Current as of: November 19, 2019 - 13:48 Valid for departures: From January 1, 2017 to January 1, 2021

Walking in Trip Notes

 Ways to Travel: Guided Group 8 Days Land only Trip Code:  Destinations: Min age: 16 TSD Moderate  Programmes: Walking & Trekking

Trip 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 ower-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 shing village of Machico and discover the historic importance of , an old trade centre famous for exporting sugar and wine to the Indies and the New World.

At a Glance

 7 nights 3 and 4-star hotels/pensions, all rooms en suite  5 days point-to-point walking; 1 free day  Group normally 4 to 16, plus leader. Min age 16 yrs  Altitude maximum 1862m, average 750m  Not suitable for vertigo sufferers  Transport by private minivan

Trip Highlights

 Superb walking through Madeira's botanical paradise  Flower-lined levadas with stunning coastal views  Mild year-round climate perfect for walking  Picturesque shing villages and the historic town of Funchal

Is This Trip for You?

This trip consists of 5 daywalks and 1 free day. The walks are either fairly easy medium-duration walks or harder, shorter walks and reasonable tness is required. The paths we use are generally at and well maintained but some of the routes cross rougher terrain with longer ascents and descents. Some of the paths are quite narrow and stony underfoot and require walking in single le. On several occasions where the path becomes narrow and has a steep drop to one side, walkers need a head for heights. Handrails sometimes protect these sections, but we do not recommend this holiday for vertigo sufferers. A few of the levada paths enter short tunnels through the rock but these are easily navigated with the aid of a torch. Should you decide not to walk on certain days, there is the possibility of getting a lift with the support vehicle. Altitude maximum 1,862m; average 750m.

Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.

Adult min age: 16 Min group size: 4 Max group size: 16

Itinerary

Land Only

Start City: Machico or Santa Cruz End City: Funchal

Land Only Itinerary Day 1 Start Machico.

We start at our hotel in Machico which overlooks the beach of Machico Bay and is close to the picturesque historic shing village. *Please note that all groups travelling in January and February 2020 will stay at Santa Cruz Village Hotel.

Day 2 Walk along Ponta de Sao Lourenco, where rocks contrast with the blue of the ocean.

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 wallowers, 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

Meals included: Breakfast

Distance covered: 8 km / 4 miles

Day 3 Spectacular walk along the north coast path to the shing village of Porto da Cruz. 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 . We then head west along the coastal path, a spectacular route in many places cut right into the cliff. We nally 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

Meals included: Breakfast

Distance covered: 12 km / 7 miles Day 4 Transfer to Queimadas; walk along Levada do Caldeirao Verde to the remote village of Ilha.

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 nish 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 Standard Hotel

Meals included: Breakfast

Distance covered: 12 km / 7 miles

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. 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 lls the air. After a long day in the hills, we arrive via a long series of stone steps at Encumeada, where we will spend the night.

Walking time approx 7h30 (Elevation +650m, –1200m)

Total distance approx 16 km Standard Hotel

Distance covered: 16 km / 9 miles Day 6 High level walk through beautiful chestnut and eucalyptus woods to Corticeiras; panoramic local bus ride to Funchal.

We enjoy another ne high-level walk. From Encumeada we walk through woods of chestnut and eucalyptus and then traverse below the rocky escarpment of Pico Grande, enjoying ne 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. We get the bus 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) Comfortable Hotel

Meals included: Breakfast

Distance covered: 12 km / 7 miles

Day 7 Free day to visit the bustling 'Mercado dos Lavradores' (workers' market), Sé Cathedral or for wine tasting in Madeira's Wine Lodge. 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 magnicent statue of the man who discovered Madeira, Joao Goncalves Zarco, on the Avenida Arriaga. Comfortable Hotel

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 8 End Funchal.

The trip ends in Funchal.

Meals included: Breakfast

Please note: it is possible that the order of the itinerary listed above will be changed to ensure the best possible conditions for each activity during the trip. All listed activities and services will be included. Your leader will inform you of any changes locally after assessing conditions.

Accommodation Hotels & Pensions Throughout your trek you will stay in good quality hotels and sometimes in standard pensions with en suite facilities.

List of hotels normally used:

Machico: Hotel Dom Pedro. *Please note that all groups travelling in January and February 2020 will stay at Santa Cruz Village Hotel.

Santana: Hotel O Colmo

Encumeada / Serra de Agua: Estalagem Encumeada or Pousada dos Vinhaticos

Funchal: Hotel do Centro or Hotel Windsor. *Please note that on the 9th May 2020, 16th May 2020, 19th and 26th December 2020 a different end hotel (5-star Quinta da Serra) will be used and this will be located approx. 16km from Funchal. A complimentary transfer to/from Funchal will be offered for those wishing to travel to Funchal for sightseeing.

Where a single supplement is available, paying for a single will only guarantee a room for single use. It does not necessarily mean a twin or double room will be provided for sole occupancy.

Please note that a member of the group may be allocated a single room by default if the make-up of the group means there isn’t anyone for them to share with. Paying the supplement in advance is the only way to guarantee a single room.

Single supplements cannot be refunded retrospectively.

Single supplement from $310.00 USD

Food & Transport

Eating & Drinking 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 sh, 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 rst course of soup or salad, a main course of meat or sh 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 sh with rather plainly cooked vegetables. Vegetarians will normally nd they get a balanced diet if they are prepared to be exible.

Transportation

Transport from and to the airport is by taxi or minibus and is included. Other transport mentioned in the itinerary as an integral part of the guided walks is also included, as is the transfer of luggage between hotels. Transport on optional excursions, or where you have voluntarily curtailed a group walk are not included.

Weather & Seasonality

Weather Information

The climate in Madeira is similar to that found around the Mediterranean and is renowned for its year round mildness however there is always the possibility of inclement weather. In May, April, June, October and November, temperatures are pleasant and some rainfall is to be expected. From July to September, daytime is a little warmer and it is typically dry with an average of seven to eight hours of sunshine a day, but the odd shower is still possible. Winter months are generally wetter, particularly at high levels with rain falling between periods of ne, settled weather (so waterproofs are essential). Please note that we may be forced to amend the itinerary depending on local weather conditions.

Weather Charts Joining Instructions Your trip normally starts at our accommodation in Machico in the afternoon of Day 1 of the itinerary. Details of how to reach the start point are provided in the Final Joining Instructions - sent approximately two weeks before departure.

Free Transfers Breakaway offers FREE airport arrival and departure transfers on any ight for this trip. Unless specied otherwise, the transfer will be to the Breakaway start (or pre-tour) hotel and from the end (or post-tour) hotel, and will be on the date on which the tour starts/ends; transfers to other hotels in the same city and/or on different dates may attract an extra charge. Transfers may be shared with other Breakaway customers on the same ight, or on a ight with similar arrival times. All those taking advantage of the free airport transfers must provide full ight details for both arrival and departure in advance.

Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our ofce or your travel agent. Location start: Machico Location end: Funchal

What to Take Essential Equipment

Good quality waterproof/windproof jacket and over-trousers

Lightweight walking boots (waterproof with good ankle support)

Warm jacket or sweater

Woolly hat and gloves

Water bottle

Sunhat and suncream

Swimwear and towel for pools and beach use

Flashlight for walking along the tunnels

Daypack (approx 25 litres should sufce) to carry your belongings on walks

Optional Equipment

Trekking poles

Reading List

Secretaria Regional do Turismo e Cultura of Madeira produce a map at a scale of 1:100,000, showing many of the levada paths that we will be following (on the reverse side is a map of Funchal). This is available free from the tourist ofce in Funchal. A useful road map at a scale of 1:75,000 can be bought for around US$3.2 from most tourist shops around the island, produced by Distri Cultural, Kummerley & Frey, printed in Switzerland. Practical Information Passport Portugal

All nationalities require a full passport that must be valid beyond the intended length of stay. It is your responsibility to have the correct personal documents and to obtain your own visa, if one is necessary, in accordance with the regulations of the country you are to visit. The information offered below is to help you with that process. We are not responsible for the actions of local immigration and customs of cials, whether at points of entry or otherwise, and any subsequent effects.

Visa Portugal

No visa required for British passport holders.

For further travel advice please visit U.S. State Department at https://www.state.gov/travelers/

Visa regulations can change without notice: please check the current regulations in good time to obtain a visa if one is required.

Vaccination Portugal

There are no specific health risks. Travel health can often be something people forget about before going away, but a little preparation and knowledge can go a long way to help you stay t and healthy while abroad.

Dengue fever and/or Chikungunya are known risks in places visited on this trip. Both are tropical viral diseases spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for either, and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

The above information can change at short notice; as we are not quali ed to answer all your questions about travel health we strongly recommend you contact your Medical Professional or a Travel Health Clinic at least 8 weeks prior to departure for up-to- date information. Please note: vaccinations that are routinely recommended to residents of North America or Australasia are not considered to form part of the travel health advice, and you should ensure these are kept up to date where necessary.

For additional information please visit: Centers for Disease Control C.D.C at https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Insurance - are you adequately covered?

It is a condition of joining any of our holidays that you must be fully insured against medical and personal accident risks (to include repatriation costs and air ambulance or helicopter rescue services where appropriate). On arrival in destination for your trip, you will be asked to present details to your leader or local representative of your policy.

If you are resident of the United States, we recommend the Travelex Travel Select travel insurance policy, this is specifically designed to cover all activities on your trip. If arranging your own policy please ensure that you are covered for all activities that are part of the trip, optional activities that you intend to take part in and/or on high altitude itineraries, that you are covered up to the maximum altitude of the trip.

Local Time

Portugal's Timezone: Europe/Lisbon WET (GMT +00:00)

Electricity

Portugal's Electricity: European 2-pin plug.

Money Portugal's Currency

The national currency of Portugal is the Euro (EUR), with an exchange rate at the time of publication of approximately 0.9 to the US$.

Exchange rates are correct at the time of publication.

ATM Availability

Cash machines are available in Funchal and other towns.

Extra Expenses & Spending Money Allow €12-18 for lunch or dinner (taken in restaurants), excluding alcoholic beverages. You will also need some extra cash for drinks or ice creams in cafés or bars during the day walks or in the hotel bar in the evening. Typically a beer or coffee will cost around €1.5 and a reasonable bottle of wine at dinner about €12.

Tipping

Our local staff are paid well and fairly for their work with Breakaway. Most of our clients wish to give a tip to their guides in appreciation of their help and friendliness. This, of course, is in no way compulsory and depends on the service received. For this trip we recommend between €15 and €20 per person for the leader.

coastal escape

Responsible Tourism

Tourism can be a real help to local communities, providing income, positive cultural exchanges and a nancial incentive to protect their natural environment. Ours is a 'total approach' to responsible tourism, covering everything from the way we plan and operate our trips to the practices of Breakaway as a company.

On this trip, we stay in a range of hotels and simple pensions that employs local staff and uses local produce for the meals they provide. Several stops at villages and towns on our route are quite rural and the locals there depend heavily on tourism as a means of income hence, our visit will greatly bene t them. As a walking holiday, we actively encourage clients to interact with the locals, visit local cafes and bars, support local produce and craft and to experience what life is really like in Madeira. Additionally, walking trips like this have very little detrimental impact on the environment and the locals as it is a quiet, low impact activity requiring comparatively little resources to support. Important Information

On all guided trips

Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone’s ability to safely partake in an activity, or their impact on other people’s enjoyment, we authorize them to take necessary action which, in some circumstances, may involve asking someone to miss that activity.

Although rarely enforced, by booking this trip you agree to section 5 of our Booking Conditions which clearly states that our leaders have the authority to do this. In these circumstances we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional costs incurred.

On all trips

In booking this trip you should be condent in your ability to participate in all activities described in these Trip Notes. If you have any doubt about your suitability you should call the Breakaway ofce and ask to speak to one of the experts on this itinerary.

In an emergency, please contact our 24 hour out of hours service on +44 (0) 844 326 7041.

Every time that you travel abroad you should take the time to read the warnings in the essential information in the brochure.

Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers, and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately 2 to 3 weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our ofce or your travel agent.

The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure or website, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure and website. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; in order to enjoy them you should be prepared to be exible where necessary. Occasionally, as stated in our brochure, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons - climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.

TRAVEL AWARE – STAY SAFE & HEALTHY ABROAD

The U.S. State Department has up-to-date advice on staying safe and healthy abroad. For more on security, local laws, plus passport and visa information, see https://www.state.gov/travelers/

Keep informed of current travel health news by visiting Centers for Disease Control C.D.C at https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Advice can change so check regularly for updates.

For all latest travel information about your holiday, please visit our Travel Safety Advice page. How to Book

Ready to book? Please contact Breakaway Adventures on Tel: 1-800-567-6286; International Tel: +1-843-856-9771.

https://www.breakaway-adventures.com

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