Madeira Discovery − Premium Adventure

Madeira Discovery − Premium Adventure

8 Days Starting and ending in Funchal, Portugal

Visiting: Funchal, Monte, Madeira, Santana, Madeira, Porto Santo, Porto Moniz, Madeira, Caniçal Madeira

Tour operator:

Exodus Adventure Travels

Tour code:

APM

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

5 - 16

Physical rating:

Easy & Moderate

Age range:

18-99

Trip Styles:

Adventure Tours, Luxury

Activities:

Sightseeing, Walking

From: $3600

NB: Prices correct on 18-Dec-2024 but subject to change.

Tour Overview

Embark on the "Madeira Discovery – Premium Adventure" and explore the enchanting Portuguese island of Madeira. Guided by an expert tour leader, this journey offers a blend of cultural and natural wonders. Delight in local delicacies, sample wines at a vineyard, and savor a poncha cocktail. Enjoy scenic walks through native forests and along levadas, and take a ferry to the lesser-known Porto Santo island. Stay at The Vine, a luxurious five-star hotel in Funchal, featuring a rooftop pool with breathtaking views. Highlights include guided tours of Monte, Câmara de Lobos, and the Laurissilva Forest, as well as visits to Porto Moniz, a rum distillery, and the Whaling Museum. With all breakfasts, select lunches and dinners, and transport included, this adventure promises an unforgettable experience of Madeira's rich culture and stunning landscapes.

Highlights

  • Experience a Portuguese island like no other, guided by an expert tour leader.

  • Dig into local delicacies, sample wines in a vineyard, and try a poncha cocktail.

  • Enjoy two scenic walks, alongside a levada and through native forest.

  • Take a ferry to the lesser-known island of Porto Santo on a day excursion.

  • Explore the Monte Palace Gardens and enjoy panoramic views from Pico dos Barcelos Viewpoint.

  • Visit the traditional village of Santana and the historic fishing village of Machico.

  • Tour the Cabo Girão Skywalk and swim in the natural pools of Porto Moniz.

  • Discover Funchal's landmarks, including Santa Catarina Park and Funchal Cathedral.

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Start Funchal

Location: Funchal

Accommodation Name: The Vine

Meals Included: Dinner

We start at our Premium hotel in Funchal, which has views overlooking the capital and surrounding bay from its rooftop. There is a main briefing at 6pm followed by a welcome dinner at the hotel, in which we can discuss the adventures to come, and you can ask any questions you may have.

Day 2 : Guided Tour Of Monte And Guided Visit Of Câmara De Lobos

Location: Monte, Madeira

Accommodation Name: The Vine

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

The day starts with a guided tour around the hillside village of Monte. The highlight is our look around the Monte Palace Gardens, home to an exotic collection of plants gathered from across the globe. We also take a short stop at the Pico dos Barcelos Viewpoint for a panorama over Funchal to the Atlantic.



Next, we have a guided tour around Câmara de Lobos, exploring the history of the storied fishing village and espada (black scabbard) fish. Our adventure includes the chance to sample poncha, a local alcoholic drink made with aguardiente de cana.



Our first full day ends with a group dinner at PVP – that’s Pão, Vinho e Petiscos (Bread, Wine and Snacks) – a traditional restaurant serving regional dishes.

Day 3 : Tour Eastern Madeira, Including A Guided Forest Walk, Santana And Machico

Location: Santana, Madeira

Accommodation Name: The Vine

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Experience the natural beauty of Madeira with a 1.9mi (3km) walk through the Laurissilva Forest, a 20m-year-old subtropical rainforest and World Heritage site. This round-trip route takes us to the Balcões Viewpoint where we can gaze over the Ribeira da Metade valley, where rippling hills are covered in endemic tree species.



Next stop is Santana, a traditional village with curious A-framed houses. We have free time to explore, before a picnic lunch with Madeiran food. After, we head to the fishing village of Porto da Cruz for a guided tour of Engenhos do Norte, a renowned rum distillery that still uses original production methods. Here, we learn from the experts and enjoy a tasting.



Finally, we have a guided tour of Machico, where we visit the church, one of the largest on the island, and explore the historic centre.

Day 4 : Visit Porto Santo Island

Location: Porto Santo

Accommodation Name: The Vine

Meals Included: Breakfast

We leave the main island this morning and catch a ferry from Funchal harbour to the small island of Porto Santo. Arriving around 10.30am, we then have a half-day tour with a local expert. Stops include the Casa Colombo, a museum in what is thought to have been the home of Christopher Columbus, and free time in Vila Baleira, where you can enjoy the 7.5mi (12km) sandy beach. After, we return to Funchal and catch a transfer to our hotel.

Day 5 : Tour Of Western Madeira, Including Porto Moniz And Wine Tasting

Location: Porto Moniz, Madeira

Accommodation Name: The Vine

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today we explore the western side of the island. It starts at the Cabo Girão Skywalk, a suspended glass platform with views over the coastline, Câmara de Lobos and Funchal.



We then have a guided tour of Madeira Ethnographic Museum for an insight into the archipelago’s social, cultural and economic history, before joining a local specialist at the Centro da Banana da Madeira, to learn about banana growing in Madeira. We also have a guided tour of Porto Moniz with the option of swimming in natural pools (€3 entrance fee not included).



After lunch, we join a local guide on a tour of the Quinta do Barbusano winery, enjoying wonderful views and the chance to sample six of their wines.

Day 6 : Guided Tour Funchal; Dinner With Folk Performance

Location: Funchal

Accommodation Name: The Vine

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Today we embark on a sightseeing tour of Funchal. Joining a local guide, we hit the landmarks, including Santa Catarina Park, Arriaga Avenue, Funchal Cathedral, a farmers’ market, and Santa Maria Street in the Old Town.



Lunch is at Restaurante O Regional, which specialises in Madeiran cuisine. After, we visit the Quinta das Cruzes Museum, home to local and international works of art, furniture, jewellery and more. We then have free time in the afternoon to explore further, before dinner, during which we enjoy a performance of local folk dancing and singing.

Day 7 : Levada Do Caniçal Walk And Whaling Museum Visit

Location: Caniçal, Madeira

Accommodation Name: The Vine

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Head into the countryside for a picturesque 3mi (5km) walk alongside the Levada do Caniçal, an aqueduct-style waterway. Our scenic journey should take around two hours, depending on the group’s pace.



We then visit the Ponta do Rosto Viewpoint, where we can see both the north and south coasts of the island. That’s followed by lunch in the fishing village of Caniçal, before a guided visit to the Whaling Museum, where we can learn about the whale-hunting history of the island and the modern conservation initiatives.



We end tonight with a group dinner, enjoying Mediterranean cuisine at Il Vivaldi restaurant and a chance to relive our adventures together.

Day 8 : End Funchal

Location: Funchal

Meals Included: Breakfast

The trip ends in Funchal after breakfast. Hop into your free transfer to the airport. Or, if you’d like a little longer on the island, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.

What's Included

  • All breakfasts, two lunches and four dinners

    All breakfasts, two lunches and four dinners are included in the tour package.

  • All accommodation

    All accommodation during the tour is included.

  • Tips for local staff

    Tips for local staff are included in the tour package.

  • All transport and listed activities

    All transport and activities listed in the itinerary are included.

  • Tour leader throughout

    A tour leader will be present throughout the entire tour.

  • Arrival and departure transfers

    Arrival and departure transfers are provided for everyone on the start and end days of the tour.

What's Not Included

  • Travel insurance

    Travel insurance is not included and must be arranged separately.

  • Single accommodation

    Single accommodation is not included but is available on request.

  • Visas or vaccinations

    Visas or vaccinations are not included and must be arranged separately.

Accommodation

Throughout this Premium Adventure we stay at The Vine, a modern hotel in the middle of Funchal. The decor was created by local interior designer Nini Andrade Silva, who took inspiration from Madeira’s tradition of producing fortified wines, with furniture that looks like twisted vines in the Terra Restaurant and deep purple shades in the lobby. The spa is also influenced by winemaking, with several wine-themed treatments available. The hotel also has a rooftop pool with Bali beds, cushy loungers and stretching panoramas over the city and Atlantic Ocean.

Food

All breakfasts, two lunches and four dinners are included.

Mode of Transport

All transport and listed activities are included, with arrival and departure transfers provided for everyone on the start and end days of the tour. The tour also includes a ferry ride to the island of Porto Santo for a day excursion.

Check out our Q&As

  • What type of accommodation is provided during the Madeira Discovery tour?

    The tour includes accommodation at The Vine, a modern five-star hotel located in the middle of Funchal. The hotel features decor inspired by Madeira's tradition of producing fortified wines, a spa with wine-themed treatments, and a rooftop pool with panoramic views over the city and Atlantic Ocean.

  • Are meals included in the Madeira Discovery tour?

    Yes, the tour includes all breakfasts, two lunches, and four dinners. Meals are provided at various local restaurants and the hotel, offering a taste of regional and Madeiran cuisine.

  • What activities are included in the Madeira Discovery tour?

    The tour includes a variety of activities such as guided tours of Monte, Câmara de Lobos, and Funchal, scenic walks through the Laurissilva Forest and alongside the Levada do Caniçal, a ferry trip to Porto Santo island, and visits to local attractions like the Madeira Ethnographic Museum, a rum distillery, and a winery for wine tasting.

  • Is there an opportunity to taste local beverages during the tour?

    Yes, the tour offers opportunities to sample local beverages, including poncha, a traditional Madeiran cocktail, and a wine tasting session at the Quinta do Barbusano winery.

  • What cultural experiences are included in the tour?

    Cultural experiences on the tour include visits to the Madeira Ethnographic Museum, the Quinta das Cruzes Museum, and a dinner with a folk performance featuring local dancing and singing.

  • Is transportation provided during the tour?

    Yes, all transport and listed activities are included in the tour, along with arrival and departure transfers on the start and end days of the tour.

  • Are there any additional costs not covered by the tour package?

    The tour package does not include travel insurance, single accommodation (available on request), visas, or vaccinations. Additionally, there is a €3 entrance fee for swimming in the natural pools at Porto Moniz, which is not included.

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Exodus has been trading since 1974

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.

Reviews of this operator

Gergana Racheva  

Very helpful and prompt service

06-Jan-2023

Very helpful and prompt service. I called to check for an already booked trip and once we sorted this, the agent was ready to help me with another booking as well. He actually waited for me to book my flight tickets, answered all my questions, informed me of all my options. Exodus is a tour company I am using regularly due to the quality of their trips, ease of booking and helpfulness of their customer service team

Trustpilot
Tim Hardy  

Stunning walking. Walking the Amalfi Coast

04-Nov-2021

This trip takes you through the most beautiful parts of the Mediterranean walking with a guide and also discovering the wonders of Pompeii and Vesuvius. The hotel had a nice feel as family run, spotless and comfortable rooms, we were well looked after for breakfasts and dinner each day, and the barmen fixed some mean cocktails for us.!

paul green (Google Reviewer)  

Went on a tour of...

14-Jan-2022

Went on a tour of morocco in October and loved it ,mohamed the tour guide was excellent, probably go with exodus to India next year

Paul Green  

It's amazing what you can do in a week! Cycling the Dalmatian Coast.

08-Oct-2021

This holiday was extremely enjoyable. The itinerary is well planned and the route takes you to a variety of destinations. Not having been to Croatia before I didn't know there were so many beautiful small islands and I loved the ferry and catarmaran rides. The coastal route we took was dramatic and the World Heritage sites in Split and Dubrovnik very interesting and worth visiting. The Adriatic Sea was warm, blue and inviting, good for swimming even in October. The hotels we stayed in varied in size from medium to large. I particularly liked the one just outside Dubrovnik as I had a sea view. Tourists were plentiful in Split and Dubrovnik but in the other places we stayed there was an end of season feel and it was quiet on the roads and in the resorts. The food was good and our guide was always able to recommend a nice restaurant for our evening meal. The weather in October was good for cycling - not hot, partly cloudy most days and one day it rained!

Mrs Y Morrison  

Fabulous company and trip

06-Jan-2023

We went overland from Cape Town to Zimbabwe through Botswana and Namibia. What a fantastic trip. Our first time with Exodus although we have travelled extensively around the world. We would highly recommend this company for such a brilliant trip - we got everything and more all at a good price. Thanks to everyone involved. We are looking at our next trip!

Trustpilot
Ann B (Google Reviewer)  

We had a week walking...

08-Oct-2024

We had a week walking and wine in the Duro valley with two local guides Louis and Theresa. They were both exceptional, knowledgeable, professional and funny. Our group of 11 had a great time. This was a premium tour. Our 4 star hotels were both well located clean and with great views. We had several local meals arranged by our guides with local people cooking for us. We did not meet any other walkers during our hikes only two shepherds. I would certainly recommend this tour to anyone interested in the local produce and wine. We both felt as we had learnt a lot about Portugal during this tour. We will use Exodus again. One of our group had done 30 tours with Exodus over the years. Quite an endorsement.

Alison Payton (Google Reviewer)  

I've done 8 trips in...

17-May-2023

I've done 8 trips in the last 14 years with Exodus, and have been rewarded with a 10% discount on all future bookings. I feel very confident that I'll receive pleasant, efficient service, and have the unusual holiday experience that I'm looking for each time. I've trekked to the top of snow-capped peaks, wild-camped in the desert, seen amazing spectacles of nature, visited 4 capital cities in a week, and learned about local culture and experienced local hospitality in a way that I simply wouldn't on a conventional holiday. The quality of the accommodation and guides can vary, but this is mainly down to cultural differences and things that Exodus can't control. I've only ever complained once, my complaint was taken seriously, and I was sent a discount voucher - you can't say fairer than that. I remain a loyal customer.

David (Google Reviewer)  

Exodus are generally a good...

21-Aug-2024

Exodus are generally a good travel company. Things tend to run smoothly and trips well organised. Their customers tend to be at retirement age. Trips are a bit overpriced. I would also avoid trips in Europe, as these often focus on more coffee stops and meals, rather than walking. I would also recommend making sure your guide records any accidents you have, hopefully not applicable. I had one on Sierra de Aitana which the guide saw and knew about, but he and Exodus said it never happened when I followed up after the trip. I wasn’t putting in a claim, just suggested a safety improvement. They have since apologised and acknowledged this as an error. They are a good reliable option for outside of Europe trips.

Jacquelyn Moore (Google Reviewer)  

Food came quickly. Staff very...

07-Mar-2024

Food came quickly. Staff very friendly and polite . However the chef or person preparing the food did not seem to read the menu! If it says a meal should come with vegetables, you should not have to ask for them. They served shepherds pie with garlic bread! The munchies ice cream sundae said it should come in a glass with a flake but came in a little bowl with just a few munchies! When asking the staff were happy to replace and correct but customer should get what they order and what menu says first time round!!

johanna leonor (Google Reviewer)  

If you like to be...

07-Sep-2023

If you like to be mistreated Exodus is perfect for you. If you enjoy terrible choices for hotels and pseudo restaurants Exodus is perfect for you. Careless about their clients and loveless about their propositions. Exodus has been a dissatisfaction and disappointment about every dealing i and my group have had with him. Especially a man called Simone who just cares about the money he can get from you couldn’t care less about service.

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Prices last published on 18-Dec-2024

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  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.

    Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

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