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Overseas Trips
Explore a little more with our overseas trips which give you an opportunity to really immerse yourself in other cultures and build lifelong memories.
Madeira: From Peaks to Coastlines
Madeira, Portugal
25 Oct - 02 Nov '25
£1700pp
Spend 9 days and 8 nights exploring the magical island of Madeira. Basing ourselves in the lively capital Funchal over 8 days we will explore everything this paradise has to offer. From hiking the famous Pico to Pico, wondering through the magical Fanal Forest, and taking swims in natural sea baths in Sexial you will truly get a taste of what Madeira has to offer!
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With accommodation (twin rooms), airport transfers, breakfasts, lunches, a welcome and farewell dinner and all activities with guides included, this is the perfect opportunity to explore this bucket list island with a group of likeminded women's who will quickly become lifelong friends.
Difficulty: Moderate (sustained hiking with elevation over 8 days)
Distance: Between 5-25km per day
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Click the link below to to receive trip details, full itinerary and to book your spot!
Alternatively email: tailormadeuk@intrepidtravel.com with your full name as per passport, DOB and best contact number
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TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
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Explore the vibrant capital of Funchal, including the iconic Mercado dos Lavradores and botanical gardens.
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Hike through lush valleys, eucalyptus forests, and along scenic levadas with panoramic views of the coastline.
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Climb to Pico Ruivo, the highest peak in Madeira, for breathtaking 360° views of the island.
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Visit Rabaçal and witness the stunning Risco Waterfall, plus cross an 800m tunnel to hidden springs.
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Discover the ancient Laurisilva forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the towering Cabo Girao skywalk.
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Walk along the Levada do Rei to São Jorge Watermill, rich with endemic flora and fauna.
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Swim in the natural volcanic pools of Porto Moniz, an unforgettable coastal experience.
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Conclude with an epic hike from Encumeada to Seixal, celebrating with a farewell dinner in good company.
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Enjoy traditional Madeiran cuisine with welcome and farewell dinners.
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Stay in charming local accommodations that reflect the island’s unique culture and warmth.
ITINERARY
DAY 1
Arrive in Funchal and join us for a welcome dinner to meet your group and tour leader. This is where the adventure begins!
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DAY 2
From Machico, climb up to Pico do Facho and follow the Levada de Caniçal for 4 km through a valley of eucalyptus and mimosa trees. Along the way, you can admire the island of Porto Santo in the distance.
A 1.5-hour cliffside trail takes you to Maiata and Porto da Cruz, home to one of the island's last rum distilleries.
From Porto da Cruz, a vehicle will take you back to your hotel. The rest of the evening is free at your leisure.
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Included Activities
â–ª Boca do Risco hike
4-5 hours
+350m / -350m
15km
DAY 3
Today, spend your morning discovering Funchal! Enjoy a recovery stroll in old town through some of Funchal's
alleyways. You'll reach the “Mercado dos lavradores”, the famous market of Funchal. This market will charm you with its festival of colours, tropical fruits, vegetables of all kinds but also its flowers, wicker baskets ,fish and its sellers in traditional Madeira costumes.
Continue your day visiting the botanical garden and perhaps take a ride on the cable car or the wicker sled ride
through the streets of Funchal!
The rest of your day is free at leisure to relax for tomorrow's amazing hike.
Included Activities
â–ª Day tour of Funchal
DAY 4
Today we head towards the Picos (1810m) for a high hike, certainly the most spectacular of your stay! On foot, we
reach Pico Ruivo, the highest point of Madeira at (1861m). This summit takes its name from the color of the rock,
which comes from slag and lapilli ejected by volcano eruptions. From Pico Ruivo, we admire the island in its entirety
,the green and wild valleys of the north coast, the Caldeirao Verde valley with Sao Jorge and Santana, Porto da Cruz
and the Eagle point but also the Sao Lourenço point which winds through the water.
After your hike, your evening is free at your leisure.
Included Activities
â–ª Crossing the Picos hike
5 hours
+600m / -600m
10km
DAY 5
Transfer to the Paul da Serra plateau at 1290m altitude. We are at the mouth of the longest valley called“Ribeira da Janela”, with its 16 km long. Here, two colors dominate; the exuberant green of the original “Laurisilva” forest which covers the mountains, and the blue of the sky and the ocean. At this altitude, it is the heather, which can reach 6 m in size, which dominates the surrounding landscape. The trees form a dark and humid undergrowth favoring the appearance offerns, moss, mushrooms and the endemic Madeira blueberry bush. This place is ideal for observing the Madeira wren and the Trocaz pigeon, both of which are endemic species.
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We reach the forest house of Rabaçal then we go to Risco where we admire the 100m high waterfall. We continue to 25 Fontes where the springs that give the name to this levada gush through the rocks. On the way back, we cross an 800m long tunnel, opening onto the southern slope and its eucalyptus forest.
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On the way back to Funchal, we will stop at Cabo Girao, one of the most famous attractions on the island and the highest cliff in Europe (589m). You can walk on the skywalk, a glass platform allowing you to see the void just below us. You can also take the cable car to admire the grandeur of the cliff from the beach below
Included Activities
â–ª Rabaçal and 25 fountains & Waterfall of the Angels hike
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5 hours
+600m / -600m
10km
DAY 6
Today you will discover the north-east coast dominated by its sharp ridges, whose foothills are covered by an
exceptional endemic forest. Make your way to the Quebradas water treatment plant and take a 5km walk along the
Levada do Rei. The first part of the trail takes you through a forest made up of endemic and introduced species,
before moving into a more natural forest, rich in biodiversity.
Take the same path on the way back, and at the end o fthe trail, be sure to visit the Moinho De Água de São Jorge,
fed by the waters of the Levada do Rei. With almost three centuries of history, it is a fine example of
conservation.
After your hike, head back to your new hotel for a change of scenery!
Included Activities
â–ª Levada do Rei hike
4-5 hours
+100m / -100m
10km
DAY 7
Beginning at the Paúl da Serra (Assobiadores) plateau, Vereda do Fanal is 10.8 km long and has an estimated
duration of 4 hours, offering hikers the opportunity to cross a wide green area of the indigenous Laurissilva forest.
Here, this forest area endemic of Madeira, a Unesco Natural World Heritage Site, is in a perfect state of conservation and development. This is a scenery of great natural exuberance, which accompanies and marks the whole experience of hiking along Vereda do Fanal. After the hike, we head towards Porto Moniz to swim in the natural pools, if weather permitting.
Included Activities
â–ª Fanal Forest hike
â–ª Porto Moniz natural swimming pools
4 hours
+270m / -540m
10km
DAY 8
For your last full day in Madeira, we're off to immerse ourselves in Madeira's deepest nature. You hike to Bica da
Cana, crossing a steep-sided valley. You then cross the high plateau of Paul da Serra, before continuing on to
regions where nature has remained virtually intact, with some of the most imposing laurel trees in the world.
Finally, you plunge down to the northern slopes, where you will discover impressive cliffs of incredibly rugged
beauty. You will finally reach the north coast of the island and the village of Seixal on foot, from where a vehicle will
collect you to take you to your hotel.
This evening, join your group for a final farewell dinner!
Included Activities
â–ª Encumeada - Seixal hike
â–ª Farewell dinner
6-7 hours
+970m / -1650m
16km
DAY 9
Today, say your goodbyes to Madeira and your group! Depart at any time. Please note standard check out is 11:00.
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Click the link below to to receive trip details, full itinerary and to book your spot!
Alternatively email: tailormadeuk@intrepidtravel.com with your full name as per passport, DOB and best contact number
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