Come and discover the beautiful island of Faial in the Azores, where the countryside and sea merge into one, and where you can contribute to the conservation of the Ocean and the endemic species in a unique travel experience!
Spend up to 5 days on this beautiful island and help preserve its magical biosphere! The crystalline waters and biodiversity are the perfect invitation for those who are passionate about the sea and its preservation; as well as the lush landscapes that delight those that like to breath fresh air and enjoy an adventure not to be missed!
The third most inhabited island of the archipelago, Faial is part of the central group, alongside the islands of São Jorge and Pico. With its unique landscapes, fascinating cliffs to the sea, crystal clear waters, endless green fields, volcanos as well as its richness in biodiversity, culture and tradition, this small island gathers all the conditions for the most unforgettable holidays.
During your stay, you will have truly unique experiences, learn more about the enormous marine biodiversity, dive into the Azorean Atlantic, discover plants and flowers you have never seen before and drift-off in breathtaking landscapes. You will explore the flavors and scents of the local gastronomy and get to know the stories and works of the artisans.
But besides indulging in this magical natural environment, you will have the chance to help preserve the island and its fauna and flora, collecting trash from the beaches and seabed and learning more about how we can reduce the ecological footprint to keep this paradise in the middle of the ocean alive. And in midst of this adventure, of course, you will also find enough time to simply relax, have a peaceful stroll around your surroundings, and interact with the locals. Don’t miss out on this lifetime experience.
Price
Low Season (5 days)
- 2 people: 510€ per person
- 3-5 people: 455€ per person
- 6-8 people: 425€ per person
High Season (5 days)
- 2 people: 599€ per person
- 3-5 people: 535€ per person
- 6-8 people: 499€ per person
Included
- Specialized guide
- Transportation
- Meals
- Insurance
Not Included
More about this Program
What is the itinerary of this experience?
Day 1:
09:00 am | Meeting point in the Horta Marina. Short walk in Entremontes with a stop on the viewpoint for a brief introduction to the island and to the program of the week.
Walk to the beach of Porto Pim, where you will receive an introduction to microplastics before commencing to help clean the beach for half an hour.
Visit of the whale factory (information on whaling and cetaceans of the Azores) and climb of Monte da Guia along the Neptuno trail, where you will be in touch with the protected marine areas of the Azores in the bay of Caldeirinhas (the first marine reserve of the Azores).
01:00 pm | Picnic in Feteira park
02:30 pm | Visit the Capelinhos volcano with entrance to the Interpretation Center.
05:00 pm | Return to the city and free time for personal activities.
Day 2:
09:00 am | Morning dedicated to snorkeling, with the identification of marine species and collection of trash from the seabed.
12:00 pm | Sea view lunch at Porto Pim Beach.
02:00 pm | Trash collection on the beach or on a river, contributing to the preservation of the fauna and flora of the region.
05:00 pm | Return to the city and free time for personal activities.
Day 3:
09:00 am | Visit the botanical garden of Faial for an introduction to the endemic plants. Trekking from the Caldera Perimeter or the North Beach (according to the weather) with trash collection along the way.
01:00 pm | Picnic.
02:30 pm | Second part of the trekking trail or visit to Ribeirinha Lighthouse and other interesting points of the island.
05:00 pm | Return to the city and free time for personal activities.
Day 4:
08:30 am | Cetacean Observation.
01:00 pm | Lunch at the beach of Porto Pim.
02:30 pm | Cleaning of cigars on the beach of Porto Pim.
04:00 pm | Return to the city and free time for personal activities.
Day 5:
09:00 am | Visit the island of Pico. On this day, you will discover the most iconic places on this beautiful island. You will be able to visit Laje das Rosas, Pico Vineyards (protected by the UNESCO) Maroissos (volcanic rock pyramids), Lajes village and the Beleiros Museum, among other wonders of the island of Pico.
05:00 pm | Return to Faial and free time for personal activities.
Am I provided with insurance during my stay?
Your program fee includes civil liability insurance with limited coverage, that only covers accidents that may happen during your volunteering shift.
We highly recommend you to get full health, travel and accidents insurance in your home country!
Are children allowed to join this volunteer program?
Yes, children are also allowed to take part in this program, if they are accompanied by their parents or legal representative!
Do I need to book my stay well in advance?
No, not necessarily! Depending on the current availability of the program of your choice, we may even be able to accommodate your stay and participation for the upcoming week! However, both in our responsible travel experiences and our volunteer programs as well as regarding our available beds in the hostel, we do sometimes reach our full capacity and therefore recommend booking your stay with us as early as possible to secure your spot!
Do I need to speak the local language?
No, you don't need to have any previous skills in the local language! All of our programs are run entirely in English and our guides and staff are all comfortable speaking English as well! But we always encourage our participants to get acquainted with some of the most basic terms and expressions, as even just a simple "Good morning!" in the local language can be a great icebreaker to start interacting with the locals!
There are also language lessons available for volunteers. The language lessons can be booked before or on the arrival. Lessons are taught by a professional teacher and tailored to each volunteer’s current language level.
Does this experience include food and beverages?
Yes, there will be food and drinks provided during this experience! Feel free to take a look at our itinerary, experience description and pricing info for more detailed information on what you can expect!
Does this experience include the transportation from my accommodation?
No, your transportation is not included, but we can offer this service for an extra cost! Just shoot us an email and let us know the exact time and location, and we'll be there on time!
Does this program require a high level of physical fitness?
No! All activities within this program only require a medium or low level of physical fitness!
I have special dietary requirements! Will I find food options that cater my needs?
Yes, if you are vegetarian or have specific food intolerances, we will be able to adapt the food offered to meet your dietary needs. Please get in touch with us as early as possible so we can make all necessary arrangements!
Is accommodation also included in this experience fee?
No, accommodation is not included in this trip. You'll need to organize your own accommodation, but we are happy to assist you in finding a suitable one if you like! Feel free to get in touch with us!
Is transportation included in this experience?
Yes, the transportation to all of the activity locations listed in the itinerary is included in this experience! However, please be aware that transportation from your accommodation to the meeting point is not included, but we are happy to arrange that service for an extra cost!
Shall I bring special clothes to participate in this volunteer program?
There is no mandatory dress code for taking part in this program, so we just recommend you to bring comfortable clothes adjusted to the time of the year!
What is ImpacTrip's Cancellation and Refund Policy?
Impactrip deposit fees are designed to be as affordable as possible to allow everyone to join our programs. Therefore, considering its limited capacity and the expectations of everyone involved, ImpacTrip is unable to provide a total refund policy.
Deposit Fee
The payment of the deposit fees confirms a volunteer’s acceptance onto one of ImpacTrip's volunteer programs. Deposit fees are not transferable to other people but may be transferable to another program.
The deposit fee is refundable until sixty days before the start date of the volunteer’s chosen program. Requests for deposit fee refunds must be made via an email to your ImpacTrip Booking Manager, clearly detailing the reasons for cancellation.
Cancellations are subject to the following policies:
- The notice period is based on the earliest start date the volunteer has ever been registered for.
- If a volunteer cancels sixty days or more before their earliest program start date, they can request a refund of the deposit fee, which will be provided minus the transaction costs of the refund. Alternatively, they may ask for a deposit fee credit to be held in their name for future use on any ImpacTrip program, subject to availability, for a period of twelve months from their earliest registered start date. This credit may be issued minus the value of any change fees the volunteer has incurred.
- If a volunteer cancels between fifty-nine and thirty days before their program’s start date, no refund of the deposit fee is available. A deposit fee credit may be held in their name for a period of twelve months from their earliest registered start date, for future use on another ImpacTrip program, subject to program availability and at the discretion of the Impactrip Booking Manager.
- If a volunteer cancels less than thirty days before their programs start date, no refund of any fees is available. A deposit fee credit may be held in their name for twelve months from their earliest registered start date, subject to availability, provided deposit fees have been paid in full by their due date.
Where a group of ten or more people is volunteering with ImpacTrip, the group leader must register ahead of other group members in order to secure the group’s dates and plans. Group members must then register no less than sixty days before the program starts. Group members who register less than sixty days before the program start date may be excluded from the program unless approved by ImpacTrip.
ImpacTrip reserves the right to revise its program fees at any time. All program fees revisions will be made via the ImpacTrip website. Program fee revisions are not applicable to volunteers who have already submitted their payment before the revisions are due to take effect. A volunteer’s placement on a program is not confirmed until the deposit fee has been paid in full and the availability has been confirmed by their ImpacTrip Booking Manager.