Day 1 - Departure from Montreal

Departure from Montreal on an overnight flight to Europe. Meals will be served by the airline.

Day 2 - Funchal - Machico - pointe de Sao Lourenco

Reception by your guide at the Funchal airport. Travel to the hotel in Machico (or Santa Cruz). Depending on the flight schedule, free time may be available in Machico, a city built on the slopes and which features a sandy beach opening up to the Atlantic ocean. For those arriving on morning flights, you may have time to explore São Lourenço: a long and wild peninsula endowed with incredible volcanic rock formations offering exceptional views of the Atlantic. The protected trail may take up to 3 hours to walk.

Night in a 2-star hotel

Dinner included

Day 3 - Levada de Ribeira seca - col de Bocca do Risco - Coastal trail along the north side

Climb the heights of Machico until reaching the Levada de Ribeira Seca and then, following a narrow trail, climb to col de Boca overhanging the sea. Your itinerary then follows an incredible trail through a canyon offering panoramic views of the coast, the Pointe de Sao Lourenco, and of the distant island of Porto Santo. Arrive in the village of Porto da Cruz where, if it’s open, we will visit the rum distillery. Opportunity to swim in a salt water pool in Porto da Cruz.

Return to Machico by bus and sleep in hotel.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
4h30 of hiking - 14 km
Ascent: 400 meters - descent : 400 meters.

Day 4 - Portela - Levada do Furado - Bibeiro frio - Santana

Short transport to the Portela pass at an elevation of 600m. A good hike begins alongside the Levada do Furado which runs quick and clear to the east. The views on this part of the expedition are to die for. With the island’s high peaks in front, the wide trail becomes long and narrow in the deep ravines. En route, and if time permitting, a climb up Pico do Suna offers stunning panoramas. Well protected by heather growths and other obstacles, the trail penetrates the laurels with a touch of adventure. At Ribeiro Frio, we’ll tour the side of Balcoes, an extraordinary place to view the Faja de Nogueiras and the island’s peaks. Travel to Santana, renowned for its fairytale thatched cottages.

Check-in to 3-star hotel with indoor pool and jacuzzi.

4h30 to 5h of hiking - 13 to 15 km
Ascent: 270 to 470 meters - descent: 20 to 220 meters.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Day 5 - Calhau - Ponta de sao Jorge

From Santana, and across terraces and vineyards, descend the Ribeira de São Jorge and join a coastal path along the rugged and jagged northern side. Swimming is possible. Discover the Ponta de Sao Jorge and climb to the lighthouse and village of Sao Jorge. Return via bus to Santana and stay overnight in a 3-star hotel with indoor pool and jacuzzi.

5h of hiking - 13 km
Ascent : 400 meters - descent: 500 meters.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Day 6 - Ilha - Caldeirao verde - Queimadas

Travel by bus to the perched village of Ilha. Climb along a pleasant wooded trail to Levada de Caldeirao Verde. A number of small tunnels and open passages will allow you to reach the “Green Cauldron” and its breathtaking waterfall. Continue to the bottom of the valley and "La Caldera de l’Enfer". Finish the hike alongside the Levada passing by the magnificent forest house of Queimadas. Return to Santana and stay overnight in a 3-star hotel with indoor pool and jacuzzi.

6h of hiking - 16 km
Ascent: 550 meters - descent : 250 meters.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Day 7 - Achada do Teixeira - Pico Ruivo hike on the ridge - Pico do Arieiro - Funchal

Travel to Achada de Teixeira at an elevation of 1592m. After a steady climb, we’ll reach the highest point of the island: the Pico Ruivo. Rising to 1862m with a 360° view of a large part of the island, including sharp, multicolored ridges which stretch to a sea of clouds. Afterwards, follow the spectacular ridge-trail graced with panoramas of deep valleys and pass by the Pico das Torrest and under the Pico do Gato before climbing a series of steps carved into the rock to Pico do Arieiro, perched at 1818m. Here, our bus awaits to bring us down to Funchal. Stay overnight in a 3-star hotel in the heart of the city. Dinner in an authentic Funchal restaurant.

5h of hiking - 10 km
Ascent : 720 meters - descent: 500 meters.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 8 - Funchal

Free day in Funchal with many choices of things to do: explore the market, stroll in the historical quarter and its small alleys, explore wine cellars and sample 4 varieties of local Madeira wine, head to the marina, visit local gardens (botanical, tropical, etc.), take the cable car in Monte, take a ride in a Carros de Cesto (large toboggan-baskets used as a means of transportation down the island’s hills)! Optional: ocean outing in a sailboat.

Overnight in 3-star hotel in the heart of the city.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Day 9 - Return to Montreal

Based on flight schedules, transport to airport.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.