Arrive in the afternoon at Faial Island Airport Horta (HOR), where we’ll pick you up and drive you to the Lodge. Please let us know your flight details in the Travel Details Form.
If you arrive earlier than Day 1, we will pick you up at (or near, depending on location) your hotel in Horta on Day 1.
Pick-up times will be determined depending on flight times, and we’ll let you know once we have all the details. Please ensure your travel details form clearly indicates Airport Codes (where you’re coming from and flying to), Flight Carrier and Number, Date, Arrival Time.

RECOMMENDED PRE-TRIP ACCOMMODATIONS

If you plan on arriving in Horta before the start of your trip, we recommend staying at Azoris Faial Garden.

DEPARTURES FROM FAIAL ISLAND

Drop Off Point:

Date: Day 8
Time: After breakfast
Location: Faial Island Airport Horta (HOR) or your hotel in Horta if you are staying on after the trip

RECOMMENDED POST-TRIP ACCOMMODATIONS

If you plan on leaving at a later date from Horta, we recommend staying at Azoris Faial Garden.

TRANSPORTATION ARRANGEMENTS

You are responsible for booking your own flights or other transport arrangements to the trip start location. These arrangements and any other independent arrangements that you may make are not a part of the trip booked with Wild Women Expeditions and are entirely at your own risk. Wild Women Expeditions accepts no responsibility, directly or indirectly, for any loss, damage or injury to property or person in connection with such arrangements. Should you require assistance with your travel arrangements, please contact:

Megan and Zale | Now Boarding Travel, Travel Specialists

Email: wildwomen@nowboarding.travel

Note: Now Boarding Travel only provides services of 3-star quality or greater. For budget alternatives, please refer to the Lonely Planet guide for your destination.

Important: For international and remote destinations, there is always the risk of flight delays, baggage delays and flight schedule changes which may cause late arrivals, which may, in return, result in you missing the group tour departure. We encourage you to consider arriving one or two days early, which will help you overcome any jet lag from traveling!

PASSPORTS & VISAS

You are fully responsible for your own visa requirements, permits, and certificates for your trip. It is the sole prerogative of each country or region to determine who is allowed to enter. It is your responsibility to check with the country's Consulate and your country's travel website such as Canada’s for up-to-date information about traveling internationally.

Passport:

Most countries and airlines recommend passports be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected return to your home country. Before you leave, ask your transportation company about its requirements related to passport validity, which may be more stringent than the country's entry rules.

Visa:

Note: As fees and policies can change, we highly recommend that you contact your local embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements, or see your travel agent.

TIPPING

There is no obligation to tip your guides, but many participants do when they feel they were provided great service. We are often asked what an appropriate amount is; most participants who provide a gratuity for the team have each tipped in the range of 10-15 EUR/day, which is shared amongst the whole team (guides, facilitator, kitchen, bar, maintenance, housekeeping). This works out to 70-100 EUR per participant for the trip. Tips can be given to reception or to the group leader at the end of the trip if you chose to do so, without obligation or expectation.

ACCOMMODATION DETAILS

Rooming Arrangements:

Our trip prices are based on a twin share (minimum two women per room), so we’ll team you up with another solo wild woman to share with if you’re on your own, or of course, you can share with your travel partner.

Private Upgrades

Private upgrades may be available upon request (pending availability). To request for this upgrade, please contact support@wildwomenexpeditions.com.

Bathrooms

All accommodations have a private bathroom.

Potable Water

Potable water is provided. Bottles can be refilled at the lodge, and you can safely drink the water from the tap.

If you would like to join Wild Women Expeditions in its commitment to reducing single-use plastic, you can travel prepared with your own water treatment system!

Lifestraw

GRAYL Canada | OnePress™ Global Protection

Travelers Against Plastic | Take the TAP pledge

Water-To-Go

Overnight Arrangements During Your Stay

Patio Lodge

During your whole time on Faial Island you will stay in a family-run 4-star-sustainable awarded lodge. There’s a large garden area, intimate dining room, lounge and bar to welcome you. A thirty minute walk to the coast takes you to a protected rock pool for swimming. All accommodations have a private bathroom, Mini-Bar, fluffy and comfortable beds, free Wifi and a great view to the Atlantic ocean.

PATIO Lodge is officially certified and licensed by the Azores Government as “Clean & Safe” Accommodation, Restaurant and Touristic Animation company. To get more information about the program you can visit https://portugalcleanandsafe.com/en.

QUICK FACTS ABOUT PORTUGAL

Climate & Weather:

The best time to visit the Azores is June through August. During this time, temperatures are at their highest, cloudy days are fewer and farther between and the likelihood of rain is lower.Horta, Azores, Portugal’s Weather Forecast | AccuWeather

MONEY MATTERS

Wild Women Expeditions recommends that each participant should bring enough cash in local currency or available credit/debit funds to cover their meals during travel to and from their destination. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, meals not included in the trip package, shopping, etc., and we also suggest you have access to emergency funds. The currency in the Azores is the Euro.

Currency Exchange Offices & Banks:

Please check online for current exchange rates. Wild Women Expeditions likes XE Currency Converter

We highly suggest you read this article: Where to Exchange Currency Without Paying Huge Fees for more information about this for your trip.

Automated Teller Machines (ATMs)

You will find ATM bank machines in the city of Horta.

Credit Cards

Many Portuguese shops, restaurants, and museums will accept international cards, especially in more touristy areas. American cards like Visa, Mastercard, and American Express are accepted in a majority of locations. Smaller shops, taxis and markets may only accept cash.

Cash

This is the best way to pay for items in the communities we will be visiting. Cash in € (no exchange at the airport and in the Lodge). We recommend i.e.: 300 € for personal spending, bar or tips. Adjust up or down based on your habits.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Blogs about this trip:

Story in Canadian Horse Journal

The Azores – Wild Women Style

Facebook posts about this trip in our private Facebook group (find more by searching for “Azores” within the group:

Video interview with one of our guides from this trip: https://youtu.be/mv6QpkuhRp4

GETTING FIT

Please be sure to provide complete, accurate, and up-to-date information about your health & fitness level and keep us updated if there are changes. Wild Women Expeditions trips travel to remote areas where limited or no sophisticated medical facilities exist.

A medical emergency situation is extremely unlikely; however, should it arise we need to be prepared with the necessary information to help you.

Important Note: If you choose not to disclose a condition, infirmity, injury, or ailment herein and are subsequently deemed to be unfit for expedition travel due in whole or in part to such condition, infirmity, injury or ailment, Wild Women Expeditions guides, and partners shall have the right to remove you from the trip with no refund or compensation payable. Any evacuation expenses incurred are payable by the evacuee via their medical travel insurance or personal expense. Generally, our expeditions are intended for travelers in reasonably good health for their safety, along with that of their fellow travelers.

Wild Women Expeditions recommends that in the months leading up to your adventure, you prepare yourself by walking often on various types of terrain and exercising regularly to increase your level of fitness with cardio and/or weight training.

As there are some water-based activities on this itinerary, please notify Wild Women Expeditions if you are a non-swimmer.

Tips:

You don't have to be a professional athlete to enjoy your Wild Women expedition. Not by a long shot! You'll be surprised at what you can achieve with our experienced guides at your side and a little camaraderie.

That said, you’ll definitely enjoy yourself far more if you do some preparation so your body is conditioned and ready to enjoy and make the most of the outdoors.

Here are a few ideas to help you get ready:

Ride!

You will be spending many hours each day with your bum in a saddle, so please ensure you get some riding in before this trip. While this trip is rated “novice (comfortable at walk and trot)”, we do recommend that you have some familiarity with horses, being around them and riding, at least a little bit, to make it a more comfortable and enjoyable adventure.

Work your Core.

Keeping good posture and balance on a horse requires a strong core, especially when going up and down steep trails. Doing pilates, or a balanced (focused on strength as well as flexibility) yoga program, can be a great way to prepare for this trip.

Take every opportunity you can to be active.

You can improve your fitness a lot just by adopting some new habits; take the stairs at work, go for a walk at lunchtime, park your car away from work and walk. Aim for 30 minutes a day and keep a diary so you can look back on it and feel proud. These may sound trivial but they’re all building blocks!

Join a local walking or running group.

This is a great way to get fit and you’ll also see new places, meet great people… and make them all jealous when they find out what you’re about to go on your travels.

Warm up, cool down and stretch.

If you’re doing a workout then make sure you start and finish gently and stretch any tight muscles – this will help you avoid any aches, pains and pulled muscles. If you’re a member of a gym try some yoga, tai chi or pilates classes to build up your flexibility, stability and balance.

Hydration.

When you suddenly ask your body to walk or be active, it needs a bit more fuel than it needs when, say, sitting at a desk all day! The main thing your body needs is water, so stay hydrated and practice sipping water often. Getting a water bottle or hydration bladder is a great way to make sure you have it on hand at all times. Make a habit out of taking a bottle of water with you wherever you go.

Nutrition.

Eating little and often will keep your body well fuelled for outdoor exercise, especially food like nuts, dried fruit and bread. The odd bit of chocolate and a few boiled lollies are good for keeping your blood sugar levels up while you’re hiking as well!

Have fun!

The most important point of all! You are about to embark on the trip of a lifetime. You’re going to meet some amazing people, see some wonderful places and create memories that will stay with you for life. The more prepared you are to tackle the various challenges, the more fun you will have. Also, with all the endorphins you create from all this training, you’ll be smiling from ear to ear! It’s a great way to boost your happy vibes.

More information on getting fit!

Check out our blog, Getting Fit: For a Horseback Riding Trip, which includes a 20 minute workout video specifically aimed at preparing the muscles you’ll need for riding.

GENERAL FAQ'S

For general Wild Women Expeditions FAQs please click [HERE].