Waterfalls. Hiking. Friends. - I had a great day full of hiking, waterfalls, and breathtaking views of the east side of Sao Miguel. Hugo was an amazing guide. He did not overlook anything on this trip and made sure all of his guests were well taken care of on some of the slippery slopes. He shared his love for this island including history and how it developed over the centuries. We met new friends and they joined us for dinner while in Ponte Delgado. This is a great way to see things off the beaten path. And you can book directly through Pure Azores and save some money. I’ve been doing it for eight years. Come and visit this island paradise.

So worth the jet lag! - Since our 6 am arrival didn't let us check into our hotel, we didn't want to waste the day. Our itinerary already included the usual tourist 'must see's but we wanted to see what the 'Hidden Gems' included and we were not disappointed. Starting with the delightfully refreshing Helena who picked us up at the hotel and the amiability of the others on this small tour, we wound up with a wonderful day and didn't notice the jet lag until the end of the 8 hour day! In retrospect, Hidden Gems filled in some of the gaps in understanding how these islands came to be. Helena showed us how the water is harnessed (Salto do Cabrito) and how it is delivered to the local communities in the form of electricity and drinking water. She showed us the communal bbq spots that are found in many places. This tour is all about the natural environment as well as how it impacts the lives of the locals. Almost everyone can participate and I found my walking stick/trekking pole useful in some places, although a companionable arm would also do the job. Finally, the included buffet lunch (including wines etc) gave us a chance to eat regional food in a cozy, unpretentious setting. I have to say again that Helena and her enthusiasm and knowledge pulled the whole day together for us as we celebrated a significant milestone and it will be a memory we will treasure.

A real gem of a tour! - What a fantastic day! Our tour guide, Gonçalo was informative and passionate about his island. We saw beautiful waterfalls, hidden beaches and lush vegetation throughout the day. Lunch at a small restaurant with local dishes and plenty of options. At the many out of the way locations we were given plenty of time to explore and the history was explained. Gonçalo shared great recommendations for places to eat and visit as we set out on our own after the tour… an excellent tour and excellent guide.

Hidden gems of São Miguel - I had a pleasure of spending a day with Joao of pure azores . I can confidently say that this one day of seeing hidden gems of sao Miguel was one of the most memorable experiences of my stay. Joao was extremely friendly, knowledgeable and great story teller and had a fantastic taste in music from all over the world. He showed me everything I would not want to miss and made sure he took the best pictures on every spot. What a guide and what a great friend 🥰

Great tour!! - What an amazing tour!! Highly recommend! Saw things I never would have known to Google or research!! Lunch was great!! Was a wonderful day!! Learned and saw so much!! You will not be disappointed at all with this tour!!

Extraordinary day - We had a great day, views of amazing places. The restaurant where we had dinner was excellent and friendly. Thank you to Gonzolo for a perfect day.

Hidden gems - So many beautiful places on this island. This tour took me to some of the beaten track. You need good shoes and have to walk a bit to reach these places, but it s so worth it. João is a great guide.

Fabulous day exploring spots off the beaten path - The full day Hidden Gems Tour was fabulous. Our guide, Catia was knowledgeable and we benefited from her passion for Sao Miguel sharing beautiful island spots that most tours don’t get a chance to visit. From lush interior island stops to stunning coastal vistas to picturesque waterfalls - our day was a perfect mix of drives followed by scenic walks. We learned a lot at had a great day. The buffet lunch stop was delicious. Would highly recommend.

Most enjoyable and informative tour. Joao was knowleable and extremely caring and concerned of our well-being. He is the - Joao is wonderful! We were very lucky to have him as a guide. He shared camera tips and selected amazing locations for photos.

Excellent tour - I had an incredible experience today with João as our tour guide! He made the entire tour unforgettable with his professionalism, enthusiasm, and deep knowledge. João ensured that we fully appreciated the stunning natural beauty of the area while providing exceptional service throughout. He was attentive, friendly, and went above and beyond to make everyone feel comfortable and engaged. I highly recommend João as a guide for anyone looking to enjoy a tour filled with breathtaking sights and outstanding service. Thank you, João, for such a wonderful day!