Transport

Transport from and to the airport is by taxi or minibus and is included. Other transport mentioned in the itinerary as an integral part of the guided walks is also included, as is the transfer of luggage between hotels. On three days during the itinerary, we use public buses to move around Madeira. This helps to keep our environmental impact low and allows you to contribute directly to the local economy. The buses are single-decker coaches in appearance and tickets are included. Transport on optional excursions, or where you have voluntarily curtailed a group walk, is not included.

Others

All listed activities

Meals

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/public bus 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. Dinner: Two dinners are included while in Porto Moniz. For dinners not included, we aim to eat in a different restaurant each night. Scabbard fish is a local delicacy, along with espetadas (beef skewers). 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.

Guide

Tour leader throughout

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. Santana: Hotel O Colmo (night 3) In the heart of Santana, a traditional village in the north, this hotel has spacious rooms and an indoor pool. It also has a much-loved restaurant, which serves typical Madeiran and Portuguese cuisine (plus international) and attracts a local crowd from Funchal. Porto Moniz: Hotel Aqua Natura Bay (nights 4-5) 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: Hotel do Carmo, Terrace Mar Suite Hotel or Pestana Casino Studios (nights 6-7) Hotel do Carmo has a quirky 1960s theme, with each room paying homage to a different star from the Swinging Sixties. There’s also a rooftop pool, along with a lovely outdoor terrace on the ground floor. The Terrace Mar Suite Hotel (pictured above) is a 43-suite property with a heated rooftop pool and jacuzzi. The Pestana Casino Studios is a five-minute walk to the centre of Funchal with an outdoor pool and access to the indoor and spa facilities of the neighbouring Pestana Casino Park Resort.

Not included:

Optional

Other activities and services are not included.

Flights

Flights not included

Insurance

Insurance not included.

Others

— Lunches and dinners not mentioned in Inclusions — Travel insurance — Single accommodation (available on request) — Visas or vaccinations

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Start Machico
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Start 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.
Day 2 Day 2: Walk To The Easternmost Point Of The Island, Ponta De São Lourenço, A Rocky Peninsula With Ocean Views For Miles (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Walk To The Easternmost Point Of The Island, Ponta De São Lourenço, A Rocky Peninsula With Ocean Views For Miles (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 Day 3: Spectacular Walk Along The North Coast Path To The Village Of Porto Da Cruz (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Spectacular Walk Along The North Coast Path To The Village Of Porto Da Cruz (Breakfast)

This morning, we take the public bus 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 Santana for the night.
Day 4 Day 4: Transfer To Queimadas; Walk Along Levada Do Caldeirão Verde To The Remote Village Of Ilha (Breakfast,Dinner)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Transfer To Queimadas; Walk Along Levada Do Caldeirão Verde To The Remote Village Of Ilha (Breakfast,Dinner)

After a quick stop to admire the thatched-roof houses of Santana, we take a short transfer inland 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 a transfer to the coastal town of Porto Moniz in the west of the island.
Day 5 Day 5: Vereda Do Fanal, The Ancient Forest Of Madeira (Breakfast,Dinner)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Vereda Do Fanal, The Ancient Forest Of Madeira (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 Day 6: Morning Transfer To Funchal; Free Day To Explore The City Or Join An Optional Whale-Watching Excursion (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Morning Transfer To Funchal; Free Day To Explore The City Or Join An Optional Whale-Watching Excursion (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 Day 7: Early Departure For Pico Arieiro; Continue The Path To Pico Ruivo (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Early Departure For Pico Arieiro; Continue The Path To Pico Ruivo (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. *Due to recent forest fires the route to the Pico’s is closed so the departures between 31/8/24 and 19/10/24 will operate an alternative walk in the southwest of the island following a Levada walk between Fajã da Ovelha to Paúl do Mar, providing panoramic views of the region.
Day 8 Day 8: End Funchal (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: End Funchal (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.

8 days tour

Walking The Island Of Madeira

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Walking The Island Of Madeira

Day 1: Start Machico

Day 2: Walk To The Easternmost Point Of The Island, Ponta De São Lourenço, A Rocky Peninsula With Ocean Views For Miles (Breakfast)

Day 3: Spectacular Walk Along The North Coast Path To The Village Of Porto Da Cruz (Breakfast)

Day 4: Transfer To Queimadas; Walk Along Levada Do Caldeirão Verde To The Remote Village Of Ilha (Breakfast,Dinner)

Day 5: Vereda Do Fanal, The Ancient Forest Of Madeira (Breakfast,Dinner)

Day 6: Morning Transfer To Funchal; Free Day To Explore The City Or Join An Optional Whale-Watching Excursion (Breakfast)

Day 7: Early Departure For Pico Arieiro; Continue The Path To Pico Ruivo (Breakfast)

Day 8: End Funchal (Breakfast)

Experience Style

Accomodation level

Experience Type

Physical Rating

Age range

Who talk about us:

Best cities to travel to

America

Europe

Asia

Africa

Oceania