Hiking and Canyoning Adventure in Madeira

The activities on this trip can be done without any previous experience – you'll have expert guides to show you the ropes and help you navigate the canyoning. Although each day is not overly strenuous, you'll be fairly active for a few hours so the trip is best enjoyed if you have a decent level of fitness and agility, and if you enjoy the outdoors with some moments of adventure and adrenaline.

The hikes are up and down paths of moderate difficulty with some occasional steep, loose sections as well as some exposed paths. The sweeping views and lush wilderness of Madeira will reward every effort!

Canyoning will involve sections of hiking, scrambling, abseiling, optional jumps, sliding and swimming. Full gear and tuition will be provided, all you need is a basic fitness level. You should, however, be comfortable in the water and not be overly afraid of heights, as there is a 25m rappelling section to tackle.

Marta Marinelli, raised in Italy’s serene Prosecco Hills, dreamt of global adventures, inspired by her father's travel stories. Her passion evolved into a career, backed by a decade of studies including degrees in international tourism and destination management. She’s worked in the adventure travel sector since 2012, living in Italy, the UK, and now sunny Portugal.

Over twenty years, Marta has explored over 55 countries, visiting remote areas like Ghana, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Haiti and Nepal’s Upper Mustang region. As a Senior Adventure Expansion Manager at Much Better Adventures, she focuses on creating life-changing experiences, ranging from multi-activity adventures, challenging treks to ultimate adventures in iconic places. She loves the challenge of finding the best local adventure hosts around the world, collaborating on adventures that offer genuine immersion, pushing beyond the beaten path and working on exclusive itineraries that challenge your comfort zone.

What makes her tick? Enabling people to live adventure-rich lives while positively impacting and empowering local communities around the world, generating sustainable opportunities for both the host, guides, community, and the environment.

Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

Tips are not included in the trip cost. These are entirely at your discretion, but there is an expectation to tip for good service. Your guide will help with advice, however, we suggest the below as a guideline per person:

€20-30

Of course, you are free to tip more or less, and the amount should be reflective of your perception of service and quality – a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.

The tap water in Madeira is safe to drink. Please bring along your own reusable water bottle to fill up at the hotels, public fountains and at restaurants to avoid buying single-use plastic bottles.

Madeira enjoys a subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters, usually with sunshine throughout most of the year. Whilst the south of the island and coast are usually sunnier, colder temperatures, fog, or low clouds can be expected in the interior of the island and at higher altitudes, so it's important to come equipped for all weather conditions year-round (see our kit list for more information). In the winter months (between December and March), temperatures hover just under 20° C, mild enough to swim in the sea or a heated outdoor pool, though there's a slightly higher possibility of rain.

No. You'll need to have a larger bag suitable for all your belongings which will be transported for you, and then a small rucksack to carry personal items during each day of activity.

You can leave any excess luggage with your host for the duration of the adventure.

We recommend checking out the country specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.

For current advice about travelling to Portugal, have a read of the UK Foreign Office pages.

The weather in the mountains can be pretty unpredictable, with rain and cold temperatures a possibility at any time of the year – especially at higher altitudes (above 1500m). The best you can do is to be prepared for anything and come equipped with layers of clothing, sunscreen and waterproofs.

Your host will be monitoring the weather conditions during the course of the trip and will suggest alternative, safer hiking routes should the weather get particularly bad. The dolphin-watching tour is, of course, dependent on favourable sea conditions – should this get cancelled, your host will replace it with an alternative activity.

Canyoning usually takes place at Ribeira do Lajeado, however the exact location will be dependent on water levels which will be checked beforehand by the local guides. If conditions in Lajeado are not optimum, your guides will take you to an alternative canyon on the island.

Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine.

Travel insurance is compulsory for all of our adventures and you are required to provide your policy information before departing.

Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. We also strongly recommend it includes cancellation and curtailment insurance, should you be unable to join your trip for specific reasons such as illness.

We fully endorse Campbell Irvine as their insurance offers all of the above, so get in touch with them or call on 020 7938 1734 to get your insurance sorted. We suggest that you book travel insurance as soon as you book your adventure, just to cover you for any last-minute life changes. We know you’re an active lot and injuries do happen!

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.

All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. Children can be accommodated on some private departures.

You're always in good company on one of our adventures.

Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.

Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.

It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.

Don't just take our word for it:

• 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
• 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
• 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends

See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.

Interested in a more exclusive experience? Opt for a 'Private Group' through the dates and prices tab to book this adventure for just you and your chosen companions.

Our team of Adventure Hunters create exclusive adventures with highly vetted, specialist hosts. We only work with independent, local in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. See here for more info about the local teams we partner with.