Pico Island highlights - Private tour (+ optional wine tasting)
Description
This full-day tour is ideal for people with limited time who would still like to discover as much as possible. On this tour, you’ll explore both the highlights and hidden gems of this remarkable island. From its rich wine culture to dramatic volcanic landscapes and whaling heritage, you’ll leave with a deep understanding of Pico. By the end of the day, you’ll feel like the island holds no more secrets from you. This is a fully private tour – only your group will participate.
Tour Options
Itinerary
You'll learn about the island’s volcanic history as we take in breathtaking views of the highlands—a landscape dotted with dozens of volcanoes and serene lakes.
We'll have a glimpse of ancient Laurel Silva Forests, remnants of a time when these lush woodlands covered much of the earth.
We'll have a stop at Prainha for our picnic lunch with local flavors and a nice view.
In the afternoon, we'll dive into the island’s history and culture. We’ll explore the unique wine traditions of Pico, visiting charming coastal villages and other historic witnesses from the island’s golden age of winemaking.
We'll have a stroll through the UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the challenges and triumphs of producing Pico’s exceptional wines.
You have the possibility to add and enjoy a guided wine tasting. You’ll taste 3 distinct volcanic wines with expert insights from a local winemaker (This is included in the tour price with optional winetasting I minimum age 18 years).
We'll end the day by entering into a lava tube, one of the many volcanic curiosities you'll discover during your tour.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The weather can be fussy in the Azores. Depending on the weather, we may adjust the programme, but this is always done by mutual agreement and to give you the best possible experience.
Reviews(23)
Kevin is the casually brilliant old friend you haven’t met yet. Pico is his home and he is ready to answer all the questions you have from botany to best ice cream stop, viticulture to spelunking and photo-ops while picnicking. He’s patient and kind with kids, flexible with changing plans and ever-shifting weather events, and always actively ready to learn new things himself. Book a tour with him right away! PS - his picnics were homemade and incredible. Picnics and BBQ are national sports of Pico.
Kevin is the casually brilliant old friend you haven’t met yet. Pico is his home and he is ready to answer all the questions you have from botany to best ice cream stop, viticulture to spelunking and photo-ops while picnicking. He’s pateient and kind with kids, flexible with changing plans and ever-shifting weather events, and always actively ready to learn new things himself. Book a tour with him right away!
Kevin was absolutely so knowledgeable and so funny. Everything he told us about the history and culture on pico, everywhere he took us was absolutelybreathtaking me beautiful. It was a great mix of riding and.Hiking and. Good conversation. The lunch that he spread for us all homemade by him was exceptional. The picnic spot was something out of a movie! Highly recommend.
From our prior research we knew the things we wanted to see and do on Pico, but worked with Kevin in advance to refine the list and incorporate suggestions that he as a local guide made. I was an extraordinary day! Kevin was personable, knowledgeable and fun. Beyond the standard guide stuff, Kevin packed us a picnic lunch with Azores cheeses, wine, bread, and homemade jam he himself made. He also supplied headlamps and walking sticks for cave exploration. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Hello Rick, Thanks a lot for these kind words. I'm happy you appreciated my tour and picnic lunch! All the best.
We did a full day with Kevin and we covered the island. He was excellent in all ways. Great English. Excellent guide and knows a lot of history. Nice mini van that was very comfortable as well. The picnic he prepared was delicious and included local cheeses and wine! We highly recommend Kevin!
Hello Gehrig and Rick, Thanks for these kind words and sharing some pictures. All the best in Chicago, and beyond!
We had a fabulous day being led by Marcio. He was a very knowledgeable guide in all aspects and really friendly - a lovely person to be with all day. The tour is a great introduction into the island of Pico. It covers all aspects of the island. We particularly enjoyed seeing and learning about the grape vines, and village life. Lovely group size. All round great day, would recommend!
Hello, thank you for your kind words, but I think this review is for another company 😀 my name is Kevin, not Marcio 😉 kind regards
Great guide...professional
Hello Stanislav & Maria. Thanks a lot for these words. Take care!
This may have been our favorite part of our trip to the Azores (with maybe the exception of the whale watching trip). This full day tour has IT ALL!! First of all I must say how awesome our guide Kevin was. He had so much knowledge and was so passionate about what he did. We almost did not take the tour because it said it starts at Lajes do Pico and we were staying on the other side of the island with no transportation. But then we saw in a review that he picked someone else up in Madalena so we contacted him and for a very small extra fee (gas isn't free) he picked us up at our hotel in Madalena as well! And he structured the whole tour around that side of the island first. But he still made sure to hit all of the spots on the island that were must-sees. We walked along the volcanic rock along the coast, through a small village with a little museum on wine making and through the really cool vineyards that are unlike anywhere in the world. Lunch was awesome, fresh bread, a tuna fish spread (which I don't eat) and tomatoes from his own garden and local cheeses and for dessert a mousse he made himself which he also shared the recipe with us. The main lava tunnel was closed due to a crack in the roof but there was another lava tunnel that he took us to that was really cool. And the wine tasting was wonderful! The wines were excellent and we even got to choose a snack! If you are visiting Pico and did not rent a car this tour is the way to go to see everything and have great guide to show you it all!
Hello Kelly, Thanks a lot for taking the time to write this kind review. All the best for your next adventures.
In the morning we hiked along the coastline, learning about the ingenious and picturesque configuration of Pico vineyards and their connection to the sea. After a tasty lunch at a charming cafe, we journey up to the Plateau, experiencing a vastly different flora. Kevin is a knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide, and very kind. I would happily book with him again!
Hello Laura, Thank you for these kind words. We didn't had the best weather up the plateau, but thanks for staying positive. Take care.
Kevin was a fantastic guide. He was knowledgeable about the island and since I was traveling with my elderly parents , he amended the tour to consider their abilities. We saw all of the highlights of the island and had a very yummy picnic that he put together for us! Would highly recommend booking him.
Hello Lisa, Thanks a lot for these kind words. Happy that you and your parents enjoyed my tour and that i could help during this Azores adventure with them.
