Premium Walking & Hiking in Madeira

This active hiking trip requires a good level of fitness, due to varied terrain and potentially hot temperatures. Many of the hiking days involve steep hills and lots of steps that you’ll need to be able to walk up and down. Walking times vary between three and six hours a day, but the rewards are worth every step.

1. This trip requires a good level of fitness and health, due to the varied terrain and potentially hot temperatures. Many of the hiking days involve steep hills and lots of steps that you'll need to be able to walk up and down. Walking times vary between three and six hours a day, but the rewards are worth every step.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information. Please note that due to the small properties we use in Europe there is only a limited amount of single supplements available per trip departure.

What you need to bring will vary according to the trip style you have chosen, the countries you are visiting and when you are travelling. We recommend you pack as lightly as possible, ensuring that you are able to carry and lift your own luggage and walk with it for short distances or up or down a flight of stairs. Help will be on hand in most locations, but there may be times you need to handle your own luggage, for example in airports and train stations.

A lockable suitcase with wheels is ideal for this trip. It is recommended that you keep your main luggage weight around 15kg and certainly no more than 20kg. A small or medium-sized backpack (45-50 litres) is another good option.

You'll also need a day pack/bag to carry water, camera, jacket, etc. when you’re exploring during the day.

Below is a link to our ultimate packing list, a guide to get you started:, https://www.intrepidtravel.com/packing-list, WATER BOTTLE
Please bring your own water bottle to refill. Although it can be difficult to avoid bottled water when travelling, please use the water dispensers which are provided on some of our vehicles and at some of our accommodation. When unable to avoid bottled water, it is better to buy the largest available and distribute it into your smaller bottle for the day. Some travellers like to bring a bottle with its own filtration system or water purification tablets. If you are walking or trekking as part of your trip, you will need to carry at least 2 litres of water with you.

You’re in for an active hiking trip! Whilst previous experience isn’t essential for getting involved, it is preferred. A decent level of fitness will help you get the most out of this tour, due to the varied terrain and potentially hot temperatures. Many of the walks involve steep hills and lots of steps that you'll need to be able to walk up and down. Walking times vary between three and six hours a day, but the rewards are worth every step. If you’re already a regular walker or hiker you’re probably good to go. If you’re not, we strongly recommend adding it into your routine in the months leading up to your departure. There’s always a choice to opt out of certain activities too.

Pestana Quinta Perestrello Hotel, Rua Dr. Pita 3, São Martinho, Funchal, 9000-089, PORTUGAL

Just a short walk from the heart of Funchal, the Pestana Quinta Perestrello maintains the old-world elegance of a 19th-Century Madeiran manor house, now transformed into a charming luxury hotel. This 37 room hotel features an outdoor pool, manicured garden, a billiards room and a library in relax and read in. Each room features a private bathroom and shower, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and an LCD TV. Hotel guests also have access to the heated indoor swimming pools, gym, jacuzzi and sauna at the nearby Pestana Village and Pestana Miramar.

Alternate Joining Point

Pestana Quinta do Arco Hotel, Sitio da Lagoa, Estrada Regional 101, Arco de Sao Jorge, Santana/Sao Jorge, 9230-018, PORTUGAL

The Pestana Quinta do Arco is a relaxing hotel located in Arco de São Jorge, with views of the Laurissilva Forest and the Atlantic Ocean. Surrounded by gardens, including the largest rose garden in Portugal, the 18 hotel villas are ideal for a relaxing stay. The hotel features an outdoor swimming pool, restaurant and bar, free wi-fi, and a snooker room. Each room features a balcony, sofa, shower/bath, air-conditioning, TV and free wi-fi.

Alternate Finish Point

Breakfasts included: 5

Lunches included: 3

Dinners included: 2

While travelling with us you'll experience the vast array of wonderful food available in the world. Your group leader or local representative will be able to suggest restaurants to try during your trip. To give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat, generally not all meals are included in the trip price. This also gives you more budgeting flexibility. As a rule, our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. If you have dietary requirements and/or food allergies, please let your booking agent know prior to departure.

VEGETARIANS
Vegetarians might find the menu selection in Europe less varied than they would see at home. Vegetarianism is not as common in this region and generally the choices are basic, involving vegetables, soups, salads, bread, cheese, fruit, yoghurt, eggs etc. Vegans and those on gluten-free diets may find this region very challenging and may need to supplement meals with their own supplies from supermarkets and markets. Wherever possible we will cater for dietary needs for any included meals, but there may be times when those with special requirements may need to provide their own.

SUMMER
Summer temperatures can be extreme in many of the regions visited (over 40°C/104°F), which can be uncomfortable. It’s important to use sun protection and drink plenty of water. Please carefully consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season.

SHOULDER SEASON
In contrast, weather in shoulder season can be unpredictable, and snow is not unheard of at higher altitudes. If you travel at the start or towards the end of the European season please pack accordingly with warm and/or waterproof clothes (preferably layers). The advantage of travelling during this time is that there are less tourists around.

In case of a genuine crisis or emergency, you can reach our local office on the numbers below:

Intrepid's Local Operator: +34 960 25 61 55

The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.

Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.

OCCASIONAL ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION
The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline. On rare occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our usual accommodation. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances.

TWIN SHARE BASIS
Accommodation on this trip is on a twin/multishare basis. We pair up solo travellers with another traveller of the same gender as per the gender marker on each of their passports. Please note there may be times where facilities will be shared rather than ensuite and rare occasions when you share a room with passengers travelling on different Intrepid trips than your own.

CHECK-IN TIME
Throughout the trip we request that our hotels prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination.

PRE/POST TRIP ACCOMMODATION
If you've purchased pre-trip or post-trip accommodation (if available), you may be required to change rooms from your trip accommodation for these extra nights.

FACILITIES
Your accommodation may not always have private en suite facilities or air-conditioning. European hotels generally don't provide kettles or fridges.