PROGRAM 

8 days / 7 nights Program

​

Day 1 - Arrival - Weekly Briefing

After picking you up at the airport, you'll check into your accommodation located in the best area of Funchal, 10 mins walk from town center and also 3 mins walk from front-sea promenade. You’ll gather for your retreat briefing after which you'll head outside for a relaxed run (road running). After your run, you’ll have some free time to freshen up before dinner.

Time running: 1 hour

 

Day 2 - Larano – The Lost World Experience

Setting off from Machico outskirts, we’ll quickly see ourselves running Machico’s Levada towards Boca do Risco. From there on, the views over the ocean and the green that compose the high ground over us, will set the tone for our climb to Funduras. There, we’ll run deep inside the forest single tracks until we reach Degolada, a steep downhill single-track challenge, that will put your quads to the test. ​ This last downhill lead us to Vereda do Larano. With sea in one side and mountain in the other, we get to run some good 8 Kms in a Jurassic Park movie set like scenario. ​ At the end of Vereda do Larano we’ll start our way back to Levada de Machico with its gorgeous views over the city and end up this cool cinematographic running experience.

​

Evening Yin Yoga: passive practice that creates flexibility without strength, we hold the poses for 3 to 5 minutes in stillness, aiming to release the tension in the muscles, connective tissues, especially the fascia, while concentrating on the physical, mental and emotional sensations that arise in each pose. It is a great preparation for a meditation..

Time on Trail: 2 - 3 hours

​

Day 3 - Fanal Green Mist

Day 3 starts with a pre-breakfast Yoga session - Morning Gentle Flow: active practice where we move slowly, holding each pose for a few soft breaths, to create some energy in the body, muscle activation while lengthening with awareness.

​

The run itself starts at the ancient Fanal’s Forest Support house and will take us through that same trail towards Estanquinhos, way up at the Paul the Serra plateau. This single-track trail crosses Madeira Laurel and Heather Forest. It’s a constant up and down run, challenging at times and most of all, it’s filled with views over the Ribeira da Janela Valley, the longest in the island with a total extension of 13Kms. We end our run at this green field of Madeira Laurels, usually populated with herding cows.

​

Time on trail: 2 – 3 hours

​

Day 4 - Encumeada - Tunnels & Waterfalls

Encumeada is this running adventure starting point. ​ Following the Levada do Norte path, with its stunning views over Ribeira Brava’s Valley, we’ll reach our first long tunnel cross. These 250 meters of hand-made tunnel will take us to the north face of this mountain that holds a big portion of Madeira’s Laurissilva Forest. ​ After yet another tunnel crossing and some 2 km’s we start our ascent towards Paredão. ​After another fun run moment we reach Levada da Serra that will get us to ‘Pinaculo’, a point of interest that then will take us to the south face of the mountain once again. ​ Although we’ve already passed through countless waterfalls at this point, these next few ones won’t have much trail path to avoid the water, and some shower will be inevitable. A cooling, refreshing and much welcomed adventure finish, after the kms we’ve already put in.

 

Evening Yang/Yin: a mix of active and passive pratice, we will move to then relax.

Time on Trail: 3 hours 

​

Day 5 - São Lourenço's Playground

After breakfast, we have a 25-minute drive to Caniçal, the eastern most point of the island. Having Caniçal as background, this tour is all about the symbiosis between mountain, ocean and having a lot of running fun. We'll get to reach the farthest eastern point in Madeira island, through the beautiful Baia D’abra’s trails until we reach Pico do Furado. From the start until we get to Sardinha's house and the viewpoint up above it's about 5 kms. An amazing running experience where the camera is as important as the shoes you're wearing. A nice swim in the ocean is advised as well.

Evening Hatha + Pranayama: traditional practice, also active as requires muscle engagement. Encourages the body to lengthen and creates flexibility and strength simultaneously. We take time to focus on each pose individually, taking rests in between them to reset and prepare for the next one. Pranayama: is expansion and extension of the breath, by the use of different techniques, that means longer and slower breaths, that also have a cleansing effect in the body.

Time on trail: 2 hours

​

Day 6 - Conquer the Summit

After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll drive out to Pico Areeiro. We'll head towards Pico Ruivo, The Summit, the highest peak in Madeira, and 3rd highest in Portugal. A true challenge, only for the brave. For those who really want to put their skills to the test. But let's not be fooled by the "short" 12 Kms. It’s a constant up and down with gorgeous views over the great central massif in direct contact with endemic fauna and flora. We're put to the test in one of the most demanding but beautiful section of Madeira's 'Ultra Trail World Tour' race

 

Evening Restorative yoga + yoga nidra: same as Yin Yoga but we take more support of the props to feel even more relaxed. Yoga nidra contain several relaxation techniques based on the breath, body scan, visualization.

Time on trail: 2,5 – 3.5 hours

​

Day 7 - Poiso - Laurissilva & Ponds

Starting at Poiso Shelter house we will have our first 6 kms of warm up on a downhill section along mountain biking single tracks. An incredible running start with views over the valley that ends up in Porto da Cruz seashore. But this run is all about green forest far away from the ocean. Once we get to Levada do Furado we head towards Ribeiro Frio and along this 8 Kms of amazingly beautiful scenario we will be welcomed with gorgeous waterfalls and natural ponds. For the bravest, this cool ponds are the epic place for a dive. ​ After reaching Ribeiro Frio's shelter we start a comfortable but challenging climb towards Chão das Feiteiras where sheep are herd and the barns are located. A cool green plateau run just before we face our last km to the finish line.

 

Evening Yin/Yang: we will start slow and then build up some energy so you can enjoy your last dinner (awaked) in Madeira Island and I´ll join you for that.

Time on trail: 2,5 –  3 hours

​

Day 8 - Departure

Goodbyes and transfer to the airport. 

​