Itinerary
- Day 1
Funchal
You'll arrive in Funchal whenever works for you, then head to your hotel to settle in. At 7pm your tour leader will be at the hotel reception for a welcome meeting. Dinner with the group is optional, so you can join them or grab something on your own and get some rest after your journey.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Raga), Hotel (Hotel Raga (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Dinner with tour leader and group (optional)
- Explore Funchal on arrival
Landmarks Madeira International Airport (FNC) 
- Day 2
Ribeiro Frio - Santana
You'll start early from Ribeiro Frio and head out on the Vereda Balcões trail for about 2 hours of walking. The route follows the Levada da Serra do Faial irrigation channel with some moderate uphill sections, so you're getting good views of the laurissilva forest, steep cliffs, and the ocean below. After finishing the hike, you'll drive to the village of Santana where you can see those distinctive triangular-shaped roofs on the traditional houses and get a feel for local life there. By late afternoon you're back at your hotel with time to freshen up and relax before dinner.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Raga), Hotel (Hotel Raga (or similar))
Included Activities
- Hike the Vereda Balcões trail from Ribeiro Frio
- Walk alongside the Levada da Serra do Faial irrigation channel
- Visit Santana village and view traditional triangular-roofed houses
- Christmas market in Funchal (for Christmas departure only) - featuring local crafts, delicacies, flowers, and festive attractions
Landmarks Vereda Balcões Trail Pico Ruivo Ribeiro Frio Laurissilva Forest Santana Funchal Christmas Market 
- Day 3
Funchal
Start your morning with a peaceful walk through Santa Catarina Botanical Garden to see exotic plants and parrots, then visit Joao Goncalves Zarco Square and the historic cathedral. Try pasteis da Nata at a traditional local bakery, and take on a blind fruit tasting challenge at the market. Later you'll walk Funchal's oldest street for a bolo do caco tasting, then take the cable car up to Monte. The toboggan ride back down to Funchal is quite the rush, and that's where your day ends.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Raga), Hotel (Hotel Raga (or similar))
Included Activities
- Santa Catarina Botanical Garden visit
- Visit Joao Goncalves Zarco Square and cathedral
- Pasteis da Nata (custard tarts) and traditional cookies and biscuits tasting
- Local market blind fruit tasting challenge
- Bolo do caco (sweet flatbread) tasting on Funchal's oldest street
- Cable car ride to Monte
- Toboggan ride from Nossa Senhora do Monte Church (approximately 2 kilometres descent)
Landmarks Santa Catarina Botanical Garden Joao Goncalves Zarco Square Funchal Cathedral Funchal Local Market Nossa Senhora do Monte Church Monte Toboggan Run - Day 4
West Madeira
You'll head out on a jeep tour exploring Madeira's west side, starting in the colorful town of Ribeira Brava. From there you'll go off-road to Ponta de Sol, then climb to Paul da Serra plateau where you'll see fantastic views and unique island plants and wildlife. Next is Ribeira da Janela Viewpoint for sweeping views of the north coast. You'll swim in the natural volcanic pools at Porto Moniz, stop at black sand Seixal Beach, then finish up in Sao Vicente where you can see vineyards and the famous Vu da Noiva waterfall.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic - 'prego no bolo do caco' (traditional Madeiran sweet flatbread with small steak, ham, cheese, salad, eggs, homemade potato crisps) or vegan option with olive and almond spread, fresh mushrooms, zucchini, lettuce, tomato, homemade potato chips; juice, water, fresh fruit salad)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Raga), Hotel (Hotel Raga (or similar))
Included Activities
- Jeep tour of west Madeira
- Ribeira Brava visit
- Off-road drive to Ponta de Sol
- Paul da Serra plateau visit
- Ribeira da Janela Viewpoint visit
- Swimming in natural volcanic pools at Porto Moniz
- Seixal Beach visit
- Sao Vicente village visit with vineyards and Vu da Noiva waterfall
- Picnic lunch - 'prego no bolo do caco' (sweet flatbread with small steak, ham, cheese, salad, eggs, homemade potato crisps), vegan option with olive and almond spread, fresh mushrooms, zucchini, lettuce, tomato and homemade potato chips, juice, water, fresh fruit salad
Landmarks Ribeira Brava Ponta de Sol Paul da Serra Ribeira da Janela Viewpoint Porto Moniz Seixal Beach Sao Vicente Vu da Noiva Waterfall 
- Day 5
Funchal
This morning you'll board a catamaran for a three-hour cruise looking for dolphins and possibly whales depending on what's around during your visit. You're back at the hotel by early afternoon, so you can either hang out by the pool, check out the games room, or head into Funchal's Old Town to wander the narrow streets and browse traditional shops. If you're traveling during Christmas, the evening brings the Farmers' Market in Funchal with carol singing and local food you can try.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Raga), Hotel (Hotel Raga (or similar))
Included Activities
- Three-hour catamaran cruise for dolphin and whale watching
Optional Activities
- Visit hotel lido
- Use hotel games room
- Explore Funchal's Old Town
- Farmers' Market night in Funchal (Christmas departure) - shopping with locals for Christmas essentials and enjoying traditional sandwiches of 'carne de vinha d'alhos' (pork cubes in wine and garlic)
Landmarks Funchal Funchal Old Town Farmers' Market, Funchal - Day 6
Funchal
Today is completely yours to plan. If football interests you, the Cristiano Ronaldo Museum is worth a few hours since he's from Madeira. Alternatively, Porto Moniz has those naturally heated volcanic pools if swimming appeals to you. Whether you stay relaxed by your hotel pool or go exploring is entirely up to what you're in the mood for.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Raga), Hotel (Hotel Raga (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Visit the Cristiano Ronaldo Museum
- Visit Porto Moniz natural volcanic pools
Landmarks Cristiano Ronaldo Museum Porto Moniz Natural Pools - Day 7
BAM Banana Plantation
You'll travel to Ponta do Sol to visit the BAM banana plantation and museum. There you'll taste different varieties of bananas from fresh fruit to crispy chips to dried banana. Try a creamy banana smoothie, and if you're interested, adults can sample banana beer or banana liqueur to get a real taste of Madeira's local products.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Raga), Hotel (Hotel Raga (or similar))
Included Activities
- BAM banana plantation and museum visit
- Banana tastings - fresh banana, crispy banana chips, sweet dried banana
- Banana smoothie
- Banana beer or banana liqueur tasting (adults)
Landmarks BAM Banana Plantation and Museum - Day 8
Departure
Your tour ends this morning at the hotel in Funchal, so you're free to leave whenever you need to. If your flight departs later in the day, the hotel can store your luggage while you finish exploring or just relax before heading to the airport.
Optional Activities
- Use hotel luggage storage for late departures
