Authentic Madeira

Take the local bus (payment on the spot) to the tip of São Lourenço (around 15 minutes). The tip of São Lourenço is located at the eastern end of the island and offers landscapes of moorland and cliffs with remarkable shapes and colours. You can enjoy a swim on a small sandy beach during your hike. Return to Machico by local bus (payment on the spot).

Walk : Sao Lourenço peninsula - 03h00 | 7 km - 4 miles | Elevation : +400/-400m
Meals included : breakfast
Night : Machico

With your luggage on your back, depart on foot from Machico for one of Madeira's most beautiful offerings on a hiking path 300m above the ocean. After the terraced fields of the Ribeira Seca valley, the coastal path to Boca do Risco offers plunging views of the surf and coves and ends with a long descent to the sea and the fishing village of Porto da Cruz. Swimming opportunities in the natural pools of Porto da Cruz (entrance fee). At the end of the hike, we organise a taxi transfer to Santana with its colourful fairytale thatched cottages. Settle in for 2 nights in a friendly hotel.

Walk : Machico > Boca do Risco > Porto da Cruz - 04h00 | 13 km | Elevation : +150/-350m
Meals included : breakfast
Night :  Santana

Take the local bus to São Jorge (to be paid for on the spot - approx. 1 hour). This itinerant hike offers a superb descent towards the sea, with terraced fields and a path on the heights, all the way to São Jorge. Descent into the valley. Possibility of a swim in the pools before heading back up to Santana. You arrive at Quinta do Furao, where you can sample Madeira wine (with supplement). Walk back to your accommodation. 

Walk : São Jorge > Santana - 04h45 | 10 km | Elevation : +650m/-680m
Meals included : breakfast
Night : Santana

An easy return walk on a wide and well maintained path leads you to the summit of Pico Ruivo, at 1862m above sea level, the highest peak in Madeira. A breathtaking landscape atop the volcanic peaks, with the blue of the ocean and the sea of clouds as a backdrop. Transfer to the northern coast for the next two nights. 

Walk: Achada do Teixeira > Pico Ruivo round trip | 2h40 | 5.6 km - 3 miles | Elevation: +/-300m
Meals included : breakfast and dinner
Night : Boaventura.

Far from the hustle and bustle of the island, the Boaventura loop offers hikers a rich and varied route : wooded trails where you can appreciate the island's endemic vegetation, a small hamlet, terraced gardens leading to the picturesque village of Arco de São Jorge and a superb high path overlooking the ocean are the ingredients for a beautiful walking day.

Walk : Boaventura loop | 3h45  | 7 km- 4.3 miles | Elevation : +/-675
Meals included : breakfast and dinner
Night : Boaventura.

For this last day on Madeira Island, you will be transferred to the beautiful city of Funchal. Once in the city, you have several options:

- Take the cable car that connects the city centre to the sumptuous tropical gardens in less than 20 minutes.

- Visit the tropical gardens which have beautiful plants from all over the world and native plants from the Madeira forest. Here you can admire oriental gardens as well as a beautiful collection of azulejos (15th-20th centuries).

- There are two ways to get back down to the city centre, either on foot through the picturesque streets or by taking the wicker basket downhill, a traditional means of transport once used by the locals to navigate down through the narrow and steep streets of the island.

- A gourmet stroll through the historic centre of Funchal that combines a gastronomic and cultural discovery. No less than 15 tastings to sample the savoury delights such as the hot pork and garlic sandwich, sword fish, grilled tuna and also sweet treats such as ginger biscuits, honey cake and not forgetting the famous Madeira rum based cocktail Poncha. (Visit and tasting possible on Tuesday and Friday afternoons or Wednesday morning)

Meals included : breakfast
Night : Funchal

Reach the airport by the local bus. We recommend to take the bus 3 hours before the departure of your flight.

Meals included : breakfast