Walking in Madeira

Our tour begins today in Santana on Madeira's north coast. The beautiful village is home to the famous 'Bordado da Madeira' embroidery and traditional thatched, A-frame houses known as 'palheiros'.

For those arriving in time, your Tour Leader will meet you in the hotel reception at 7pm for a welcome meeting and for those that wish, there is the chance to go out for dinner. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Madeira Airport (FNC), which is around a 30-minute drive from the hotel. Should you miss the welcome meeting, your tour leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up.

Tonight, you might like to try one of the fresh seafood dishes that Madeira is known for, such as tuna with fried maize or black scabbard with fried banana, and for dessert why not sample the local passionfruit pudding?

This morning, we'll drive to the starting point of today's walk via peaceful agricultural land where the rich soil yields up to three crops per year. We'll follow a levada (Madeira's unique irrigation canals), weaving through a rural landscape where fruits and vegetables grow side by side with exotic forests. We'll continue on the path to Boca do Risco, one of the most beautiful viewpoints on the east side of the island. From here, we'll walk along the cliff tops, where we can soak up panoramic views and spot local wildlife, including the Madeira Firecrest. Our walk finishes at Porto da Cruz.

Walk completed, we'll drive back to Santana, stopping at a sugar cane factory and rum distillery for an optional tasting of the dark nectar.

Today's 12-kilometre/7.45-mile trek is expected to take around 5 hours with 330 metres/1082 feet of ascent and descent. The cliff-side path is narrow in places, with small, exposed sections that don't have a railing - care should be taken along these sections and those with vertigo might want to skip them.

This morning, we'll drive up to Boaventura, a hamlet of houses perched on the hillside at the top of the valley. Our trail kicks off with almost 200 metres/656 feet of incline, but the rest of the way is relatively flat, taking us from the top of the valley and winding down towards the coast. We'll walk to a hidden waterfall before entering the lush UNESCO-protected Laurel Forest and following the Levada dos Tornos. The Levada dos Tornos is one of the most important levadas in Madeira as it brings water from the island's north to its southern, drier areas. As we get closer to the coast, you can catch sweeping views of the valley.

In case of inclement weather, we have to fantatic alternatives. We can walk the coastal path Caminho da Entrosa - approximately 7.km with 210m of ascent, that usually takes around 3.5hrs. Or we can take the Caldeira Verde Lavada Walk, a moderately difficult levada walk with wonderful scenery.

From Faja do Penedo our vehicle will take us along the scenic north coast to Porto Moniz. The 16-kilometre/10-mile stretch of road from Sao Vicente to Porto Moniz took 16 years to complete (it was built entirely by hand!). Porto Moniz is known for its unusual rock pools which were created by volcanic activity. In summer, the sun warms the trapped sea water making them perfect to dip into for a swim or a soak. When the weather is rougher, the waves crash dramatically over the seawall blotting out the rock pools altogether.

This evening, you can get into the festive spirit by admiring Porto Moniz's Christmas lights and decorations. The Christmas season in Madeira starts in December and runs until early January.

Today's 13-kilometre/8-mile trek is expected to take around 5 hours with 280 metres/918 feet of ascent and descent. Again, several exposed sections don't have a railing - care should be taken along these sections and those with vertigo might want to skip them.

Today, we'll drive to the south coast, making a stop at Ponta do Vigia, the westernmost tip of the island. The lighthouse here stands on the cliffs 300 metres/984 feet above the waves. Built in 1922, it houses a small museum containing an exhibit about the lighthouses of Madeira.

Our walk today begins from Lombada, just inland from Ponta de Sol. We'll follow the Levada Nova around the hillside, with views over the coastline and villages of Ribeira Brava. The landscape gives us a glimpse into local livelihoods and traditions as we pass banana plantations, cultivated fields and colourful flora.

Our walk ends in Ribeira Brava, where we'll stop for a refreshment before heading to the capital, Funchal, with a stop at Miradouro do Tanque en route.

Funchal takes its name from 'funcho', meaning fennel and according to local legend, when Zarco landed here in 1419, he named this spot after the abundance of the herb he found. Visiting sailors used to call the city 'Little Lisbon' thanks to the grandeur of its cathedral and the buildings that line its harbour.

Our base for our final three nights is Hotel do Carmo, a 3-star hotel in the heart of Funchal. The hotel features playful 1960s interior design with vintage furniture and retro artworks adding to its character. It has a rooftop swimming pool with views over the bay and the surrounding mountains.

This afternoon, you can join your tour leader for a short orientation walk around the old town or explore at your own pace.

Christmas festivities are in full swing tonight with the Noite do Mercado - an all-night market that's the peak of the seasonal celebrations in Funchal. The event attracts thousands of locals and tourists alike and the bustling streets are lined with bars and eateries tempting you in for a late-night feast or tipple. Try the traditional sandes de carne vinho alhos, a special sandwich of pork meat marinated in wine and garlic.

Today's 10-kilometre/6.2-mile trek is expected to take around four hours with 50 metres/164 feet of ascent and descent. There are several small sections of the hillside levada without railing protection.

There are no activities today, so you're free to explore Funchal at your own pace or to enjoy one of the optional activities.

You might like to take a half-day cruise to spot whales and dolphins. Alternatively, you could take a stroll through the botanic gardens and head for afternoon tea at the opulent Reids Palace Hotel or ride the cable car up to the tropical gardens at Monte. There's also the option to take a half-day excursion to Nun's Valley and visit a Christmas village, which is decorated with a nativity scene.

To celebrate the season, there's the option to have a three-course lunch or dinner at your hotel today - please see the optional excursion section for more details. This can be arranged by your tour leader at the beginning of the trip.

This evening, you might like to explore the decorated streets of Funchal and listen to Christmas carols. Midnight mass is celebrated at Funchal's Sé Cathedral by the Bishop of Funchal - the church fills up quickly so make sure to get there early to get a good seat.

Today's walk starts at Pico Arieiro (1,818 metres/5,965 feet). From here, we'll follow the trail to the summit of Pico Ruivo (1,862 metres/6,109 feet), Madeira's highest point. Our route takes us along part of Madeira's famous Balcony Walk and passes through several tunnels (remember your torch) including the Túnel do Pico do Gato. It's worth noting that this trail is more challenging than our previous walks and there are some short, steep sections involving stone steps and metal staircases. From the Pico Ruivo, we'll descend to Achada de Texeira (1,542 metres/5,059 feet) before returning to Funchal by bus.

Perhaps the best way to spend this evening is on the harbourfront, sipping a glass of local wine, or in the old town, where you'll find plenty of restaurants serving up traditional dishes. Look out for Espada, a long flat fish that's unique to the waters around Madeira (and some islands in Japan). The Madeirans serve it with banana - a delicious combination!

Today's 11-kilometre/6.8-mile trek is expected to take around five-and-a-half hours with 320 metres/1,049 feet of ascent and descent.

As noted above, this walk is the most challenging on our itinerary. It might not be suitable for those with a fear of heights as there are some sections with steep drop-offs. Our tour leader is there to support you through it.

It's also worth noting that the Balcony Walk can be extremely busy. It can also close without notice due to bad weather and landslides. Our tour leader has yet more excellent alternatives available should this happen, including the Levada do Castelejo walk of approximately 12.5km, through lush vegetation and traditional villages, or the Coca da Corrida to Curral das Freiras walk.

Today's walk starts at Rabaçal, from where we'll follow the Levada do Alecrim (rosemary), one of the most beautiful levadas in Madeira. Along the trail, we'll spot several species of flora that are endemic to Madeira and take in the views down into the Rabaçal and Ribeira da Janela valleys. We'll reach the majestic Lagoa do Vento, a river basin formed by the water falling from the top of the cliff, coming from the Ribeira do Lajeado. After a rest (and perhaps a swim), we'll have an hour walking through the Laurel Forest to reach the House of Rabaçal, where we'll stop for lunch.

Fed and watered, we'll follow the Levada do Risco to the waterfall that feeds it. It's a magnificent viewpoint and the perfect rest spot to stop before we continue to the 800-metre/2624-foot Tunel dos Cavaleiros, through which the beautiful valley of Calheta and the sea can be spotted.

Note that the 26th of December is also a Christmas holiday in Madeira so many shops, markets and services are closed however restaurants and bars remain open. The Christmas Market will be open at Avenida Arriaga, here you can taste some of the typical delicacies and drinks from Madeira, and enjoy performances by folklore groups.

Today's 12-kilometre/7.5-mile trek is expected to take around 5 hours with 475 metres/1,558 feet of descent.

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Funchal.

There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart from Funchal at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to depart from Madeira Airport (FNC), which is a 25-minute drive from the hotel.