8-day adventure
Complete Madeira
Madeira
- Trekking & Hiking
From $1,295
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our UK team
Our local team
Our operation in Madeira is managed by experienced local guide, Honorio, who has been trekking and exploring the island of Madeira for 25 years. As you might expect, he knows every inch of Madeira like the back of his hand and still sometimes guides our groups personally. He is supported by a team of guides and office staff who are constantly on hand to ensure your experience exceeds your expectations. As well as open group trips throughout the...
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Kandoo's view
Isolated out in the midst of the Atlantic Ocean, off the northwest coast of Africa, the island of Madeira is a little paradise. Rising suddenly from the waves, the island is home to towering cliffs, volcanic peaks, primary forest and miles upon miles of trails to explore. On this crossing we will traverse Madeira from east to west, climbing from the rugged coastline to the highest peaks, following the levadas and discovering remarkable landscapes, flora and fauna. This demanding route is intended for experienced walkers with a good level of fitness, a challenging trek in the "Pearl of the Atlantic".
Trip highlights
- Discover Penha de Aguia (the rock of the eagle)
- Climb the highest peak on Madeira, Pico Ruivo
- Explore the capital city of Funchal
Experiences
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Trekking & Hiking
Our core collection of treks and hikes, through some of the world's most outstanding landscapes
Gallery
Itinerary
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Day 1
Welcome to Madeira!
Today you arrive at the airport in Funchal and member of our team will be waiting to greet you. A short transfer to Machico where you can settle in at your hotel and meet the other members of the group. Tonight there will be a pre-trek briefing by your guide.
- Accomodation: Hotel
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Day 2
Machico to Faial
After breakfast, we leave on foot from our hotel and climb to the peak of Pico do Facho. From there we follow the Caniçal levada for 4 km in a beautiful valley of eucalyptus and mimosas trees. Throughout the day we can see the island of Porto Santo in the distance. A cliff-side path lasting 1 hour 30 minutes allows us to reach Maiata then Porto da Cruz, famous for being home to one of the last rum distilleries on the island. From Porto da Cruz, we continue on foot to Sao Roque do Faial, where we spend the night.
- Hiking time: 6 - 7 hours
- Ascent: 850 m
- Descent: 550 m
- Accomodation: Hotel
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
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Day 3
Faial to Santana
After breakfast today we depart our accommodation on foot. Our trail gradually ascends through mimosa forests before entering eucalyptus forest and we soon discover amazing views of the picos and the tip of Sao Lourenço. The Faial valley is dominated by an enormous rock - the Penha de Aguia (the rock of the eagle).This huge feature is a result of gradual water erosion over thousands of years. From our high point we begin a long descent to reach our accommodation in Santana.
- Hiking time: 5 - 6 hours
- Ascent: 1100 m
- Descent: 1300 m
- Accomodation: Hotel
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
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Day 4
Santana to Encumeada
This is going to be one of the most spectacular days of the whole trip but also a tough one. Get ready to gain some height!
After breakfast we take a very short transfer to Achada do Texeira, the starting point of our crossing of the high peaks of Madeira.
We set off towards Pico Ruivo, the highest peak on the island at 1862m above sea level. This will be a demanding ascent but well worth it for the panoramic views of the island and the surrounding ocean. We will take a well deserved rest on the summit to soak up the views and take some photos. We then continue to Encumeada, 12 km away. Alternating short climbs and long descents, we enter an alpine environment and arrive at the village where we will be spending the night.- Hiking time: 6 - 7 hours
- Ascent: 1300 m
- Descent: 1250 m
- Accomodation: Hotel
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
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Day 5
Encumeada to Seixal
Leaving our accommodation in Encumeada, we set off towards Bica da Cana, crossing an impressive valley with steep walls on either side. We then cross the high plateau Paul da Serra and discover an area of the island that has remained almost completely untouched by human habitation. We will see groves of magical laurel trees with twisted and wind battered shapes. We eventually drop off the northern edge of the plateau and descend through steep and wild cliffs to reach the north coast and our accommodation for the night.
- Hiking time: 6 - 7 hours
- Ascent: 900 m
- Descent: 1650 m
- Accomodation: Hotel
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
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Day 6
Seixal to Porto Moniz
Leaving our hotel in Seixal, we climb up away from the coast to reach Ribeira Funda. Here we can find a deep canyon with huge waterfalls and deep pools. We continue to Ribeira da Janela, a small village just above Porto Moniz and named after the longest river on the island. From here we can look down on impressive rock formations just off the coast. The slow erosion of the waves has created vertical spires of rock that look as though they could tumble at any moment.
From here we start our long descent towards Porto Moniz where we end our crossing and spend the night. In Porto Moniz there are natural rock pools that provide warm and sheltered water for a refreshing swim.- Hiking time: 5 - 6 hours
- Ascent: 870 m
- Descent: 870 m
- Accomodation: Hotel
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
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Day 7
Porto Moniz to Funchal
After breakfast a one hour transfer takes us to the bustling capital of Funchal where we have a fee day to explore this charming city.
Markets, churches, museums or the famous botanical gardens, there is loads to see and do here. If you still have energy left after the crossing, optional activities include whale watching tours, canyoning , sea kayaking or swimming with dolphins (all payable locally).- Accomodation: Hotel
- Meals included: Breakfast
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Day 8
Departure
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight home.
- Meals included: Breakfast
- See more
Details
Trip information
Difficulty
Crossing Madeira from east to west on foot is a difficult trek. You will
be walking for up to 7 hours each day for 5 consecutive days. The total ascent
in a single day can be as much as 1300m and is never less than 850m. There are
also long descents of up to 1650m in a single day, this can place a huge strain
on your knees. The terrain can be steep with loose rock and care is needed to
avoid slips and trips. You will need to be confident in your fitness with
recent experience of walking in a mountainous environment for extended periods
of time. To talk to us about your suitability for this trip, please feel free
to give us a call.
Food & drink
Breakfasts are taken at our
accommodation and will consist of tea, coffee, fresh fruit juice, bread,
butter, jam and sometimes cold meats and cheese. Lunches are provided as a
picnic that you carry in your personal bag during the day. There will be
sandwiches, fruit, biscuits and juice. Dinners are taken in the restaurant of
our hotel each night and there will be a range of main courses to choose
from. We can provide meals for most dietary requirements, please inform
us when booking your trip if you have special requirements.
During the trip, drinks are your
own responsibility and are not included in the tour cost. The water on Madeira
is very high quality and perfectly drinkable. You should bring 2 reusable
water bottles or a hydration pack that you can refill each day (see recommended
equipment). Staying well hydrated during this trek is absolutely essential for
your health and wellbeing.
Accommodation
Throughout the trek we will stay in either 2 or 3 star
hotels. In the larger towns, hotel accommodation will be 3 star with twin or
double en-suite rooms. In the more remote parts of the island the hotel
accommodation will be basic 2 star "residencial" accommodation, similar to a hotel but much smaller and often family run.
Transport
All transportation including airport transfers is included.
To travel around the island we will use comfortable minibus style vehicles.
Luggage
Luggage transfers are included in the cost of your trek. You will walk each day carrying just a day pack with essentials like water, lunch, personal medication and spare clothing. Your main luggage will be transported to your accommodation separately and will be ready for you at the end of each day. Please see "recommended equipment" for more information.
How do I get there?
You will need to arrive in the city of Funchal on day 1 of your trip. The airport code is FNC.
From the UK, Easy Jet have direct flights to Funchal from London Gatwick and British Airways have direct flights from Heathrow. The travel time is just under 4 hours. From other parts of the UK such as Manchester or Bristol, TAP Air Portugal and Lufthansa offer convenient indirect flights with just a short stop in either Lisbon or Frankfurt.
From the US, TAP Air Portugal have convenient flights from New York, Boston and San Francisco with just a short stop in Lisbon before connecting to Funchal. British Airways have flights from Philadelphia and Seattle with a short stop in London.
Pre-trek briefing
It is a requirement of joining any of our treks or climbs that you attend a pre-trek briefing. This is an oppertunity for your guide to check you are properly prepared for the challenge ahead and answer any questions you may have. The briefing for this trip will be held at your hotel in Funchal on the evening of day 1.
Budget & change
The currency on Madeira is the Euro (EUR).
Visa and Mastercard are accepted all over the island and you will find ATMs in all major towns and villages.
Tips
Tipping is not an obligation and should be left to the discretion of each individual. Although the practice is not mandatory, it is always appreciated and should be based on the level of service you feel you have received.
Formalities & health
Passport
You cannot travel without a valid passport. We recommend you have at least 6 months validity remaining on your passport from the date you intend to depart from Madeira.
Visa
For travellers from the UK, you can travel to countries in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. If you are visiting other Schengen zone countries before or after Madeira, ensure your whole visit is within the 90 day limit.
For travellers from the US, you can enter Portugal (including Madeira) for a period of up to 90 days without a visa.
For travellers from the US, you can enter Portugal (including Madeira) for a period of up to 90 days without a visa.
Vaccinations
No vaccinations are required.
Insurance
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fully and adequately insured for the duration of your trip. Please ensure that all activities, excursions and destinations in your itinerary are included in your travel insurance policy, in addition to your regular cover for cancellation and medical expenses. We ask that you keep a copy of your policy summary (containing policy number and the emergency contact number for your insurer) in your day sack at all times, so that we can access this information should we need to contact the insurer on your behalf.
Medication
Your guide carries a first aid kit at all times but we recommend you carry the following items:
- Painkillers
- Sunscreen for lips and skin
- Moisturising cream (for sunburn)
- Elastic bandage, regular bandages and Blister bandages
- Sanitary products
Equipment & clothing
Clothing to bring
- Warm
hat (beanie)
- Sun
hat with wide brim for protection
- Sunglasses
- Neck
gaiter or scarf
- Suitable
quick drying underwear
- Light
gloves
- Walking
boots (with ankle support and sturdy soles)
- Socks
(quick drying and not too warm)
- T-shirts
and warm jumper
- Fleece
or soft shell jacket
- Waterproof
and windproof hard shell jacket
- Walking
trousers and/or shorts
- Pajamas,
travel towel and toiletries
- Comfortable
shoes for the evenings
- Waterproof
trousers
Equipment to bring
- Head
torch and spare batteries
- Walking
poles
- Wet
wipes and hand sanitiser
- Plastic
bags for wet/dirty clothing
- Eating
utensils
- 30-40
litre
day pack
- 80
– 100 litre
duffel bag, max weight 15kg
- Camera
- Reusable water
bottles or hydration pack (2 x 1litre bottles minimum)
Dates & prices
No date is available at the moment
Want to add flights or create a private trip? Don't hesitate to contact us!
Contact usPrice includes
- 7 nights accommodation (twin room)
- Breakfast from day 2 to day 8
- Lunch from day 2 to day 6
- Dinner from day 2 to day 6
- An expert Kandoo Adventures guide
- All transportation including airport transfers
- Luggage transfers
Price does not include
- International flights and visas
- Meals on day 1
- Lunch and dinner on days 1, 7 and 8
- Drinks, tips and personal expenses
- Single supplement
- Personal trekking equipment
- Entrance fees to sites / museums
Options
- Additional nights before or after your trek
- Single supplement
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