Azores - Atlantis and Green Island Trail

  • Open All Year
  • Flexible arrivals
  • Variable length stays | 3 to 6 hours riding per day | Nearest airport:Ponta Delgada
  • Weight limit: 14st 13lbs (95 kg) (209 pounds)
  • Usual maximum: 10

Explore the island of Sao Miguel on horseback – from its rugged coastline, ancient volcanic areas to rolling fields awash with wild flowers.

Experience a warm welcome from Christina and Claude to their historical home called Quinta da Terça.  The house of the Quinta (farm) is one of the oldest on the island and dates from the 17th Century.

There is an extensive network of tracks across the island which are perfect for riding. They have been built throughout the centuries around and through the countryside and most are still used by farmers going about their daily routines.

On the all day rides, you explore the south coast or ride eastwards from the Quinta up and over the hills with views back along the coast.  There is a full day ride to Sete Cidades, an extinct volcano crater, almost 18 km in circumference, has two lakes, one blue in colour and the other green.

The horses are sometimes transported to the start of the ride or brought back to the Quinta at the end of the day so that you have the maximum time riding in different areas of the island.

The Green Island Trail is named after the lush vegetation which grows year round due to its fertile soil and mild climate.  This seven night itinerary offering riding on six days (about 24 hours total). You have three all day rides with up to six hours in the saddle and three half day rides leaving time to explore the island. Some non-riding excursions are included.

The Atlantis Ride is named after the legend that the Azores was part of the lost continent of Atlantis.  This follows a similar itinerary to the Green Island Trail, but with four half day rides and one full day ride (about 17 hours total). There are more non-riding excursions included in the itinerary, which makes this a great for those wishing to see more of the island.

There is much to do when not riding. Ponta Delgada is home to some examples of Portuguese architecture dating back to the 17th Century. You can have a guided personal tour to explore some of the sights of the island. You may wish to have some dressage lessons or to go on a whale and dolphin watching trip (extra payable locally).

The riding centre has around 40 much loved horses. They are all well-schooled and a pleasure to ride, whether in the arena or out on the trail.

For the Green Island Trail you should be a competent rider in control of your horse at walk, trot and canter across sometimes rugged terrain (Intermediate +).  Please note the pace of the ride will be determined by the weakest rider.

The Atlantis Trail is suitable for Intermediate riders who are happy riding outdoors at all paces, or for those wanting less hours in the saddle.

Hard hats are mandatory.

The tack and riding style is English.

 

The Quinta da Terca house is one of the oldest buildings on the islands. You should ask for a tour of the private parts of the house, which is really worth seeing.

There are five guestrooms each with private bathroom (shower). Three have double beds and two have twin beds.

You have meals in the welcoming dining room converted from a former stable. There are plenty of places to sit and relax, either indoors or on the veranda or in the gardens adjoining the horse paddocks.

Accommodation Gallery

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Availability

Please note that availability at the Azores can change so quickly that the chart below may show space when in fact all the rooms are full. Therefore, please always email rides@inthesaddle.com  and we will get back to you to confirm availability for your preferred dates.

The Green Island Trail and Atlantis Ride are available all year and you can arrive and depart any day.
Sample Itinerary for Green Island Trail
Sample Itinerary for Atlantis Ride

If travelling from the UK there are usually flights from London Gatwick or Stansted directly to Ponta Delgada between April and October.

 

Select your preferred arrival date:


Prices

GREEN ISLAND TRAIL ATLANTIS RIDE
(7 nights/c. 24 hr riding) (7 nights/c. 17 hrs riding)
Rider Non-Rider Rider Non-Rider
2024: 1 January to 31 March £1,776.52 £870.76 £1,662.76 £927.64
2024: 1 April to 31 October £1,877.16 £953.90 £1,750.27 £1,006.41
2024: 1 November to 31 December £1,776.52 £870.76 £1,662.76 £927.64

 

INCLUDES Seven nights accommodation; full board (dinner on your day of arrival through to breakfast on your day of departure); wine with dinner; riding as per itinerary; non-riding excursions as per itinerary; airport transfers.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT £301.92 is payable. If you are willing to share and we find you a sharer, then it is refunded to you.

PAYABLE LOCALLY Spirits; tips; whale watching trip; lunch on your arrival or departure day if required.

NEAREST AIRPORT Ponta Delgada.

TRANSFERS Included from Ponta Delgada


Getting There

Transfers are included from Ponta Delgada airport and flights can arrive and depart at any time.

In The Saddle Gallery

Client Photos

Location

The riding is on São Miguel, the largest island in the Azores in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. The various trails take you to dramatic areas of the island.


Weather & Climate

The Azores have a mild temperate climate with average temperatures ranging from 14ºC to 22ºC. However the weather is changeable and it is not uncommon to experience four seasons in one day. During the summer months it can become very humid.

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Guest Review

This was my third attempt at going on this holiday and wow did it deliver. First the horses are perfectly cared for and know their job in a nice way. They are certainly not dull. The guides are very attentive to what is going on and we did have a riding lesson on Day 1! It is beautiful, lush with extremely different terrains...and no biting insects. The riding is very varied, plenty of change of pace and you do see all parts of the island. Christina and Claude have an amazingly beautiful place and organise everything perfectly nothing is too much trouble. Christina cooks the food and it is delicious....what more can I say other that this is a place you will meet people from everywhere.For us we had Americans and Danes all delightful. I will certainly go back.

Janet, Herts

5 star rating Overall rating: 5/5

Ride Report

Claire Law
I visited the Azores in October 2018 and did the Green Island Trail. I was lucky to get a direct flight from London Stansted to Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel and was then collected from the airport; a short 15 minute or so transfer to Quinta da Terça where you are based.

What the Press Say

Sue Gilkes Country Living | Feb 2015 says...

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from £1,750.24 for 7 nights Book Now