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Madeira: Pico do Arieiro & Laurissilva Forest - East tour

By Madeira Island Tours
9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
Free cancellation available
Price is CA $48 per adult
Features
  • Free cancellation available
  • 8h
  • Mobile voucher
  • Instant confirmation
  • Selective hotel pickup
  • Multiple languages
Overview
  • Admire stunning panoramic views of Madeira from Pico do Arieiro
  • Visit the typical A-frame houses commonly found on the island
  • Learn about the lives of the locals and their traditions
  • Walk in local the 20-million-year-old Laurissilva Forest

Activity location

    • Funchal
    • Funchal, Madeira, Portugal

Meeting/Redemption Point

    • Funchal
    • Funchal, Madeira, Portugal

Check availability


Small Group: East Tour with English Guide & Hotel Pickup
  • Activity duration is 8 hours8h
    8h
  • English

Join a shared group tour of up to 15 people.

Language options: English
Starting time: 8:30 a.m.
Price details
CA $47.92 x 1 AdultCA $47.92

Total
Price is CA $47.92
Small Group: East Tour with French Guide & Hotel Pickup
  • Activity duration is 8 hours8h
    8h
  • French

Join a shared small group tour of up to 15 people.

Language options: French
Starting time: 8:30 a.m.
Price details
CA $47.92 x 1 AdultCA $47.92

Total
Price is CA $47.92
Small Group: East Tour with German Guide & Hotel Pickup
  • Activity duration is 8 hours8h
    8h
  • German

Join a shared small group tour of up to 15 people.

Language options: German
Starting time: 8:30 a.m.
Price details
CA $47.92 x 1 AdultCA $47.92

Total
Price is CA $47.92
Small Group: East Tour with Portuguese Guide & Hotel Pickup
  • Activity duration is 8 hours8h
    8h
  • Portuguese

Join a shared small group tour of up to 15 people.

Language options: Portuguese
Starting time: 8:30 a.m.
Price details
CA $47.92 x 1 AdultCA $47.92

Total
Price is CA $47.92
Small Group: East Tour with Spanish Guide & Hotel Pickup
  • Activity duration is 8 hours8h
    8h
  • Spanish

Join a shared small group tour of up to 15 people.

Language options: Spanish
Starting time: 8:30 a.m.
Price details
CA $47.92 x 1 AdultCA $47.92

Total
Price is CA $47.92

What's included, what's not

  • What's includedWhat's includedHotel pickup and drop-off
  • What's includedWhat's included Tour guide
  • What's excludedWhat's excludedFood and drinks
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded Service charge

Know before you book

  • Not allowed: Pets, Smoking
  • Not suitable for: Wheelchair users

What you can expect

The tour heads first to camacha were we visit the monument in camacha, celebrating the first ever organised football game in portugal , continue uphill by heading for pico do arieiro for tremendous views over a succession of knife-edge ridges and sheer cliffs. At an altitude of 1,818 metres, it is the third-highest peak in madeira.

Continue your journey downhill through small terraces lining the road before you reach the laurissilva forest, one of the most beautiful natural treasures of Madeira. This forest is about 20 million years old and was classified a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1999.

The next stop is at the charming village of Santana, a picture of domestic and agricultural prosperity known for its traditional stone houses with steep, triangular-shaped thatched roofs. Traditionally people lived in these ingenious structures and you can discover how spacious the A-frame buildings are when you visit one.

Perched on one of the slopes of Foz da Ribeira do Faial, in Santana municipality, the Guindaste viewpoint provides a spectacular perspective of Madeira's stunning north coast. This spot is perfect for admiring the majestic Atlantic Ocean that embraces the island.

Renowned for the remarkable beauty of its surroundings, this viewpoint offers an idyllic scene where lush green mountains blend seamlessly with towering cliffs and the crystalline waters of the sea. Visitors can also glimpse the pebble beach of Foz da Ribeira do Faial and its unique geological feature—a columnar disjunction formed by ancient lava flows.

The Guindaste viewpoint presents a sweeping panoramic view of Madeira's northern coastline, stretching from Faial to the eastern tip at Ponta de São Lourenço, including the dramatic Penha d'Águia rock formation. On exceptionally clear days, visitors can even spot the island of Porto Santo, located to the northeast.

Next, we drive down the north coast to the rural village of porto da cruz, in the north coast. This small village has a maze of alleys and, as well as a beautiful sea promenade, the former warehouses are being converted into cafes.

Lastly, take in praia de machico, a beautiful bay with an uncommonly shaped valley that looks as if a balcony overlooks the sea and the mountains. The sugar cane crops and its mills made it very important for Madeira’s economy until the 17th century. The eastern side of the bay is dominated by pico do facho’s 320 metre peak, named after the beacon that used to be lit here to warn residents of approaching pirates.

Heading home, enjoy views of the coast and enormous madeira junipers trees which have become quite rare over the years.

Location

Activity location

  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIES
    • Funchal
    • Funchal, Madeira, Portugal

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    • Funchal
    • Funchal, Madeira, Portugal