Yoga & Adventure Retreat in Azores
June 6 -13, 2026 (two spots open)
Overview of Azores
The Azores—an Atlantic archipelago of nine islands—offer a rare blend of nature, adventure, and restorative calm, shaped by volcanic landscapes, crater lakes, and dramatic coastlines. Long a waypoint for explorers and transatlantic travelers, the islands now stand as a premier wellness destination, with trails that lead through misty laurel forests, geothermal valleys, and rugged ocean cliffs. Summer brings mild, pleasant weather (65–75°F / 18–24°C), ideal for hiking, birdwatching, and exploring rolling green pastures of an island where cows outnumber people. It’s a place where the natural world feels both expansive and intimate, inviting meaningful connection with the land.
Wellness here is rooted in a tradition of slow living, sustainable agriculture, and the restorative power of the island’s geothermal waters. Our retreat will weave together yoga sessions, meditative coastal walks, and soothing thermal baths, complemented by opportunities for whale watching, paddleboarding, and swimming in natural rock pools. Fresh, local ingredients—tropical fruits, seafood, organic produce, grass-fed dairy and beef—anchor the culinary experience, reflecting the islands’ strong agricultural heritage. With a history shaped by Portuguese explorers and deep ties to the United States, the Azores offer a setting where culture, nature, and nourishment come together in a way that will leave you grounded and inspired.
Day 1 – Saturday, June 6th
Fly to Ponta Delgada (PDL)
You should book a flight that allows you to arrive in Ponta Delgada in the morning of June 7th. Most flights depart an east coast city in USA like Newark or Boston at night and arrive to Azores the next morning.
Day 2 – Sunday, June 7th
Arrival in Ponta Delgada; Transfer to Hotel; Lagoa das Furnas Walk (3.5 miles) (L)
Flights from the U.S. typically arrive in Ponta Delgada (PDL) between 8:00 and 10:00 a.m. From the airport, take a 45-minute taxi to Terra Nostra Garden Hotel in Furnas, where you can store your luggage until check-in at 3:00 p.m. Be sure to wear hiking clothes or keep them handy for our activities. At 11:00 a.m., 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 afternoon free to explore the hotel’s botanic gardens, thermal waters and Furnas town. Overnight: Terra Nostra Garden Hotel**** Terra Nostra Garden Hotel, set in the heart of São Miguel’s Furnas Valley, offers an elegant Art Deco retreat surrounded by the botanical expanses of Terra Nostra Park. Guests can step directly into the hotel’s iconic iron-rich thermal pool, relax in thoughtfully designed rooms, and explore winding garden paths filled with rare plants, camellias, and volcanic springs. The hotel features a full-service spa, an acclaimed restaurant, a stylish bar, and easy access to the geothermal wonders that define the Furnas region.
Day 3 – Monday, June 8th
Yoga; Waterfalls and Jungle Hike (3.5 miles); (B/L)
Morning yoga will be offered from 9:15 to 10:15 in the Botanic Garden, while the park is still reserved exclusively for hotel guests. Afterward, the late morning are yours to enjoy—wandering the gardens, soaking in the thermal waters, or having lunch in Furnas at your own pace. In the early afternoon, the group departs for the Gorreana Tea Plantation for a scenic hike on the grounds and a tea tasting, followed by a visit to Miradouro (viewpoint) 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 – Tuesday, June 9th
Waterfall Hike (4 miles); Faial da Terra; Provacao; Miradouros (B/L)
The day begins with a 9:30 departure for the trailhead and a hike from Salto do Cagarrão to Salto do Prego and through Sanguinho, a route that winds through dense forest and tropical vegetation before finishing in the small fishing village of Faial da Terra. The rugged western side of the island is marked by laurel trees, waterfalls, and striking ridgelines—a landscape that feels closely tied to the island’s volcanic roots and is especially meaningful for nature lovers and birdwatchers. After the hike, we’ll pass Miradouro do Pico dos Bodes on the way to lunch in the village of Provação, then stop at two of São Miguel’s most breathtaking viewpoints—Ponta da Madrugada and Ponta do Sossego—where sweeping ocean views and dramatic cliffs open up in every direction. On the drive back to Furnas, we move through quiet villages and rolling pastures. Dinner is on your own. Overnight: Terra Nostra Garden Hotel****
Day 5 – Wednesday, June 10th
Janela do Inferno Hike (6 miles); Agua de Pau; Praia Baixa d’Areia; Yoga (B/L/D)
After breakfast, pack your bags for checkout from Terra Nostra. We’ll transfer ~40 minutes to the start of our hike along the Janela do Inferno, named for the small stream waterfall that gushes from a cave. 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—don’t forget a headlamp for the tunnel stretches. After the hike, we’ll have lunch in Agua de Pau and take an optional walk down to Praia Baixa d’Areia, a beautiful, secluded beach, before transferring to our next hotel, where you can relax at the spa or in the heated pineapple greenhouse pool, followed by an evening yoga session and group dinner. Overnight: Senhora da Rosa, Tradition & Nature Hotel **** Senhora da Rosa, Tradition & Nature Hotel, is a boutique retreat on a 200-year-old farm that blends history, nature, and modern luxury. Surrounded by gardens and greenery, it offers a peaceful escape in close proximity to Ponta Delgada. Guests can enjoy walking paths lined with tropical plants and century-old trees, an inviting outdoor pool, cardio center, as well as Pilates and yoga classes. The welcoming staff ensures a warm and memorable stay in this charming sanctuary. Highlights include the Magma Restaurant, serving farm-to-table cuisine inspired by Azorean flavors, and the Mirante Rooftop Bar, which offers local and Asian-inspired dishes alongside panoramic Atlantic views. The spa, housed in a striking green building with an infinity pool on the roof, offers wellness treatments and a heated pineapple greenhouse pool. With its seamless connection to nature, elegant design, and focus on wellness, Senhora da Rosa provides the perfect setting for a restorative retreat that nourishes both body and soul.
Day 6 – Thursday, June 11th
Hike Sete Cidades (6 miles) & Kayaking/SUP on Lagoa Azul; (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, 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 for a delicious lunch, followed by the chance to kayak or stand-up paddleboard on the calm waters. Surrounded by the towering crater walls, this is the perfect way to immerse ourselves in the beauty of this extraordinary location. Dinner will be at your leisure at the hotel’s restaurant.
Day 7 – Friday, June 12th
Whale Watching and Coastal Walk; Yoga (B/L/D)
After breakfast, we’ll drive to the harbor of Ponta Delgada and check in for a whale watching adventure, where marine biologists will brief us on the species we might encounter, the history of whale watching in the Azores, and how to respectfully observe these incredible animals. We’ll then set out along the island’s magical coastline in search of cetaceans in the wild—from breaching sperm whales to playful bottlenose or Risso’s dolphins, some of which migrate through these waters. After a morning at sea, you’ll have time to explore Ponta Delgada’s harborside for lunch 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. We’ll return to the hotel in the early evening for a closing yoga session, followed by a goodbye group dinner. Overnight: Senhora da Rosa, Tradition & Nature Hotel ****
Day 8 – Saturday, June 13th
Tour End – (B)
Most flights from Ponta Delgada depart in the morning. Enjoy breakfast and check out any time before 11:00am. It is a 15 minute drive from Senhora da Rosa to Ponta Delgada Airport.
PRICE PER PERSON:
$2999 DOUBLE OCCUPANCY
+ $1000 SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
Book your space by filling our Reservation Form below and call Susie Morwick at 317-544-8391
(Venmo also an option)
(317) 544-8391 or susie@peacethroughyoga.org.
Payment Schedule:
Send checks to:
Peace through Yoga Foundation
Attention: Susie Morwick
7904 Pine Lake Road
Indianapolis, IN 46268
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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.
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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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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Beverages
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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.
Trip Leaders:
Christine Klotz, MPH, has lived as a nomad for more than 15 years, balancing a career working as an international public health professional in refugee camps around the world with long distance walking for thousands of miles in more than 100 countries. She has walked across Portugal various times including the beautiful islands of Azores. Some of the multi-day hikes she has enjoyed include the John Muir Trail in California, backcountry trekking in Denali National Park in Alaska, Cotopaxi in Ecuador, Ciudad Perdida and Nevado del Tolima in Colombia, W-Trek in Patagonia Chile, Lakes District and Fitz Roy in Argentina, Cirque de Mafate in Reunion, Drakensburg Circuit in South Africa, Fish River Canyon in Namibia, Rwenzori Central Circuit in Uganda, Mt. Karisimbi in Rwanda, Mt. Kenya, Mt. Meru and Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Ras Dashen and Simien Mountains in Ethiopia, Mt. Toubkal and High Atlas Mountains in Morocco, Jordan National Trail, Druk Path in Bhutan, Kumano Kodo in Japan, Guguan Seven Heroes in Taiwan, Ma Pi Leng in Vietnam, Mt. Apo in Philippines, Mt. Kinabalu in Borneo Malaysia, Mt. Rinjani in Indonesia, Abel Tasman Coast Track in New Zealand, Janapar Trail in Nagorno-Karabakh, Transcaucasian Trail in Georgia, Lycian Way in Turkey, High Tatras in Slovakia and Poland, Via Dinarica in Croatia, Alpe Adria in Slovenia, Peaks of the Balkans in Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro, Albanian Coastal Trail, Prague-Viena Greenway in Czechia and Austria, Kaiserkrone in Austria, Via Transilvanica in Romania, GR20 and GR10 in France, Coronallacs Trail in Andorra, Laugavegur Trek in Iceland, various Caminos in Spain and Portugal (del Norte, Primitivo, Salvador, Mozarabe, Frances, Portuguese, Espiritual), Alta Via 1 and Via Francigena in Italy, of course, the Fisherman’s Trail in Portugal. She is always dreaming about the next adventure. “It's a beautiful world, and I'll be thrilled to explore it with you one step at a time.”
Christine Klotz
Ana Sofia Teixeira holds a degree in Sports Training from the Rio Maior Higher School of Sports in Rio Maior, Portugal. She is a highly qualified Yoga and SUP Yoga Teacher as well as a Personal Trainer. Based in Vila Nova de Milfontes, Portugal, she teaches yoga classes in a dedicated and comfortable space in English or Portuguese, organizes SUP Yoga sessions on the Mira River, and offers personal training services both indoors, in the garden, and on the beach. Each activity is tailored to individual needs, helping clients achieve a healthier and more balanced lifestyle. Ana’s yoga classes are designed for all levels, from beginners to advanced practitioners. Each session explores Ásana (yoga postures) to improve strength and flexibility, Pránáyáma (breathing techniques) to enhance energy and focus, Yoganidra (deep relaxation) to promote rest and recovery, and Samyama (meditation) to cultivate mindfulness and inner peace. Through this holistic approach, students can achieve greater balance in both body and mind. For more information, see her website: https://www.anasofiateixeiracoach.com/.
Ana Sofia Teixeira
Martin Taticek, MA, is a bike tour guide, ski instructor, language teacher, musician, occasional woodworker... an Iyengar yoga and Tai Chi follower…and aspiring DJ and swimming coach. In short, he is a fan of moving and observing his body. He was born and raised in Czechia (formerly Czech Republic), a relatively small country in the heart of Europe otherwise known as the beer country. He is from the second city of Pilsen which gave the world the famous Pilsner Urquell beer in 1842. He moved to Paris for a year to study French and admire the work of impressionists in 2010 as a part of a student exchange program. In 2012 his passion for mountains brought him to Canada mainly for ski instruction, but also hiking, and mountaineering. Martin has hiked to many peaks in the Canadian Rockies and ranges in Central, Eastern and Southern Europe. In 2015, he started guiding cycling trips in Central Europe for world-renowned tour operators to keep himself busy during the summer. His current work life balance includes cycling, skiing, woodworking and playing drums for "Balkan Party Band." He recently discovered the benefits of different breathing techniques, and minimalist “total immersion” swimming for his own wellbeing. Martin looks forward to knowing you better over a glass of beer or wine after a rewarding day of hiking and sightseeing.
Martin Taticek
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.