Madeira, Portugal
March 2024
Offered Year Round
7 days - 5 days of activities
All-Inclusive
Beginner friendly. For people who want to push themselves, try new things, and accomplish difficult goals
Must be able to complete multiple days of moderate physical difficulty in a row.
5 participants
Transformative skill development
Certified guides from the International Canyoning Academy.
Integrating risk management, judgment, leadership, and emotional awareness.
Experience the satisfaction of overcoming difficulties.
Coming-of-age experiences that promote personal growth.
Custom tailored adventures that cater to your every need.
To Future Participants I would say that the Madeira Canyon Challenge was an unforgettable adventure that pushed my limits and expanded my horizons. The excellent staff, thrilling activities, and stunning natural beauty combined to create an experience that I would recommend to anyone seeking an exciting and transformative journey.
Participant Review MCC FinisherTo Future Participants I would say that the Madeira Canyon Challenge (MCC) was seriously incredible! I'd rate it a solid 10/10 without a doubt. Climbing that massive 60-meter waterfall? Totally unforgettable. If you're looking for an adventure and want to learn cool stuff like risk management and stoicism, this is the trip for you. The staff was great! I loved Souza! They are all very safe and know everything there is to know about canyons. Seriously, I'd do this again in a heartbeat with the same crew. Don't miss out on this epic experience!
Participant Review MCC FinisherTo future participants, I would say that the Madeira Canyon Challenge (MCC) was an eye-opening adventure. one I'd rate a solid 10 out of 10 in terms of satisfaction. Building trust with peers on top of huge waterfalls with amazing views was an unforgettable experience. The MCC not only enhanced my understanding of risk and safety management but also pushed my limits. Safety was never a concern, and the staff was exceptional in addressing risks, although there were moments, like hanging over a waterfall, when I felt slightly uncomfortable.
Participant Review MCC FinisherI've worked with Wild Sky on two different week-long, large-group outdoor education trips for high school students . These adventure trips were focused around canyoneering, as well as geology, ecology, and local history. Sam was our primary guide for our week of adventure in Madeira, Portugal, and he really went above and beyond the role of “canyon guide”. He became an invaluable teacher, mentor, and friend to my students (and to me!) throughout the week . Not only is Sam a highly qualified & skilled guide , he is a gifted educator, weaving in lessons big and small about everything from climbing safety and gear, geology and the environment , to “life lessons”. Along the way. He established a strong camaraderie with the students, while maintaining firm, ( but never harsh ) authority and order throughout, so everyone knew what was expected of them. Sam’s “no safety jokes” rule set a clear tone of respect for the seriousness of the safety practices vital to all the activities we were doing amidst all of the fun and adventure.
Teacher Review MCC Youth Adventure ChaperoneMadeira Canyon Challenge is a product of Wild Sky Adventure Guides in partnership with the International Canyoning Academy (ICA).
Based in Washington State, Wild Sky is a professional swiftwater canyon guide service and adventure travel agency. We design and organize world class educational and adventure travel products like the Madeira Canyon Challenge.
The Madeira Canyon Challenge is a week-long wilderness risk management and leadership seminar. The program uses the medium of swiftwater canyoneering to teach important lessons on how to identify, control and mitigate risk.
All Madeira Canyon Challenge Guides are trained and accredited through our partner organization ICA. ICA is an offshoot of the oldest canyon guide academy in the world; the CIC. They have developed and taught canyoning courses around the world. All participants will receive an official certificate of training as well as a one year ICA membership.
The Madeira Canyon Challenge is a coming of age adventure that facilitates life changing experiences for those seeking adventure and self growth. We encourage school groups, friend groups, sports groups, or spiritual/religious groups to take the challenge!
Participants need to be physically active and ready to undertake a mentally and physically demanding adventure. Participants will experience cold water and exposure to heights as a part of their adventure. It is through overcoming these obstacles that the underlying lessons are learned.
A fear of heights, tight spaces, or cold water immersion doesn’t disqualify anyone from participating in MCC programs. We encourage an open dialogue; if a potential participant is interested in challenging their fears we are excited to work with them and tailor an experience to help them move through and overcome their fears.
Because we are a program with a deep background in education and skill building as well as risk management and team building we possess the unique skills and abilities to facilitate safe and meaningful activities. We are highly trained professionals who are interested in sharing our experience for the benefit of our students.
The Madeira Canyon Challenge is a skill building program. Starting with our first introductory out of canyon dry day, we systematically teach participants important canyoning skills and techniques. We pair these techniques with important lessons In Risk Management, Judgment, Leadership and Emotional Awareness. As the course progresses participants put their new skills into practice. The course culminates in a final day where, under close supervision, participants lead the descent of an appropriately challenging canyon.