Day 1 - Overnight Funchal, Barceló Oldtown Hotel - D

Welcome to Madeira! After your flight you will be met at the airport and transferred to our conveniently-located hotel where your Two Dog Travel tour director will be waiting to greet you. If you arrive early in the day, your room may not be ready but the hotel will happily store your luggage. Your tour director will be available to make suggestions on things to do and help get you acquainted with the area.  Later in the evening we will meet as a group and enjoy our welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 2- Overnight Funchal, Barceló Oldtown Hotel - B, L

Today we’ll start our day with a Funchal city tour. We’ll explore some of the highlights, learn a bit of history as well as taste some of the local delicacies. Next we’ll visit a winery and learn about the famous Madeira wines and enjoy a tasting before having lunch at a local restaurant. We’ll finish our time today by riding the cable car up to Monte Palace Tropical Gardens. With over 100,000 plant species from all over the world, the multi-level garden contains Buddhist sculptures, stone lanterns, a famous collection of tiles, as well as majestic swans, peacocks and Asian Koi. After our visit you’ll have the evening free to spend as you’d like.

Day 3 - Overnight Funchal, Barceló Oldtown Hotel - B, L

Today we’ll grab a picnic box lunch and head out for our first hike of the tour, the Ponta de São Lourenço, a dramatic coastal hike located on the easternmost volcanic peninsula of Madeira Island. Unlike Madeira’s lush green jungles, this semi-arid, Mars-like peninsula features stark volcanic basalt rock, limestone formations, and sparse, low-lying vegetation. Our hike will be approximately 4 km, 2 hours (2.5 miles), stopping along the way to enjoy the views while eating our picnic lunch. After the hike we’ll return to the starting point via RIB boat, enjoying the views from the water.

Day 4 - Overnight Funchal, Barceló Oldtown Hotel - B, L

Today we’ll have lunch at at a restaurant where we’ll experience a cooking demonstration with an excellent local chef. Instead of doing the work ourselves, we’ll have the opportunity to watch the chef prepare the meal for us. It’ll be a fun and relaxed way to learn more about the local products and foods of Madeira. After lunch, we’ll visit the Palheiro Gardens. Situated on a hill east of Funchal, this green space is attached to one of the largest and most sumptuous quintas on the island. Built in the early 19th century, the estate comprises an area of 143,200 m². Besides trees that are about two centuries old, the Palheiro Gardens have large lawns and lakes, as well as a Baroque-style chapel and a house dating from the 18th century.

Day 5 - Overnight Funchal, Barceló Oldtown Hotel - B, L

Today we’ll enjoy one of the easiest hikes of the tour at Vale Paraíso (also known as Paradise Valley). At approximately 5 km, 1.5 hours (3.4 miles), we’ll enjoy a scenic levada (a narrow, man-made irrigation channel or aqueduct system) walking trail located in Camacha. After our hike, we’ll visit a cider producer where we’ll enjoy a tasting followed by lunch. (Did you know that the history of cider in Madeira goes back five centuries, with the first apples being introduced by colonizers in the 15th century?) Before returning to the hotel, we’ll make a stop at the Pico do Areeiro viewpoint, one of the highest scenic points in Madeira.

Day 6 - Overnight Funchal, Barceló Oldtown Hotel - B, D

Today will begin with a relaxed morning where you may decide to sleep in, perhaps enjoy the hotel’s heated rooftop pool or explore Funchal town. In the afternoon we’ll hop on a RIB boat for a whale and dolphin watching excursion. Thanks to resident species like bottlenose dolphins and short-finned pilot whales, sightings in the waters around Madeira happen year round. Once we return to our hotel, you’ll have free time before we meet again for dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 7 - Overnight Porto Moniz, Hotel Aqua Natura Madeira- B, L

After checking out we’ll make our way to the northwest side of the island. We’ll start with a hike on Levada Nova & Moinho, approx 9 km, 3.4 hours (5.6 miles). A major highlight will be passing directly behind a cascading waterfall (Cascata da Levada Nova) that drops right over the path, as well as panoramic views of the deep green valleys, terraced agricultural hillsides and the Atlantic Ocean. This is a more demanding hike so we will take our time and stop along the way to enjoy a picnic lunch. We’ll end our day with a visit to the village of Câmara de Lobos. Founded as Madeira’s first settlement area between 1420 and 1424, its name translates to “chamber of the wolves,” referencing the Mediterranean monk seals (lobo marinho) that early settlers found in its sheltered bay. Here we’ll also visit the Cabo Girão viewpoint. With its famous suspended glass platform (known as a skywalk), and at 580 metres high, Cabo Girão is the highest promontory in Europe so be sure to have your camera ready! After our fun day explore the west side of the island we’ll check into the Hotel Aqua Natura Madeira (our home for the next four nights).

Day 8 - Overnight Porto Moniz, Hotel Aqua Natura Madeira - B, L

Today we’ll hike from Achada do Teixeira to Pico Ruivo, the highest peak in Madeira, a distance of approx. 5.6 km, 2.5 hours (3.5 miles). This incredibly rewarding hike includes 360-degree panoramic views of the central massif, neighboring peaks like Pico do Areeiro and Pico das Torres, as well as seas of clouds. After our descent, we’ll stop at a restaurant for lunch before visiting a local rum distillery (produced for over 600 years, rum is a tradition on Madeira) for a visit and tasting. The perfect reward after our hike to the highest peak in Madeira.

Day 9 - Overnight Porto Moniz, Hotel Aqua Natura Madeira - B, L

Today we’ll enjoy one of the longer hikes of the tour, Levada do Rei and Quinta do Furão. Winding through lush Laurissilva forest (a UNESCO World Heritage site), native vegetation tunnels, and dramatic valley views, we’ll end at the Ribeiro Bonito waterfall and stream sanctuary, 10.6 km, 4 hours (6.6 miles). We’ll either bring a picnic lunch to enjoy during the hike or we’ll have a late lunch at a local restaurant before returning to the hotel.

Day 10 - Overnight Porto Moniz, Hotel Aqua Natura Madeira - B, L

Our last full day in Madeira will be spent on the NW coast, starting with a hike on Levada do Alecrim. Winding through another part of the UNESCO Laurissilva forest, it was built to receive and transport water from the Lajeado and Alecrim creeks with the purpose of supplying the Calheta Hydroelectric Station. During the hike we’ll come across waterfalls, a lake and end with a beautiful scenic mountain pool and waterfall known as Lagoa Dona Beja. Approx. 7 km round trip, 2.5-3 hours (4.35 miles). After the hike we’ll visit a private wine estate for a tasting and our farewell lunch, toasting to new friends and expriences.

Day 11 - B

It’s time to say goodby to beautiful Madeira. After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to the airport according to your flight departure time.

Note: The itinerary is descriptive, not definitive, and is subject to change. In particular, the schedule of activities may move around according to logistics, weather and availablity of local guides and vendors.