Current as of: November 19, 2019 - 13:48 Valid for departures: From January 1, 2017 to January 1, 2021 Walking in Madeira Trip Notes Ways to Travel: Guided Group 8 Days Land only Trip Code: Destinations: Portugal 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 Funchal, 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 Porto Santo. 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.