Yoga & Adventure Retreat in Azores
June 5-12, 2027
Overview of Azores
The Azores, an archipelago of nine volcanic islands in the North Atlantic, offer a rare blend of nature, adventure, and restoration. Located midway between the United States and mainland Portugal, the islands have long been a crossroads for explorers and transatlantic travelers. Today, they are known for dramatic coastlines, crater lakes, misty laurel forests, and rolling green pastures where cows far outnumber people. Scenic trails pass geothermal vents, waterfalls, and ocean cliffs. Birdwatchers are especially drawn to the islands, which serve as an important stopover for migratory species and are home to endemic birds such as the Azores bullfinch. Summer brings mild temperatures of 65–75°F (18–24°C) and the year’s driest, sunniest conditions, making it an ideal season to experience the islands.
Wellness in the Azores is deeply connected to the natural environment and a long tradition of slow living. Our retreat on the largest Azorean island of Sao Miguel will combine yoga, invigorating hikes, and restorative soaks in geothermal hot springs, paddleboarding, whale watching and Atlantic ocean swims. Food also plays a central role in the experience, with meals centered around fresh seafood, organic produce, grass-fed dairy, and local fruits such as pineapple and passionfruit. A signature dish, Cozido das Furnas, is slow-cooked underground using volcanic steam, reflecting the islands’ close relationship with the earth. Together, these elements create a trip that supports both exploration and restoration.
Reviews
"We left the Azores trip so inspired and grateful for the experience! We want to do another trip with Peace Through Yoga again! Our tour guide, Christine, was amazing. She was so calm and organized, which made all of the group feel so relaxed and taken care of. Thank you!"
-Trinda F. & Marvin T.
"What an amazing trip from start to finish in Azores! Christine had every detail expertly planned and executed. The trip leaders added so much to the group experience with their fun, humor, and laughter. The Terra Nostra Hotel was fantastic! I loved every part of the experience—from the geothermal pool and botanical gardens to the beautiful rooms and the wonderful restaurant and bar. The hikes were varied, scenic, and memorable. The waterfall hike through Salto do Prego felt like something out of Jurassic Park! The Janela do Inferno and Sete Cidades hikes were both incredible, and I want to return just to hike the Sete Cidades crater rim again in clearer weather. It was that amazing. I also loved the food, our shared meals, and the attention to detail that went into every aspect of the trip. Everything came together to create an unforgettable experience."
-Terri K.
"I enjoyed the Azores trip immensely! It struck the right balance between planned activities and free time. Christine is amazing and made the experience truly unique and meaningful!"
-A PTY Traveler
"I loved this experience in Azores. Christine and her crew were fabulous. I loved not having to plan a thing- just woke up and asked what are we doing today? It was so fun, our group had a good time together and the hiking, hotels, meals, whale/dolphin watching and SUP on a beautiful lake were all fabulous. I also appreciated exploring a bit and a couple meals on our own. A nice balance which made for such an enjoyable trip. I highly recommend!"
-A PTY Traveler.
Day 1
Travel Day; Fly to Ponta Delgada, Portugal (PDL)
Book a flight that allows you to arrive in Ponta Delgada in the morning of June 6, 2027. Most flights depart an east coast city in USA like Newark or Boston at night and arrive to Azores the next morning.
Day 2
Arrival; Transfer to Hotel; Lagoa das Furnas Walk (3.5 miles); (L)
Flights from the U.S. typically arrive in Ponta Delgada (PDL) in the morning. From the airport, take a 45-minute taxi or private transfer to Terra Nostra Garden Hotel in Furnas, where you can store your luggage until check-in. Be sure to wear hiking clothes or keep them handy for our activities. At 11:00, we’ll meet in the lobby to transfer to Lagoa das Furnas for a gentle warm-up walk around the lake to the steaming fumaroles, where chefs prepare the famous Cozido das Furnas stew using underground volcanic heat. After trying this traditional meal for lunch, we’ll return to the hotel for check-in. You’ll have the rest of the day free to explore the hotel’s botanic gardens, thermal waters, and Furnas town. Overnight: Terra Nostra Garden Hotel**** Located in the heart of Furnas on São Miguel Island, Terra Nostra Garden Hotel is one of the Azores' most iconic places to stay. Surrounded by the beautiful Terra Nostra Botanical Garden, the hotel combines elegant Art Deco design with modern comfort and offers direct access to its famous iron-rich geothermal pool, where guests can relax in naturally heated volcanic waters. The property also features an excellent restaurant and bar highlighting local Azorean cuisine, comfortable rooms, and a spa. Just beyond the gardens, Furnas Valley offers geothermal springs and scenic walking trails, making this a memorable base for exploring one of the island's most unique landscapes.
Day 3
Yoga; Miradouro do Pico do Ferro; Tea Hike (3.5 miles) and Tea Tasting; Miradouro de Santa Iria; Brewery; Ribeira Grande; (B/D)
Morning yoga will be offered in the Botanic Garden, while the park is still reserved exclusively for hotel guests. Afterward, the late morning is yours to enjoy: wandering the gardens, soaking in the thermal waters, or having lunch in Furnas. In the early afternoon, we’ll meet in the lobby. If the weather is clear we will stop on the way for a view from Pico do Ferro Miradouro (viewpoint). We will head to the Gorreana Tea Plantation for a scenic hike on the grounds and a tea tasting, followed by a stop at visit to Miradouro de Santa Iria on the way to the Azores Brewing Company. The day ends with a group dinner in Ribeira Grande and return to the hotel in Furnas. Overnight: Terra Nostra Garden Hotel****
Day 4
Waterfall Hike (4-5 miles); Miradouro do Pico dos Bodes; Provação; Yoga (B/L)
After breakfast, we depart for the trailhead and hike from Salto do Cagarrão to Salto do Prego, a route that winds through dense forest and tropical vegetation before finishing in the small fishing village of Faial da Terra. The rugged eastern side of the island is marked by laurel trees, waterfalls, and striking ridgelines--a landscape that reflects the island’s volcanic roots. After the hike, we’ll pass Miradouro do Pico dos Bodes on the way to lunch in the village of Provação. On the drive back to Furnas, we pass quiet villages and rolling pastures. Afternoon yoga will be offered. Dinner is on your own. Overnight: Terra Nostra Garden Hotel****
Day 5
Janelo do Inferno Hike; Agua de Pau; Praia Baixa d’Areia (B/L/D)
After breakfast, pack your bags for checkout from Terra Nostra. We’ll transfer to the start of our hike along the Janela do Inferno, named for the small stream waterfall that trickles or gushes from a cave depending on the recent weather. The loop winds through an enchanting forest, past remnants of old tunnels and aqueducts that once carried water to the alcohol factory of Lagoa and still serve nearby municipalities. Highlights include the water spout of Janela do Inferno, moss-covered aqueducts, and views of Lagoa and Ponta Delgada with a couple of exciting tunnel stretches. After the hike, we’ll have lunch in Agua de Pau and take an optional walk or drive down to Praia Baixa d’Areia, a beautiful, secluded beach, before transferring to our next hotel. Dinner is on your own. Overnight: Senhora da Rosa, Tradition & Nature Hotel **** Set on a 200-year-old farm just outside Ponta Delgada, Senhora da Rosa, Tradition & Nature Hotel blends historic character with contemporary comfort in a peaceful garden setting. Surrounded by tropical plants and century-old trees, the boutique hotel offers inviting spaces to relax, including an outdoor pool, walking paths, a spa with wellness treatments, and a heated pineapple greenhouse pool. Guests can enjoy panoramic Atlantic sunsets from the rooftop bar and Asian themed restaurant Mirante, while Magma restaurant showcases fresh, locally sourced Azorean cuisine. The hotel also features a fitness center and offers Pilates and yoga classes. With its combination of nature, thoughtful amenities, and warm hospitality, Senhora da Rosa is an ideal place to unwind and recharge after a day exploring São Miguel.
Day 6
Hike Sete Cidades (3-5 miles) & Kayaking/SUP on Lagoa Azul; Ponta da Ferraria Thermal Pools; Yoga (B/L)
We’ll start the day with a morning hike along the Sete Cidades crater rim, from Vista do Rei to Lomba do Vasco (3 miles), where breathtaking views unfold on every side: the twin lakes below on one side and the island’s northern coast on the other. Colorful hydrangeas line the trail, and grazing cows dot the fertile crater floor, adding charm to the dramatic landscape. On a clear day, this is one of the most panoramic walks you can find anywhere in the world. After soaking in the vistas from various high points, we’ll descend to the lakeside by foot (2 additional miles) or van for lunch, followed by the chance to kayak or stand-up paddleboard on the calm waters surrounded by the towering crater walls (weather permitting). We will make a stop at Ponta da Ferraria thermal pools on the way back to the hotel for a relaxing dip. Yoga will be offered in the early evening. Dinner is on your own.
Day 7
Whale Watching; Ponta Delgada (B/D)
After breakfast, we’ll head to the Ponta Delgada harbor to embark on a whale watching adventure. The Azores are home to or serve as a migration route for more than a third of the world’s whale and dolphin species. If we’re lucky, we may witness a breaching sperm whale, playful bottlenose dolphins, or the elusive Risso's dolphins. After a morning at sea, you’ll have time to explore Ponta Delgada’s harborside for lunch, shopping and sightseeing, including highlights such as Portas da Cidade (City Gates), the Mercado da Graça city market, the Church of São Sebastião, and Jardim António Borges. The city’s historic streets are lined with whitewashed buildings outlined in dark volcanic stone, creating striking contrasts around doors, windows, and decorative cornices. Return to the hotel anytime you wish. We’ll meet for a goodbye dinner. Overnight: Senhora da Rosa, Tradition & Nature Hotel ****
Day 8
Tour End – (B)
Most flights from Ponta Delgada depart in the morning. Enjoy breakfast and check out before 11:00am. It is a 15 minute drive from the hotel to Ponta Delgada Airport.
PRICE PER PERSON:
$3099 DOUBLE OCCUPANCY
+$1200 SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
BOOKING PROCESS:
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Book your spot by filling our Booking Request Form below.
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A $500 non-refundable deposit per person is due at booking; balance due 120 days before departure.
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Payable by check or Venmo to Peace through Yoga Foundation; 3.5% fee for credit cards.
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Cancellation: $500 fee up to 120 days prior; 100% fee after.
Send checks to:
Peace through Yoga Foundation
Attention: Susie Morwick
7904 Pine Lake Road
Indianapolis, IN 46268
Venmo @smorwick
Trip cancellation insurance is recommended
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Travel Guard at 800-454-7107
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i travel insured - 317-655-4500
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
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Pre-departure discussion group to orient you and answer any questions
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Accommodations at boutique 4 star hotels
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Activities as described
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Meals as described
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Yoga classes as described
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Entrance to Terra Nostra botanic gardens
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Kayak or SUP rental
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Whale watching tour
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Luggage transfers
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Support van
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Trip leaders
PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
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Airfare
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Airport transfers
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Meals not listed
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Beverages
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Yoga Equipment (can be rented upon request)
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Hiking Poles (can be rented upon request)
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Personal expenses
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Tipping to guides
NOTES:
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Itinerary may vary based on availability, weather, and local events.
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Please note that all amenities were current when written and are subject to change at any time.
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Where we stay may vary depending on availability but will be of a similar standard to the accommodation listed.
Trip Leaders:
Christine Klotz, MPH, from Indianapolis, has spent the past 20 years living nomadically, balancing her work as an international public health professional in refugee camps around the world with a passion for long-distance walking that has taken her thousands of miles across more than 100 countries. She has walked extensively throughout Portugal, including across the Azores and Madeira, the Fisherman's Trail in the Alentejo region, and several Portuguese Caminos to Santiago. For such a compact country, Portugal offers an astonishing diversity of landscapes, from volcanic islands and dramatic coastal cliffs to rolling vineyards and historic villages. The Azores remain one of Christine’s favorite hidden gems, drawing her back time and again for their hiking scenery and exceptional food. She is continually looking ahead to her next adventure, guided by the belief: “It's a beautiful world, and I look forward to exploring it with you, one step at a time.”
Christine Klotz
Madina Sabirova, RYT 200 Part-time wanderer, full-time soul-seeker, Madina has lived in several countries and states and now calls Zionsville, IN home. Madina walked ancient pilgrim paths like the Fisherman’s Trail, the Camino de Santiago (Frances and del Norte routes) and the Via Francigena, collecting blisters, stories, and the occasional spiritual epiphany. A passionate hiking enthusiast, Madina finds joy in any path that promises a little peace and a lot of perspective. Whether trekking through the Grand Canyon, Zion, Banff, or some unnamed trail that “looked promising,” she believes in the healing power of nature. Madina is excited to share her love for yoga--not as a physical achievement, but as a deeply spiritual journey. For her, yoga is less about touching your toes and more about a gentle invitation to reconnect with the self. When not exploring new destinations, Madina enjoys spending quality time with her kids or local hikes with her dog, who believes every hill is better climbed slowly and with snacks. Whether in stillness or in motion, Madina lives for those moments of connection—with nature, with others, and the kind of adventures that leave you dusty, grateful, and transformed.
Madina Sabirova
To register for this trip, complete the Booking Request, then call Reservations Manager, Susie Morwick, if you would like to book via credit card at a 3.5% feel or use VENMO, at (317) 544-8391. Or send initial deposit of $500 to:
Peace through Yoga Foundation
7904 Pine Lake Road
Indianapolis, IN 46268
*A $500 deposit is due upon booking (no more than seven days after confirmation). Balance is due 120 days prior to departure.