AZORES: THE SECRET ISLAND

JUNE 16 - JUNE 29, 2025

LENGTH 14 Days

COMPLETING GRADES 9-12

SERVICE: 15 -20 Hours

ARRIVE/DEPART Sao Miguel, Azores (PDL)

TUITION $6,295

Join us on a 14-day teen cultural immersion and adventure program as we return to the Portuguese island São Miguel in the Azores, Europe's best-kept secret! Immerse yourself in this unique local culture and explore the diversity of the island’s natural environment. Help with ongoing service work to restore the island’s natural habitats, while learning about life from local residents, and experiencing the native wildlife. The Azores island chain is often overlooked in Europe, but offers some of the most impressive ecosystems, from abundant marine life, to dense rainforests. Explore with us this summer!

ACTIVITIES

• Paddle: Kayak or Stand Up Paddle Board in Caldeira de Sete Cidades

• Swim/Snorkel: Ponta Delgada, Mosteiros black sand beach

• Waterfall Hike: Ribeira do Faial da Terra to Salto do Prego

• Whale Watching: Princess Ring Islet

• Hot Springs: Caldeira Velha, Caldeiras das Furnas, Parque Terra Nostra

• Explore: Ponta Delgada, Vila Franca do Campo

• Surf: Santa Barbara Beach

• Canyoning: Climb, rappell, swim and slide through the river gorge around Nordeste

• Pineapple Plantation: Explore Augusto Arruda Pineapple Plantation

• Visit: Tea Plantation and Art Centre

• Taste: Traditional Portuguese stew and pastries

SERVICE

A Certificate of Community Service indicating the total number of hours worked, and a group Presidential Volunteer Service Award will be issued upon successful completion of the program. Service work could include some of the following:

• We'll spend two days volunteering at a local donkey sanctuary. While there, we will help with upkeep and maintenance at the sanctuary. Our project might include light construction, fencing maintenance, painting, and direct animal care that can include feeding, bathing, and other enrichment.

• We may also have the opportunity to help make paper from manure and harvest plants used to make natural dyes that are all sold to support the sanctuary and local community.

WHAT IS INCLUDED AND EXCLUDED IN TRIP TUITION

The trip tuition listed above includes accommodations, activities, meals, and group gear. The tuition does not include personal gear and clothing, travel insurance, spending money, and travel expenses such as airfare to and from the start and end of the program, unaccompanied minor fees, and baggage fees.

SWIMMING ABILITY

Due to the nature of this program, it is required that participants are comfortable being in the water and swimming in various depths.

ACCOMMODATIONS AND SHOWERING

Accommodations for the 14 days is tent camping at campgrounds or in the backcountry. For tent camping, we aim for it to be 2 participants in a 3-person tent or 3 participants in a 4-person tent with luggage, divided by gender.

Bathrooms and showers can be rustic so please be prepared. In an effort to save time and conserve water resources in the areas we are traveling, participants will have access to showers every 1-2 days. Bathrooms are a mix between flush toilets and latrines.

FOOD

Participants on this trip will plan, prepare, and eat meals as a group. Split up into smaller cook crews, each crew will have the chance to prepare a meal approximately once per day. This process is supervised by staff who offer advice on nutrition, and menu planning, and ensure safe food storage, preparation, and handling.

Meals are prepared on camp stoves. Meals are nutritious and filling, but the camping component of the program often necessitates a simpler menu than a restaurant or home cook might allow. While students and staff plan and prepare some meals, an effort is made to incorporate local ingredients and cuisine from the local culture.

We are able to accommodate all dietary requirements and preferences.

TRAVEL

Families are individually responsible for booking their own airfare or making their own travel arrangements to get their participant from home to São Miguel's Aeroporto João Paulo II Airport (PDL) on the first day of the trip, and from São Miguel (PDL) to home on the last day of the trip. RLT will provide exact windows of time that we require all participants to arrive and depart within. It is imperative that no one make any travel arrangements until RLT directs them to do so.

A leader-escorted round-trip flight will be available from the New York area (but is not required) for those travelers who wish to fly with a leader. Please contact our office for details.

PASSPORT REQUIREMENTS

For all international travel, we require participants to have a passport that is valid for a minimum of 6 MONTHS past the end date of your participant's RLT trip. If your participant's passport is due to expire within those 6 months, please work on updating your participant's passport as soon as possible upon enrollment. According to the State Department, routine passport renewal will take 10-13 weeks and expedited processing, which costs an additional $60, will take 7-9 weeks. It is your responsibility to ensure your participant's passport is up to date and meets these requirements. We encourage families to familiarize themselves with the U.S. Department of State website for all up-to-date and accurate passport recommendations.  

TRAVEL INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

The Road Less Traveled does not provide its own insurance. However, we require participants to purchase travel insurance through a third party for all international programs. For additional details, please visit our FAQ page or you may contact a member of our team at info@theroadlesstraveled.com or 773-342-5200.

VACCINE & MEDICATION INFORMATION

We always encourage families to review the CDC website regarding recommended vaccinations and medications for international travel. More information will be provided to enrolled families from our Admissions Team in the Spring.

TECHNOLOGY

As part of the RLT experience, our trips are electronic-free. While it is encouraged to travel with cell phones, leaders will collect phones and any other personal devices after all participants arrive on the first day. It can feel tough initially to not have access to your phone, but it really helps everyone in the group to connect and have a really great trip experience. This includes phones, iPods, tablets, gaming devices, music devices, smartwatches, etc. All electronics will be held by RLT leaders, kept safe and dry for the duration of the trip, and returned at the end of the program. All cameras, go pros, etc. are acceptable and can be kept with you! If you do not have a camera, please note that leaders will also be taking photos throughout the program, and these photos will be shared through an online gallery.