Marvels of Madeira Self Guided Walk

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tourhub | Exodus | Marvels of Madeira Self Guided Walk | W07MF | Map

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496 Views

8 Days

From

~~$2795~~

$2718

Marvels of Madeira Self Guided Walk

8 Days Starting in Santana and ending in Funchal

Visiting: Porto da Cruz, Sao Jorge, Caldeirão Verde, Ribeiro Frio, Santo António da Serra, Ponta de São Lourenço Experience, Levada do Norte, Cape Girão

Tour operator:

Exodus

Tour code:

W07MF

Group Type:

Independent

Guide Type:

Self Guided

Physical rating:

Leisurely / Moderate

Age range:

12-99

Special diets catered:

Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements

Tour operated in:

English

From:

$2795

$2718 (USD) The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$77

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Tour Overview

Surging from the Atlantic Ocean, Madeira offers a temperate sub-tropical paradise perfect for year-round walking. One of Madeira's many charms is its infinite variety; each day's walking and every levada - the island's unique network of water channels - is different. Landscapes vary from cultivated vine terraces and verdant slopes dotted with white hamlets to coastal cliffs with balcony views over the azure seas. Also a nature lover's paradise, there are over 120 endemic species of flora and fauna including the pride of Madeira, the bird-of-paradise, along with jacaranda, tiny bisbis birds, chaffinches and hawks - the list is endless. On this self-guided, hotel-to-hotel holiday, the island's coastal paths and levadas take you from the sleepy wine village of Santana on the north coast to bustling Funchal in the south.

Highlights

Time to explore bustling Funchal
Friendly, good quality hotels, with swimming pools
Stunning coastal trails and flower-lined levada walks

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Itinerary

tourhub | Exodus | Marvels of Madeira Self Guided Walk | W07MF | Route Map

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Day 1 : Start Santana Or Porto Da Cruz

Location: Porto da Cruz

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Arrive at your hotel near Santana or Porto da Cruz where our local partner

will brief you on the week's walking.

Day 2 : Walk A Circular Route To Sao Jorge And Take In Fabulous Coastal Vistas

Location: Sao Jorge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

A panoramic coastal path leads you to the ancient cobbled route linking

Santana to Sao Jorge. Agapanthus and cacti line the descent to the seaside

'resort' of Calhau. It's then along the base of the cliffs, where big

Atlantic rollers come sweeping in, before you climb to enjoy balcony views.

There are fabulous coastal vistas as you ascend to Sao Jorge, with the

village's lighthouse glimmering above the azure waters. The mighty peak of

Pico Ruivo frames the horizon as you return to Santana.

2 options: Walking time 3.5hr, distance 10km/6.2mi or walking time 4hr,

distance 13km/8.1mi.

Day 3 : Walk Through Caldeirao Verde Levada Into The Vale Da Lapa

Location: Caldeirão Verde

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

A transfer (10 mins) takes you up to the Parque das Queimadas - all the hard

climbing is done for you! The walk follows the beautiful (and shady)

Caldeirao Verde Levada (the Green Cauldron Levada) into the Vale da Lapa. The

scenery is magnificent; the views of the sea, of hilltop villages, and of the

lofty central peaks are unforgettable. You head up the valley through a

series of impressive levada tunnels to the magnificent waterfall at Caldeirao

Verde. Then it's back down the Lapa Valley to Ilha before taking the local

bus (payable locally) back to Santana or a pre-arranged transfer back to

Porto da Cruz.

Day 4 : Walk From Ribeiro And Descend Into Santo Da Serra

Location: Ribeiro Frio, Santo António da Serra

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A scenic 30-minute ride takes you to Ribeiro Frio. You join the Levada do

Furado, a verdant paradise of laurel, heather and pine with waterfalls

tumbling into the gushing river. Tiny firecrest and tame finches flit between

the trees, which occasionally part to reveal stunning views of white hilltop

hamlets. You descend to Santo da Serra's vibrant square with its lively

market; wood smoke fills the air as meats grill al fresco - you must try the

traditional espetada (marinated meat skewered on laurel twigs)!

Day 5 : Walk The Ponta De Sao Lourenco's Nature Reserve's Peninsula Loop

Location: Ponta de São Lourenço Experience

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Starting with a transfer (30 mins), today's walk takes you to the most

eastern point of Madeira, to Ponta de Sao Lourenco's Nature Reserve, where

you'll walk the hugely popular peninsula loop, with sweeping views, jagged

peaks and masses of flora and fauna.

Day 6 : Take The Levada Do Norte Before Arriving In Cabo Girao

Location: Levada do Norte, Cape Girão

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A transfer takes you to Boa Morte to take the Levada do Norte, through pine

and eucalyptus trees, and on paths lined with pink belladonna flowers. High

on the poios (terraces) the path wanders through pretty villages, before

arriving in Cabo Girao where the majestic expanse of the Atlantic is spread

out before us. A transfer will take you on to the 5-star Quinta da Bela Vista

above Funchal where you will spend your last 2 nights.

What's Included

All breakfasts, 2 picnic lunches and all evening meals
Route notes and maps provided
All breakfasts, 2 picnic lunches and 5 evening meals
All accommodation (see accommodation section)
Cable car ticket included (day 7)

What's Not Included

Single accommodation (available on request - compulsory supplement)
Visas or vaccinations
Travel insurance

Accommodation

Our accommodation choices offer as many contrasts as the walks: in Santana your 4-star hotel has stunning Atlantic Ocean views; in Santo da Serra your hotel dates back to the 1920s and has been used as a family home and tea house over the years, and in Funchal, the 5-star Quinta da Bela Vista is one of the most exclusive hotels on the island. Room upgrade From £10 per person, per night based on 2 people sharing. All prices are based on 2 persons sharing, so if there is an odd number of people travelling in your party or you are travelling alone, there will be a compulsory single room supplement payable in advance.

Food

All continental buffet style breakfasts, 2 picnic lunches and 5 evening meals
are included.

Madeira is well known for its excellent fresh fish and seafood, tasty soups
and mouth-watering fresh fruit. Grilled meats especially chicken (often
cooked on a natural wood grill), also make a good choice for your evening
meal. A more traditional dish is espetada - skewered beef cooked on an open
grill served with lots of salad and boiled potatoes.

Portions are generous, especially in smaller, less touristy restaurants and
main dishes come with the traditional salad and potatoes. You will also get a
basket of bread on the table, even if you don’t ask for it. Some
restaurants also bring you portions of soft cheese and fish paste with the
bread and will add these to your bill.

*Wine*

Madeira’s wine is probably the island’s most famous export. This strong,
fortified wine, which tastes a little like port or sherry, comes in a range
of flavours (from dry to very sweet) and is renowned throughout the world. It
was used to seal the signing of the American Declaration of Independence and
is still used today to toast those offered the Freedom of the City of London.

Check out our Q&As

What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?

4-star hotel
Are children permitted to take part in the tour?

12+ age people can go on this tour.
Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

Yes
What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
How long has the tour company been trading?

Exodus has been trading since 1974

What documents will I receive before I travel?

Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
Can I join the tour once it has departed?

You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.

Reviews from Travellers on this Tour

Marvels of Madeira self guided

A winning combination of walks in stunning scenery

A winning combination of walks in stunning scenery and top quality hotels in which to relax at the end of the day. Being self guided was a great experience, walking notes very clear, and you can go at your own choice of pace and stop whenever you want. Highly recommended.

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Dates & Availability

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Jun
2024 Jul
2024 Aug
2024 Sep
2024 Oct
2024 Nov
2024 Dec
2024

Instant Booking Available

Saturday - Saturday

Jun 01, 2024 - Jun 08, 2024

~~$2795~~ $2718 (USD)