Madeira Island tour package: Pearl of the Atlantic

Spend 7 days discovering unique birdlife, subtropical forests, and delicious food and drink on our expertly guided Madeira Island vacation package.

Highlights

Stroll along Madeira’s famous Levadas, a centuries-old network of irrigation channels built to carry water from the lush north to the drier south.
Have a safari-style 4X4 adventure through the UNESCO World Heritage-protected Laurissilva forest, a subtropical rainforest unique to Madeira.
Enjoy a boat trip along the crystal-clear waters to the islands South, where the depths can reach up to 3000m. We’ll search for shearwaters and if we’re lucky see whales and dolphins.
Take a refreshing dip in the Atlantic at the spectacular north coast rockpools next to striking black-sand beaches.
Taste the authentic flavours of the island as you watch your host prepare a traditional three-course meal, sample seasonal produce, and sip Madeira’s renowned wine.

Funchal, Madeira

Overview

Tiny Madeira has it all – vineyards and volcanoes, black-sand beaches and ancient forests, remote trails and a cosmopolitan capital. Add to that its incredible wildlife, balmy climate and mouthwatering local delicacies and it’s easy to see why this rugged, mist-clad island is known as the Pearl of the Atlantic.

Our small-group, expert-led Madeira vacation package gently guides you to the heart of this spellbinding island. Led by Dr Vickie Heaney, an artist and ornithologist, you’ll explore the island’s best sights, enjoy leisurely walks, and savour authentic Madeiran flavours. Relax in a stylish boutique hotel set across five beautifully restored buildings that span 300 years of history, with views across the beautiful Bay of Funchal.

Activity Level: The activity level is rated as Easy to MODERATE, requiring an average level of fitness (view activity level definitions). The tour will involve walking in generally easy terrain, but will require good walking boots and a moderate level of fitness (please note, some paths may be uneven and loose underfoot). Walks are mostly 1-3 miles long, with longer hikes for those who choose them. This tour also involves boarding a passenger boat.

Transport: Transport will be by 4x4 jeeps, small comfortable coach, and passenger boat.

Accommodation: This boutique hotel comprises five historically classified buildings, that lead guests on a journey through three centuries in the heart of a historic zone overlooking the Bay of Funchal.

Weather: Rain is always possible, so you should bring light waterproof clothing, insect repellent is also recommended. Average temperatures on Madeira range from lows of 10° to highs of 19° in March (50°F to 64°F), with an average of 5-7 hours of sunshine in spring and autumn.

If walking is an issue, alternative arrangements can be made during the scheduled walks, so please let GeoCultura know in advance. To enjoy the full experience, a reasonable level of fitness is required – please call us to discuss this if you have any concerns.

Tour Map

Madeira Itinerary

Day 1 - Funchal arrival

Tropical Gardens

An optional short afternoon walking tour of Funchal with your tour leader, before the group gathers early evening for a welcome drink – time for introductions and overview of the tour.

Hotel: The Castanheiro Hotel, Funchal
Group dinner at the hotel

Day 2 - Jeep Safari tour to Paul do Mar

Jeep Safari tour

Full day private 4 x 4 tour, off the beaten track, with local guide taking you through amazing mountains to explore the beautiful fishing villages and banana plantations of Magdelena do Mar. Explore the narrow stone cobbled streets of Paul and Jardim do Mar, with time for tasting local delicacies along the way. There will be plenty of stops for refreshments and photos. See local life, with locals as your guide.

Hotel: The Castanheiro Hotel, Funchal
Group dinner in recommended Funchal restaurant

Day 3 - Sunrise in Pico do Arieiro and Laurissilva Levada walk

Pico Do Arieiro Sunrise

Optional early start to see the sunrise in Pico do Arieiro, with our local guide(s), followed by a walk through the protected UNESCO World Heritage Laurissilva rainforest. The distance will be tailored to the group, an easy walk, or a moderate walk of up to 12km.

Hotel: The Castanheiro Hotel, Funchal
Group Dinner in recommended Funchal restaurant or the hotel

Day 4 -  Funchal Farmers Market, Wildlife Safari Boat Trip

Mercado Dos Lavradores

Enjoy a leisurely walking tour of Funchal’s Farmers Market, Mercado dos Lavradores, famous for its excellent regional produce. After lunch, look forward to a Wildlife Safari boat trip in the afternoon.

Hotel: The Castanheiro Hotel, Funchal
Free evening to dine at your leisure.

Day 5 - Free Day and Group dining experience

Recanto Food Experience

Free day with options to book your choice of additional half-day or full-day tour or take the ferry to Porto Santo for the day.

Hotel: The Castanheiro Hotel
Private authentic evening food experience, meeting local food producers, at their farm. After a welcome drink, enjoy a tour of the farm with your host, harvesting together some of the ingredients for your 3-course meal, with plenty of vegetarian dishes to taste.

Day 6 - Full-day 4x4 Jeep safari and volcanic pools

4x4 Jeep

Leisurely drive through the old roads across the countryside to Paul de Serra and then to Porto Moniz. We’ll stop for lunch and an opportunity to swim in the natural volcanic pools. We will return via the north coast villages and see the beautiful waterfalls.

Hotel: The Castanheiro Hotel, Funchal
Final group dinner

Day 7 - Tour ends

Depart after breakfast. Taxis to the airport will be arranged for everyone, at a time to suit individual departure times.

Start/Finish

Your tour starts/finishes in Funchal, Madeira

Single Supplement

Double room for single occupancy is £549 / $730 on the March 2025 tour and £710 / $944 on the October 2025 tour.

Activity Level

The activity level is rated as Easy to MODERATE, requiring an average level of fitness (view activity level definitions). The tour will involve walking in generally easy terrain, but will require good walking boots and a moderate level of fitness (please note, some paths may be uneven and loose underfoot). Walks are mostly 1-3 miles long, with longer hikes for those who choose them. This tour also involves boarding a passenger boat.

Transport

Transport will be by 4x4 jeeps, small comfortable coach, and passenger boat.

Weather

Rain is always possible, so you should bring light waterproof clothing, insect repellent is also recommended. Average temperatures on Madeira range from lows of 10° to highs of 19° in March (50°F to 64°F), with an average of 5-7 hours of sunshine in spring and autumn.

The Tour Includes/Excludes

The Tour Includes:

The services of your expert tour leader who will be with the group throughout the tour, staying at the same hotel.
All transportation costs from Funchal Airport (taxis arranged)
Entry fees, local guide fees and activity fees, where arranged as part of the tour.
All accommodation costs for the nights stated, assuming two people sharing a double room. Single occupancy rooms are available for a surcharge. See Single Supplement in ‘Need to Know’ tab.
Six breakfasts, and five group dinners. (one free evening)
All service charges and most gratuities.

The Tour Excludes:

Travel insurance. Guests should carry their own health and travel insurance.
Extra or optional activities not described in the tour.
Lunches not included.
One dinner not included
Personal expenditures, any alcoholic drinks with meals, and extras at hotels such as laundry bills.
Air fares to Funchal not included.
Passport and visa fees.

Accommodation

Castanheiro Hotel

Nights 1 - 6: Castanheiro Boutique Hotel, Funchal

This boutique hotel comprises five historically classified buildings, that lead guests on a journey through three centuries in the heart of a historic zone overlooking the Bay of Funchal.

Deposit and Payment Terms

Deposit: A deposit of 10% of the tour price is due upon registration for a tour.

Final payment: Full payment is due 60 days before a tour begins, or upon registration if within the 60-day window.

Cancellation by participant: A participant may cancel a registration after securing a confirmed place on a tour for any reason. The following refund terms will apply:

Greater than 60 days before tour begins: Any monies paid plus half of the deposit will be refunded
30 to 59 days before tour begins: 35% of tour price will be refunded
15 to 29 days before tour begins: 25% of tour price will be refunded
Within 14 days of tour or during the tour: No monies will be refunded

Cancellation by GeoCultura: GeoCultura reserves the right to cancel any tour due to low enrolment, inability to run the tour or concerns about the safety, health or welfare of participants. If a tour is cancelled before it begins, all monies paid will be refunded (including any deposit).

Please refer to our Terms and Conditions page for additional details.

Dr Vickie Heaney

Dr Vickie Heaney is an ornithologist and printmaker from the UK’s Isles of Scilly, another enchanting Atlantic archipelago. Her background in zoology with a PHD specialisation in seabirds inspires her linocut prints of seabirds and island life.

As well as leading our Madeira vacation packages and Scilly tours, Vickie has co-led tours to the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and Antarctica. Perhaps even more importantly, her friendly, knowledgeable and well-organised approach has made her a firm favourite among past guests.

Vickie will be joined by local guides, to make sure your holiday in Madeira is everything you hope for, and more.