Terceira Island: Algar Do Carvão – the Caves Tour

Terceira Island in the Azores is a captivating destination for those seeking to explore ancient lava tubes and natural wonders. The Algar do Carvão tour highlights the island’s geological history, inviting visitors to discover a vast network of underground caves and tunnels with awe-inspiring basalt columns, stalactites, and an underground lake. Convenient hotel pickup and drop-off, entry fees, and WiFi make this highly-rated experience accessible and seamless. While the tour promises to unveil Terceira’s volcanic past and natural power, it leaves one curious to uncover more about this island’s hidden treasures.

Key Points

• Comprehensive exploration of ancient lava tubes and natural wonders of Terceira, Azores, including the impressive Algar do Carvao natural monument.
• Guided tour provides insight into the island’s fascinating geological history and volcanic past.
• Includes entry fees to Algar do Carvao and Gruta do Natal, as well as hotel pickup and drop-off.
• Tour accommodates groups of all sizes, with a minimum group size of 5 for bus transport.
• Seamless and stress-free experience, with comfortable transportation and knowledgeable guides.

Tour Details

This tour offers a comprehensive exploration of the ancient lava tubes and natural wonders of Terceira, the Azores.

With 41 reviews and a Badge of Excellence, it’s a highly-rated experience.

Visitors will discover the Christmas Cave, Enoxfre Furnas, and the Algar do Carvao natural monument, learning about the island’s fascinating geological history along the way.

The tour includes entry fees, WiFi, and hotel pickup and drop-off within Angra do Heroismo.

While group size starts at a minimum of 5 for a bus tour, a minivan option is available for smaller parties.

With most travelers able to participate, this tour offers an accessible and informative way to explore Terceira’s incredible natural landscapes.

Inclusions

The tour includes the entry fees to Algar do Carvao and Gruta do Natal, which cost 15€ per person.

Travelers also receive WiFi on board and pickup and drop-off at the listed hotels in the Angra do Heroismo center.

There’s an extra fee of 30€ for pickup and drop-off at non-listed hotels, and the price varies depending on the group size.

The tour has a minimum of 5 people per bus, but if the group is smaller, a minivan will be used instead.

Plus, the tour isn’t wheelchair accessible but is stroller friendly, and service animals are allowed.

Water and sunscreen are recommended for the maximum of 20 travelers on the tour.

Group Size and Pricing

The tour has a minimum group size of 5 people for the bus, but a smaller group will be accommodated in a minivan instead.

The pricing varies depending on the group size, which can impact the overall cost.

There’s an extra fee of 30 euros for pickup and drop-off at non-listed hotels. The standard pricing includes pickup and drop-off at hotels in the center of Angra do Heroismo.

The meeting point for the tour is at Alto das Covas in Angra do Heroismo.

Whether you’re in a bus or a minivan, the tour give you a comfortable and enjoyable experience for groups of all sizes.

Meeting and Pickup

Convenient pickup and drop-off at hotels in the center of Angra do Heroismo are included in the tour, with the meeting point located at Alto das Covas in the same city. This makes it easy for travelers to join the excursion without any hassle.

The tour operator will collect participants from their accommodations in the city center and then transport them to the starting point at Alto das Covas. At the end of the tour, travelers will be dropped back off at their hotels, ensuring a seamless and stress-free experience.

This service is a great benefit for those who want a hassle-free way to explore the natural wonders of Terceira Island.

Additional Information

Travelers can expect a seamless booking process, as the tour provides confirmation at the time of booking. The tour isn’t wheelchair accessible, but strollers and service animals are allowed.

It’s located near public transportation, making it accessible for most participants. Travelers should come prepared with water and sunscreen, as the tour involves exploring natural wonders.

The group size is limited to a maximum of 20 travelers, ensuring a more personalized experience. Whether you’re a solo adventurer or part of a group, this tour is an excellent way to discover the geological marvels of Terceira Island and the Algar do Carvão natural monument.

Discover Ancient Lava Tubes

Beneath Terceira Island’s lush exterior lie ancient lava tubes, formed over millennia by the island’s volcanic activity.

These geological wonders, known as the Algar do Carvão, invite visitors to explore a captivating subterranean world.

The Algar do Carvão is one of the Azores’ most impressive natural monuments, featuring a vast network of underground caves and tunnels.

As you descend into the earth, you’ll be in awe of the towering basalt columns, glistening stalactites, and shimmering underground lake.

This tour offers a unique opportunity to explore the island’s volcanic past and marvel at the power of nature that has shaped this incredible landscape over countless generations.

Explore Christmas Cave and Furnas

The Christmas Cave, or Gruta do Natal, is one of the remarkable underground features visitors can explore on this tour. Carved by volcanic forces, this cave boasts a stunning display of intricate stalactites and stalagmites, creating an otherworldly ambiance reminiscent of a winter wonderland.

Enoxfre Furnas is a geothermal area known for its bubbling mud pools and steaming fumaroles.

Algar do Carvão is a unique natural monument featuring a lush, verdant caldera with an underground lake.

These diverse geological wonders provide a captivating glimpse into the rich volcanic history and dynamic landscape of Terceira Island.

Learn Geological History of Terceira

Along With exploring the remarkable underground features, the Algar do Carvão tour provides an insightful look into the geological history that has shaped Terceira Island and the broader Azores archipelago. Visitors learn about the region’s volcanic origins, which date back millions of years. A table of key geological facts helps cement this understanding:

Characteristic	Description
Volcanic Activity	The Azores sit atop a active hotspot, resulting in frequent seismic and volcanic events.
Rock Formations	Terceira is primarily composed of basalt, a type of volcanic rock formed from rapid cooling lava.
Geological Age	The island emerged from the Atlantic Ocean approximately 3.5 million years ago.
Landscape Features	Volcanic cones, craters, and lava tubes like Algar do Carvão dot the island’s surface.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Duration of the Tour?

The tour duration is not specified in the provided information. The details focus on the tour inclusions, group size, pricing, meeting points, and other logistical details, but do not mention the actual duration of the tour experience.

Are Child Tickets Available?

The tour information does not specify if child tickets are available. Pricing and group size details are provided, but there is no mention of discounted or child tickets for this particular tour.

Can the Tour Be Customized for Private Groups?

The tour can likely be customized for private groups, though there may be additional fees. Customers should discuss their needs with the tour provider to determine if a private tour option is available and the associated costs.

What Language(S) Are the Tours Conducted In?

The tours are conducted in English. This is clearly stated in the tour details, which indicate the tours are suitable for English-speaking travelers. No other languages are mentioned for the guided portion of the excursion.

Are There Any Special Requirements for the Tour?

Travelers should bring water and sunscreen, as the tour may involve outdoor activities. The tour is generally accessible, with wheelchair and stroller access, as well as allowance for service animals. Most travelers can participate in this tour.

Recap

Terceira Island’s Algar do Carvão tour offers a captivating exploration of the island’s volcanic past. Visitors can discover ancient lava tubes, marvel at impressive basalt columns and stalactites, and learn about the island’s unique geological history.

With convenient transportation, knowledgeable guides, and a comfortable experience, this tour provides an excellent way to uncover Terceira’s natural wonders.