Itinerary
- Day 1
Santana
You'll arrive in Santana, a village known for its traditional A-frame houses with thatched roofs and local embroidery work. The tour leader meets you at the hotel at 7pm for a welcome meeting. If you're interested in trying the local food scene, fresh seafood is the specialty around here, so there's plenty of dining options to explore this evening.
- Start point
- Trav.Rego 10, 9050-018 Funchal, Portugal (Hotel do Carmo, Hotel reception, 19:30)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel O Colmo, Santana), Hotel (Hotel O Colmo, Santana (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Welcome dinner with local seafood options (tuna with fried maize, black scabbard with fried banana, or local passionfruit pudding)
Landmarks Santana 
- Day 2
Santana to Porto da Cruz
Today involves walking along one of Madeira's levadas (irrigation channels) through agricultural land and forested areas. You'll reach the Boca do Risco viewpoint on the island's east side, then walk the cliff edges with sweeping views where you might see the Madeira Firecrest. The route finishes in Porto da Cruz, and you'll head back to Santana with a chance to stop at a sugar cane factory and rum distillery if you'd like.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel O Colmo, Santana), Hotel (Hotel O Colmo, Santana (or similar))
Included Activities
- Levada walk from Boca do Risco through cliff-top trail to Porto da Cruz (approximately 12 kilometres/7.45 miles, around 5 hours, 330 metres/1082 feet of ascent and descent)
Optional Activities
- Dark rum tasting at sugar cane factory and rum distillery
Landmarks Boca do Risco Porto da Cruz 
- Day 3
Boaventura to Porto Moniz
Starting in the valley hamlet of Boaventura, this walk begins steep before leveling out as it heads toward the coast. You'll pass a hidden waterfall and walk through the UNESCO-protected Laurel Forest, then follow the Levada dos Tornos, the canal that moves water from the north side to the south. Later you'll drive along the dramatic north coast to Porto Moniz, where volcanic activity created natural rock pools perfect for swimming.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Euro Moniz), Hotel (Hotel Euro Moniz (or similar))
Included Activities
- Levada dos Tornos walk from Boaventura through Laurel Forest to Faja do Penedo (approximately 13 kilometres/8 miles, around 5 hours, 280 metres/918 feet of ascent and descent)
- Drive along scenic north coast from Sao Vicente to Porto Moniz
Optional Activities
- Swimming or soaking in natural rock pools at Porto Moniz (weather dependent)
Landmarks Boaventura Laurel Forest Levada dos Tornos Porto Moniz 
- Day 4
Rabacal to Calheta
This route showcases some of the island's nicer scenery starting at Rabacal along the Levada do Alecrim. You'll see plants found only here, look out over deep valleys, reach the Lagoa do Vento river basin where you can rest and take a swim, then walk through more Laurel Forest to the House of Rabacal for lunch. After eating, you'll follow the Levada do Risco to its waterfall, then go through an 800-metre tunnel with views of the Calheta valley and sea.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at House of Rabacal)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Euro Moniz), Hotel (Hotel Euro Moniz (or similar))
Included Activities
- Levada do Alecrim walk from Rabacal through Laurel Forest to House of Rabacal (approximately 12 kilometres/7.5 miles, around 5 hours, 475 metres/1,558 feet of descent)
- Lunch at House of Rabacal
- Levada do Risco walk to waterfall
- Tunel dos Cavaleiros passage
Optional Activities
- Swimming at Lagoa do Vento
Landmarks Rabacal Levada do Alecrim Lagoa do Vento House of Rabacal Levada do Risco Tunel dos Cavaleiros Calheta - Day 5
Ponta do Vigia to Funchal
You'll drive to the south coast and stop at Ponta do Vigia, the island's westernmost point, where a 1922 lighthouse stands 300 metres above the water with a small museum about Madeira's lighthouses. The walk follows the Levada Nova from Lombada near Ponta de Sol with coastal views and banana plantations, ending in Ribeira Brava where you'll refresh. Then it's on to Funchal, the capital, stopping at Miradouro do Tanque viewpoint. You'll stay at Hotel do Carmo, a 3-star property with 1960s design, a rooftop pool, and bay views.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel do Carmo, Funchal), Hotel (Ocean Gardens Hotel (or similar))
Included Activities
- Stop at Ponta do Vigia lighthouse and museum
- Levada Nova walk from Lombada to Ribeira Brava (approximately 10 kilometres/6.2 miles, around 4 hours, 50 metres/164 feet of ascent and descent)
- Stop at Miradouro do Tanque viewpoint
Optional Activities
- Refreshment stop in Ribeira Brava
Landmarks Ponta do Vigia Ponta do Vigia Lighthouse Lombada Ponta de Sol Levada Nova Ribeira Brava Miradouro do Tanque Funchal - Day 6
Funchal
Funchal is yours to explore however you'd like. There's an optional guided walk with the tour leader in the morning if you want, or you can wander the old town's narrow cobbled streets, check out the renovated fishermen's cottages, browse restaurants and art shops, and see the door artworks along Rua de Santa Maria (the oldest street). Afternoon options include a whale and dolphin spotting cruise, the botanic gardens with tea at Reids Palace Hotel, or the cable car up to Monte's tropical gardens.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel do Carmo, Funchal), Hotel (Ocean Gardens Hotel (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Guided one-hour orientation walk with Tour Leader
- Independent exploration of old town cobbled lanes, fishermen's cottages, restaurants and art shops
- Visit to Mercado dos Lavradores (farmers market)
- Visit to Madeiran embroidery workshop
- Blandy's Wine Lodge wine tasting (variety of Madeiran wine)
- Half-day whale and dolphin spotting cruise
- Exploration of botanic gardens
- Afternoon tea at Reids Palace Hotel
- Cable car trip to Monte tropical gardens
Landmarks Funchal Old Town Rua de Santa Maria Mercado dos Lavradores Blandy's Wine Lodge Reids Palace Hotel Monte Monte Tropical Gardens 
- Day 7
Funchal to Pico Ruivo
Today's a challenging mountain walk to one of Madeira's highest peaks over 1000 metres, with panoramic views across the island. The traditional route between Pico Ruivo and Pico do Areeiro is currently closed due to 2024 forest fires and landslides, but other routes work fine. Your tour leader will pick the best route closer to the day based on weather and conditions to give you the best experience.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel do Carmo, Funchal), Hotel (Ocean Gardens Hotel (or similar))
Included Activities
- Walk to Pico Ruivo or alternative high peak route (third highest peak in Madeira, over 1000 metres elevation, exact route to be determined by Tour Leader based on weather conditions)
Landmarks Pico Ruivo Pico do Areeiro - Day 8
Funchal Departure
The tour wraps up after breakfast at Hotel do Carmo. You're free to leave Funchal whenever you'd like. If your flight's later in the day, the hotel offers luggage storage for your bags.
- End point
- Trav.Rego 10, 9050-018 Funchal, Portugal (Hotel do Carmo, Hotel reception, 09:00)
- Meals
- Breakfast
