Madeira Tours and Trips

We have had this trip on our radar for a few years but had been put off by poor reviews of both the leader & some of the hotels but we decided to take the plunge & finally book it & we were so glad that we did! We were blessed with having a great group who bonded well together & having Paulo as our leader which made for a fantastic holiday! The walks were all different, from rugged coastal walks to Levadas & magical forests which gave us a true taste of Madeira. Paulo took us to local villages to experience the culture & learn about the history of the island. The hotels were all different in style;- The Dom Pedro is very dated & despite paying for an upgrade, our room was not very nice! The Pestana Casino Studios we liked for their quirky decoration & big rooms although others in our group found them too noisy! For us, the Aqua Natura Hotel was amazing from the fantastic oceon views, the natural salt water pools & lovely food! We felt that the whole holiday was well planned, taken at a relaxed place & tailored to everybodies needs; the trip exceeded our expectations!

What an excellent trip! The hikes varied in terrain and vistas, from coastal walks to levadas to mystical forests to mountain tops, but all were spectacular and each day was as good as or better than the one before. Paulo was a wonderful guide, knowledgeable about the island, its history, culture, flora and fauna. We were fortunate to have very good weather, and even more fortunate to have a group that gelled beautifully. Not only did everyone get along well, but everyone was fit and hiked at a similar pace. (We understand from other reviews that that's not always the case.) First hotel in Machico was pretty dated, but good location and breakfast. The hotel at Porto Moniz was the best of the trip, modern, well-equipped, great food - and right across the road from volcanic pools. Very scenic. The hotel in Funchal was fine and in a great location.

Best way to spend a week in Madeira. The trip was exceptional with 5 great hikes and extraordinary views at each turn. It was a full bloom season and and that made every hike interesting. Hiking through lush green mountains with the sea always in sight- it was just beautiful. The trials along the Levadas (ancient water channels) were very interesting. Dip in the natural pools at Porto Moniz or in the hotel after the hikes were worth it. Aqua Natura Bay was the best stay and had great meals at the hotel. Till the last hike, everything worked out perfectly. This is a great itinerary to explore Madeira -its culture and natural beauty of the Island.

Madeira is one of the most beautiful islands I have ever seen. The hiking/walking was sometimes challenging, but the days were not extremely long. Flowers everywhere and scenery that is spectacular from above. The sunrise hike was chilly, but rewarding!

Hiking in Madeira was a great experience - I would recommend it if you are interested in a mix of beautiful scenery, challenging physical activity and experiencing both a smaller town (Santana) and larger city (Funchal) in Madeira.

Hiking in Madeira was a great experience - I would recommend it if you are interested in a mix of beautiful scenery, challenging physical activity and experiencing both a smaller town (Santana) and larger city (Funchal) in Madeira.