Portugal

Participants meet at the airport in Montreal and fly to Funchal with connecting flight.

Arriving in Funchal, you are welcomed at the airport by your local team. Short transfer to your accommodation in Machico or Santa Cruz.

Dinner included

Short 10-minute transfer to Abra Bay and hike to Pointe de São Lorenzo at the eastern end of the island. Follow a narrow, rocky path into a unique, entirely mineral world of multicolored ledges. The ochre and red of the basalt rocks contrast with the deep blue of the ocean, between the peaceful Abra Bay to the south, and the ever-choppy coastline to the north. On a clear day, you’ll be able to see Porto Santo, the deserted islands and the central cordillera, home to the highest peaks. Return to Machico in the afternoon.

Distance: 7 km / Approx. walking time: 4 hrs / Elevation: +500m / -500m

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

A coastal hike takes us to Porto da Cruz. After breakfast, we set off on foot from our hotel, climbing to Pico do Facho and following the levada de Caniçal for 4 km through a valley of eucalyptus and mimosa. Along the way, we admire the island of Porto Santo in the distance. A 1.5 h cliffside trail takes us to Maiata and then Porto da Cruz, renowned for housing one of the island’s last rum distilleries.

From Porto da Cruz, we continue on foot to Sao Roque do Faial, where we spend the night.

Distance: 15 km / Approximate walking time: 7 hrs / Elevation: +850m / -550m

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

The Faial valley is dominated by an enormous rock: the Penha de Aguia (Eagle Rock). This mound bears witness to the erosion caused by rivers over time. After breakfast, we set off on foot from our accommodation. We begin our ascent through the mimosas to reach the heart of a eucalyptus forest and discover a splendid view of the picos and the tip of Sao Lourenço.

On the way back down, we walk directly to our accommodation in Santana.

Distance: 10 km / Approx. walking time: 7 hrs / Elevation: +1100m / -1300m

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

For this day’s hike, we’re going to reach high peaks. This morning, a short transfer takes us to Achada do Texeira, the starting point for our crossing of Madeira’s high peaks. We’re off in the direction of Pico Ruivo, the island’s highest peak at 1862 m altitude. The ridge trail offers breathtaking views over the entire massif, without ever becoming vertiginous.

Descent to Curral das Freiras, where we spend the night.

Distance: 11 km / Approximate walking time: 5 hrs / Elevation: +400m / -1000m

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

We set off directly from our accommodation towards the Boca do Cerro pass, at the foot of Pico Grande (1654m). We pass through Madeira pines, eucalyptus and chestnut trees. We then descend to Encumeada, through a forest of laurel and broom, where we spend the night.

Distance: 13 km / Approx. walking time: 5 hrs / Elevation: +775m / -510m

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

We set off on foot from our accommodation in Encumeada, to immerse ourselves in Madeira’s deep wilderness. We hike to Bica da Cana, through a steep-sided valley. We then cross the Paul da Serra high plateau and continue on to regions where nature has remained virtually untouched, with some of the world’s most imposing laurel trees. We plunge onto the northern slopes, where we discover impressive cliffs of untamed beauty.

We arrive in Seixal, on the island’s north coast, where a vehicle is waiting for us for a short transfer to Porto Moniz, where we settle in for 2 nights.

Distance: 23 km / Approx. walking time: 7 hrs / Elevation: +900m / -1650m

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

A short transfer takes us back to our previous day’s arrival point, before we climb up to Ribeira Funda and then Ribeira da Janela. From here we begin our long descent to Porto Moniz, where we finish our crossing and spend the night. Natural pools await us for a well-deserved refreshing dip!

Distance: 14 km / Approx. walking time: 6 hrs / Elevation: +870m / -870m

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

After a one-hour transfer, we reach the capital Funchal for a free exploration of this charming city. Explore the colorful market, churches, museums or the famous botanical gardens. Rest of the day and overnight in Funchal. Farewell dinner in Funchal.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

 

Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Montreal via a connecting flight.

Breakfast included