MADEIRA, WILD WONDER

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8 days 8 days
Guided / with a guide Guided / with a guide
With baggage transport With baggage transport
Accommodation Hotel ***
Level ** Level **
From 1370 € From 1370 €

Floating garden and levadas

Tour of the island of Madeira from east to west, north to south, without forgetting the heart of the island. A true variety of hikes, exploring the diversity of the island, from tropical cultures to lush forests, peaks to coastal paths, flowering levadas to typical villages. Whilst also taking the time to enjoy the ocean, exceptional sites and pleasant accommodation. The discovery of Funchal Bay and its gardens ends this unforgettable tour.

You will like

  • Varied itinerary around the island, without forgetting the peaks
  • Villages, cultures, wild coasts, laurisilva and ridges of the island
  • 3-star hotels, 4 nights with indoor swimming pool
  • Last evening in Funchal
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MADEIRA, WILD WONDER

From 1370 €

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Hike details

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Dates & prices

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Prices indicated are subject to change depending on flight availability.

Single room supplement: 240€ subject to availability.

THE PRICE

The price includes

  • Go and return flight Paris - Funchal ;
  • Airport taxes ;
  • Organisation and booking fees, guiding by a qualified and insured mountain leader ;
  • All meals including picnic lunches and snacks during the day (*except certain meals) ;
  • Accommodation in gites and small hotels, including tourist tax ;
  • Baggage transport between accommodation and bus transfers as set out in the description.

The price does not include

  • Cancellation insurance ; 
  • Personal expenses (drinks, etc.) ; 
  • Touristic visits ;
  • Lunch on Day 1 and 8 ;
  • Dinner on Day 1 and 7 ;

The price is all inclusive from departure to end point.

Personalised tour available

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L’itinéraire jour après jour...

Day 1

Meeting point in arrivals hall at Funchal airport and transfer to hotel in Machico or Santa Cruz

FLIGHT TO FUNCHAL
Depending on flight schedules there may be free time at the end of the day to enjoy this small coastal town and the ocean. Dinner in a restaurant of your choice (*not included). For arrivals on morning flights, possibility to take the local bus (*not included) to explore the point at São Lourenço in complete freedom: A long, wild peninsula with spectacular volcanic rock formations offering an exceptional panorama across the Atlantic Ocean. Return hike on a well maintained and protected trail. Night in a gîte
3 hour walk 

Day 2

BOCA DO RISCO PASS - NORTH COAST PATH - PORTO DA CRUZ
Meet your guide for breakfast. Climb to the heights of Machico to the Levada de Ribeira Seca then climb along a narrow path to the Col de Boca do Risco overlooking the sea. The route then follows an incredible path cut into the cliff offering panoramas of the coast, the São Lourenço point and in the distance the island of Porto Santo. Short transfer to Machico at the end of the day. Variation: In summer, possibility to swim in seawater swimming pool in Porto da Cruz. Night in a gîte.
4.5 hour walk / Elevation: +/-390m

Day 3

RIDGE LINE ROUTE FROM PICO DO ARIEIRO TO PICO RUIVO - SANTANA
Transfer (40 mins) to Pico do Arieiro perched at 1818m. From here, taking the very spectacular path along the ridges, embellished with impressive panoramas into the deep valleys. Pass under the Pico do Gato and das Torres, before climbing steps carved in the rock to the highest point of the island, Pico Ruivo. Its summit at 1,862m, offers a 360° view of the sharp multicolored ridges which generally rise above a sea of clouds. Easy descent via a good path to Achada do Teixeira, 1592m. Transfer (20 mins) to the small agricultural town of Santana known for its old thatched cottages. Night in a hotel with covered swimming pool.
4.5 hour walk / Elevation: +510m -730m

Day 4

CALDEIRAO VERDE LEVADA - ILHA - PORTO MONIZ
Short transfer (15 mins) to Pico das Pedras to start the hike. Pass in front of the magnificent forest house of Queimadas, then walk along the Caldeirão Verde levada passing through an alternation of small tunnels and well equipped aerial sections of path. The hike is sublime with rock walls covered with thick moss, ferns, orchids... The surrounding laurisylva subtropical forest dates back to the origins of the island and is a UNESCO site: tree heathers and Madeira laurels, a real lush garden of Eden! Descend to the village of Ilha de São Jorge along a nice path from where to admire the viewpoint of the island of Porto Santo. Transfer (75 mins) via the magnificent north coast with its vineyards suspended above the ocean, to the northwest point of Porto Moniz and its natural pools. Night in a hotel with covered swimming pool, sauna and jacuzzi.
4.5 hour walk / Elevation: +50m -450m

Day 5

ACHADA DA CRUZ MARINE GARDENS 
From Achada Da Cruz a steep balcony path descends to Faja Quebrada Nova. Its marine gardens allow an immersion into the farming world of Madeira from dazzling viewpoints and from the water's edge. After passing the cable car used by the winemakers to collect their harvest, climb up a gorge and then through the crops splashed by sea spray to the village of Santa. A superb paved path leads back to Porto Moniz. Night in a hotel with covered swimming pool, sauna and jacuzzi.
4.5 hour walk / Elevation: +490m -900m

Day 6

CALHETA - PRAZERES - PAUL DO MAR 
Transfer (1h) to the south coast and visit the Calheta rum distillery. Here you can taste cane brandy with a touch of honey and squeezed lemon: this is poncha, a typical Madeira drink. Joining the levada nova which crosses the cultures of sweet potatoes, yams, cabbage, mangoes and passion flowers onto a balcony trail overlooking the ocean to the agricultural village of Prazères and its garden of aromatic plants. Descend via the Jardim do Atlantico the viewpoint on a magnificent royal paved path to Paul do Mar. Here the small white houses are wedged between the cliffs and the mini harbour. Night in a hotel with swimming pools and spa.
4 hour walk / Elevation: +50m -650m

Day 7

BOCA DA CORRIDA AND BOCA DO CERRO - CURRAL DAS FREIRAS CIRQUE - FUNCHAL 
Transfer (60 mins) via the south coast to Boca da Corrida. A balcony path facing the highest mountains on the island leads through the ridges to the Boca do Cerro pass. The path descends through the chestnut trees to Curral das Freiras, a village nestled at the bottom of a magnificent mountain cirque. Transfer (30 mins) to a hotel in Funchal city centre for a pleasant end to the day to discover the market, old centre and marina. Night in a hotel. Dinner in a restaurant of your choice (*not included)
3 hour walk / Elevation: +190m -790m

Day 8

RETURN FLIGHT FROM FUNCHAL
For afternoon flight departures enjoy more free time in Funchal to complete the discovery: tasting cellars, municipal gardens etc. Transfer (30 mins) to the airport for the return flight.

End point transfer from hotel to Funchal airport for the return flight.

The itinerary is established according to the latest information available, the possibility of unknown factors affecting this itinerary is possible including situations beyond our control which may change the route, timings etc.

The trip

LEVEL ***

Elevation: between +50 and +510m and between -390 and -900m
Walking time: 4 to 5 hours per day
Type of trek: this tour is not difficult but it includes a few aerial sections (well equipped)
6 days hiking and 2 days of touristic visits.
This tour is in collaboration with a local partner wishing to offer an authentic tour.

GUIDING

Between 4 and 15 people supervised by a qualified professional mountain leader.

ACCOMMODATION

3 and 4-star gites and hotels in twin/double bedrooms. Single room supplement is subject to availability.

MEALS

Breakfast and dinner are provided at the accommodation or in local restaurants.
Picnics are included and are daily prepared by the mountain leader.

CLIMATE

Relatively dry weather on the south coast, wetter in the mountains and on the north coast. Please note the temperatures are noticeably cooler at altitude (snow sometimes falls on the highest peaks in winter).
Average temperatures in Funchal:
June to September: 20 to 25°C
October to May: 15 to 20°C

Practical information

 

 

Equipment & baggage

EQUIPMENT LIST

Clothing

  • Walking trousers
  • Shorts
  • Bikini/swimsuit
  • Breathable or merino wool t-shirts
  • Breathable or merino wool leggings
  • Fleece or jumper
  • Wind stopper or Gore-Tex jacket
  • Waterproof poncho + gaiters or Gore-Tex trousers
  • Waterproof rucksack cover or waterproof liner bag with all your affairs inside
  • Sun hat or baseball cap and neck scarf
  • Walking socks (1 pair per day)
  • Sturdy walking boots with a good sole, already broken in!
  • Changes of clothes for the evening
  • A pair of comfortable shoes/sandals

Other Equipment

  • Toilet bag
  • Quick drying towel
  • Mosquito repellant (*type tropical)
  • Sunglasses, high protection sun cream for skin and lips
  • Water bottle or Camelback (1.5 litre minimum)
  • Knife, fork and spoon
  • Plastic lunch box/plate for your picnic lunches
  • Plastic cup for coffee
  • Head torch or hand torch
  • Two adjustable walking poles (highly recommended)
  • A waterproof wallet containing Identity card or passport, insurance papers, medical card, vaccination certificate, airline tickets and your wallet with cards and cash)
  • Ear plugs
  • Survival blanket
  • Small First Aid kit (non exhaustive list...) pre-cut sterile dressings, local antiseptic for external use (wounds), Elastoplast and/or Compeed type pads (blisters), Paracetamol, Antidiarrhea and intestinal antiseptic, Antispasmodic, Antihistamine (allergies), physiological serum or eye drops, light sleeping pills, soothing cream for sunburn and burns, Arnica Montana in 9 CH granules (stiffness)...

BACKPACK

Bring a comfortable backpack of 30 to 40 litres for your personal belongings for the day (warm clothes, waterproofs, headtorch, water, plate and cutlery for your picnic, sunscreen and your identity papers) and please keep a little room to carry a picnic and snacks.

BAGGAGE TRANSPORT

Your baggage will be transported between accommodation by a logistics vehicle. You are allowed 1 bag, ideally with wheels with all your possessions inside, no heavier than 15kg. Your bag has to be carried by the driver, please think of their backs! Baggage which is too big and too heavy won't be accepted by the drivers!

MADEIRA, WILD WONDER

From 1370 €
Contact us
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