14 days and 13 nights aboard the M/V Polar Star
Join our inaugural expedition to this beautiful part of the world. This island voyage takes us to three island clusters for an opportunity to explore their unique and traditional lifestyles. Their natural environments are a delight with beautiful expanses of flowers, small farm landscapes, rural settlements and an island wilderness that encompasses both land and seascapes. Islands are always a gathering place for many bird species as well as marine wildlife as they search for food, shelter and breeding grounds and these islands are located along the migratory trail.
Your Itinerary:
Day 1: Canary Islands
We embark at the bustling port of Las Palmas in the Gran Canaria to begin our voyage of island hopping.
Day 2: Canary Islands
Fuerteventura – The sandy, desert-like landscape is accentuated by historic sites and the route of the Windmills. It is home to Black-bellied sandgrouse, Cream-coloured courser, Egyptian vulture, Canary Islands chat, Houbara bustard, Trumpeter finch, Ruddy shelduck and more
Day 3: Canary Islands
Lanzarote – The mythical island of Lanzarote is classified by UNESCO as a world Biosphere reserve. One unique formation is Los Jameos del Agua, huge volcanic bubbles surrounding a saltwater lake where a unique species of crab breed. Time permitting we will visit some of the architectural sites.
Day 4: Canary Islands
La Palma & Isla Gomera – In La Palma we explore Caldera de Taburiente. In the afternoon we visit Isla Gomera, a cone shaped island with one of the last remaining tracts of Atlantic Laurel forest and home to many unique bird species.
Day 5: Canary Islands
Salvagen Islands – This small remote grouping is a natural reserve and home to several species of petrel and shearwater as well as the Red-billed tropicbird and migrant jaeger.
Day 6: Canary Islands
Desertas Islands – On this three island grouping, the Fea’s petrel can be seen during nesting season. It is home to the critically endangered Zino’s petrel and also supports a population of the endangered Monk seal.
Day 7: Funchal
Funchal is a small romantic town on Madeira Island with a colourful market and Jacaranda lined streets known for its wine, embroidery, wickerwork. We explore this island in search of natural (volcanic) swimming pools, cascading waterfalls, picturesque churches and traditional triangular thatched-roof houses.
Day 8: Porto Santo
This landscape is completely different from Madeira with a flat coastline, magnificent golden beaches and mountains only in the northern interior.
Day 10: Azores
Ponta Delgada – (Saő Miguel, Azores) We explore the area including a pottery factory, tea plantation, steaming geysers, thermal springs, and beautiful Nostra Gardens with the therapeutic pool. Midday we enjoy a traditional volcanically cooked lunch (cozidos nas caldeiras)
Day 11: Azores
Terceira – In Angra do Heroismo we go for a walking tour of this lovely town steeped in Mediterranean charm - the Misericorda Church, Convent do Saő Francisco, public gardens and museum, then free time to explore the town at leisure or walk to the nearby fortification, Monte Brasil.
Day 12: Azores
Flores & Corvo – In Flores we see the basalt cliffs of Rocha dos Bordőes and other natural features such as cascading waterfalls, caldeiras and fajăs. On the tiny island of Corvo we reach the rim of the 300m deep caldeira that formed the landmass of the island.
Day 13: Azores
Faial & Pico – In Faial we visit Ponta dos Capelinhos, site of the 1957/58 volcanic eruption and the Scrimshaw Museum. In Pico we visit the UNESCO site (Lajido Acros) with its vineyards, Pico Mountain (Portugal’s highest peak) and the Whaling Museum of Lajes.
Day 14: Azores
We disembark in Ponta Delgada to begin our homeward journey.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Please inquire for further price information
Includes
Sightseeing Per Itinerary
Shore Excursions
Services Of Expedition Guides
Accommodations In Select Cabin Category
Three Meals Daily Shipboard
Port Charges
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Spain
Portugal
Outdoor: Water Drifter
Boating and Sailing
Email it to a friend:
Click here to email this vacation to a friend
|
