Walking In Madeira

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

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  Caroline Campbell

  WALKING IN MADEIRA

  

  Written September 2011

  A very enjoyable week's holiday and a good way to see Madeira. I enjoyed the variety of the scenery and the walking as well as sampling various Madeiran wines with dinner over the course of the week. 

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  What did you think of your group leader?

  Bruno is a very experienced group leader and did a good job of looking after us. There was a wide range of walking experience in our group but he managed this very well.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  My walking poles wouldn't fit in my suitcase but they would have been useful for the descents which are quite steep in places.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Of the 7 nights, you spend 2 nights in the same hotel except for one night, the Wednesday, which is good. I was pleasantly surprised by the accommodation. The only minor disappointment was the buffet on the Wednesday evening. However, the company of my fellow walkers was a great distraction!

   
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  Anne West

  WALKING IN MADEIRA

  

  Written September 2011

  This trip was more than I was hoping for as I was a complete novice at walking holidays.   Fantastic way to see such interesting places, people, wildlife and geology. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  As a complete novice at walking holidays, I amazed myself by the fifth day when I climbed Pico Ruivo (1,862 mts high).   I stood on a mountain surrounded by clouds and "up with the Gods".  Fantastic moment for me.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  My Guide was called Andre.   It was just me and him for the whole 7 days.   What a mind of knowledge that young man has.   I learnt Maderian history, geology, fauna, wildlife, customs, politics, and bad jokes!!  I really hope Exodus continues to use his services.  

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Just go for it!  Even if you're a solo traveller and walking novice like me, you have to start somewhere and why not try walking the levadas in Maderia.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  The only down side of the trip was the quality of the holiday accommodation for day 1 and 2.   The hotel Ecumeada is a little outdated and needs a bit of tlc.   

  Make sure you do take a mac as the weather can change at a moments notice, but even on a cloudy day the views from the mountains or levadas are pretty spectacular.   

   Funchal is a very interesting town, but be sure to follow Maderian's who take you off the main streets into tiny little classic alleys, with hidden treasures of artwork, fantastic architecture, food and hospitality.   

  I have only praise for the whole experience and Andre my guide is an absolute genius! 

   

   
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  Helen Watkins

  WALKING IN MADEIRA

  

  Written June 2011

  Madeira is a beautiful island, with a profusion of wonderful plant life and we had the benefit of a Madeiran leader who was passionate about his home country. The walks were probably on the A/B grade, rather than B, being a little short and not as strenuous as expected following a grade B holiday the previous year (unless I was just fitter!) 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Walking along the levada, albeit on a rainy day, was a definite highlight. The feat of engineering, creating the irrigation channels and paths on the side of near-vertical mountain slopes, was impressive. Add to that the abundant and lush greenery and it was a visual feast.

   

  The farmers' market in Funchal was another stunning visual feast - the sight of the produce and also the fine architecture. We were offered tasters of six different kinds of passion fruit.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Bruno was an enthusiastic and careful leader, so we all felt well cared for and included in the group. He obviously loves his work.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Be prepared for a variety of weather - as the trek notes say, mountains really do make their own weather.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Three slight quibbles.

   On the first day, our leader misread the bus timetable, so we arrivedhalf an hour late for the start of the walk. We had to rush back early to catch the 2pm bus as there was no other one until 5pm. It would have been better if a minbus or other private transport had been used, thus allowing greater flexiblilty and a more relaxing time on the beach and walk.

  First, the trek notes have not been adequately updated to show the adaptations necessary following the storms in 2010. It is not now possible safely to walk from Encumeada on the fifth day, so an extra minibus trip is required. The walk is still lovely, but may not be what walkers were expecting. The leader explained this to us, and we understood and are not aggrieved, but it should not have been left up to him to do this.

  The hotel at Encumeada has possibly the best views, rooms and breakfast, but the supper (buffet) was extremely poor and there is no alternative place to eat.

   

   

   
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  Michael Dantas

  WALKING IN MADEIRA

  

  Written June 2011

  Definitely recommended for anyone thinking of a walking holiday in Madeira. The trip covers all the things to do and experience to come away with a good insight into Madeira. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  All the activities and walks were enjoyable and covered something necessary for the Madeira experience.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  The group leader was a local who was passionate about Madeira and had an in depth and insiders knowledge of where to go and what to do and see on the island, which he was happy to share with us. This was invaluable for all the walks and activities we did which he also planned and organized very effectively.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  The two guesthouses in Encumeada and Santana are in wonderful (though isolated) locations and full of character. This tour would succeed with a group of between 6 and 10, (we had 8), any more and it could be unwieldly. The levada and coastal path walks offer a lot of spectacular views and photo opportunities. The paths can be quite narrow so take care. Make sure you try some poncha (rum, honey and juice cocktail) and don`t miss a walk around the old town of Funchal and a visit to the central market. Watch out for nun pirates in the interior :-) (we did not come across any, this could be a myth)

   
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  Annette Cattermole

  WALKING IN MADEIRA

  

  Written May 2011

  This was our second Exodus trip and like the first it was oganised and managed really well. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  The coastal views in Madeira were spectacular and the levadas are a feat of engineering!

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Joe Olim was excellent.  A good blend of knowledge and humour, he went out of his way to ensure our enjoyment of the trip.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Be prepared to have the trip itinerary changed (as ours was) to accomodate path closures, high winds and very wet weather.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  An enjoyable first visit to the island with easy walking. If you like sea food there are endless possibilities!

   
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  sue bishop

  WALKING IN MADEIRA

  

  Written May 2011

  One of the best and most surprising things about Madeira was the amazing variety of the walks - each day was different.  Windswept coasts, laurel and eucalyptus forests, waterfalls, open moorland, and of course the flower-lined levadas.  All lovely! 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Difficult to pick out just one, because it was the contrast of all the different days that made the trip so much fun.  And a really great group of people definitely helped!  The dinner on the last evening at a fish restaurant, eating outside and watching the sun set over the sea, was pretty good too...!

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Joe was an excellent leader, always calm and cheerful and very well organised, as well as knowledgeable about the flora and fauna.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Take clothing for all eventualities - we had a mix of wind, rain and sun on most days.

   
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  Alan Peffers

  WALKING IN MADEIRA

  

  Written April 2011

  Good weather, fab, rugged scenery and walking. Hotels reasonable, guide (Joe) highly knowledgable on flora and fauna; over-reliance on public transport which can be crowded or involve a lengthy trek at the end to reach a bus-stop. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Walking the levadas - water causeways with maintenance tracks cut into sheer rock faces with 50m+ drops to one side - leaves you leaning a bit one way for the rest of the day!

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Knew a lot about the country, walking routes, the wildlife and conservation and was happy to share it with us. Good organiser, and always tried to tie up loose ends. Tended to be very busy - often on the phone and didn't eat with us as often as we are used to.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Consider EasyJet and others for flights as TAP aren't the cheapest by some margin. We were very lucky to have good weather all week - go prepared for anything.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Be prepared for some variation to the trip notes; you are unlikely to do what it says. Although Exodus claim to keep these up to date, a fire in the high mountains has put one walk out of bounds since last August and flood damage has changed another walk route for the past 2 years but the trip notes haven't changed. We discussed this with the guide, and his feeling was that as weather considerations mean they have regularly to change the routes, they aren't too worried about the Trip notes being accurate. Perhpas it's just a local thing!

   

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