Walking in Madeira

59 Reviews

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  Anonymous
  Written on October 8, 2013

  5.0 - Excellent

  Excellent walks with a very good, knowledgeable guide (Andrea). Good quality hotels. Nice to have final day to myself in Funchal. Need a good head for heights!What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?The long walk across the mountains from Santana was best part, starting with the sunrise.What did you think of your group leader?Here I would like to say that the guide (Andrea) was first rate and his interest in photography was a real bonus along with his vast knowledge of flora and fauna.
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  Anonymous
  Written on April 21, 2013

  5.0 - Excellent

  A lovely, relaxing holiday with a variety of walks in beautiful and varied countryside.  Andre, our guide, enthused us with his knowledge of the flora, fauna and history of his beloved Madeira.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?So many, but watching the sun rise above the clouds at Acada de Teixeira just pipped several other highlights!What did you think of your group leader?Andre was the ideal guide, was very personable, knowledgeable and looked after us in every way.  Thanks Andre!Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Don't set your expectations of Madeiran food too high!Is there anything else you would like to add?Thanks to EXODUS  for an excellent holida and to Andre and the other 10 members of my group for such excellent and entertaining company throughout.
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  Anonymous
  Written on April 17, 2013

  5.0 - Excellent

  Fantastic holiday – we did 5 walks that were all between 8-16km (with one day off in beautiful Funchal), and these are, IMO correctly graded as "Moderate". They which were challenging enough so you’d feel sufficiently tired and like you’ve accomplished something by the end of the day, but not too hard, so you don't need to be an experienced mountain climber to cope.  Our group got along really well, and the weather was perfect for walking – sunshine on most days, 20 degrees and a warm breeze. A success all round! What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Watching the sun come up at the top of the mountains. We were above the clouds - magical!What did you think of your group leader?Our guide was superb – a local who had grown up on the island, and who was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about its beautiful landscape, nature and culture. Everything was extremely well organised, our guide looked very well after us (both in terms of safety and general advice on where to eat, shop etc.). Friendly, funny and very patient. A real credit to Exodus.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?April/May seems a good time to visit - not too hot for walking and lots of flowers and plants in bloom. Madeira is still a bit of an unknown in tourism, so not too overrun. Do bring a swimsuit even in April - even though it was only 19 degrees, the humidity meant that it felt warm enough to go for a swim!
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  Anonymous
  Written on April 17, 2013

  4.0 - Good

  We enjoyed long hikes and beautiful scenery.  It was especially nice because each hike went to a location that was completely different from the other hikes.  Our guide was knowledgeable and attentive.  The people of Madeira were warm and friendly.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?The morning we got up early to have a hike and watch the sunrise.  We were on a mountain peak with clouds at our feet and waited to watch the sunrise.  It was beautiful.  A moment we won't forget.What did you think of your group leader?He was very knowledgeable.  He advised us when we needed to take care and kept an eye on the entire group and assessed each of our abilities.  He was a pleasure to listen to and answered all of our questions.  He had a great personality and was easy going and had a great sense of humor.  We all enjoyed him very much.  Also, he was very accurate on telling us the length of hikes, the time it would take, what we should wear or have in our backpacks (just in case), etc.  He was also always willing to suggest restaurants for lunches and dinners.  When hiking, if he saw other groups, he was good at keeping us either ahead or well behind them.  He was always able to find us a quiet spot for our picnics on the hikes.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Be in shape.  Take snacks for your hikes since the box lunches provided by hotels aren't very good (unless you like a lot of bread).  You can buy great fresh fruit, veg, nuts, crackers, etc., at local stores.   Layer clothing, in the mornings you may be cold, but once you hike, you warm up.  Also, depending on if you are on the north or south sides of a mountain, you might be in sun one moment and then shade the next.  Also, breezes cool you down instantly.  We all had backpacks and found ourselves switching clothes quite regularly on each hike.Is there anything else you would like to add?Some hiking is a real workout.  The view from high elevations won't disappoint.  Also, great stress relieving trip due to the strenuous, but enjoyable, hikes.  Also, we were shocked to learn that there are over 50 trails in Madeira.  Most maps show 50+ and our guide told us there are probably 50 more trails that aren't even on the maps.  We did 5 hikes and every one was completely different from the others.  Every one was unique and beautiful in it's own way.  We wouldn't have wanted to miss any of them.  Downtime is minimal but enough to recharge and relax.  At the end, we had almost 2 full day in Funchal and it was a great place to have the extra time because there is so much to see and do there.  Make sure to take the cable cars up to Monte and then ride a wicker toboggan down - you'll have a blast!!!
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  Anonymous
  Written on April 17, 2013

  5.0 - Excellent

  Fantastic holiday
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  Anonymous
  Written on January 5, 2013

  4.0 - Good

  A lovely holiday with a great group of people. The guide was very enthusiastic, clearly loved his job and made us all laugh! The views were amazing and the daily walking always enjoyable, we were all tired at the end of the day but that didn't stop us having a great meal together in the evening! The accomodation on the last 2 nights was disappointing otherwise it was fantastic- my first exodus holiday....I'm about to book another!What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Walking high up in the mountains on narrow ledges but with the most amazing views, there was something new to see every day.What did you think of your group leader?Fantastic, he really enjoyed his job, was enthusiastic about everything and made us laugh!Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Take enough light weight clothing, if it rains they dry out quickly!Is there anything else you would like to add?Thoroughly enjoyable, would highly recommend
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  Anonymous
  Written on November 9, 2012

  5.0 - Excellent

  An excellent walking holiday, a variety of walks in varied stunning scenery with a knowledgeable and enthusiastic gude and a very friendly groupWhat was the most inspirational moment of your trip?The walk along the Ponta de San Lourenco was spectacular, on the other walks the steep terraces, amazing plants and beautiful wooded valleys were an endless source of wonder. The waterfalls were spectacular!What did you think of your group leader?Andrea was extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic. When we had very bad weather and we couldn't do the planned walks he worked extremely hard to devise a plan B and on one occasion plans C and D too. We were very unlucky with the weather but he did his best to ensure we saw as much of Madeira as we could. He was safety conscious and very supportive when vertigo struck unexpectedly.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Suggest you bring a knife to help make your sandwiches- a fork too if you want tinned fish for your picnic.Do remember to take a good torch- it really is neededAnd remember- it can rain - Madeira is very green so do bring good waterproofs- jacket and trousers so you can enjoy the walks if it does rain
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  Anonymous
  Written on May 8, 2012

  5.0 - Excellent
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  Anonymous
  Written on May 8, 2012

  5.0 - Excellent
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  Anonymous
  Written on April 17, 2012

  5.0 - Excellent

  Had a fantastic trip. Very well organised. Excellent company (8 in our group). Transferred with the luggage to Funchal - Andre arranged it all with no problems.Visited Monte garden and Botanic garden by cable car.