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Portugal: Walking, Hiking & Wellness on Madeira Island
Madeira Island, Portugal
8 Days
From $5695
Walking, Yoga, Hiking
Portugal: Walking, Hiking & Wellness on Madeira Island
Madeira Island, Portugal
8 Days
From $5695
Walking, Yoga, Hiking
Trip Overview
Madeira Island Escape: Levadas, Volcanic Coastlines, and Restorative Wellness
Discover the lush landscapes and laid-back rhythm of Madeira, the "island of flowers" set in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Portugal. On this rejuvenating week of hiking and wellness, we'll explore the island's dramatic scenery by foot, following
Our days balance adventure with relaxation. Each morning offers the option to begin with a gentle yoga session before heading out to the trails, where sweeping ocean views, volcanic ridgelines, and the ancient Laurissilva forest await. Along the way, we'll discover Madeira's rich natural and cultural heritage, from rural farming communities and botanical gardens to the colorful streets of Funchal.
Evenings are dedicated to rest and renewal. Comfortable seaside and hilltop accommodations provide the perfect setting to unwind, whether with a massage, a dip in the pool, or time in the sauna. Delicious local cuisine and warm Portuguese hospitality round out each day.
Blending invigorating hikes, breathtaking landscapes, and moments of pure relaxation, this Madeira hiking adventure captures the spirit of the island, an island where nature, culture, and well-being come together beautifully.
Maximum group size: 14
*Women who have a significant fear of heights should consider choosing another trip.
Highlights
- Walking and hiking through Madeira's villages, lush forest and along its famous levadas
- Starting each day with a rejuvenating private yoga class
- Sampling local cuisine, cooked over a wood fire
- Unwinding with a daily massage, and enjoying the indoor, heated swimming pools and saunas at our accommodations
- Exploring Funchal, Madeira's charming capital
- Enjoying stunning views of the Laurissilva Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Looking out over the ocean from Ponta de São Lourenço, the easternmost point of Madeira Island
Inclusions
- 1 - 2 local English-speaking guides plus an AGC guide depending on group size
- Seven nights double occupancy lodging with private toilet and shower
- All meals from dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on Day 8
- Daily 1-hour morning yoga classes
- Therapeutic massages every evening
- All transport during the trip
- Group airport transfers on Day 1 and Day 8
Trip Info
On this trip, we combine scenic hiking with daily yoga and therapeutic massages. Most hikes range from 3 to 5 hours, with daily elevation gains and losses of 1,000-2,700 feet. A moderate level of fitness and a love for active adventures are essential. The terrain we'll encounter on this trip will vary between narrow trails along levadas (man-made irrigation channels), paved paths through the countryside, dirt trails through lush forests, and exposed balcony paths along the coast. This trip is rated Level 2, on the higher end of that scale, and is not recommended for women with a significant fear of heights. To prepare, participants should maintain a regular exercise routine, such as walking, biking, swimming, or other aerobic activities for 20-40 minutes, 3 to 4 times per week.
Rating: 1 [2] 3 4 5
Curious about how we rate our trips and how to prepare for yours? Explore our AGC Fitness Guide for more details.
This trip is designed as a walking, hiking and wellness program on the beautiful island of Madeira, with opportunities to learn about the island’s history and culture as we explore. We will be walking and hiking 3-5 hours each day, with optional 1-hour Hatha yoga classes offered each morning, and evening therapeutic massages as well.
Wondering what kind of gear works well for our trips? Our AGC Gear Guide highlights some of our go-to favorites.
All participants are guaranteed their own bed. We will be staying in double-occupancy rooms (two beds) with ensuite bathrooms at well-appointed 4-star hotels throughout the trip. We will pair you with another traveler unless you specify a roommate. A limited number of private, single-occupancy rooms are available upon request for an additional cost; availability of each room type is noted on your registration form. Each lodging has been carefully selected for its comfort, amenities, convenience, and welcoming staff.
See the FAQs below for more details about accommodation options.
Ready to picture yourself on this adventure?
Download the detailed trip summary for a closer look — daily highlights, travel notes, and everything you need to know before you go. It’s the perfect way to dream, plan, and share with a friend!
Itinerary
Below is the proposed itinerary for the trip. As is true on any adventure travel trip, plans for any specific day may be modified due to weather considerations, unforeseen circumstances, new opportunities, and group interests.
DAY 1
Welcome to Madeira! This stunning island, the largest of four islands in this Portuguese archipelago off the northwestern coast of Africa, will be our home for the next week and the backdrop of the adventures to come. After arriving at Madeira Airport (FNC) by 3:00 PM, we'll make our way to Ponta do Sol on a private transfer at 3:30 PM. After settling into our charming, seaside resort, we'll meet for a group orientation at 5:30 PM and enjoy our first of many delicious meals together.
Included Meals: Dinner
Accommodations: Enotel Sunset Bay, Ponta do Sol or similar
Travel Time: Driving (35 minutes)
Included Meals: Dinner
Accommodations: Enotel Sunset Bay, Ponta do Sol or similar
Travel Time: Driving (35 minutes)
DAY 2
The first full day of our hiking and wellness getaway in Madeira will begin with a morning yoga session—the perfect way to recalibrate after our travels. We'll fuel up with a hearty breakfast before driving to the plateau of Paul da Serra. At nearly 5,000 feet above sea level, Paul da Serra is the largest mountain plateau throughout the entire archipelago, and the only one found on Madeira. Our route begins with a long tunnel through the mountainside—our headlamps will come in handy here!—that emerges at the Rabaçal viewpoint, where we'll look out over the largest valley on the island. The 20-million-year-old Laurissilva Forest below us is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, covering one-fifth of the entire island. We'll wander along the levadas— an elaborate network of man-made irrigation channels dating back to the 15th century—that go to the heart of the mountains, discovering waterfalls, a forest of remarkable tree heather, the famous giant dandelion, and the Madeira daisy along the way. After an energizing first full day on the island, we'll make our way back to our hotel, where a rejuvenating massage awaits us.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Enotel Sunset Bay, Ponta do Sol or similar
Travel Time: Driving (1 hour)
Daily Activities: Hiking (4-5 hours, 7.5 miles, 1,700 feet of elevation gain/2,700 feet of elevation loss), Hatha Yoga (1 hour, optional)
Included Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Enotel Sunset Bay, Ponta do Sol or similar
Travel Time: Driving (1 hour)
Daily Activities: Hiking (4-5 hours, 7.5 miles, 1,700 feet of elevation gain/2,700 feet of elevation loss), Hatha Yoga (1 hour, optional)
DAY 3
After some morning yoga and breakfast, we'll set out for the day—beginning with a short transfer to the charming village of Paul do Mar. We'll follow an old royal road that was once used by fishermen on their way to the market, gaining some elevation as we go. We then walk along the Levada Nova, which brings us through a eucalyptus forest—a delight to the senses. When we arrive in Prazeres, we'll pay a visit to the small, educational quinta, the ideal place for a short break and some cha de limao, a tea with lemon peels. Our descent, a zig-zagging path, treats us to a jaw-dropping view of the ocean and Paul do Mar. We'll return to Ponta do Sol to unwind at our accommodations and enjoy a delightful dinner together.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Enotel Sunset Bay, Ponta do Sol or similar
Travel Time: Driving (40 minutes)
Daily Activities: Hiking (4.5-5.5 hours, 7.5 miles, 2,200 feet of elevation gain/2,200 feet of elevation loss), Hatha Yoga (1 hour, optional)
Included Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Enotel Sunset Bay, Ponta do Sol or similar
Travel Time: Driving (40 minutes)
Daily Activities: Hiking (4.5-5.5 hours, 7.5 miles, 2,200 feet of elevation gain/2,200 feet of elevation loss), Hatha Yoga (1 hour, optional)
DAY 4
This morning, we'll say goodbye to Ponta do Sol and make our way to Eira do Serrado, a magnificent viewpoint over the village of Curral das Freiras in the heart of the mountains. We'll descend to this quiet, isolated village, known for its chestnut harvest. When we reach Faja Escura, we'll enjoy a lunch of espetadas—skewers cooked over a wood fire (a local specialty!). After this hearty meal, we'll drive to Funchal, Madeira's charming capital city, whose name comes from the foncho—fennel—that grew in the bay when the Portuguese arrived. We're free to explore Funchal at our leisure this afternoon, whether we opt to discover the historic center with its maze of cobbled streets and colorful market, or take the cable car to one of the most beautiful tropical gardens in Madeira. From there, we'll head to our next accommodation, a hilltop oasis in Santo António da Serra.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Enotel Santo da Serra, Santo António da Serra or similar
Travel Time: Driving (1.5-2 hours)
Daily Activities: Hiking (2-3 hours, 3-4 miles, 525 feet of elevation gain/1,740 feet of elevation loss), Hatha Yoga (1 hour, optional)
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Enotel Santo da Serra, Santo António da Serra or similar
Travel Time: Driving (1.5-2 hours)
Daily Activities: Hiking (2-3 hours, 3-4 miles, 525 feet of elevation gain/1,740 feet of elevation loss), Hatha Yoga (1 hour, optional)
DAY 5
This morning, we'll depart on foot from the hotel to visit the town of Santo António da Serra and its botanical garden. The azaleas, rhododendrons and camellias are sure to dazzle us, as are the stunning views of the Machico mountains, Ponta de São Lourenço, and Porto Santo Island. We'll then set off on the island's green, southeast slope—the ideal combination of Madeira's rural tranquility and natural beauty—crossing a suspension bridge, admiring the views of the lush Ribeira de Santa Cruz valley, and the magnificent Madeiran mansions before returning to town and our accommodations. We'll have time for some R&R this afternoon, and the hotel's swimming pool and sauna are just what the doctor ordered. Perhaps another massage is calling your name! Tonight, we'll share another dinner together, reflecting on our favorite moments of the trip so far.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Enotel Santo da Serra, Santo António da Serra or similar
Daily Activities: Hiking (3-4 hours, 6-7 miles, 1,150 feet of elevation gain/1,150 feet of elevation loss), Hatha Yoga (1 hour, optional)
Included Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Enotel Santo da Serra, Santo António da Serra or similar
Daily Activities: Hiking (3-4 hours, 6-7 miles, 1,150 feet of elevation gain/1,150 feet of elevation loss), Hatha Yoga (1 hour, optional)
DAY 6
Today's adventure—our longest hike of the week!—brings us up to Levada do Caniçal in the Machico mountains, which we admired yesterday from town. We'll stroll through the terraced crops of Ribeira Seca to reach Boca do Risco, where we'll discover the rugged northeast coast with a bird's-eye view of the surf, the tip of São Lourenço, and—on a clear day—the island of Porto Santo in the distance. We'll continue along a beautiful balcony path overlooking the ocean, eventually descending to reach the quaint town of Porto da Cruz, nestled between 2 cliffs. We'll have time to explore the town on our own, either relaxing on the black sand beach, visiting the small distillery, or sitting on the terrace with a magnificent view of the ocean and the impressive cliffs. We'll make our way back to our accommodations to rest our legs and refuel after a rewarding day on the trail.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Enotel Santo da Serra, Santo António da Serra or similar
Travel Time: Driving (30 minutes)
Daily Activities: Hiking (4-5 hours, 8 miles, 1,500 feet of elevation gain/2,200 feet of elevation loss), Hatha Yoga (1 hour, optional)
Included Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Enotel Santo da Serra, Santo António da Serra or similar
Travel Time: Driving (30 minutes)
Daily Activities: Hiking (4-5 hours, 8 miles, 1,500 feet of elevation gain/2,200 feet of elevation loss), Hatha Yoga (1 hour, optional)
DAY 7
Our last full day, already? Our week of hiking and wellness on Madeira has truly been magical, and our final day is no different. We'll head to the Ponta de São Lourenço, a volcanic peninsula at the easternmost point of the island. This dramatic and rugged coastline, exposed to the wind and strong seas, offers a spectacle of unusual rock formations, with little vegetation or trees—truly a unique environment on the island. Its classification as a Partial Nature Reserve makes it a haven for rare and diverse flora and fauna. If we're lucky, we'll catch a glimpse of protected sea birds, or perhaps a few sea lions! In the afternoon, we'll explore Machico, the ancient capital of the island. We'll pass in front of the fort of Our Lady of Amparo, a vestige of the city's military architecture, and wander through the cobbled streets and along the esplanade facing the ocean. We can't leave Machico without visiting the port—where Portuguese explorers first landed in 1419—and nearby beaches, but we'll still have plenty of time for one last swim in the pool, sauna, or massage before our final celebratory dinner.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Enotel Santo da Serra, Santo António da Serra or similar
Travel Time: Driving (50 minutes)
Daily Activities: Hiking (3-4 hours, 4-5 miles, 1,400 feet of elevation gain/1,400 feet of elevation loss), Hatha Yoga (1 hour, optional)
Included Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Enotel Santo da Serra, Santo António da Serra or similar
Travel Time: Driving (50 minutes)
Daily Activities: Hiking (3-4 hours, 4-5 miles, 1,400 feet of elevation gain/1,400 feet of elevation loss), Hatha Yoga (1 hour, optional)
DAY 8
After breakfast on our final morning, we'll take a private shuttle to the airport in time for flights after 12:00 PM.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Travel Time: Driving (15 minutes)
Included Meals: Breakfast
Travel Time: Driving (15 minutes)
Reviews
This trip is brand new — be among the very first to experience it with AGC!
Dates & Prices
| Year | Departure Date | Availability | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2027 |
February 20 to February 27 |
Available |
$5695.00 |
Year
2027
Departure Date
February 20 to February 27, 2027
Availability
Available
Price
$5695.00
Make It Your Adventure
Turn any trip into a private experience for your group, or let us design a custom itinerary just for you! Whether it’s friends, family, or colleagues, we’ll make your journey unforgettable.
Common Questions
All participants are guaranteed their own bed on our trips.
A Single Supplement (SS) means you will have your own room with your own bed, and no other participants will share that room with you. Single supplements are limited, offered at an additional cost, and will appear as a booking option at the time of registration if still available.
A Double Accommodation means you will share a room with another participant. You will still have your own bed. Shared beds can be requested but cannot always be accommodated depending upon the property.
Bathrooms: Bathroom arrangements vary depending on the trip and lodging. A single supplement guarantees your own sleeping space but may still include a shared bathroom. Double accommodations typically share a bathroom with a roommate and sometimes additional participants, depending on the property. Private or ensuite bathrooms will be noted in the trip details when available.
Breakfasts and dinners will be in your hotel restaurants. Lunches will mostly be picnic-style, with the exception of one lunch that will be a local specialty, cooked over a wood fire.
If we know well in advance, we can accommodate vegetarian, lactose-free, and gluten-sensitive diets. We cannot guarantee a completely gluten-free diet and we cannot provide a kitchen guaranteed to be free of cross-contamination. If you are vegan, we ask that you bring some additional protein bars; and if you are gluten-sensitive, please bring some gluten-free snacks. If you have severe allergies, Celiac disease and/or other significant dietary restrictions, please call the office before you register.
You only need to pay a single supplement if you want to guarantee you have your own room. Otherwise we’ll pair you up with someone and then switch roommates when we switch lodging.
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