Walking in Madeira
8 Days Starting in Machico or Santa Cruz and ending in Funchal
Visiting: Machico, Ponta de São Lourenço, Porto da Cruz, Caminho das Queimadas, Levada do Caldeirão Verde, Achada do Teixeira, Pico Ruivo, Boca da Encumeada, Funchal, Rua das Corticeiras, Blandy's Wine Lodge
Tour operator:
Tour code:
TSD
Recommended For:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 16
Physical rating:
Moderate
Age range:
16 to 99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Tour Overview
During the course of this week you will have the opportunity to walk through the wild and varied scenery of Madeira, from gentle strolls along flower-lined levadas and spectacular coastal footpaths, to more demanding forays amongst the jagged ridges and peaks of the rugged volcanic interior. There is plenty of time to relax by the sea in the fishing village of Machico and discover the historic importance of Funchal, an old trade centre famous for exporting sugar and wine to the Indies and the New World.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start Machico.
Location: Machico
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Santa Cruz Village Hotel
Meals Included: No Meals
We start at our hotel in Machico which overlooks the beach of Machico Bay and
is close to the picturesque historic fishing village.
*Please note that all groups travelling in January and February 2020 will
Day 2 : Walk Along Ponta De Sao Lourenco, Where Rocks Contrast With The Blue Of The Ocean.
Location: Ponta de São Lourenço
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we walk the classic route along the Ponta de Sao Lourenco. Although
challenging, this path takes us through some fantastic scenery as we admire
wallflowers, stalwarts and many other tiny plants that resist this windy
environment and manage to grow in soils with high levels of salinity. 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. Madeira's Nature
Park rangers watch over the plants and animals that belong to this eastern
extremity of the island, around Casa do Sardinha. We return to Machico for
the night.
Walking time approx 3h30 (Elevation +170m, -270m)
Total distance approx 8 km
*Comfortable Hotel*
Day 3 : Spectacular Walk Along The North Coast Path To The Fishing Village Of Porto Da Cruz.
Location: Porto da Cruz
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning we will walk a scenic route along a cliff trail, up to the north
coast. We set off along the little Levada do Caniçal, more modest and
quieter than yesterday's, then begin a gradual climb up to the crest of the
cliffs at Boca do Risco where we enjoy some amazing views along the north
coast and may even be able to see the nearby island of Porto Santo. We then
head west along the coastal path, a spectacular route in many places cut
right into the cliff. We finally descend to the small town of Porto da Cruz,
once a bustling port but now a sleepy little town. Later, we transfer to
Santana for the night.
Walking time approx 4h30 (Elevation +200m, –350m)
Total distance approx 12 km
*Standard Hotel*
Day 4 : Transfer To Queimadas; Walk Along Levada Do Caldeirao Verde To The Remote Village Of Ilha.
Location: Caminho das Queimadas, Levada do Caldeirão Verde
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
From Santana we take a short transfer (stopping to admire the famous thatched
roof houses) to Queimadas natural park where we will walk along the Levada do
Caldeirao Verde. We finish this walk at the isolated village of Ilha before
returning to Santana for the night.
Walking time approx 5h (Elevation +90m, –500m)
Total distance approx 12 km
Day 5 : Early Departure For Sunrise At Achada Do Teixeira; Ascend The Island's Highest Mountain, Pico Ruivo; Follow A Stone Staircase Down To Encumeada; Transfer To Funchal.
Location: Achada do Teixeira, Pico Ruivo, Boca da Encumeada, Funchal
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we make the most strenuous walk of the trip. Starting with an early
departure to see the sunrise at Achada do Teixeira, we ascend the island's
highest mountain, Pico Ruivo (1862m). Our descent follows a spectacular ridge
via Torrinhas Pass and over the saddle of Pico do Jorge to Encumeada. As we
descend, bees buzz in 'Lily of the Valley' trees and the smell of wild thyme
fills the air. After a long day in the hills, we arrive via a long series of
stone steps at Encumeada. Transfer to historic Funchal, our base for the last
three nights of the trip.
Walking time approx 7h30 (Elevation +650m, –1200m)
Total distance approx 16 km
Day 6 : High Level Walk Through Beautiful Chestnut And Eucalyptus Woods To Corticeiras.
Location: Rua das Corticeiras, Rua das Corticeiras
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning we transfer to Encumeada to enjoy our last fine high-level walk.
We walk through woods of chestnut and eucalyptus and then traverse below the
rocky escarpment of Pico Grande, enjoying fine views to the south and back to
the west. Eventually, we come to a superb viewpoint overlooking the
spectacularly situated village of Curral das Freiras and then descend to the
village of Corticeiras. In the afternoon we transfer back to Funchal where
there will be time for exploration of the town, a visit to the market or
shopping if you wish. We overnight in Funchal.
Total walking time 6h (Elevation +400m, –650m)
Day 7 : Free Day To Visit The Bustling 'Mercado Dos Lavradores' (Workers' Market), Sé Cathedral Or For Wine Tasting In Madeira's Wine Lodge.
Location: Blandy's Wine Lodge
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our last day is free for you to explore Funchal, the Madeira archipelago's
capital. The city is easily explored on foot and the must-see sights include
the Sé Cathedral which was built between 1493 and 1514, and the magnificent
statue of the man who discovered Madeira, Joao Goncalves Zarco, on the
Avenida Arriaga.
*Comfortable Hotel*
Day 8 : End Funchal.
Location: Funchal
Meals Included: Breakfast
The trip ends in Funchal.
What's Included
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Free arrival & departure transfers
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All transport and listed activities
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All accommodation
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All breakfasts
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Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)
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Tour leader throughout
What's Not Included
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Visas or vaccinations
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Travel insurance
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Single accommodation (available on request)
Food
All breakfasts are included and usually consist of coffee/tea, fruit juice, rolls or bread, butter and jam, with the addition of cereal or cheese sometimes. Lunch (not included): normally bread or rolls, fresh salad, vegetables, cold meats or tinned fish, cheese and fresh fruit. The ingredients for lunch can often be bought at nearby shops and supermarkets, and prepared before walks. Evening meal (not included): normally a first course of soup or salad, a main course of meat or fish with vegetables and potatoes or rice, plus a dessert course. We regularly take our evening meal in our hotel, although there are other options. Madeirans eat a lot of meat and fish with rather plainly cooked vegetables. Vegetarians will normally find they get a balanced diet if they are prepared to be flexible.
Accommodation
Throughout your trek you will stay in good quality hotels with en suite facilities. List of hotels normally used: Machico: Hotel Dom Pedro looks out over Machico Bay and offers a range of leisure amenities, including table tennis, a pool table and an outdoor pool (open subject to 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 is in the heart of Santana, a traditional village in Madeira's north. The hotel offers spacious rooms, an indoor pool and a reputable restaurant that attracts locals from Funchal. Funchal: Hotel Windsor, Hotel do Carmo or Hotel do Centro. Hotel Windsor offers an excellent location in the heart of Funchal's downtown area. The hotel has a lounge/bar area where the group can gather before heading out to dinner, and a rooftop swimming pool (open seasonally) with great views over the city. 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 swimming pool here, along with a lovely outdoor terrace on the ground floor. Hotel do Centro offers an excellent location in the heart of Funchal's downtown area. The hotel has a small lounge area where the group can gather before heading out to dinner, and rooms have simple wooden furnishings with double-glazed windows.
Check out our Q&As
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Minimum 16 year and above age people can go on this tour.
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Do you require a visa for this holiday?
No visa required for British passport holders.
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What is the maximum group size?
16
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Are vaccinations required for this tour?
There are no specific health risks.
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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.
Reviews from Travellers on this Tour
Book with Confidence
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus 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.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.