Panoramic discovery of Madeira combining yoga, hiking and whale watching
In summary
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Sports
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Duration8 days
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LevelBeginner
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DestinationPortugal / Madeira
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AgeFrom 18 - 80 years
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CO₂-Emissions230.19 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
In a few words
Explore the island of eternal spring during an 8-day wellness retreat designed to harmonize body and mind. This Madeira getaway perfectly combines guided hikes and daily yoga sessions, amidst wild and spectacular nature.
Your itinerary takes you from rugged volcanic cliffs to mystical laurel forests, not forgetting refreshing swims in natural pools and the discovery of traditional villages. Every step is an invitation to disconnect and savor the present moment. To guarantee an authentic experience and a friendly atmosphere, the trip takes place in a small group of 6 to 11 participants .
For a change of scenery, you'll stay in typical, welcoming accommodations that blend seamlessly into their surroundings. This haven of peace offers all the comforts you need to fully benefit from your yoga and meditation sessions after your walks.
A total and profoundly restorative immersion, where walking and relaxation combine to reconnect you with what truly matters. Namaste!
The highlights
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A stay to reconnect with oneself and with nature, through hiking and yoga
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A comprehensive view of the island through a selection of the most beautiful routes
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A whale watching excursion
Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
The expert's opinion
No prior yoga experience is required. You simply need to have practiced a little and be willing to explore further.
The sessions are gentle, accessible and adapted to each person's pace.
The hiking level is suitable for people of moderate ability who wish to experience a challenging but quite affordable trek, supported by breath, presence and yoga.
In figures
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 4h30
- Average distance/day: 9 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 460 m
- Average daily descent: 470 m
- Exposed Passages: Yes
Yoga
- Average duration/day: 1h
- 2 average daily practices
Management
The yoga instructor is French and the hiking guide (a graduate of the Madeira Guide School) is French-speaking.
Program
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Arrival in Madeira
- Transportation Car - 00h20 - 20km
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Upon your arrival in Madeira, a transfer will take you to Porto da Cruz, an authentic fishing village nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the verdant mountains.
After settling into your accommodation, freely enjoy the black sand beach or the natural seaside pools.
At the end of the day, a welcome circle marks the beginning of this rejuvenating interlude, conducive to exchanges, relaxation and discovering the program.
Day 1 -
Coastal hike from Caniçal to Porto da Cruz
- Transportation Car - 00h30 - 30km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 11 km
- Positive elevation gain 400 m
- Negative elevation 500 m
- Exposed passages Yes
- Activity Yoga
- Duration of the activity 1h
- Number of practices per day 2
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
The day begins with a yoga session to awaken the body before setting off on one of Madeira's most beautiful coastal trails. Starting from Caniçal, the hike reveals volcanic cliffs, spectacular panoramas of the Atlantic, and unspoiled nature where pine forests and eucalyptus trees intertwine.
Arriving in Porto da Cruz allows you to discover the authentic atmosphere of the village. A gentle yoga session at the end of the day invites you to release tension and fully savor this immersive experience.
Day 2 -
Snorkeling and walking on the São Lorenço peninsula
- Activity Yoga
- Duration of the activity 1h
- Number of practices per day 2
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 2h
- Distance 5 km
- Positive elevation gain 250 m
- Negative elevation 250 m
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Transfer and hike to the easternmost point of Madeira during an unforgettable walk on the tip of São Lourenço!
This wild peninsula, with its almost African feel, offers a unique landscape where the ochre earth contrasts with the deep blue of the Atlantic. The trail winds through a protected nature reserve, carpeted with low vegetation and swept by sea winds. Throughout the journey, the panoramas and colors are breathtaking.
At the end of the hike, you can enjoy a well-deserved moment of relaxation on a small sandy beach, ideal for a refreshing swim before heading back.
2 hours of walking, +250m / -250m.
OPTION INCLUDED : Snorkeling at the tip of São Lourenço.
Discover the seabed off the tip of São Lourenço, one of Madeira's most beautiful nature reserves. After a short boat trip, dive into crystal-clear waters and explore a pristine underwater world, teeming with colorful fish amidst impressive volcanic rock formations.
A refreshing experience to admire the rich marine landscapes of Madeira's east coast in an exceptional natural setting.
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Day 3 -
Hiking on the island's peaks
- Transportation Car - 01h - 70km
- Activity Yoga
- Duration of the activity 1h
- Number of practices per day 2
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h30
- Distance 9 km
- Positive elevation gain 800 m
- Negative elevation 300 m
- Exposed passages Yes
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Head to the island's heights for an iconic hike to Pico Ruivo, Madeira's highest point.
After a yoga session, the trail winds through the primary forest before reaching the volcanic ridges, offering breathtaking panoramas. This day is a true immersion in the archipelago's most spectacular landscapes.
Upon returning, a restorative yoga practice promotes recovery after this wonderful mountain adventure.
Day 4 -
Discovering Funchal
- Transportation Car - 01h20 - 100km
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Transfer from Porto da Cruz to Funchal.
This day is dedicated to the free exploration of Funchal, the elegant and flowery capital of Madeira.
The lively atmosphere of the Mercado dos Lavradores invites you to stroll among the colorful stalls of tropical fruits, flowers and spices, a veritable festival of scents and colors.
Seaside walk from Funchal to the fishing port of Camara de Lobos.
At the end of the day, transfer to Porto Moniz on the north coast (1 hour drive).
Day 5 -
Hiking in Rabaçal among waterfalls and mythical levadas
- Transportation Car - 01h - 80km
- Activity Yoga
- Duration of the activity 1h
- Number of practices per day 2
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Distance 10 km
- Positive elevation gain 400 m
- Negative elevation 400 m
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
After morning yoga, we head to the Paul da Serra plateau before reaching the iconic site of Rabaçal. The famous levadas wind through a lush forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site, leading to the magnificent 25 Fontes waterfalls.
Between lush vegetation, streams and unspoiled landscapes, this hike offers a true moment of serenity!
Back to Jardim do Mar for a gentle yoga session.
Day 6 -
Discovering the wild north coast of the island
- Transportation Car - 01h20 - 120km
- Activity Yoga
- Duration of the activity 1h
- Number of practices per day 2
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 10 km
- Positive elevation gain 450 m
- Negative elevation 900 m
- Exposed passages Yes
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
From Achada da Cruz, a superb descent leads to Fajã Nova with spectacular ocean views. The route continues to Porto Moniz, famous for its natural volcanic pools, before reaching the charming village of Seixal.
This day brings together all the diversity of Madeira's landscapes, between cliffs, forests and the Atlantic.
A final yoga session celebrates the journey undertaken throughout this week.
Day 7 -
Return flight
- Transportation Car - 01h - 100km
- Activity Yoga
- Duration of the activity 0h30
- Number of practices per day 1
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
For this final morning, a yoga practice focused on gratitude allows for the full integration of experiences lived during the week.
After breakfast, the transfer to the airport marks the end of this retreat in the heart of Madeira. You leave with unforgettable memories, renewed energy, and the feeling of having experienced an adventure that was as rejuvenating as it was inspiring!
Day 8
Accommodation
Charming family-run hotel with 12 rooms on the seafront with a restaurant overlooking an oceanfront promenade.
All rooms are equipped with a television, telephone, safe, and bathroom with a bathtub. Some rooms offer sea views, while others overlook the island's mountains.
Free access to the Porto da Cruz seawater swimming pool, open from June to October.
Located on the seafront in Porto Moniz, this recently renovated 33-room hotel enjoys a prime location overlooking the famous natural volcanic rock pools. Its friendly atmosphere and tranquil setting make it an ideal base for exploring the wild north of Madeira.
The heated swimming pool, the restaurant and the various activities offered on site, such as bicycle rental, allow you to fully enjoy your stay between relaxation and discovering the surrounding landscapes.
Located on the seafront in Porto Moniz, this recently renovated 33-room hotel enjoys a prime location overlooking the famous natural volcanic rock pools. Its friendly atmosphere and tranquil setting make it an ideal base for exploring the wild north of Madeira.
The heated swimming pool, the restaurant and the various activities offered on site, such as bicycle rental, allow you to fully enjoy your stay between relaxation and discovering the surrounding landscapes.
- Single room
- Double room
- Twin room
- Triple room
Heated swimming pool
Breakfast
Access
Go to the starting point
Price details
The price includes
- Accompaniment by a French-speaking yoga teacher and a French-speaking hiking guide specializing in Madeira
- Overnight stays in typical hotels and 3-star hotels
- Breakfasts, picnic lunches on hikes and dinners (excluding drinks) at or near the hotel
- The transfers mentioned in the program
- A snorkeling trip
- Our 24/7 on-site support
- Card or bank transfer payment fees
The price does not include
- International and domestic flights, and airport taxes. You can consult our list of tour operators offering flight-only packages.
- Meals not mentioned in the program
- Entrance fees to museums and private gardens
- Personal expenses
- The options not mentioned
- Tips
- The fee for accessing hiking trails (€10 per person)
Options
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment to bring
- 1 backpack
- 1 pair of excellent quality sunglasses
- 1 water bottle (1.5 liters minimum)
- 1 retractable walking stick
- 1 headlamp or flashlight (essential for tunnels)
- 1 pocket knife (to be placed in checked baggage)
- Toiletries: choose biodegradable products if possible (biodegradable liquid soap is available)
- Sunscreen + lip balm
Clothing to bring
- 1 sun hat or cap
- 1 beanie and/or headband
- T-shirts
- 1 warm mountain jacket
- 1 pair of shorts or bermudas
- 1 pair of trekking trousers
- 1 pair of comfortable trousers for the evening
- 1 simple and lightweight Gore-tex style jacket
- 1 rain cape
- 1 swimsuit
- Walking socks.
- 1 pair of hiking shoes
The clothing list should be adapted according to the chosen season.
The Françoise team
A specialist in the island of flowers since 2014, this expert in travel designing meticulously planned trekking and discovery trips. Françoise draws on an intimate knowledge of the destination acquired since 2007, when she was already organizing expeditions for major players in the sector such as Terres d'Aventures.
This agency distinguishes itself through its mastery of Madeira's steep trails and levadas, offering authentic itineraries far from the beaten path. Thanks to this long-standing expertise, the company guarantees impeccable logistics and a deep immersion in the archipelago's volcanic landscapes. Combining on-the-ground experience with a passion for hiking, this agency is the go-to choice for exploring Madeira's wild terrain and culture with complete confidence.
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