Walking the Island of Madeira
Walking the Island of Madeira
Walking the Island of Madeira
8 Days Starting in Machico and ending in Funchal
Visiting: Machico, Ponta de São Lourenço, Porto da Cruz, Queimadas Parking Lot, Fanal Forest, Madeira, Funchal, Pico do Arieiro and Pico Ruivo
Tour operator:
Tour code:
TSD2
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
5 - 16
Age range:
18-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus
Trip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on a captivating journey through the botanical paradise of Madeira on our "Walking the Island of Madeira" tour. This adventure invites you to explore the stunning landscapes of Madeira, from the majestic peaks of Pico Ruivo to the ancient, UNESCO-listed Fanal Forest. Stroll alongside the picturesque, flower-lined levadas offering breathtaking coastal views, and immerse yourself in the island's mild, year-round climate—perfect for walking enthusiasts. Our carefully curated itinerary includes visits to cultural and historical sites, ensuring a rich and immersive experience. Throughout your trek, enjoy comfortable stays in quality hotels, some boasting incredible coastal views, and savor local cuisine with included breakfasts and select dinners. Whether you're seeking adventure, natural beauty, or cultural insights, this tour promises an unforgettable experience in one of Portugal's most enchanting islands.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start Machico
Location: Machico
We start at our hotel in Machico, which overlooks the beach of Machico Bay. There will be a welcome briefing in the evening, in which we can discuss the adventures to come and you can ask any questions you may have.
Alternatively, if you'd like to settle into the adventure, speak to us about booking an extra night or two before the trip begins.
Day 2 : Walk To The Easternmost Point Of The Island, Ponta De São Lourenço, A Rocky Peninsula With Ocean Views For Miles
Location: Ponta de São Lourenço
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we walk the classic route along the Ponta de São Lourenço. Although challenging in parts, this path takes us through fantastic scenery as we admire wallflowers, stalwarts and many other tiny plants that resist the windy environment and grow in soils with high salinity levels. Rocks, sculptured by nature, have a great diversity of colours ranging from black to red, and are in stark contrast to the blue of the ocean. Park rangers watch over the plants and animals that belong to this eastern extremity of the island, around Casa do Sardinha. We return to our hotel in Machico in the afternoon, and there is free time to explore the village or relax at the beach.
Day 3 : Spectacular Walk Along The North Coast Path To The Village Of Porto Da Cruz
Location: Porto da Cruz
Meals Included: Dinner
This morning, we take a transfer and walk a scenic route along a cliff trail on the north coast. We set off along the little Levada do Caniçal, more modest and quieter than yesterday’s path, then begin a gradual climb to the crest of the cliffs at Boca do Risco, where we enjoy amazing views along the north coast. We then head west along the coastal path: a spectacular route, in many places cut right into the cliff. We finally descend to Porto da Cruz, once a bustling port but now a sleepy, picturesque village. Time permitting (and if open), we have a short look around a factory that has been producing Madeira rum for several centuries. Later, we transfer to Porto Moniz for the night.
Day 4 : Transfer To Queimadas; Walk Along Levada Do Caldeirão Verde To The Remote Village Of Ilha
Location: Queimadas Parking Lot
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Transfer to Queimadas Natural Park, where we walk along the Levada do Caldeirão Verde. This route has many waterfalls and we may need to pass under some to continue the path. We use our torches/flashlights to walk through tunnels carved into the mountains. We finish the walk with a descent into the village of Ilha before returning to Porto Moniz.
Day 5 : Vereda Do Fanal, The Ancient Forest Of Madeira
Location: Fanal Forest, Madeira
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Our walk today starts on the Paul da Serra plateau and ends at the Unesco World Natural Heritage site of Fanal Forest. We walk via open landscapes with fabulous views over the Ribeira da Janela and Chão da Ribeira valleys, and through the largest surviving area of laurisilva forest on the planet (believed to be 90 percent primary forest).We end the hike at the fairytale Fanal Forest, a small volcanic crater filled with twisted trees and often shrouded in mist. Many of the ocotea foetens trees here predate the founding of Madeira in 1419, and we take time to absorb the unique energy of the forest before returning to Porto Moniz.
Day 6 : Morning Transfer To Funchal; Free Day To Explore The City Or Join An Optional Whale-Watching Excursion
Location: Funchal
Meals Included: Breakfast
After a morning transfer (approximately one hour) via the mountainous interior, today is free for you to explore Funchal, the island capital and our base for the final two nights of the trip. The city is easily explored on foot and sites of interest include Sé Cathedral, built between 1493 and 1514, and the imposing statue of Madeira founder, João Gonçalves Zarco, on Avenida Arriaga.Alternatively, take the cable car to Monte Palace and Tropical Gardens to enjoy fascinating installations and magnificent views over the city, learn about the production of Madeira's ever-popular wine at Blandy's Wine Lodge, or join a whale-watching tour to spot some of the 28 whale and dolphin species that grace Madeira's waters throughout the year.
Day 7 : Early Departure For Pico Arieiro; Continue The Path To Pico Ruivo
Location: Pico do Arieiro and Pico Ruivo
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we embark on the most strenuous walk of the trip. We depart early to reach the third highest mountain on the island, Pico Arieiro (5,965ft/1,818m), in time for sunrise, then continue to Pico Ruivo (6,109ft/1,862m), the highest peak, for more fantastic views. We finish by taking the 1.9mi (3km) path to Achado do Teixeira. The path has lots of ascents and descents along the way, but the memorable scenery is ample reward. At the end of the walk, we transfer back to Funchal.Please note: On occasion, the route to Pico Ruivo may be closed due to mudslides or inclement weather. Our guide will always try to offer another route up to Pico Ruivo, but if this is not possible, an alternative walk from Ribeiro Frio to Portela will be available. This route traverses native forest and offers wonderful coastal views.
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
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All breakfasts and three dinners
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All accommodation
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All transport and listed activities
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Tour leader throughout
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Arrival and departure transfers for everyone
What's Not Included
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Travel insurance
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Single accommodation (available on request)
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Visas or vaccinations
Food
Breakfast: All breakfasts are included and usually consist of coffee/tea, fruit juice, rolls or bread, butter and jam, cereal, ham and cheese.
Lunch (not included): The ingredients for lunch are usually bought at a nearby shop or supermarket each morning before taking the transfer to the start point of the walk. Premade sandwiches and snacks are available, or you may prefer to purchase bread rolls and freshly cut cheese/meat to create your own lunch. It is also possible to pre-order a picnic from the hotel the night before and the cost ranges from €13-€16.
Dinner: Three dinners are included while in Porto Moniz. For dinners not included, we aim to eat in a different restaurant each night. Typically, the tour leader eats with the group for at least two nights of the trip and recommends/arranges places to eat on the others. Typical Madeiran cuisine incorporates a lot of meat and fish with rather plainly cooked vegetables and boiled potatoes. There will generally be at least one vegetarian option on the menu, but vegetarians should be prepared to request an alternative dish if required.
Accommodation
Throughout the trek, we stay in good quality hotels, some right on the coast with amazing views. Below are the hotels we normally use:
Machico: Hotel Dom Pedro (nights 1-2)
The hotel has sweeping views over Machico Bay and offers a range of leisure amenities, including table tennis, a pool table, and an outdoor pool (open in good weather). There is a piano bar with occasional live music and coffee/cake is served throughout the day in the lounge area.
Porto Moniz:
Hotel Aqua Natura Bay (nights 3-5)
The Hotel Agua Natura Bay has an enviable location with views over the natural swimming pools in town. Hotel amenities include a hot tub and sauna where you can rest your tired limbs, and we dine in the excellent hotel restaurants during our stay.
Funchal: Pestana Casino Studios (nights 6-7)
Pestana Casino Studios is ideally placed for exploring, just a five-minute walk to the centre of Funchal. It also has an outdoor pool and access to the indoor pool and spa facilities of the neighbouring Pestana Casino Park Resort.
Check out our Q&As
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What are the highlights of the Walking the Island of Madeira tour?
The highlights of the tour include walking through the botanical paradise of Madeira, strolling alongside flower-lined levadas with stunning coastal views, discovering spectacular mountain scenery including Pico Ruivo, the highest peak on the island, visiting UNESCO sites like the ancient Fanal Forest, and enjoying a mild year-round climate perfect for walking.
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What type of accommodations can be expected on the tour?
Throughout the trek, participants stay in good quality hotels, some right on the coast with amazing views. The hotels normally used include Hotel Dom Pedro in Machico for nights 1 & 2, Hotel O Colmo in Santana for night 3, Hotel Aqua Natura Bay in Porto Moniz for nights 4 & 5, and either Hotel do Carmo, Terrace Mar Suite Hotel, or Pestana Casino Suites in Funchal for nights 6 & 7.
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What meals are included in the tour?
The tour includes all breakfasts and two dinners. Lunches and dinners not mentioned in the inclusions are excluded.
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Are there any special meals included for specific departure dates?
Yes, for the 30th December 2023 departure, there is a special New Year's Eve dinner included, with transport to/from Funchal for spectacular fireworks.
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What is the starting location of the tour?
The tour starts in Machico.
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What is the ending location of the tour?
The tour ends in Funchal.
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What are the exclusions of the tour?
Exclusions include lunches and dinners not mentioned in inclusions, travel insurance, single accommodation (available on request), and visas or vaccinations.
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What kind of activities are included in the tour?
The tour includes all transport and listed activities, with a tour leader throughout. Activities mainly involve walking and hiking through various scenic routes on the island of Madeira.
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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.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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