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Madeira Island Tour: Culture, Food, and Hiking
Embark on a private gastro hike to explore the island’s culture, cuisine, and biodiversity. Experience local cuisine, hike scenic trails, and learn from a certified guide. Make a positive impact on local communities.
Embark on a private gastro hike to explore the island’s culture, cuisine, and biodiversity. Experience local cuisine, hike scenic trails, and learn from a certified guide. Make a positive impact on local communities.
Duration:
5 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- ER203 - Our Gatro Hike will take us for a walk on one of the Levadas of our island, in an area where you only find nature and don’t find the large amount of tourism as in other places. Accessible to most people who visit us, and we can take a walk with 5.5 kms or with only 3.5 kms depending on what our customers prefer. In the end, we ended up…
- ER203 - Our Gatro Hike will take us for a walk on one of the Levadas of our island, in an area where you only find nature and don’t find the large amount of tourism as in other places. Accessible to most people who visit us, and we can take a walk with 5.5 kms or with only 3.5 kms depending on what our customers prefer. In the end, we ended up next to one of the most emblematic places in our mountains to taste a Poncha (local drink) and learn a little about its history. Then we will taste one of the traditional dishes of our island.
What's Included
- Private transportation
- Carbonated beverages
- Alcoholic beverages
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Tea and coffee
- Private transportation
- Carbonated beverages
- Alcoholic beverages
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Tea and coffee
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
- Gratuities
Meal Options
- “Skewered” - Local food made of beef on a skewer over the coals, accompanied by french fries, salad and fried corn
- “Skewered” - Local food made of beef on a skewer over the coals, accompanied by french fries, salad and fried corn
Additional Information
Experience the authentic culture, cuisine, mountain trails, history, and biodiversity of the island firsthand. Our activity guides you to dine like a local, visiting the eateries frequented by natives. Enjoy a local kebab, sip on a Poncha, all amidst the less trodden paths that only the true Madeirans know about. Navigate through the island’s history…
Experience the authentic culture, cuisine, mountain trails, history, and biodiversity of the island firsthand. Our activity guides you to dine like a local, visiting the eateries frequented by natives. Enjoy a local kebab, sip on a Poncha, all amidst the less trodden paths that only the true Madeirans know about. Navigate through the island’s history with a certified guide who was born and bred on this island. Our activity also contributes positively towards the local communities, rendering sustainability.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(40 Ratings)
5 stars
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1 star
Clare_k
Jun 25, 2025
Our guide Claudio took us... - Our guide Claudio took us off the beaten track following the Levada on a 6km hike. He kindly gave us the option to shorten the hike, should we want to, to avoid a steep climb at the end. Following the hike we went to a local bar where we tried Poncha and then onto a local restaurant to grill beef skewers over an open fire - delicious! Claudio was very friendly and knowledgable and we would definitely join him again.
Review provided by Viator
Trip67591995667
Jun 20, 2025
Do the hike, eat the food, enjoy the day, learn a lot. 32/10 highly recommend. - We chose this experience because it fit our schedule, you should choose it because it is excellently curated and skillfully lead. Claudio is a certified wilderness trail specialist and has his undergraduate degree in Biology, he is also pleasant, kind, and an all-around wonderful person and guide. On our scenic hike he shared his vast knowledge about Madeira’s ecology and vegetation, Madeira’s unique role in Portuguese history, and the current culture and everyday life on the island. On our (mostly) moderate hike we saw NO OTHER TOURISTS but were perfectly immersed in the hills and valleys of Madeira. After the hike we had a wonderful meal, with house-made poncha and wine, at a local spot fill with locals. Truly a unique experience on an island where it’s easy to be swallowed by the crowd.
We started our hike at 4pm, temps were around 70F (late June). I wore hiking shoes, lightweight hiking pants, a short-sleeved t-shirt and by the end of the day, I had put on the lightweight jacket I packed. The hike was not technical, was light-moderate in effort, with one incline on which I needed a brief rest. I do not consider myself a hiker.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
I8395opmichellef
Jun 10, 2025
Gastro hike - fantastic guide! - Claudio was amazing! He changed his plans to cater for us and could not be more helpful. We had an excellent day and he made our trip!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Meaghanp664
May 29, 2025
Highlight of our trip! - Claudio is THE BEST!! My husband and I had the best time on this tour/hike, it was the highlight of our trip. Great experience exploring trails and eating great food on the island.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
318thelmab
May 29, 2025
The best. - It was excellent, just us on a levada walk was unbelievable, the views , the forest and knowledge of our guide Claudio fantastic. The gastro bit was superb.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lindsaylr3150il
Apr 6, 2025
Perfect Hike and Perfect Guide - Where to start....Claudio was by far the best guide we had during our stay in Madiera. His enthusiasm and knowledge of not just the walk history but also the flora and fauna were truly engaging.
On top of all that Claudio is a real people person which made the tour all the more enjoyable.
The knowledge and passion Claudio has is clearly evident as you walk the trails, and it is always apparent that everything Claudio does is to make you the centre of the walk.
Our walk was altered at the last minute due to weather conditions, in order to give us a better experience. Claudio did not need to do that but again this is another example of Claudio going that extra mile.
After the walk thd visits to a local Poncha Bar and Espetadas restaurant put the icing on the cake of a perfect hike. No glitter or glamour...just traditional venues with traditional drink and food...I guarantee any tourist on there own would not give these venues a second look...but what gems they are.
Would I book Claudio again.....without a second thought. All other tours we did paled into the shadows compared to walking with Claudio.
We truly thank Claudio for sharing his Madiera with us. Memories we will cherish.
Obrigado Claudio...we will be back!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Robert_p
Apr 6, 2025
Fantastic experience!! - This is an absolute must do on Madeira. Hiking through the forest just two of us with our guide Claudio was amazing. Beautiful scenery and expert commentary on everything from plant life to historical info. Topped the day off with mouthwatering local delicacies like beef and sausage kabobs, polenta and Poncha (rum, honey, and lemon). If you want to enjoy the best of Madeira make sure to reach out to Claudio. You will not be disappointed!!
Review provided by Viator
Kate
Mar 24, 2025
Just do it, Claudio is brilliant 🤩 - What a great combination for a fabulous day learning more about Madeira. It is clear from the outset that Claudio cares deeply about his customers, his hiking and his food - local, authentic, sustainable and delicious 😋
We had a lovely walk along a private levada away from the crowds and learned lots about the flora and fauna that make up Madeira.
The food and the conversation was top notch, would definitely recommend!
A day to remember and a reason to return 💚
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Julian_c
Jan 28, 2025
Amazing afternoon - An amazing afternoon with Claudio. A superb experience in the magical forest followed by poncha and a delicious meal. Such a friendly and interesting guide who went out of his way to ensure we had a great time. Highly recommend Claudio as a knowledgeable and great fun guide. We had the best time
Review provided by Viator
Clinton_d
Nov 25, 2024
Fantastic Day - It was such a fun day. Even though we had rain, Claudio made it work. Lovely hike, amazing local lunch and fantastic fellowship. Terrific guide!
Review provided by Viator
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