Exodus Walking in Madeira

• Superb walking through Madeira’s botanical paradise
• Flower-lined levadas with stunning coastal views
• Mild year-round climate perfect for walking
• Picturesque fishing villages and the historic town of Funchal

• All breakfasts
• All accommodation
• All transport and listed activities
• Tour leader throughout
• Flights from London
• Free arrival & departure transfers

• 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
• Pace: Moderate: 5-6km/3-4miles an hour
• Terrain: Low altitude; some rough terrain – good paths with some steep ascents

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

Santana: Hotel O Colmo

Encumeada / Serra de Agua: Estalagem Encumeada or Pousada dos Vinhaticos

Funchal: Hotel do Centro

Day 1 Fly to Funchal; transfer to Machico.

Fly to Funchal and transfer (approx. 15 minutes) to your hotel in Machico, which overlooks the beach of Machico Bay and is close to the picturesque historic fishing village.

Day 2 Walk along Ponta de Sao Lourenco, where rocks contrast with the blue of the ocean.

Today you walk the classic route along the Ponta de Sao Lourenco. Although challenging, this path takes you through some fantastic scenery as we admire wallflowers, stalwarts and many other tiny plants that resist this windy environment and manage to grow in soils with high levels of salinity. Madeira’s Nature Park rangers watch over the plants and animals that belong to this eastern extremity of the island, around Casa do Sardinha.

Day 3 Spectacular walk along the north coast path to the fishing village of Porto da Cruz.

This morning will walk a scenic route along a cliff trail, up to the north coast. 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 you enjoy some amazing views along the north coast and may even be able to see the nearby island of Porto Santo.

Day 4 Transfer to Queimadas; walk along Levada do Caldeirao Verde to the remote village of Ilha.

From Santana take a short transfer (stopping to admire the famous thatched roof houses) to Queimadas natural park where you will walk along the Levada do Caldeirao Verde. Finish this walk at the isolated village of Ilha before returning to Santana for the night.

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 make the most strenuous walk of the trip. Starting with an early departure to see the sunrise at Achada do Teixeira, ascend the island’s highest mountain, Pico Ruivo (1862m). Your descent follows a spectacular ridge via Torrinhas Pass and over the saddle of Pico do Jorge to Encumeada. As you descend, bees buzz in ‘Lily of the Valley’ trees and the smell of wild thyme fills the air. After a long day in the hills, arrive via a long series of stone steps at Encumeada, where you will spend the night.

Day 6 High level walk through beautiful chestnut and eucalyptus woods to Corticeiras; panoramic local bus ride to Funchal.

Enjoy another fine high-level walk. From Encumeada walk through woods of chestnut and eucalyptus and then traverse below the rocky escarpment of Pico Grande, enjoying fine views to the south and back to the west. Eventually, come to a superb viewpoint overlooking the spectacularly situated village of Curral das Freiras and then descend to the village of Corticeiras.

Day 7 Free day to visit the bustling ‘Mercado dos Lavradores’ (workers’ market), Sé Cathedral or for wine tasting in Madeira’s Wine Lodge.

Your 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 magnificent statue of the man who discovered Madeira, Joao Goncalves Zarco, on the Avenida Arriaga.

Day 8 Transfer to Funchal; fly to London.

Transfer to the airport (approx. 30 minutes), fly to London.

Please note, prices listed are guide prices only and are based on 2 people sharing and don’t include any additional supplements. Holiday prices are fluid and dynamic and may be changed at a moment’s notice, prior to booking, at which point they are confirmed. Please call the team free on 0800 707 6229 for more departure dates available and a quote.