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We start at our hotel in Machico which overlooks the beach of Machico Bay and is close to the picturesque historic fishing village. *Please note that all groups travelling in January and February 2020 will stay at Santa Cruz Village Hotel.
Today we walk the classic route along the Ponta de Sao Lourenco. Although challenging, this path takes us 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. Rocks, sculptured by nature, have a great diversity of colours ranging from black to red, and are in stark contrast to the blue of the ocean. Madeira's Nature Park rangers watch over the plants and animals that belong to this eastern extremity of the island, around Casa do Sardinha. We return to Machico for the night. Walking time approx 3h30 (Elevation +170m, -270m) Total distance approx 8 km *Comfortable Hotel*
Distance in Km: 8
Distance in Miles: 4
This morning we will walk a scenic route along a cliff trail, up to the north coast. We 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 we enjoy some amazing views along the north coast and may even be able to see the nearby island of Porto Santo. We then head west along the coastal path, a spectacular route in many places cut right into the cliff. We finally descend to the small town of Porto da Cruz, once a bustling port but now a sleepy little town. Later, we transfer to Santana for the night. Walking time approx 4h30 (Elevation +200m, –350m) Total distance approx 12 km *Standard Hotel*
Distance in Km: 12
Distance in Miles: 7
From Santana we take a short transfer (stopping to admire the famous thatched roof houses) to Queimadas natural park where we will walk along the Levada do Caldeirao Verde. We finish this walk at the isolated village of Ilha before returning to Santana for the night. Walking time approx 5h (Elevation +90m, –500m) Total distance approx 12 km *Standard Hotel*
Distance in Km: 12
Distance in Miles: 7
Today we make the most strenuous walk of the trip. Starting with an early departure to see the sunrise at Achada do Teixeira, we ascend the island's highest mountain, Pico Ruivo (1862m). Our descent follows a spectacular ridge via Torrinhas Pass and over the saddle of Pico do Jorge to Encumeada. As we 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, we arrive via a long series of stone steps at Encumeada. Transfer to historic Funchal, our base for the last three nights of the trip. Walking time approx 7h30 (Elevation +650m, –1200m) Total distance approx 16 km * *
Distance in Km: 16
Distance in Miles: 9
This morning we transfer to Encumeada to enjoy our last fine high-level walk. We 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, we come to a superb viewpoint overlooking the spectacularly situated village of Curral das Freiras and then descend to the village of Corticeiras. In the afternoon we transfer back to Funchal where there will be time for exploration of the town, a visit to the market or shopping if you wish. We overnight in Funchal. Total walking time 6h (Elevation +400m, –650m) *Comfortable Hotel*
Distance in Km: 12
Distance in Miles: 7
Our 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. *Comfortable Hotel*
* 7 nights 3 and 4-star hotels, 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 and public bus
All breakfasts are included and usually consist of coffee/tea, fruit juice,
rolls or bread, butter and jam, with the addition of cereal or cheese
sometimes. Lunch (not included): normally bread or rolls, fresh salad,
vegetables, cold meats or tinned fish, cheese and fresh fruit. The
ingredients for lunch can often be bought at nearby shops and supermarkets,
and prepared before walks. Evening meal (not included): normally a first
course of soup or salad, a main course of meat or fish with vegetables and
potatoes or rice, plus a dessert course. We regularly take our evening meal
in our hotel, although there are other options. Madeirans eat a lot of meat
and fish with rather plainly cooked vegetables. Vegetarians will normally
find they get a balanced diet if they are prepared to be flexible.
* 7 nights 3 and 4-star hotels, 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 and public bus
This trip consists of 5 daywalks and 1 free day. The walks are either fairly
easy medium-duration walks or harder, shorter walks and reasonable fitness is
required. The paths we use are generally flat and well maintained but some of
the routes cross rougher terrain with longer ascents and descents. Some of
the paths are quite narrow and stony underfoot and require walking in single
file. On several occasions where the path becomes narrow and has a steep drop
to one side, walkers need a head for heights. Handrails sometimes protect
these sections, but we do not recommend this holiday for vertigo sufferers. A
few of the levada paths enter short tunnels through the rock but these are
easily navigated with the aid of a torch. Altitude maximum 1,862m; average
750m.
3 and 4-star hotels
Throughout your trek you will stay in good quality hotels with en suite
facilities.
List of hotels normally used:
Machico: Hotel Dom Pedro. * Please note that the departure starting on the
1st May 2021 will stay Hotel Amparo instead of Hotel Dom Pedro.
Santana: Hotel O Colmo
Funchal: Hotel do Centro or Hotel Windsor. *Please note that on the 26th
December 2020 a different end hotel (5-star Quinta da Serra) will be used and
this will be located approx. 16km from Funchal. A complimentary transfer
to/from Funchal will be offered for those wishing to travel to Funchal for
sightseeing.
All breakfasts are included and usually consist of coffee/tea, fruit juice,
rolls or bread, butter and jam, with the addition of cereal or cheese
sometimes. Lunch (not included): normally bread or rolls, fresh salad,
vegetables, cold meats or tinned fish, cheese and fresh fruit. The
ingredients for lunch can often be bought at nearby shops and supermarkets,
and prepared before walks. Evening meal (not included): normally a first
course of soup or salad, a main course of meat or fish with vegetables and
potatoes or rice, plus a dessert course. We regularly take our evening meal
in our hotel, although there are other options. Madeirans eat a lot of meat
and fish with rather plainly cooked vegetables. Vegetarians will normally
find they get a balanced diet if they are prepared to be flexible.
Transport from and to the airport is by taxi or minibus and is included.
Other transport mentioned in the itinerary as an integral part of the guided
walks is also included, as is the transfer of luggage between hotels.
Transport on optional excursions, or where you have voluntarily curtailed a
group walk are not included.
*Travelling flight inclusive from London: 8 days*
The group flight from London is a daytime flight departing on Day 1 of the
itinerary.
*Flights from London*
We normally use the scheduled services of British Airways (depending on
availability). As flight timings and schedules change regularly we recommend
you call one of our specialist sales staff or your agent to confirm
up‐to‐date timings. Please note timings may change at a later date and
cannot be confirmed until approximately two weeks before departure.
Travelling land only: 8 days starting in Machico and ending in Funchal
Your trip normally starts at our accommodation in Machico in the afternoon
of Day 1 of the itinerary. Details of how to reach the start point are
provided in the Final Joining Instructions ‐ sent approximately two weeks
before departure.
The climate in Madeira is similar to that found around the Mediterranean and
is renowned for its year round mildness however there is always the
possibility of inclement weather. In May, April, June, October and November,
temperatures are pleasant and some rainfall is to be expected. From July to
September, daytime is a little warmer and it is typically dry with an average
of seven to eight hours of sunshine a day, but the odd shower is still
possible. Winter months are generally wetter, particularly at high levels
with rain falling between periods of fine, settled weather (so waterproofs
are essential). Please note that we may be forced to amend the itinerary
depending on local weather conditions.
Good quality waterproof/windproof jacket and over-trousers
Lightweight walking boots (waterproof with good ankle support)
Warm jacket or sweater
Woolly hat and gloves
Water bottle
Sunhat and suncream
Swimwear and towel for pools and beach use
Torch for walking along the tunnels
Daypack (approx 25 litres should suffice) to carry your belongings on walks
Trekking poles
Allow €12-18 for lunch or dinner (taken in restaurants), excluding
alcoholic beverages. You will also need some extra cash for drinks or ice
creams in cafés or bars during the day walks or in the hotel bar in the
evening. Typically a beer or coffee will cost around €1.5 and a reasonable
bottle of wine at dinner about €12.
Our local staff are paid well and fairly for their work with Exodus. Most of
our clients wish to give a tip to their guides in appreciation of their help
and friendliness. This, of course, is in no way compulsory and depends on the
service received. For this trip we recommend between €15 and €20 per
person for the leader.
* Travel insurance
* Single accommodation (available on request)
* Visas or vaccinations
Ved skriftlig aksept av vårt tilbud bekrefter du/dere at våre betingelser er både lest og forstått og at evt kansellerings gebyrer kan tilkomme ved en evt. avbestilling av reisen.