Itinerary
- Day 1
Funchal
You'll arrive in Funchal and have some time to kill before the 6 pm welcome meeting. If you get there early, the Gothic-Romanesque Cathedral is worth a look, and the historic Sao Tiago Fortress sits right there if you want to walk around the fortifications. The local markets are good for wandering, and there's fresh seafood along the waterfront if you're hungry. Once everyone gathers at 6 pm, you'll meet your group, and there's an optional dinner afterward if you want to join.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Gothic-Romanesque Cathedral
- Walk around Sao Tiago Fortress
- Explore local markets
- Enjoy fresh seafood by the waterfront
- Group dinner
Landmarks/POIs Gothic-Romanesque Cathedral Sao Tiago Fortress - Day 2
Cabo Girão - Jardim do Mar
Private transport takes you to Estreito de Câmara de Lobos, where you'll start hiking the Levada do Norte trail. The path runs along the coast with ocean views leading toward Cabo Girão, one of Europe's highest sea cliffs. You'll have a picnic lunch up there, then head over to Jardim do Mar for a short orientation walk through the town. Later in the evening, you'll try Poncha, a local drink made from sugarcane rum, honey, and lemon to wind down.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Hike Levada do Norte from Estreito de Câmara de Lobos to Cabo Girão
- Picnic lunch at Cabo Girão
- Leader-led orientation walk in Jardim do Mar
- Poncha drink
Landmarks/POIs Cabo Girão Jardim do Mar - Day 3
Jardim do Mar
Starting from Jardim do Mar, you'll hike a loop using the Vereda do Jardim do Mar trail with coastal views, then continue onto the Levada da Calheta where you walk through thick greenery and wildflowers. You'll see traditional farming terraces carved into the hillsides as you go. Picnic lunch happens out there surrounded by countryside, and afterward you spend time exploring the seaside village and taking in the ocean views from different angles.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Loop hike from Jardim do Mar including Vereda do Jardim do Mar and Levada da Calheta trails
- Picnic lunch in Jardim do Mar
Optional Activities
- Wander around Jardim do Mar
Landmarks/POIs Vereda do Jardim do Mar trail Levada da Calheta trail - Day 4
Seixal - Santo António da Serra
You'll travel to Fanal forest to hike the Vereda do Fanal trail through ancient laurel trees and woodland sections, with a picnic lunch break halfway through. After that, it's an orientation walk through Seixal's village streets. Then you get to cool off with a swim in the natural volcanic pools there. Before heading to Santo António da Serra for the night, you'll stop at Miradouro de Veu da Noiva viewpoint to see the dramatic cliffs and waterfalls.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Vereda do Fanal guided hike through ancient laurel trees and woodlands
- Picnic lunch at Fanal
- Seixal leader-led orientation walk
- Swim in Seixal's natural volcanic swimming pools
- Visit Miradouro de Veu da Noiva viewpoint
Landmarks/POIs Fanal forest Vereda do Fanal trail Seixal Miradouro de Veu da Noiva - Day 5
Porto da Cruz - Santana - Santo António da Serra
Your hike begins in Machico, which was Madeira's first capital and has historic harbours and beaches. You'll follow scenic coastal trails to Porto da Cruz, taking in the sweeping views of orange-roofed houses. A local rum distillery is next, where you'll taste authentic Madeiran rum and learn how they make it. Then you walk through Santana, a rural village known for its distinctive triangular palheiros houses, before traveling back to Santo António da Serra.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Machico to Porto da Cruz guided hike
Optional Activities
- Visit local rum distillery and taste authentic Madeiran rum
- Walk through Santana village
Landmarks/POIs Machico Porto da Cruz Santana - Day 6
Pico do Ruivo - Ponta de São Lourenço - Santo António da Serra
You'll head to Achada do Teixeira, the starting point for tackling the Vereda do Pico do Ruivo trail toward Madeira's highest peak. Mountain views and rock formations appear along the way, though clouds sometimes roll in and obscure the scenery. Lunch might happen at a café nearby if the timing works. This afternoon, you'll do the Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço hike, which is known for dramatic cliffs, coastal views, and volcanic landscape with panoramic ocean vistas. Back at Santo António da Serra, you'll celebrate your last night with a group dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Vereda do Pico do Ruivo guided hike
- Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço guided hike
Optional Activities
- Stop for lunch at a nearby cafe
- Group dinner to celebrate
Landmarks/POIs Achada do Teixeira Pico do Ruivo Vereda do Pico do Ruivo trail Vereda da Ponta de São Lourenço trail - Day 7
Santo António da Serra
There's nothing scheduled for this day, so you can leave whenever you want. If you're thinking about staying longer and exploring Santo António da Serra more thoroughly, let your booking agent know ahead of time so they can arrange extra accommodation for you.
Optional Activities
- Explore Santo António da Serra further
