE
Bruno Ázera
EXPERIENCE
beginner / amateur / advanced
PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY
Mostly Easy
only small hikes are involved
DESTINATION
Azores
São Miguel / Terceira
ACCOMMODATIONS
4 / 5 STAR HOTELS
- Discover 2 island paradises: Immerse yourself in the breathtaking scenery of São Miguel and Terceira, each boasting its own distinct charm and natural wonders
- Guided by a professional photographer: Benefit from the guidance of a local and seasoned photographer intimately familiar with the islands’ most picturesque locations, ensuring you capture the perfect shot.
- Diverse landscapes: From the rugged volcanic landscapes of São Miguel to Terceira emerald-green patchwork, every day offers a new and captivating backdrop for your photographs.
- Cultural immersion: Engage with local traditions, interact with the warm island communities, and capture the authenticity of daily life through your camera lens.
- Small group experience: To facilitate personalized attention, our tour is limited to a small group of passionate photographers, fostering an environment for shared learning and inspiration.
- Skill enhancement: Refine your technical skills and artistic vision, taking your photography to the next level.
- Unforgettable Memories: Create a collection of photographs that not only tell a story but also serve as timeless memories of your incredible journey through these Atlantic gems.
- Professional photo guide (fluent in Portuguese and English)
- Photographic field instructions
- Tips and tricks along the day
- Image reviews
- Transportation in a comfortable vehicle
- Whale Watching with Ocean Emotion – private for our tour group (minimum 4 participants)
- 6 nights accommodation in hotels, single occupancy in private room with bathroom
- All Breakfasts
- Park fees
- Local flight tickets to transfer between islands
- Hotel pickup and drop-off from the airport
- Welcome lunch and farewell dinner
- Personal accident insurance and liability
- Lots of fun
- Alcoholic beverages and other drinks
- Snacks, lunch, and dinners are not mentioned in the inclusions
- Flight tickets to Ponta Delgada from the original departure point
- Visas (if needed)
- Gratuities for photo guides, local guides, and/or drivers
- I also advise everyone making travel plans for the near future to book a cancellation insurance
Camera (DSLR or Mirrorless) – The criteria for the kind of work we’ll be doing is a camera that can be operated completely manually to ensure we get the best exposure with interchangeable lenses allowing us to cover a range of focal lengths.
Lenses – I understand that Lenses are a kind of personal subject, although I recommend for the type of photography we are going to do, to bring a focal range between 16mm to 300mm to cover the majority of situations. I typically have with me a Tamron 17-28mm, a Sony 24-105mm and a Sigma 100-400mm, and it covers everything.
Filters – Graduated filters aren’t mandatory, but if you have a set, feel free to bring them along. Particularly, ND filters can be useful for experimenting with long exposures.
Tripod – For landscape photography I always recommend the use of a tripod. However, today’s new camera stabilization is so good that the need for it is becoming less necessary. I even know pro photographers that do focus stacking hand held.
Backpack – We won’t be doing long hikes, but a good camera backpack is essential. Think comfort, lite and versatile.
Drone – I recommend bringing a drone. The perspectives you can capture from above are spectacular, especially in the coastline. If you are thinking of bringing one, you should have the ability to manually launch and land your drone, as well as navigate basic flight paths to reach a specified destination from the air. I fly with a DJI Mavic 3 Pro, but even the DJI Mini is enough.
Clothing and Footwear
Waterproof and Windproof Jacket: A high-quality waterproof and windproof jacket is a must-have item, especially along the rugged coastline where ocean spray and sudden rain showers are common. Look for a jacket with sealed seams, adjustable cuffs, and a hood for maximum protection against the elements.
Warm Layers for Cooler Evenings: Evenings can be cool, especially at higher elevations, so be sure to pack warm layers such as a fleece jacket or lightweight down vest to keep you warm and cozy during sunset shoots or night photography sessions.
Quick-Drying Pants: Choose quick-drying pants made from synthetic materials or lightweight hiking trousers that offer both comfort and functionality.
Footwear: I never liked big and heavy hiking boots, I know they offer more protection but for the type of terrain we have, light running shoes are better for the grip. I know this is very subjective but It has worked for me.
Swimwear: We are also visiting Terra Nostra Park, renowned as one of the most beautiful gardens, but they also have hot springs and thermal pools that I recommend that you try it. So don’t forget to bring your swimwear and flip flops. Towels are provided by the Hotel.
Keep in mind that the Azores climate can be very unpredictable, so packing the right clothing is essential for an enjoyable experience.
In our June Photo Tour, you have the opportunity to experience and enjoy the festival of Sanjoaninas in the heart of the UNESCO city of Angra do Heroísmo in Terceira Island.
ITINERARY
Welcome to João Paulo II airport in Ponta Delgada. Transportation is provided to our hotel. You have the morning to relax or explore by yourself the city and we will pick you up later for a delicious welcome lunch in a local restaurant. This is the perfect opportunity for you to ask any questions that you may have and to get to know your fellow travelers a little better.
In the afternoon, we venture to the oldest tea plantation in Europe, Gorreana Tea plantation. Discover the intricacies of the factory and its scenic surroundings. The unique landscape, shaped by the vibrant green tea leaves, offers endless possibilities for captivating photography.
Depending on the weather, for sunset we visit the beaches of Santa Bárbara and Monte Verde, or the jagged cliffs of Miradouro do Cintrão, overlooking the north coast and Sete Cidades volcano in the background.
For sunrise we visit one of my favorite locations of São Miguel, Lagoa do Fogo volcanic lake, and one of the highest points of the island. It usually tends to be cloudy or foggy during the day and ultimately ruins any potential view to be had. If you have a drone, take full advantage of it. You can create really unique perspectives up here.
Travel west and explore the volcanic crater of Sete Cidades, the two multi-colored lakes of Lagoa Verde and Azul. It’s an incredible sight and the best way to have a sense of the surrounding area. If you have a drone, Lagoa do Canario by air reveals a really interesting shape.
We arrive at one of the highlights of the Azores, Grota do Inferno viewpoint. The crater lakes of Sete Cidades can be viewed from several different viewpoints, but it’s hard to beat this spot.
For sunset, we drive through Sete Cidades down to Mosteiros Beach to capture the last light of the day in a beautiful seascape photography location.
We start our morning at Santa Iria viewpoint for sunrise and then head out to Lagoa das Furnas, a spectacular crater lake where you will have the chance to photograph mud pools and other steaming geothermal features.
Terra Nostra Park is our next spot and is considered one of the most beautiful gardens, with the added bonus of having thermal pools. Be sure to bring your swimwear, with temperatures between 35 and 40 degrees Celsius, which provides a sensation of rest and relaxation for the rest of the day.
We will try the famous local dish known as Cozido at a local restaurant, which is unique to this town and is cooked by volcanic steam, as well as the sweet muffins called bolo lêvedo.
Next in our list is Ribeira Quente waterfalls, the unique brown and orange colors from the rich iron waters make this a must-visit location in São Miguel.
For sunset, we head back to the island’s coastline to capture the mesmerizing colors of the last light of the day.
We kick off our morning with a visit to one of my favorite locations in São Miguel, the Vila Franca Islet, renowned for its unique geological formation. This islet features a volcanic crater that has partially collapsed, allowing seawater to enter and form a natural circular pool inside the crater. To capture truly distinctive perspectives, a bird’s eye view from a drone is essential.
Following the sunrise experience, we fly to Terceira Island, home to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Angra do Heroísmo. After lunch, we explore the Black Forest, a unique location with dense vegetation where light struggles to penetrate, ensuring every photograph is a one-of-a-kind capture.
A short drive away, we reach one of the island’s highlights, Algar do Carvão, the only volcano in the world that you can walk inside. While tripods are not allowed, be sure to bring your fastest and widest lens for this extraordinary experience.
As we continue our journey, we explore beautiful forest roads, discovering some of the best-hidden gems along the way.
Depending on the weather, we head up to Serra de Santa Bárbara for sunset, the highest point on the island and an incredible spot to conclude our day.
Big views and seascapes, that’s our plan for the day. We start early with a drive to Serra da Ribeirinha. On top of the southern rim of a volcano, we have a panoramic view of the coast. With Serra do Morião and Serra Santa Bárbara on the right side, overlooking Monte Brasil and two more Islands in the background, São Jorge and Pico.
Next, we head out to the most picturesque volcano cone in the Azores, Pico Dona Joana. With Ilhéu das Cabras in the background has to be one of the most unique perspectives you will see in the Azores.
At noon, we arrive at Praia da Vitória to have lunch and enjoy the view of the beach. Terceira Island is known to have the best food of the Azores, so we have to make the best out of it.
We head out to the north part of the Island, to Ponta do Mistério. One of the Island’s most attractive coastal areas. A mysterious green-glazed lunar landscape, with the blue Atlantic Ocean in the background, creates an amazing sight.
For sunset, we visit Biscoitos. A picturesque town, known for its wine-growing region and even more for its beautiful natural pools. The rugged black-colored lava fields sculpted by waves make for really interesting landscapes.
If you enjoy an adventure in the Ocean, the Azores are considered one of the best Whale Watching spots in the world, so we have to make the most out of it.
Head out to the Atlantic with the guys at Ocean Emotion, their team of professional and enthusiastic experts share the same passion for the Azores as I do.
After lunch, explore the UNESCO World Heritage city of Angra do Heroísmo. Different patterns and colors from the Portuguese architecture make for very interesting subjects.
We head out to explore the western part of the Island, starting at the local cheese factory of Queijo Vaquinha and finishing our day at Cinco Ribeiras natural swimming pools.
Considered the most beautiful viewpoint in Portugal, we reserved the best for the last day. The unique view of the interior of the island, known as the “patchwork”, consisting of walls of volcanic stones dividing the farmer fields into square-shaped figures, makes Serra do Cume the epic spot to photograph the first light of the day.
Enjoy a final breakfast together, reminiscing about the incredible moments shared during the tour. Unfortunately, it’s time to say goodbye and fly home. Transfers to the airport are arranged based on the hour of your flight with no additional costs.
I hope you cherish all of these amazing memories and fantastic photographs from the Azores.
ACCOMMODATIONS
23-29 MARCH 2025 / 19-25 JUNE 2025 / 21-27 JULY 2025
WONDERS OF AZORES 7 DAY PHOTO TOUR
If you like what you see here, please book this tour in the form below.
An email will be sent to you with all the information to complete the registration.
A deposit of 1000€ is required to register for this tour.
Participants joining should generally feel well and be physically capable of outdoor activities. It’s also important that they’re comfortable using a camera.
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