Multi-adventure on Madeira Island

Day 1: Airport - Funchal
Day 2: Machico - Baia d'Abra - Prainha - Machico, 6 mi. (10 km)
Day 3: Poiso - Machico, 30 mi. (48 km)
Day 4: Santana - Pico das Pedras - Ilha - Santana, 8 mi. (13 km)
Day 5: Pico Ruivo - Pico de Ariero, 5 mi. (8 km)
Day 6: Fonte do Bispo - Paul do Mar, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 7: Funchal
Day 8: Funchal - Airport

Day 1: Arrival in Madeira
Arrive at Madeira airport and transfer to Funchal, the main town of Madeira located on the sunny southern coast of the island.

Accommodation for this night and all following nights: 4* Pestana Village Garden, with a swimming pool and beautiful gardens just 10 minutes from the city center. 

Day 2: Machico - Baia d'Abra - Prainha - Machico, 6 mi. (10 km) | Elevation: +250 / -250 meters (+820 / -820 ft)
You will be transferred to the São Lourenço Point. On this African-like strip of land, this hike explores the long thin peninsula at the eastern end of the island through a natural reserve covered in scrubby vegetation offering spectacular views over the Atlantic ocean and the magnificently colorful cliffs. (B, D)

Activity: 4-hour walk

Day 3: Poiso - Machico, 30 mi. (48 km) | Elevation: +399/1371 meters (+1310/-4500 ft)
Transfer from Funchal to Poiso. From Poiso at 4,593 ft above sea level, forest trails and tracks lead you into the heart of the primeval laurel forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Along the levadas, the famous irrigation channels that gently carry water downhill from the mountains to the terraced fields, you descend toward Machico on the coast (B, D) 

Sample accommodation: 3* Hotel O Colmo
Activity: Cycling

Day 4: Santana - Pico das Pedras - Ilha - Santana, 8 mi. (13 km) | Elevation: +100 / -500 meters (+328 / -1640 ft)
Transfer to Santana on the North Coast. From the beautiful forest house of Queimadas, you will descend into the depths of the earth along the Caldeirão Verde levada carved out of the rock and winding its way through a primary forest inscribed on the UNESCO’s World Heritage list. At the end of the path, you will discover an impressive waterfall running into a crystal-clear lake. (B, D)

Activity: 5-hour walk

Day 5: Pico Ruivo - Pico de Ariero, 5 mi. (8 km) | Elevation: +500 / -750 meters (+1640 / -2290 ft)
You will hike across the mountain ridge trails to the highest peaks of the island. The scenery is breathtaking with rocky peaks and deep gorges. If the weather cooperates, at Pico Ruivo, you will enjoy panoramic views over the island and the island of Porto Santo in the distance. (B, D)

Activity: 5-hour walk

Day 6: Fonte do Bispo - Paul do Mar, 28 mi. (45 km) | Elevation: +290/-1,320 meters (+951/-4,331 ft)
Ascent to the Paul da Serra plateau via a regional road offering beautiful views over the south coast and the ridgelines. 

Descent from the plateau through a landscape of heathland and blueberry shrubs, followed by a eucalyptus forest heading toward the Ponta do Pargo lighthouse, the westernmost point of the island. Beautiful views over the lombada (ridge) and the ocean. 

Tasting of the best local poncha in Ponta do Pargo, then continuation to the fishing village of Paul do Mar along a levada lined with agapanthus and eucalyptus, as well as a small road (B, D). 

Sample accommodation: 3* Hotel Tarmar
Activity: Cycling

Day 7: Funchal
Transfer from Jardim do Mar to Funchal (45 min.) You will then have free time to visit Funchal. Highlights include the Farmer's Market, Monte Parish, and the botanical garden. Wine tasting is included. (B, D)

Optional activities: Canyoning and whale watching. Note, transfer to/from whale watching is not included (usually within walking distance of hotel).

Day 8: Funchal Airport
Transfer to the airport (30 minutes) and return flight. (B)

Day 1: Airport - Machico
Day 2: Machico - Baia d'Abra - Prainha - Machico, 6 mi. (10 km)
Day 3: Poiso - Machico, 30 mi. (48 km)
Day 4: Santana - Pico das Pedras - Ilha - Santana, 8 mi. (13 km)
Day 5: Pico Ruivo - Pico de Ariero - Jardim do Mar, 5 mi. (8 km)
Day 6: Fonte do Bispo - Paul do Mar, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 7: Jardim do Mar - Funchal
Day 8:  Funchal - airport

Day 1:  Airport - Machico
Arrive at Madeira airport and transfer to the seaside village of Machico on the southwest coast of the island.

Sample accommodation: 3* Hotel White Waters, located close to the beach.

Day 2: Machico - Baia d'Abra - Prainha - Machico, 6 mi. (10 km) | Elevation: +250 / -250 meters (+820 / -820 ft)
A morning transfer to São Lourenço Point. On this African-like strip of land, this hike explores the long thin peninsula at the eastern end of the island through a natural reserve covered in scrubby vegetation offering spectacular views over the Atlantic Ocean and the magnificently colorful cliffs. (B)

Sample accommodation: 3* Hotel White Waters
Activity: +- 4 hour walk

Day 3: Poiso - Machico, 30 mi. (48 km) | Elevation: +399/1371 meters (+1310/-4500 ft)
Transfer from Funchal to Poiso. From Poiso at 4,593 ft above sea level, forest trails and tracks lead you into the heart of the primeval laurel forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Along the levadas, the famous irrigation channels that gently carry water downhill from the mountains to the terraced fields, you descend toward Machico on the coast (B, D) 

Sample accommodation: 3* Hotel O Colmo
Activity: Cycling

Day 4: Santana - Pico das Pedras - Ilha - Santana, 8 mi. (13 km) | Elevation: +100 /-500 meters (+328/-1640 ft)
From the beautiful forest house of Queimadas, you will penetrate into the bowels of the earth along the Caldeirão Verde levada carved out of the rock and winding its way through the primary forest inscribed on the UNESCO’s World Heritage list. At the end of the path, you will discover an impressive waterfall running into a crystal-clear lake. (B, D)

Sample accommodation: 3* Hotel O Colmo
Activity: 5-hour walk

Day 5: Pico Ruivo - Pico de Ariero - Jardim do Mar, 5 mi. (8 km) | Elevation: +500 / -750 meters (+1640/-2290 ft)
Hike across the mountain ridge trails to the highest peaks of the island. In breathtaking scenery with rocky peaks and deep gorges, you will enjoy – weather permitting at Pico Ruivo – panoramic views over the island and the island of Porto Santo in the distance. You will have a transfer (one hour) to the lovely village of Jardim do Mar on the sunny south coast. (B, D)

Sample accommodation: Hotel Tarmar Jardim Do Mar
Activity: 5 hour walk

Day 6: Fonte do Bispo - Paul do Mar, 28 mi. (45 km) | Elevation: +290/-1,320 meters (+951/-4,331 ft)
Ascent to the Paul da Serra plateau via a regional road offering beautiful views over the south coast and the ridgelines. 

Descent from the plateau through a landscape of heathland and blueberry shrubs, followed by a eucalyptus forest heading toward the Ponta do Pargo lighthouse, the westernmost point of the island. Beautiful views over the lombada (ridge) and the ocean. 

Tasting of the best local poncha in Ponta do Pargo, then continuation to the fishing village of Paul do Mar along a levada lined with agapanthus and eucalyptus, as well as a small road (B, D). 

Sample accommodation: 3* Hotel Tarmar
Activity: Cycling

Day 7: Jardim do Mar - Funchal
Transfer from Jardim do Mar to Funchal (45 min.) You will then have free time to visit Funchal. Highlights include the Farmer's Market, Monte Parish, and the botanical garden. Wine tasting is included. (B)

Sample accommodation: 3* Hotel Orquidea
Optional activities: Canyoning and whale watching. Note, transfer to/from whale watching is not included (usually within walking distance of hotel).

Day 8: Funchal
Last day of the tour. A 30-minute airport transfer is included. (B)