The best of Madeira
In summary
-
Sports
-
Duration12 days
-
LevelIntermediate
-
DestinationPortugal / Madeira
-
AgeFrom the age of 18
-
CO₂-Emissions180.37 kg CO2
-
Type of stayIn a group
-
Languages
French
In a few words
The highlights
-
An in-depth exploration of all aspects of the island
-
A variety of hikes through mountains, along the coast, and through lush forests.
-
The quality of the well-located accommodations
Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
In figures
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 5h
- Average daily elevation gain: 473 m
- Average daily descent: 572 m
Management
Program
-
Arrival in Madeira
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Positive elevation gain 500 m
- Negative elevation 500 m
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Individual arrival at Funchal Airport, located in the municipality of Santa Cruz. Transfer* on your own and check-in at your accommodation in Santa Cruz or Machico. If your flight arrives early enough, you have the option of exploring the São Lourenço peninsula (self-guided hike; allow approximately €50 return taxi fare from Machico or Santa Cruz // €100 from São Roque do Faial). This peninsula is located at the northeastern tip of the island. A pleasant trail allows you to appreciate a very dry, almost lunar landscape and offers stunning views of the ocean, and with a bit of luck, Porto Santo. In case of late arrival, go directly to your accommodation. *Transfer included if you booked your flights with us.Day 1 -
Santa Cruz - Porto da Cruz
- Transportation Minibus - 00h18 - 10km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Positive elevation gain 600 m
- Negative elevation 600 m
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Today, we're setting off on a coastal hike that connects Machico to Porto da Cruz on the island's north coast. We'll climb to the summit of Pico do Facho, just above Machico, and then continue along the Levada de Caniçal for a first glimpse of local life. The path then hugs a cliffside to reach Porto da Cruz, where we can enjoy a refreshing swim at a beautiful black sand beach and visit the rum distillery, one of the last still operating on the island. A vehicle will then take us to São Roque do Faial, where we'll settle in for two nights.Day 2 -
Levada do Castelejo
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Positive elevation gain 580 m
- Negative elevation 580 m
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We set off on foot from São Roque do Faial, heading towards the first levada of the day: Lombo Grande. After reaching the road, we take a path that winds up and down until we reach the Levada de Castelejo. After taking some photos, we cross the river and follow the levada through Terra Baptista, ending in Referta. From Referta, we simply follow the path back to the hotel in São Roque do Faial.Day 3 -
Crossing the Picos
- Transportation Minibus - 01h - 50km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Positive elevation gain 600 m
- Negative elevation 820 m
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
This morning, a short transfer takes us to Pico Arriero, the starting point for today's hike. We'll spend a full day exploring the famous Picos de Europa mountains, from Pico Arriero to Pico Ruivo, the island's highest peak. The ridge trail offers breathtaking views of the entire massif without ever feeling vertigo-inducing. We then descend to Achada do Texeira where our transfer awaits to take us to Boaventura (a one-hour drive) where we'll stay for two nights.Day 4 -
Boaventura
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Positive elevation gain 500 m
- Negative elevation 730 m
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Today, we set off to discover a "forgotten Madeira." We immerse ourselves in the unspoiled nature of the Boaventura Valley, with its verdant terraced fields and rugged terrain. Throughout our walk, we stroll between the sea and the mountains, discovering secluded villages, lush vegetation, endemic plants, and stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. We arrive at our hotel in Boaventura directly on foot.Day 5 -
Boaventura - Levadas de Serra and Norte - Encumeada
- Transportation Minibus - 00h25 - 30km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Positive elevation gain 600 m
- Negative elevation 600 m
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
This morning, a 25-minute transfer takes us to Encumeada, located in the heart of the island. We hike along the Serra and Norte levadas at an altitude ranging from 1,000m to 1,300m. The trail offers beautiful views of the São Vicente valley and winds through high-altitude vegetation and the Laurissilva forest. Our return hike takes us back to Encumeada, where we will be transferred to our hotel in Funchal.Day 6 -
Discovering Funchal
- Transportation Minibus - 00h30 - 20km
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
Today, we'll explore Funchal. We'll start with the famous traditional market before heading to a local restaurant for lunch. The rest of the afternoon is free. After lunch, here are some optional activities we can offer for the afternoon (to be booked and paid for directly on site): whale watching, kayaking, paddleboarding, the botanical garden, etc. You'll have plenty of ideas once you're there! Dinner is on your own, and you'll spend your last night in Funchal.Day 7 -
Curral da Freiras - Encumeada
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Positive elevation gain 775 m
- Negative elevation 510 m
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We depart directly from Curral da Freitas towards the Boca do Cerro pass, at the foot of Pico Grande (1654m). Our route winds through Madeira pines, eucalyptus, and chestnut trees. We then descend to Encumeada, through a forest of laurel and broom, where we meet our transfer to Porto Moniz and its natural pools. We spend the night in Porto Moniz.Day 8 -
Fanal Forest Park
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Positive elevation gain 300 m
- Negative elevation 500 m
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Today we're off for a lovely loop hike in the Fanal forest. It's a must-see on the island: the flora is remarkable, and you can see some of the most beautiful specimens of Madeira's endemic laurel trees. Around the forester's lodge, we can have a picnic and enjoy a beautiful viewpoint. After the hike, we have some free time to enjoy the natural pools of Porto Moniz if we'd like (entrance fee payable on site). This afternoon, we're changing accommodations and heading to Jardim do Mar for the next two nights.Day 9 -
Rabaçal: 25 Fountains
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Positive elevation gain 175 m
- Negative elevation 175 m
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Transfer to the Paul da Serra plateau at 1290m altitude. We are at the mouth of the longest valley, the Ribeira da Janela, stretching 16km. Here, two colors predominate: the lush green of the ancient Laurisilva forest that blankets the mountains, and the blue of the sky and ocean. At this altitude, heather, which can reach heights of 6m, dominates the surrounding landscape. The trees form a dark and humid undergrowth, fostering the growth of ferns, mosses, fungi, and the endemic Madeira blueberry. This is a prime spot for observing the Madeira goldcrest and the Trocaz pigeon, both endemic species. We reach the Rabaçal forest house and then continue to Risco, where we admire the 100m high waterfall. We continue to 25 Fontes where springs gush forth through the rocks, giving this levada its name. On the return, we pass through an 800m long tunnel, opening onto the southern slope and its eucalyptus forest.Day 10 -
Fajã da Ovelha - Paul do Mar
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Positive elevation gain 100 m
- Negative elevation 700 m
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
We follow the Llevada da Nova and then descend to Paul do Mar via a beautiful paved path carved into the multicolored rock. We are now on the old communication route connecting the village to the rest of the island. We notice this sculpted landscape, a reminder of the hard work of the Madeirans in building the "poios," the famous terraced fields several dozen meters high. A waterfall accompanies us throughout our descent, which ends at the port of Paul do Mar. Today, the locals live mainly from fishing and the few banana plantations. At the end of the day, we set off for our last night in Funchal/Machico/Santa Cruz, depending on the departure date.Day 11 -
Funchal
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
End of stay after breakfast and transfer* at your leisure depending on your flight schedule. *Airport transfer included if you booked your flights with us.Day 12
Note
Accommodation
Access
Go to the starting point
Price details
The price includes
- Accommodation in hotels and residences (based on shared double rooms)
- Breakfasts from day 2 to day 12
- Picnic lunches from day 2 to day 10
- Lunch at a local restaurant in Funchal on day 11
- Dinners from day 2 to day 10
- Local transfers from day 2 to day 7 inclusive.
- The tour will be supervised by a local French-speaking guide from day 2 to the afternoon of day 11.
The price does not include
- International flights Paris / Funchal round trip.
- Air taxes.
- Meals listed as free.
- Airport/hotel/airport transfers (if you did not book the flights with us).
- Drinks and personal expenses
- Meals listed as free
- Visits to sites and museums
- Tips for local staff (at your discretion), see the Additional Information section for more details.
- A tax will be applied on site for additional nights.
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
- Walking stick(s).
- Plastic bags for waterproofing your belongings, cameras and clothes.
- Rain cape and rain pants.
- Backpack protector.
- Keeping a notebook and journal is a popular activity among trekkers.
You can also travel with your technical sheet where we have given special space for your favorites, travel stories or anecdotes.
- A toiletry bag.
- Sunscreen cream (face and lips).
- Headlamp, with spare batteries and bulbs.
- A water bottle of at least 1 litre, lightweight and insulated, plates and cutlery for the picnic.
- Pocket knife, preferably multi-purpose.
- Gloves and hat (for mountain hikes).
Clothing to bring
- Trekking shoes: these are a trekker's best friend. They must possess three qualities: sturdiness, good foot and ankle support (high-tops), and waterproofing. Choose shoes with non-slip, lug soles and a relatively rigid construction; they must grip the terrain well. Vibram soles have a long-standing reputation; opt for them if you have the choice.
- Light shoes (tennis shoes) or sandals to put on during stops in towns and villages.
- Socks.
- Loose-fitting trousers.
- Sweater, sweatshirt or fleece. The latter has the advantage of being resistant, warm, light, quick-drying, with a soft feel.
- Shorts or bermudas.
- Breathable Gore-Tex type windbreaker.
- Rain cape.
- Hat.
- Swimsuit.
- Bath towel.
- Good sunglasses (protection index 3).