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Madeira
Information for Enrolled Students

Packing List

We’ve provided packing recommendations below; however, equivalent items work just fine. We also offer many items for sale via our online store.

Duffel Bag

45-60 liters; MUST be small enough to carry on the plane

Qty: 1
shoulder straps, North Face Base Camp S duffel or Patagonia Black Hole Duffel 55 L

Lightweight Daypack

15-25 liter lightweight, collapsible daypack to carry your rain jacket, water bottle and snacks

Qty: 1
Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Day Pack
Buy in our gear store

Daypack

28-35 liter comfortable daypack; school backpack size works fine, one with a waist strap is highly recommended

Qty: 1
Patagonia Refugio 29L
Buy in our gear store

Waterproof Daypack Cover

Covers your backpack

Qty: 1

*To avoid the risk of lost luggage, we ask you to carry your duffel + backpack onto the airplane. The duffel/backpack sizes listed above (38 - 45 liters) meet the carry-on regulations for the airline. Again, please do not check your backpack on travel days. Thank you! Please keep all necessary trekking gear in your carry on, including hiking boots, headlamp, warm gloves/hat, hiking socks, rain jacket, water bottles, and layers as airlines have been extremely inconsistent with lost baggage over the past year.

Long Underwear Top

Medium-weight long sleeve (polypropylene or Capilene, NOT cotton)

Qty: 2
Patagonia Capilene Cool
Buy in our gear store

T-shirts

Minimum of 2 short sleeve Capilene or synthetic fabric t-shirt, others may be cotton

Qty: 5
Patagonia Capilene T-Shirt

Fleece Jacket

Synthetic, non-cotton. This needs to be heavier than the lightweight top

Qty: 1
Patagonia Synchilla or R2 Jacket

Sweatshirt

Comfortable, warm sweatshirt to have as an additional layer; This would be great to wear on your travel days - but completely up to you!

Qty: 1
Buy in our gear store

Packable, Lightweight Insulated Jacket

Qty: 1
Stio Alpiner Hooded Jacket or Patagonia Micro Puff Jacket

Rain Jacket with Hood

Must be waterproof, not water resistant. NO PONCHOS

Qty: 1
Patagonia Torrentshell or Marmot Precip

Sports Bra

For girls

Qty: 3

Required Clothing Items

Long Underwear Bottom

Medium-weight (polypropylene or Capilene, NOT cotton)

Qty: 1
Patagonia Capilene Lightweight/Midweight Bottoms

Long Pants

Minimum 1 pair of synthetic, non-cotton hiking pants, but the other pair may be cotton/joggers

Qty: 2 Pair
Buy in our gear store

Fleece Pants or Sweatpants

Synthetic, non-cotton fleece pants or heavyweight long underwear bottoms

Qty: 1
Patagonia Synchilla Fleece Pants or Patagonia R1 Pants

Quick-dry Shorts

Synthetic, non-cotton shorts

Qty: 1
Patagonia Baggies
Buy in our gear store

Underwear

Synthetic, non-cotton are best (but a couple cotton pairs are okay)

Qty: 5-6

Bathing Suit

Boys: your quick-dry shorts can double as your bathing suit

Qty: 2

Required Clothing Items

Warm Hat

Wool or fleece, non-cotton beanie

Qty: 1
Buy in our gear store

Baseball Hat

A baseball hat or wide-brimmed hat for sun protection

Qty: 1
Buy in our gear store

Required Headwear

Hiking Boots

Light-weight boot or trail shoe

Qty: 1

Tennis Shoes

A pair of comfortable, closed-toe shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty

Qty: 1

River Shoes

These can be open-toed but do need to have a back strap - no flip flops!

Qty: 1
Chaco, Teva, Keen

Socks

Non-cotton, lightweight hiking socks

Qty: 6 Pair
Smartwool or Darn Tough

Required Shoes

Sleeping Bag Liner

Highly recommended. Silk, cotton, or synthetic. Used as a “lightweight sheet” in warm climates in lieu of a sleeping bag. Used when staying in hotels/ hostels as a personal sheet.

Qty: 1
Sea to Summit Expander Travel Liner
Buy in our gear store

You will be staying in hostels, so this is for extra comfort

Personal + Travel Medications

Please bring any personal medications and travel medications as advised by your Physician.

Qty: As needed

Blister Pill Pack or PillBox

The best way to send medication is with PillPacks by Amazon or a Pill Box.

Qty: As needed
Consider https://pharmacy.amazon.com/pillpack

Leaders will collect all medications, except inhalers and epi-pens. Other medications should be in a pillbox or PillPack.

Dopp Kit

Contains: toothbrush, toothpaste, travel shampoo & soap, deodorant

Qty: 1
Patagonia Black Hole Cube 6L-M

Small First Aid Kit

Contains: Insect repellent, waterproof sunscreen, Band-aids, Moleskin, Chapstick w/ sun prevention, Wet Ones wipes, Dramamine (if prone to motion sickness), personal hand sanitizer.

Qty: 1

Prescription Glasses + Contacts

If your child wears glasses and/or contacts, please bring at least one spare pair of glasses/ lenses. Contact lens wearers should bring a pair of glasses as backup in addition to contacts.

Qty: 2 pair

Required Hygiene Items. *Please keep in mind that you will be carrying all toiletries with you on the plane, so make sure they are travel-sized!

Wallet

Personal wallet with $250 spending money and valid identification; If using cash, bring EUR instead of USD

Qty: 1

Passport + Copies

Passport (valid for 6 months after the last day of your trip) + 2 additional photocopies of your passport

Qty: 1 + 2 Copies

Bandana/Buff

For additional sun and wind protection. Buffs are tube-like and can be worn up to 12 different ways providing versatile sun protection. Can even be worn as a headband!

Qty: 2
Moondance Buff
Buy in our gear store

Nylon Stuff Sack

One extra (Sleeping bag size)

Qty: 1

Pack Towel

Absorbent & quick to dry, large or extra-large is ideal

Qty: 1
Buy in our gear store

Trash Bag

Heavy duty plastic garbage bags

Qty: 1

Additional Required Items

Water Bottles

Minimum 32 oz Water Bottles

Qty: 2
Nalgene 1L wide mouth

Headlamp

With fresh batteries + 2 sets of spare batteries

Qty: 1
Black Diamond Spot or Black Diamond Storm

Plastic Container with Lid

Plastic food storage container with sealable lid; Must fit a large sandwich

Qty: 1

Plastic Spoon

Qty: 1
Light My Fire Spork

Sunglasses

With 100% UV Protection

Qty: 1
Goodr

Sunglasses Holders

Qty: 1
Croakies or Chums

Required for your trip

Small Notebook with Pen

For journaling

Qty: 1

Camera

With charger & international adapter or batteries, and a memory card

Qty: 1

Go Pro

With charger and 32-64 GB memory card

Qty: 1

External Charger

Portable charger / power bank to charge camera and GoPro

Qty: 1

Hydration System

Qty: 1
Camel Bak

Carabiner

One (1) non-plastic

Qty: 1

A Good Book

Paperback books are less bulky

Qty: 1

Backpackers Pillow

A luxury to have while on the trip

Qty: 1

Camp Chair

HIGHLY Recommend

Qty: 1
Crazy Creek
Buy in our gear store

Optional Items

Packing Tips

In the event that your luggage is delayed or lost in transit, we want you to be prepared. Therefore, wear tennis or hiking shoes on the plane. Plus, pack the following items from this packing list in your daypack / school backpack carry-on:

  • A change of clothes (underwear + t-shirt + shorts or pants)
  • Your rain jacket
  • Prescription medications & toothbrush
  • Passport, ID, money
  • Completed International Travel Authorization form

These items are already included in the packing list – they are not additional items!

Shop Our Gear Store

Lodging

Sleeping

During your trip you will stay in a variety of accommodations!

Eating

Please bring all personal eating utensils/gear listed on the packing list. Moondance and the accommodations will provide all group cooking gear. If you have any special dietary restrictions/ considerations, please contact the Moondance office for further information.

Immunizations

Routine Vaccinations

Moondance adheres the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations. They state that routine vaccines are those recommended for everyone in the United States, depending on age and vaccine history. Please consult with a physician for specific recommendations based on your health history.

Routine vaccinations related to travel may include the following:

  • COVID-19
  • Chickenpox (Varicella)
  • Hepatitis A
  • Hepatitis B
  • Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
  • Influenza
  • Measles, mumps, Rubella
  • Meningococcal
  • Pneumococcal
  • Polio
  • Rotavirus
  • Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis
  • Shingles (Zoster)

Rabies

While dogs with rabies are not commonly found in Portugal, you may consider pre-exposure vaccination for rabies prior to travel due to our remote wilderness locations.

Check the map tab on this page to view a map of where Moondance groups will be traveling throughout Madeira. Provide this information to your physician of choice (primary care physician, travel clinic, etc.) in order to get the most accurate suggestions for immunizations and vaccinations.

Click here to see what the CDC recommends for travelers in Madeira.

 

 

Flights

Madeira 1, June 5 - June 21, 2024, Option 1

Madeira 1, June 5 - June 21, 2024, Option 2

Madeira 2, June 23 - July 9, 2024, Option 1

Madeira 2, June 23 - July 9, 2024, Option 2

Madeira 3, July 11 - July 27, 2024, Option 1

Madeira 3, July 11 - July 27, 2024, Option 2



Important Travel Notes:

  • We highly recommend that all students fly on the designated flights above. If you have any questions OR if you are considering another flight path please contact the Moondance Adventures HQ BEFORE purchasing your airfare.
  • We also highly recommend making your flight reservation through our partnered travel agency, Student Universe. They are familiar with all Moondance flights. Please follow this link to start the booking process.
  • Remember when booking your child’s flight to allow at least a 3-hour layover in any connecting airport to avoid missed connections or baggage delays.
  • Please keep in mind the group flights will begin and end in Newark, NJ or Miami, FL. It is imperative that every student arrives to their gateway city in a timely fashion. If one individual does not arrive in on time to make the group flights, it can delay the entire trip. Leaders are not guaranteed to be on the flight.

 

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