When to go
January – July and September – November
Price
From £1,499 pp (including flights)
Flight time
03hrs 36mins
Introduction
Madeira is a beautiful, scenic island with plenty to see and do. Your journey to the heartland of Portugal will take you to many varied, exciting walking trails, taking you from Pico Arieiro to Funchal, and Vereda do Fanal to the ancient forest of Madeira. Aside from the incredible views and scenery, you’ll also enjoy exotic colours and year-round warmth, creating a consistently pleasant atmosphere no matter when you choose to visit.
At a Glance
Duration
8 days & 7 nights
Guide price
Group: £1,499pp (including flights)
Cities/Destinations (in order)
Funchal – Machico – Ponta de São Lourenço – Porto da Cruz – Queimadas – Levada do Caldeirão Verde – Porto Moniz – Vereda do Fanal – Funchal – Pico Arieiro – Pico Ruivo – Achada do Teixeira – Funchal
Tour Type
Experienced local tour manager and guided sightseeing
Tour Theme
Walking/Trekking
Activity Level
3 out of 7 - Moderate
Age Range
18+
Star Rating of Tour
Superior 5*
Accommodation
7 nights in 3 and 4-star hotels.
Board Basis
Varied - please see the sample itinerary for details
Min|Max Group Size
Minimum 5 people with a maximum of 16
Start/Finish
Funchal – Funchal
Extensions
Highlights
Ascend the Highest Mountain in Madeira
Pico Ruivo offers the tallest peak in Madeira, reaching a maximum peak of 6,109ft (1,862m). This area provides incredible views of your surroundings, letting you marvel at the cloud-soaked scenery and walk through the many walking trails.
Admire the Flower-Lined Levadas and Coastal Views
Madeira is home to many areas with flowers that bloom in the warmer seasons. Along the way, you can admire the gorgeous scenery, where tiny plants resist the at times extreme winds and grow to surprisingly tall heights. The result is a beautiful pattern of color and texture, creating a unique texture that looks stunning from a distance.
Pleasant, Mild Climate All-Year-Round
Madeira has a consistently mild climate in each month of the year. Whether you are visiting in February, April, or October, you will enjoy a calm and gentle climate that is welcoming for all visitors.
Recommended Hotels
7 nights in 3 and 4-star hotels
Sample Itinerary
Explore the Island of Madeira
Marvel at the stunning flowers on vast, open landscapes. Walk along the north coast path to a traditional village, where you will enjoy a tour of the local rum factory. And lose yourself in Vereda do Fanal, the ancient forest of Madeira. In this sample itinerary, you will have so many of things to see and do, giving you the chance to venture into the deep unknown, mingle with the friendly locals, and test yourself with challenging yet rewarding walking trails.
Day 1: Funchal – Machico
Fly to Funchal. Then transfer to your hotel in Machico. Stay overnight in Machico.
(N)
Day 2: Funchal – Ponta de São Lourenço
Take a walk along Ponta de São Lourenço and admire the gorgeous wallflowers and other plants. Then enjoy spectacular views of the deep blue ocean. And return to your hotel in Machico.
Total ascent: 560ft (170m)
Total descent: 885ft (270m)
(B)
Day 3: Porto da Cruz
In the morning, get on a bus and go on a scenic walk along the little Levada do Caniçal. Then climb to the cliffs of Boca do Risco, where you will enjoy incredible views of the north coast.
Head along the coastal path and descend to Port da Cruz, a quaint, picturesque village. If time permits, you may be able to explore the local rum factory. Finally, transfer to Santana for the evening.
Total ascent: 655ft
Total descent: 1,150ft
(B)
Day 4: Queimadas – Levada do Caldeirão Verde – Ilha
Admire the rustic architecture of Santana and then transfer to Queimadas Natural Park. Here you will walk along the Levada do Caldeirão Verde, a particularly dark route that requires torches and flashlights to navigate the tunnels carved into the mountains.
From there, descend to the village of Ilha and transfer to Porto Moniz, a quiet coastal town, west of the island.
Total ascent: 295ft
Total descent: 1,640ft
(B, D)
Day 5: Vereda do Fanal, Ancient Forest of Madeira
Start your walk today by traveling across the Paul da Serra plateau. Then reach Fanal Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Walk along the vast landscapes, where there are incredible views of the Chão da Ribeira valleys and Ribeira da Janela, the former of which is one of the longest surviving laurisilva forests in the world.
Complete your hike at the Fanal Forest, which is situated next to a small volcanic crater, full of unique tree formations and cloud mists.
Total ascent: 900ft
Total descent: 1,770ft
(B, D)
Day 6: Funchal
In the morning, transfer to Funchal and enjoy a free day of leisure in the city. You can also go on an optional whale-watching excursion, a tour of Blandy’s Wine Lodge, and a cable car tour of Monte Palace and the Tropical Gardens.
(B)
Day 7: Pico Arieiro – Pico Ruivo
Embark on the most challenging walk of the trip. Leave early in the morning to visit the third-tallest mountain on Madeira, Pico Arieiro, and marvel at the glorious sunrise.
Proceed to Pico Ruivo, the absolute tallest peak on the island, and enjoy even more tremendous views. Then take a path to Achado do Teixeira, which has a lot of steep ascents and descents as well as rewarding scenery. Transfer back to Funchal at the end of the walk.
If the route to Pico Ruivo is muddy or affected by bad weather, and alternate route will be attempted. If that is not possible, then you will go on an alternate walk from Ribeiro Frio to Portela.
Total ascent: 2,130ft
Total descent: 3,940ft
(B)
Day 8: Funchal – London
Your journey officially ends today. Transfer to the airport and go back to London.
(N)
