Thoughts on Group Leader
Knowledgeable local guide giving a variety of walks.
Reviews
Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers
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Reviews
Walking the Island of Madeira
I felt it was well organised to give a good experience of hiking in Madeira.
Walking the Island of Madeira
The trip was well planned and executed, very few minor issues with accommodation check ins, easy itinerary changes to allow for weather- whole trip ran incredibly smoothly and guide was great.
Most Inspirational Moment
The second hike along the coastal path was a very enjoyable walk with constant panoramic views of the beautiful island. The final day we took an alternate view due to weather, and were able to do a wet and challenging but highly enjoyable hike to eagles nest. The amount of passion fruit desserts I enjoyed afterward were an added bonus.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Bruno was a wonderful and enthusiastic group leader. He told us all about the island and some stories from his travels. He was very helpful in preparing us with the information for our hikes, communicating when things might need to be altered, and was a great aid when some members needed a bit more help on some of the trickier trails.
Advice for Potential Travellers
The swim in the volcano pools was an unexpected treat. We were lucky as well since the weather turned the day after we went so they were closed down. Definitely take advantage when you can be sure of it.
Walking the Island of Madeira
Varied terrain and spectacular scenery. This trip surpassed my already high expectations!
Most Inspirational Moment
The scenery which changed throughout the day, and every day was different.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Narcisco was passionate about guiding and preserving the wilderness in Madeira!
Advice for Potential Travellers
Difficulty of the hike was underestimated. Some members of our group struggled difficulty of several hikes.
walking in madiera
Many changes to trip notes – including days walking and lack of public transport
Thoughts on Group Leader
Got better as week went on. First night was dreadful. we had to chase hotel to find out time to meet. Then we were waiting in a separate place and we had to then go and find leader. No group meets in evening arranged until we suggested. I think he didn't know how Exodus operates generally as his first one and I felt sorry for the many lone travellers in our group as they were on their own for 3 evenings I think.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take own snacks from UK for lunches. Local shops poor and unhealthy selections (no M&S Salads!) and often closed when had time to shop
Reply from Exodus
We’re disappointed to read that Jenny felt her trip to Madeira could have been better, though we are thankful for her taking the time to leave a review.
We do highlight in our trip notes that occasionally, the itinerary may be shuffled or changed for a variety of reasons outside of Exodus’ control, most commonly on walking trips because of weather. We have followed up with our local team about the changes made, but are confident that these will have retained the integrity of the original itinerary as much as possible. Regarding public transport, we use this as well as private vehicles, though occasionally for the benefit of the group we use the latter over the former for logistical reasons.
It was Jenny’s tour leader, Narcisco’s, first Exodus trip, for which we provide comprehensive training and a leader handbook. However, it sounds like he did not arrange meetings and group meals as we would expect, and we have followed up with our local team to remind him to do this on any future trips he leads. Narcisco should also have been more proactive in leaving messages at reception so that your group could gather for your welcome briefing, and we are sorry this was not done and caused some real inconvenience.
We are also exploring the possibility of providing healthy lunch options which our customers can pack at their hotel in the morning before walks.
We hope that the above can show that we are following up on Jenny’s concerns, and hope that we will be able to welcome her back on another Exodus trip when she travels again.
– Danny Bell, Exodus Product Manager
Walking the Island of Madeira
The trip to Madeira was awesome. Seeing different landscapes and vegetation each day made for a great hiking experience. Guide was excellent and knew the island and culture very well.
Most Inspirational Moment
A nice mix of scenery each day. Good length of hikes. A 9:00AM start time was great.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Madeira's scenery was way nicer than I had expected. We fortunately did not have ANY rain. The temperature was also warmer than expected.
not sure what you mean? review the name of the trip? Fine!
A varied selection of walks around the island. 3 out of 4 hotels were excellent – the second one was a bit dark and cold. Length of walks were good – about 7 miles. Pace for me was a bit slow. One of the walks (high up near the tops) was frustrating as there was no view over the hedges. The replacement walk as the highest peak was closed was in fact my favourite (on the Friday)
Most Inspirational Moment
For me, swimming in the natural sea pool after the walk on the third day (Porto Moniz)
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent. Very friendly and knowledgeable
Advice for Potential Travellers
Mainly walks in a line on the flat, with steps (many) at beginning and end of walks
Great trip. Amazing views.
This walking trip was a great way to spend a week. There’s a great variety of walks which meant each walking day was different and interesting. Staying at four different hotels across the week, we covered a lot of the island. We went at New Year and the weather was really mild, t-shirt weather during the day. The views were fantastic and it’s a lovely island. Highly recommended. Local food was great. A good balance of walking and some time to relax.
Most Inspirational Moment
On our last walking day we saw a spectacular sunrise from the mountain, Pico Arieiro. We then did a walk to two other mountains - challenging but worth it. The ancient Funal Forest was also quite magical.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our guide, Bruno, was very good - enthusiastic and knowledgeable.
Advice for Potential Travellers
The weather is better than the UK but we did have some rain and it was quite cloudy at times. We did travel in January though! We were there for New Year and the fireworks in Funchal were brilliant.
Spectacular walking and scenery
Excellent trip. We saw so much of the island.
Most Inspirational Moment
Reaching the top of the highest mountain in Madeira above the clouds and swimming in the natural pools at Porto Moniz.
Thoughts on Group Leader
The group leader was excellent - very enthusiastic about his homeland and very knowledgeable. Very considerate of all members of the group and various abilities. He did tend to repeat himself a little though.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be mindful that there are quite a few very high paths - albeit mostly with handrails - definitely think twice about this trip if you are not great with heights! Some of the walks were quite challenging.
Wonderful walks showing the beauty of Madeira!
What a wonderful way to experience the varied landscape and unique plant life in Madeira! This was my first walking trip, and I was worried that I would get bored after a few days of walking, but what we saw each day was so different from the last! We did have one day of walking in the rain, but I think we got very lucky as the walk we did that day was covered for a lot of the way by trees and we were walking through some tunnels as well. The hotels were comfortable and lovely, but the one in Porto Moniz was beauuuuutiful!
Most Inspirational Moment
Making it to Pico Ruivo! The views from the top were amazing and it was relatively clear when we got there, so Andre was able to point out all of the places that we had gone to while on the trip from the peak of the mountain! It was really cool to see all of the places that we had visited over the week on the last walk :)
Thoughts on Group Leader
Andre is a hilarious guide with a lot of passion for his island! He was vigilant when it came to safety while on the walks - especially the day it was raining as it was super slippery in certain areas of the path. On day 5, the walk was meant to the Fanal Forest - it was what I was looking forward to most on the trip, but due to the wind conditions, we had to switch to a different walk. Andre was quick to set up alternative plans for the group and I the walk we did ended up being one of my favourites from the trip!
Advice for Potential Travellers
Definitely bring hiking boots, those are a must! And the trip notes mention this, but the last hike to Pico Ruivo involves walking on paths with a sheer cliff drop on one or both sides of the path. It can be scary for people who have a fear of heights!
Trekking in Madeira
Lovely island, great guide and group. Really nice hotels, lucky with the weather! However, the most interesting walks to the Eastern peninsula and the central mountains were very busy. Also, for me, the overall pace was rather slow and the distances covered could have been greater.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take 50 cent coins for toilets.