Hiking Madeira: a Journey through Nature's Paradise
8 days / 7 nights
Program
Welcome at the airport and transfer to your hotel. Check-in, dinner and accommodation.
Hiking Details: medium level - distance: 11 km - duration: 3h30
This hike begins with a gentle descent to Rabaçal along the Levada do Risco, at an altitude of 1,000 metres, to the sumptuous Risco waterfall, which rises to over 100 metres. There is also the opportunity to visit the “lagoon of the 25 springs”, the basin into which the waters of the Paúl da Serra plateau flow. This area leads to Madeira's Lauriferous Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and part of the European network of sites of community interest (Natura 2000). Packed lunch en route. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Hiking Details: medium level - distance: 12 km - duration: 5 hours
Departure from Ribeiro Frio. The trail runs alongside the Serra do Faial levada and then descends to Lamaceiros, where the descent to Portela begins. The route continues along the levada da Portela and Lombo das Faias, ending on the regional road. Packed lunch. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
The morning will be devoted to a guided tour of Funchal. Visit to the Funchal market ‘Mercado dos Lavradores’, with its incredible displays of exotic vegetables and fruit. Visit to an embroidery factory with its workshops and shop. Visit to the Manueline-style Sé Cathedral (Our Lady of the Assumption). The tour ends with a stop at the Pereira d'Oliveiras winery for a tasting of 4 varieties of Madeira wine (Malvasia, Boal, Sercial, Verdelho). Afternoon at leisure. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Hiking Details: easy level, flat walk - distance: 13 km - duration: 3h30
This walk begins at the Queimadas hostel. It follows the Serra de São Jorge and Caldeirão verde levadas through an emerald paradise. The route offers splendid views of the villages below. The path, dotted with waterfalls and small tunnels, leads to the imposing Caldeirão Verde waterfall. Enjoy a packed lunch before returning to the village of Santana through a sumptuous landscape of fields and pastures. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Hiking Details: medium level - distance: 13 km - duration: 4 hours
Start near the Pico do Arieiro pousada. You soon reach the Ninho da Manta viewpoint. The route continues with a steep climb up a staircase cut into the rock, followed by a descent to Pico Ruivo. Final climb to the Pico Ruivo refuge. Packed lunch. Dinner and overnight stay.
Hiking Details: medium level - distance: 12 km - duration: 4 hours
The south coast offers maritime and mountain landscapes of extraordinary beauty and rich natural resources. The colourful path linking Prazeres to Fajã da Ovelha is dotted with a variety of plant species including acacias, eucalyptus, pines and woodland flowers. Packed lunch. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Transfer to Funchal airport depending on flight times. Assistance with check-in formalities and return flight.
Services
Our prices include
- Deluxe motor coach throughout as per itinerary
- Accommodation in double/twin rooms in 4★ hotels
- Half board basis incl. buffet breakfast and dinner
- English-speaking tour guide throughout
- 5 picnic lunches (packed lunch)
- Excursions and visits mentioned in the programme
- Walks mentioned in the programme with an English-speaking guide
- Wine tasting at the Pereira d'Oliviera winery
- Guided tour of Funchal (approx. 3h30)
- Entrance fees to the following sites
- Funchal: Embroidery factory, the Cathedral
Travel Europe Madeira
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Edificio Casablanca II , Edf. III - Fracção CA, Rua Dr. Carlos Varela, 2
9000-113 Funchal
Tel: +351 291 70 7900
Fax: +351 291 70 7910
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