St. George's Jeep Tour: Peak of Hope and fajã pools

A 4x4 climbs where normal cars stop, reaching the Peak of Hope at 1053 meters.

A full-day jeep tour of St. George's island in the Azores, traveling by 4x4 to the highest point and down to the coastal fajã, with a local guide explaining whale-watch history, volcanic formation and how islanders still live on the terraced slopes. Lunch featuring St. George cheese is included. Small groups keep stops flexible for photos and swimming in natural pools.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore St. George's island highlights

• Visit Rosais lighthouse and whale guard
• Stop at Ferrã Afonso viewpoint for photos
• 4x4 climb to highest point at 1053 meters
• View volcanic formations at Montoso and Morro Pelado
• Descend to Fahan UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
• Visit hermitage, lagoon, and ancient mill
• Enjoy traditional Azorean lunch with São Jorge cheese
• Stop at viewpoint and descend to fajã natural pools
• Swim in natural pools if sea conditions allow
• Visit Port das Manadas, Port dos Terreiros, and Casteletes
• See church tower in lava field
• Stop at Manadas, Pôr do Sol, and Ribeira do Almeida viewpoints

The experience

The Peak of Hope sits at 1053 meters, high enough on a clear day to see several islands of the archipelago spread across the water. A 4x4 is the only way to reach it: normal cars don't make the climb. Your guide is local and walks you through the volcanic cradle that shaped the island's spine, stopping at the peaks Montoso and Morro Pelado to explain what you're standing on and why the landscape looks the way it does.

The descent takes you to the fajã, classified as a UNESCO Biosphere Reservation. These are narrow terraced strips of land squeezed between cliffs and sea, and people still farm and live on them the way they have for centuries. Your guide shows you the hermitage of Our Lady of Lurdes, the ancient mill, and the lagoon, explaining how the fajã formed and how the islanders adapted to this thin slice of livable ground. At the Fajã da Caldeira de Santo Cristo, there's time to swim in natural pools if sea conditions allow.

The tour also reaches the western cliffs at Rosais, where a lighthouse once stood over 200-meter drops and whale watchers kept their vigil during the hunt. You'll stop at the Ferrã Afonso viewpoint, then later at the church tower in Casteletes that survived the 1808 eruption and still stands alone in the lava field. On the return, viewpoints at Manadas, Pôr do Sol and Ribeira do Almeida overlook the south coast and the islands of Pico and Faial. Lunch at a local restaurant includes traditional Azorian dishes and St. George cheese.

What’s included

• Full-day 4x4 jeep transport with a local guide speaking English or Spanish.
• pickup included.
• lunch at a local restaurant with traditional Azorian dishes and St. George cheese.
• stops at the Peak of Hope, Rosais lighthouse and whale-watch site, Fajã da Caldeira de Santo Cristo with its hermitage and ancient mill, and viewpoints across the south coast and neighboring islands.
• time for swimming in natural pools if sea conditions permit.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Under 3: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 6 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Lotus Tours Sao Jorge

Is this one for you?The pace is steady with real-time stops for photos and exploration rather than a rushed itinerary, and the 4x4 vehicle does the climbing so you focus on the views and the guide's explanations of what each stop reveals about the island's history and how people live here.

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (3 to 11 years). Under 3: they can't be included in the booking.

What is the Peak of Hope and why does the tour go there?

The Peak of Hope is the highest point on St. George's island at 1053 meters. On clear days it offers views across several islands of the archipelago, and the 4x4 climb lets you reach it and learn about the volcanic formation that created the island's central ridge.

Can I swim during this tour?

Yes, there is time for a swim in natural pools at the fajã, though it depends on sea conditions on the day you go.

What does the lunch include?

Lunch is a traditional Azorian meal at a local restaurant featuring St. George cheese and other regional dishes, included in the tour price.

How does a 4x4 jeep change what you can see compared to a regular car tour?

The 4x4 reaches places normal cars cannot access, including the climb to the Peak of Hope at 1053 meters and the steep descents into the fajã terraces, opening up stops and views that would be impossible on paved roads alone.