+++ WARNING +++ YOU like TOURISTIC stuff? PLEASE DO NOT READ ON !!!!! +++ For all of you who like 08/15 tourism and like to stroll around the capital and lay on the beach... PLEASE DO NOT READ ON Madeira is an absolute paradise that we know inside out - or so we thought. And then we met João and Marcio, who have been living in Madeira for over 30 years now. We walk alternative paths, off the beaten track and the tours from the guidebook! These paths are hardly known to the general public. On Madeira you will find hiking trails steeped in history and old levadas (irrigation canals) that lead through the primeval forest of Madeira. You will find possible tours at the bottom of the stops. We have set out to take hiking in Madeira to a new level and take you to unreal, sometimes really rarely seen places in the interior of Madeira Island. All you need is a strong spirit of adventure and you should simply be up for discovering Madeira in a way that hardly anyone else can. One waterfall took us 6 months to discover in an area known for waterfalls "off the beaten path". Of course, we look at the weather forecast in the morning and keep an eye on the weather. Everything can, nothing has to. If you like to pull yourself out for a day, that's no problem at all. About the accommodation: Our accommodation will be the huge 400sqm villa with 5000sqm garden of Homeoffice Madeira. We have 7 rooms here and everyone has his own bed. (Depending on the number of participants we reserve the right to adjust the accommodation. However, it will always be a nice house that we would choose ourselves for our vacation. So no worries please :) ) About the price: Such an adventure tour was requested mainly from the USA and otherwise costs around 3000 €. We wanted to make such a tour feasible for everyone and want a cool group of adventurers. Guided hiking weeks on Madeira otherwise cost at least double, not to mention "off the beaten path" tours. Of course, we can't live on air and love either. So if you don't appreciate all the work that goes behind such a trip, all the countless attempts to find new trails, all the hiking to find the best places, the cost of the house and the energy we put into these tours, then maybe we are not a good match. What's included: Twin room accommodation and an unforgettable experience. Everything else (food + 2 rental cars) we share relaxed at Splitwise. What's the schedule: We all meet on Sunday, 10.12. from 5 pm in the villa and discuss the next days. Every day after a common breakfast we will go on an unforgettable hiking tour. In total we do 4-5 tours in the week, so we can also relax for a day or two (depending on the weather and intensity). Sunset, hidden local restaurants, the best insider tips and viewpoints, ... everything can, nothing has to be there. It's vacation and stress free :-) Photos: many of the photos were taken by Jackson Groves from Journeyera. He was on Madeira Island for many month and explored most of the hikes with João or Marcio as his guide.
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Madeira 01.07-08.07.2023 On our trip Kiki was not with us, because she unfortunately did not get time off. Accordingly, my evaluation refers to Figo and the trip itself of course. About the accommodation: The accommodation is located in a quiet location about 15-20 minutes from the airport. 3 bathrooms and 2 separate WC's. Accommodation is large, spacious and clean. Towels are available. Everything was there what was needed. Organization & Hikes: The trip was very well organized and structured, but without losing flexibility. "Off the beaten track" was kept word. We saw almost no tourists on our hikes. As an Austrian, I have hiking experience, but since we were off the beaten path, we did a lot of climbing (no experience necessary) - which was a whole new challenge for me. Although I was not particularly skilled at it, I enjoyed incredibly! Our guide, Marcio, said at the beginning that we were a group and would adjust according to fitness levels. We also had different fitness levels in the group. Someone who wants to run up the mountain is probably wrong - as is someone who doesn't want to run 2 meters. It was a good mix of rest and relax and athletic exertion. The hikes are multi-faceted, incredibly scenic. Figo & Marcio (Guide) You could tell how much work, effort and heart and soul went into the hiking week on the part of Figo and Marcio. Although Figo is constantly dealing with new people and new groups, I never once had the feeling of being some tourist who was being dispatched. Here, of course, we benefited from the fact that Figo himself lives on the island. He had tips for everything, sent links and made recommendations. He was open to requests and always tried (without seeming strained) to please the group. In addition, Figo acted as the group's photographer for the entire week. Thus, everyone had received beautiful souvenir photos of the group, the country and themselves. Thanks again for that! The group consisted of 9 Iphone owners and me (haha). The photos were shared via AirDrop, moreover Figo then sent a link in the Whatsapp group that I also had the photos and videos in great quality. In my opinion, Figo was incredibly eager and did it absolutely perfectly. In addition, he is also a pleasant and sympathetic person. The group: A good organization + a beautiful country are good conditions for a great vacation. However, a big factor is also the people who participate in the trip. Everyone himself contributes to whether the vacation will be great or unforgettable. The participants in my group consisted of very open, outgoing, loving people. Two joined a day later and were also integrated immediately. Some went to sleep earlier, others stayed up late. The next day we were always one unit. We motivated each other, laughed a lot, and yes...drank a lot too. In fact, "traveling-with-foreigners" became "traveling-with-friends". I can really recommend this adventure vacation. I had an incredibly great time that I will definitely never forget. Should Figo plan the Azores trip again, I will be there too (always these threats at the end :-) ). So Figo: up on! And of course THANK YOU!
You can chat with Figo once you reserve your spot.
Trip Itinerary
You will meet Figo and the group in Ribeira do Inferno
Find the best flight details to and from Ribeira do Inferno ->
1
Ribeira do Inferno
Day 1-2
Ribeiro Frio hike. Easy one, get to know each other. Lunch in that Area (Faísca is good Restaurant there)... Without saying too much... You can enjoy the natural heritage of the island, since the trail is full of endemic species of regional flora and fauna. The magnificent vegetation fills the eyes and soul of the hikers, involving them in a peaceful environment. The shining sun infiltrates between the laurels and other plants of this area.
2
Boaventura
Day 2-3
The Pico do Alto ridge hike is one of the most incredible adventures on the north coast of Madeira Island. The ridge will test the vertigo of hikers while providing incredible views of Sao Jorge on one side of the ridge and Boaventura on the other side. The ocean and mountains combine to make this one of the most scenic trails on the island.
3
Boaventura
Day 3-4
A Ridge Hike that is totally off the beaten and unforgettable! We will conquer a ridge that was maybe used hundreds of years ago. I never met anyone there and the incredible north coast view and hidden path make this adventure UNFORGETTABLE!
4
Porto da Cruz
Day 4-5
Espigão Amarelo is one of my favorite coastal hikes on Madeira. It truly has it all. Beginning on the famous Vereda do Larano, this trail takes a secret detour up onto the gnarly ridge of Espigão Amarelo. This trail ended through some ‘Mars’ like landscapes with red rocky terrain but truly had it all from cloud forests, cliff-edge coastal views, and vast plains.
5
Funchal
Day 5-6
A day for relaxing, sightseeing, maybe an island tour or ordering a physio ... Whatever, this is a free day and we can see how we would like to spend this day. We are happy to show you around the best spots or give some advices... Another option could be the famous and popular tour from peak to peak - see photo number 1. We will definitely choose the best options depending how everybody feels like.
6
Pico Ruivo
Day 6-7
It’s funny how tourism works. On one side of the road you have the ever-popular Pico to Pico hike and on the other you have a hidden and beautiful alternative hike. When I visited Pico Ruivo there were hundreds of tourists and when I walked our secret ridge, I saw not one person. What I’m trying to say to you here is, if you want a slice of tranquility make sure you end up on the correct side of the road.
7
Homeoffice Madeira | CoWorking + CoLiving
Day 7-8
The spacious and well-equipped villa of the "Homeoffice Madeira" is our temporary home. Fiber optic internet, seven bedrooms (each with its own desk), a huge kitchen, large living & dining area, game room, sports room, 5000m² palm garden and many other amenities leave nothing to be desired. A super nice home for our hiking week!
Trip Summary
Accommodation
Other
8 days trip
Ribeira do Inferno, Madeira, Boaventura & 5 more
Transportation
Car, Trekking
Questions and Answers
Hi Figo, how long/far will your hikes be approximately and how many meters of altitude will one expe... Read More
9 to 15 km, 400 to 800 meters of altitude - all within reason, but of course you should be fit 😊
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