Secret Hills Walking Holidays

Our approach to this holiday

We want to give you a flavour of the different scenery, flora and geology of the Azores islands and have chosen a three island option during the eleven nights stay. 

 São Miguel, the largest, renowned for its flowers, green landscapes and scenic lakes. We stay five nights in Ponta Delgado, the largest town.

São Jorge, with steep escarpments and green pasture land ‘fajãs’, is our home for three nights.

 Our stay in Faial with its blue hydrangea hedges and volcanic craters is two nights, with a boat trip to Pico.

Climate

Walking is possible all year around in the Azores. Spring is early here so April and May are good times and Autumn extends into November. Being islands in the middle of the Atlantic it does rain with the wettest months from October to March. The driest are July and August. There is only a 9°C variation (15 - 24°C) in temperature between the coldest and warmest months so it is never very cold nor are there prolonged hot days. We have selected June as our month to visit. It would be unusual to have a holiday without some rain, so umbrella’s and capes are a good idea, rather than our bulky British weather walking gear.

The Walks we use

Walking is varied and is never too strenuous, though there are some steep sections. The walking however is classed as moderate.

The scenery is so beautiful that we won’t be rushing at helter skelter speed—this is primarily a holiday to relax in a different  culture and amidst different and unusual landscapes. We tend to walk about 8 miles each day.

Lunch is generally packed but we do stop at small cafes if this is a possibility. Relaxing walking with super people is our aim.

So in the eleven days, we have 7 full day walks and two half day walks.

The hotels we stay in

We stay in three hotels during the Azores holiday, On San Miguel, the Hotel Vila Nova is our base, a modern hotel with excellent 

facilities and good service values. We stay five nights here. On Sao Jorge, our four night stay is at the Hotel Sao Jorge Vilas.

On Faial we stay in the Hotel Horta. All hotels are three star. Dinner in the hotel is a three course table d'hôte menu.

All the bedrooms are roomy, many with sea views. The hotels make a superb base to start our walking each day.

 Single Supplement

Flights, Transfers and inter island flights

There is a non stop service from London Gatwick and Manchester  to San Miguel. Also we can arrange flights through Lisbon.

Each of the islands we go to have airports and inter island connecting flights will be used to get us around. We take a ferry when we visit Pico from Faial. This means that on two days our walks will be half days.

All transfers from airport to hotels included. 

What's included

Flight—Manchester and Heathrow only

Transfers from and to Hotel in airport to all hotels/En suite accommodation- 11 nights

Breakfast and three course dinner - 11 nights/Transport to walks start and from finish

Local walking guides -  guided walks/UK Tour guides

All administration and arrangements for you individually./ATOL  bonding scheme

Inter island flights and transfers

Flight Supplements

There may be flight supplements and New Experience Holidays will give you an up to date quote on these at the time of booking.

Reserving a place

Contact Secret Hills Walking—they will ask new Experience Holidays to send you an official quote.

Once you have accepted this quote—then contact New Experience to sign up. This will mean filling in either by email or post, a reservation form, which then forms the contract between us. A deposit of £150 per person is required to secure your place.

We will then book the flight—we don't block book flights—and final joining details will be sent four weeks before the holiday , along with flight information.

Meeting you in the Azores

Your tour guides Alan Garner and Chris Bland  will meet you on arrival and will be on hand throughout the holiday for smoothing the way to a super break. 

Group Holidays

We are happy to arrange group holidays for all kinds of walking groups - from Ramblers groups to simply groups of friends. Madeira is a happy and safe place to share a holiday with walking friends - its climate is great for walking at all times of the year. We cost out each group holiday based upon what your needs are. There may be reductions for group leaders who are involved in the process of organising such a holiday, depending on numbers. Each groups holiday must reflect what the group want, so let us discuss your needs and put together a proposal for you. Dependent on numbers, we may use a different hotel, but we will always ensure that all your group are together. Give Alan Garner a ring, (01694 723600) for a full discussion on the Madeiran Experience.

 Our partners in Madeira Walking

Secret Hills Walking are pleased to be associated with New Experience Holidays, who organise flights, accommodation and transfers for these holidays and provide you with ATOL security.
All your joining instructions and individual flight arrangements will be made by Paul and Deborah Sawyer. Once you have committed to a holiday, we will forward a New Experience reservation form, and you should pay all deposits and final payments to New Experience Holidays.
Secret Hills Walking is responsible for marketing and selling the holidays and for arranging your itinery when you arrive in Madeira. You will receive individual attention throughout your holiday from us.

ATOL Bonding

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