This tour of the east side of Madeira island is designed to show guests how truly magical it is. Come and be awed by its spectacular beauty. To begin the day, pick-up is from the hotel at 8:00 to 9:00. The first stop will be at a viewpoint above Funchal. Continue to Camacha, famous for its beautiful wicker works, and stop to have a look around and then take a scenic drive up to Poiso where the start of the Laurissilva forest can be found. After this, make your way to the majestic views of Pico do Arieiro. Pico do Arieiro is the third highest peak on the island, standing 1818 meters. Next is what some consider to be the most beautiful spot on the island, Ribeiro Frio. Here you will visit a trout farm and do a levada walk to the Balcões. Following the walk, make your way to Santana to see its famous A-framed cottages and then continue along the northern coastal road to Faial. Stop for lunch in the northern part of the island. After lunch, carry on to the eastern part of the island, to the famous viewpoint of Pico do Facho. From here you will have incredible views of Ponta de São Lourenco, Machico and the airport. On a good day one can see the Desertas Islands as well Porto Santo, the small island adjacent to Madeira. The last stop will be a famous viewpoint above Machico. You will arrive back to Funchal by 17:00.

Admire Madeira's starry night sky on a guided trek up to the jagged Pico Ruivo. Enjoy a warm cup of tea while you catch the first rays of sunlight from the island's highest point and relax with a transfer back to your accommodation at the end of your hike. Start your early-morning adventure with a convenient pickup directly from your accommodation. Then, drive for about 1 hour to Achada do Teixeira, where your trek begins. Take some time to admire the starry sky and gaze up at the Milky Way above before you begin the 260-meter climb up to Pico Ruivo. Reach the dramatic peak, the highest point on Madeira, in time to watch the first rays of sunlight illuminate the island below you. Sip on a cup of tea and refuel with a healthy granola bar while you soak in the magnificent views and take photos. Finally, begin your descent back to the car park where your hike began and enjoy a comfortable journey back to your accommodation to finish your tour.

Discover more of Madeira with a 4x4 excursion to the eastern part of the island. Travel from Funchal to see sights like Pico do Areeiro peak and Ponta de São Lourenço natural reserve. See how rum is made with a visit to a sugar cane factory. Be picked up from your hotel in Funchal and drive to the Pico do Areeiro to see the views from the third highest peak on the island. Continue to the charming Ribeiro Frio village. Take a leisurely walk to Balcões viewpoint in the lush heart of the Laurissilva forest. Jump back in the jeep and drive through São Roque do Faial parish, Cruzinhas viewpoint, and the mountain village of Lombo Galego. Take the off-road trail Cova da Roda. Pass through Pico das Pedras right in the middle of the Ponta de São Lourenço reserve. Head towards Santana, where you can go get lunch. Visit the Porto da Cruz sugarcane rum factory. Finish with panoramic views of the Atlantic at the reserve.

Experience the magic of Portuguese forests on an adventurous trail hike. Madeira is known for its "levadas", a system of aqueducts, popularly used as hiking trails. Drive to the quaint town of Santana and up to Queimadas Forestry Park to journey through one of the famous levada walks. Deep in the Laurel forest, find a typical thatched house, which serves as a park landmark and creates a fairytale setting to begin your journey. This magical trail runs through the Serra de São Jorge and wanders through an emerald green paradise. Take in outstanding views of the valleys and villages that lie below, until finally reaching the magnificent Caldeirão Verde waterfall. Make contact with the lush greenery as you walk along this historical levada in the company of your experienced guide.

Once having been collected from your Madeira accommodation, your day out in nature will begin. At the beginning of the descent to the house of Rabaçal, you will discover the entrance to this magnificent journey. It is a short walk of 6 kilometers, which is accessible to anyone. Throughout the hike you can enjoy fantastic views over the Rabaçal. As you hike towards the beginning of the levada, you can enjoy the vast vegetation composed mainly by the Urze and the Uveira da Serra, as well as several species of local fauna of which various birds and cows are the highlights. Enjoy the walk to the beautiful lakes and waterfalls that emerge along the way, where the wonderful Lagoa Dona Beja stands out. Complete with a waterfall that feeds the Lagoa do Vento, you will be able to take pictures of the lagoon before making your way back to the hike's start point. At the conclusion of your hike, you will be returned back to your accommodation.

Explore the wonders of Madeira on this guided minibus trip from Funchal to the east side of the island. Visit Camacha, Pico do Areeiro, Ribeiro Frio, Faial, Machico, and more. Enjoy a long stop in the village of Santana to see local life and have time for lunch. Enjoy a great start to the tour by visiting Camacha, one of the most rural and rustic villages in Madeira where folklore is still hugely in practice. Camacha makes Madeira world-renowned for its industry of wicker and cane. The next stop is Pico do Areeiro, the third highest peak on the island with an altitude of 1818 m, where you can take in unbeatable 360-degree island views. Often, rocky formations can be seen to be piercing through the clouds creating one-of-a-kind visuals and photo opportunities. Next, move on to Ribeiro Frio (meaning cold river). Ribeiro Frio is a small village situated in the heart of the Laurissilva forest. It is the largest surviving area of laurel forest in the world and is believed to be 90% primary forest. In this classified UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, you can enjoy a variety of plants and species in their natural habitat. Get the chance to also observe a trout farm made up (as naturally as possible) of stone enclosures and fresh flowing levada water, set against a backdrop of pure nature. The tour continues to Faial, where you can view the imposing rock of Penha de Águia, which separates Faial from Porto da Cruz. With a lengthy stop at the village of Santana next, you will have ample time for lunch and to see Madeira’s world-famous typical thatched roved triangular houses, painted in happy primary colors. Pass by Portela en route to Ponta São Lourenço, which is situated in the most eastern part of the island. Take in the unique landscape characterized by the fantastic combination of rocks, sea, and nature. Your final stop is the larger city of Machico, the first area of the Island that the Portuguese navigators came across. Later, return round-trip to your pickup location in Funchal. 

Journey from the center of Santo da Serra to Ribeiro Frio, two of the main points of interest on Madeira Island, visited not only by tourists but also by residents. Walk through a forest road passing by the Trout Fishing Park, where you can relax for a while, having a tea or simply enjoying the surroundings. Immerse yourself in the amazing nature at the Levada, enjoying every step while you appreciate the wide variety of endemic flora and fauna of Madeira Laurisilva. Discover open areas that offer magnificent views of the valley and peaks of the island. Continue walking along the levada, enjoying the energy of all this pure nature surround you.

Once having been collected from your Madeira accommodation, drive through the mountains before arriving to Ribeiro Frio. Following a short but grandeur walk through the beautiful Laurisilva Forest, arrive to the fabulous Balcões’ belvedere. From this belvedere it’s possible to contemplate the many peaks of Madeira Island, from which Pico Ruivo and Pico do Areeiro stand the highest. Pico do Gato, Pico das Torres, and the well-known Penhad’Águia also constitute part of this breathtaking scenery. This area is also ideal for bird watching, due to the fact that it is home to a huge variety of different species. These birgs include the firecrest, the chaffinch, grey wagtails, blackbirds, robins, buzzards, and the very rare Madeira's long-toed pigeon.

Get the most out of your time in Madeira with this special combo experience, featuring 2 full-day tours of east and west Madeira and 1 central half-day trip. Explore Pico do Areeiro, Seixal, São Vicente, Porto Moniz, and more. Visit a sugar cane rum factory, taste drinks at a local bar, and join a levada walk. East Tour (Mondays and Thursdays)During the east tour, go to one of the highest mountains on the Island, Pico do Areeiro, then go to Ribeiro Frio and take a 45-minute walk along the levada to the Balcões viewpoint. Back to the jeep, travel through Roque do Faial, Cruzinhas, and Lombo Galego. Arriving at Cova da Roda through alternative roads and off-roads, pass through Pico das Pedras right in the middle of the natural park. Heading towards Santana, you’ll see typical local houses and take a break for lunch (not included). In the afternoon, drive towards Faial, heading to Porto da Cruz. Visit the local sugar-cane rum factory, then end the day with a visit to Ponta de São Lourenço, a natural reserve with rock formations and panoramic views over the Atlantic Ocean. West Tour (Tuesdays and Fridays)Depart from Funchal towards the village of Ribeira Brava. After a short stop for sightseeing, start climbing towards Paúl da Serra, a plateau in the center of the island with memorable views. To arrive, you’ll drive off-road and go through Ponta do Sol and Canhas, two picturesque villages. Potentially take another short levada walk (approximately 20 minutes), then, in Paúl da Serra, at 1500 meters, start the descent through Fanal, an area with laurel forest classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Arrive at a viewpoint in Ribeira da Janela with breathtaking views. At Porto Moniz, be greeted with the unique scenery built by the natural swimming pools. These pools were created by volcanic lava and have crystal-clear waters thanks to the sea. Here, you’ll stop for a lunch (not included). After recharging from lunch, carry on near the coast towards Seixal and São Vicente. Finish off the day at 1007-meters high at the Encumeada Viewpoint, next to a mountain range that allows for views over the deep valleys of Ribeira Brava (south coast) and São Vicente (north coast). End your second tour with a return to Funchal. Central Tour (Wednesdays)Leaving Funchal, venture towards Nuns Valley (Curral das Freiras) to a small visit and a villa with a unique geographic location on Madeira Island, situated in a deep valley that resembles a volcano crater. The resemblance is due to strong erosion. After this stop, travel to Boca dos Namorados, a viewpoint at 1100 meters over Nuns Valley, allowing viewers to behold from above the one-of-a-kind scenery. Continue off-road through a trail to feel nature in its purest state. Then, make a short stop in a typical Madeiran bar to try the famous Poncha, a traditional drink made of sugar cane rum, orange juice, lemon juice, and fresh lemon (costs not included). 

Discover the best of Madeira Island with this Jeep safari tour. Customize the route to see the Sea, Mountains, Cliffs, and Laurissilva Forest (North-East part of the island). Leave Funchal in the direction of the village da Camacha where you can visit the basketwork factory. Continue through Vale Paraíso towards Poiso with an altitude of 1412m and climb through the mountains to Pico do Arieiro at a height of 1818m for mesmerizing panoramic views. Then, descend to Ribeiro Frio in the Laurissilva Forest and visit the trout nursery. Continue your adventure along old paths passing Cedro Gordo and Cruzinhas until you reach the Village de Santana to explore the typical straw houses (Colmo). Descend to the village of Faial for amazing views down to the sea and then continue towards Ponta de São Lourenço in the east of Madeira. Finish off with a transfer back to Funchal.