A week of exploring the best of Madeira’s mountains, forests and coastline, as part of a small-group, in an enriching 6-night adventure built around movement, recovery and time outdoors.
Madeira Adventure 2026
September 14th - 20th 2026
£1750
£2800
pair
solo space
excluding flights
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS:
2 days of guided hiking on some of the island’s most iconic routes, including sunrise at the highest point on the island
3 nights stay in ‘nature lodges’ set within Funchal Ecological Park
An off-road tour of the island’s north coast, swimming in volcanic pools and a chance to ride one of Europe’s highest ziplines
A boat trip to observe whales and dolphins in the wild
3 nights in a 4* ‘active hotel’ on the southern coast with access to Garajau Underwater Nature Reserve
Guided Stargazing session on top of a mountain with a local astronomer
A half-day canyoning adventure
2-3 light activity / movement group sessions with a personal trainer
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Itinerary Activities
2 days of guided hikes, including a sunrise on the tallest peak, PR1 Trail and Pico Grande / PR8
A guided half-day canyoning experience
A private stargazing session, with professional equipment, led by a local astronomer on the island’s highest point
A small boat trip to observe dolphins and whales in the wild
Full day guided 4×4 trip to explore the north coast, including opportunities to swim in natural volcanic pools and try one of the highest ziplines* in Europe!
Funchal Cable Car
Light movement sessions with personal trainer
All trail entry fees and transport for all itinerary activities
[ *The Giant Zipline is optional and the only activity not included in the price ]
Accommodation
6 nights accommodation, split between Funchal Ecological Park Lodges & 4* Hotel
Meals
All (6) Breakfasts - 3 x Continental-style breakfasts in Lodges + 3 x Breakfast Buffet available in hotel
3 x Pack Lunches (food provided for packing own lunches) on main activity days
1 x Dinner - welcome meal on first evening
Transport
Group transfers to and from the airport on arrival and departure days
All planned transport during the itinerary
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Travel to and from the trip
This trip does not include flights or other travel to and from the island
Personal Expenses
You know your own spending habits best, so please budget an appropriate amount for things like optional meals and drinks, shopping, optional activities, etc. For the meals not included, we suggest to budget approx. EUR25-30 per meal excluding drinks, and EUR50 for the final group meal.
Personal Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory for all group members, and you'll need to provide your policy details before departure. Your insurance should offer adequate cover for the specific activities involved in your adventure.
Visas
You are responsible for obtaining any required visas for this trip.
Optional Activities
The Giant Zipline activity is optional and therefore not included in the price.
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Our time will be split between 2 locations on the island:
Nights 1 - 3: Funchal Ecological Park
The first three nights are based from premium ‘eco-lodges’ in the hills of the Funchal Ecological Park. This gives the first half of the trip a more outdoors-focused feel, with early starts, packed lunches, mountain routes and quieter evenings away from the city.
Each lodge has simple kitchen facilities and accommodates 2 guests in shared setups. Breakfast supplies and packed-lunch ingredients will be stocked on site for the hiking days, so the group can prepare food before heading out each morning.
Nights 4 - 6: Sentido Galasol 4* Hotel
The second half of the week is based from Sentido Galosol, a 4* coastal ‘active hotel’ just outside Funchal. This gives the second half of the trip a more recovery-focused base, with direct sea access, pool & spa facilities, and easy access to the coast after the main hiking days.
Hotel breakfasts are included, activities are accessed by arranged transfers, and the free windows between activities can be used for swimming, sauna, rest or freely exploring nearby areas.
Solo guests will have their own room whilst guests travelling as a pair will share a room.
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Whilst staying at the Lodges, breakfast supplies will be provided each morning. This will be a healthy and practical selection of things like fruit, yoghurt, oats/granola, bread, eggs and simple breakfast options. Packed-lunch supplies will also be provided for the main hiking days, so you can prepare food to take with you before heading out on the trails.
The evening meal on the first (arrival) night is included. On the second and third lodge evenings, we’ll go to local restaurants nearby (within 10 minutes drive), but these meals are not included. There is flexibility here if you’d rather sort your own food or keep the evening simpler.
During the hotel section, breakfasts are included at the hotel buffet, with a good selection available each morning. Lunches on activity days from the hotel are not included; we’ll typically stop at cafés or local places while out during the day.
Dinners during the hotel section are mostly not included, giving people free time in the evenings. You can eat at the hotel, walk to nearby restaurants, or join others from the group informally. On the final evening, we’ll have a group dinner at a notable restaurant in Funchal.
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All equipment etc for itinerary activities is provided.
What do I need to bring?
BAGS
Main luggage in soft duffel bag (preferred), or a suitcase is fine
Small Daypack for carrying lunch etc on hikes
CLOTHES
Hiking boots (worn in)
Waterproof jacket
Waterproof trousers
Breathable wicking layers
Fleece jacket or a jumper
Lightweight trousers/shorts/skirts
T-shirts
Swimwear - sufficient for sea-swimming (optional) and free time in the hotel for use in the pool / spa etc.
Underwear and socks
Sunglasses
Sunhat
Something to sleep in
Casual footwear
OTHER
Universal travel plug adapter
Passports (and visa documentation if required)
Travel insurance documents
Suncream
Any other personal items (toiletries etc)
Quick-dry towel
Reusable water bottle
ITINERARY
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Arrive on the island, transfer to the lodges in Funchal Ecological Park and get settled into the accommodation. Once at the Lodges, there will be the opportunity to join in a short outdoor movement session with Trainer Euan.
In the evening, we’ll go to a nearby local restaurant for a casual welcome meal and run through the itinerary for the week.
Dinner included
Arrival Day
Day 1 - Pico Grande
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The first full day takes us into the mountains for the Pico Grande hike. We’ll start early from the lodges, pack food for the day, and head out onto one of Madeira’s more dramatic mountain routes.
This is the first real challenge of the week: a full hiking day designed to get everyone moving, settled into the group and properly into the island landscape.
In the late afternoon we will return via Funchal Cable Car and head back to the accommodation, before a flexible evening back at the lodges or at a local restaurant.
Breakfast + Lunch included
Hiking: 5-6 hours
Day 2 - Pico de Aererio / PR1
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Day 2 is centred around the PR1 route from Pico do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo. We’ll start early and head up to the highest point on the island for sunrise, beginning the day above the clouds before moving onto one of Madeira’s most iconic trails.
The route takes us through ridgelines, tunnels, steep stair sections and high viewpoints, with the landscape opening out across the central mountains. After the main hike, we’ll return to the ecological park to trek back to the lodges, and keep the evening relaxed with local food and time to recover.
Breakfast + Lunch included
Hiking: 5-6 hours
Day 3 - Transfer to Funchal / Boat Trip
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After a relaxed breakfast, we’ll leave the lodges and transfer down to the coast for the second half of the trip. We will have a couple of hours to explore the Old Town of Funchal, before heading to the marina for a boat trip with local ecologist to observe whales and dolphins off the southern coast the island.
The boat gives the week a change of pace after the mountain days: sea air, coastline, open water and a slower afternoon before checking into the hotel. The late afternoon and evening is free to settle in, use the hotel facilities, join Euan for a light movement session, and eat locally or in the hotel.
Breakfast included
Boat Trip: 3-4 hours
Day 4 - Canyoning / Stargazing
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After breakfast, we’ll be collected from the hotel to head out for a half-day of canyoning - moving through one of Madeira’s natural water routes with rock pools, narrow canyon sections, small waterfalls, jumps, slides and abseils depending on the route.
The afternoon is free for recovery, swimming or downtime at the hotel. In the late evening, we’ll return to the highest peak on the island for a private stargazing experience with telescopes, guided by a local astronomer.
Breakfast included
Canyoning Trip: 4-5 hours // Stargazing Trip: 2-3 hours
Day 5 - North Coast Off-road tour
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The final full day takes us to explore off-road trails on Madeira’s northwestern coast by private 4x4. We will take a short walk in Fanal forest, and have the chance to swim in natural volcanic pools on the wilder side of the island. On the way back we will stop off at the Giant Zipline, where there will be the (optional) opportunity to try one of Europe’s highest ziplines.
We’ll return to the hotel in the late afternoon with time to rest before the final evening. That night, we’ll head into Funchal for a group dinner and drinks at a notable restaurant to close the week.
Breakfast included
4×4 Trip: 6 hours
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After breakfast, we check out of the hotel and group transfer back to the airport is provided based on flight times.
Departure Day
FAQs
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The hikes and activities on this trip are moderately challenging and a basic level of physical fitness is required to take part. You don’t need to be an elite athlete, but you do need to be comfortable with active days, mountain hiking, uneven trails, early starts and being outdoors, in varying weather, for several hours at a time.
Specific items in the above itinerary can be catered to the overall ability level of the group.
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The size of the group for this trip will be between 6 - 8 people.
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Just express your interest directly with Ell or Euan and they will take care of the rest, or send a message using the form below.