Pico do Arieiro

The sun rises over your hotel as you set out on your walking tour adventure. Leaving from the comforts of your room in Funchal on the Madeira Islands, we'll drive you up to the third highest peak in Madeira - the magnificent Pico Arieiro. You'll sip coffee or a drink on your way up to the base of the peak, looking out at all the stunning beauty this place has to offer. As we head from sea level up to the base at 5,964ft (1818m), you'll pass beautiful flora and fauna. Finally, we'll begin our mighty walk up the mighty Pico Arieiro up to the highest point on the island, the Pico Ruivo peak at 6107 ft (1862m). Finally, we'll walk down to Teixeira where you'll be comfortably transferred back to your hotel. And of course, no day of hiking is complete without a drink at a traditional bar, so we'll make sure to stop at one with a spectacular view to enjoy the closing of your day!

Depart from the meeting point at Funchal's Lido or take advantage of a free hotel pick-up in selected areas. The first stop is at the beautiful viewpoint of Terreiro da Luta, located a few kilometers outside Funchal. Next, drive toward the mountain of Pico do Arieiro. At an altitude of 1,818 meters, the third highest peak on the island offers breathtaking views. Once you've been to the highest drivable peak in Madeira, head back down through forest on the way to the coast. Admire some of Madeira's emblematic straw-roof houses, pass pretty villages and get stunning seascape views. Arrive at the very eastern point of the island for some superb panoramas of the north and south coasts. Discover the popular start point for the levada walks, Ribeiro Frio, on the northern slopes of the island. See interesting trout pools and original vegetation. Madeira was once completely covered by laurissilva forest, a relic from prehistoric times. Stop for lunch in Santana, characterized by its small, thatched triangular houses. Past Portela go towards Ponta de São Lourenço, situated in the eastern part of the island. This is a place where a fantastic combination of rocks, sea and nature combine. The last town to be visited is Machico, a view point where you can look over the bay and the golden sandy beach.

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.

This Jeep tour will show you Madeira’s third-highest peak, which sits at 1,818 meters. You'll also discover Santo da Serra, renowned for its famous farms and cider drink which you will have the opportunity to taste. You can also take the opportunity to enjoy a short levada walk in the mountain, which will last about 20 to 30 minutes. Once having concluded your walk, you'll proceed onward to the Portela viewpoint. You'll stop by the Portela viewpoint, overlooking Porto da Cruz in the north of the Island, where you will go off-road in the middle of the Laurissilva Forest to the town of Machico. Machico was the first place found when they discovered Madeira Island, and once you are done discovering its features, you will return to your hotel.

Enjoy an affordable and comfortable transfer to Pico do Areeiro to enjoy a sunrise or morning Hike all the way to Achada do Teixeira (10 km). Don't worry about transportation and enjoy pickup and drop-off at your accommodation. Experience the nº 1 hike on Madeira Island, Pico Do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo (PR 1). This concept is specially designed for self-guided hikers, where you have the freedom to walk at your own rhythm. After the sunrise, the hike takes place. You will experience the most amazing views, in the middle of the highest mountains (up to 1800m). The end of the hike and pick-up location is at Achada do Teixeira, in the parking lot area. On the way back to your accommodation, you will pass through the city of Santana, which is famous for its triangular typical houses. It's very important to know that the weather conditions are very unpredictable in this part of the island, so your reservation could be canceled or postponed due to aggressive weather conditions. You will be contacted within 48 hours before the hike.

Watch the sunrise above the clouds on this private guided 4x4 trip starting with pickup from your accommodation in Funchal or Caniço. Travel through the mountains 1,818 meters high to Pico do Arieiro, Madeira Island’s third highest peak. Hop on a Land Rover 4x4 directly from your hotel and head toward Pico do Arieiro, one of the few mountain peaks on the island accessible by car. Make a toast with a hot cup of coffee in hand and plunge back under the clouds.  Admire the mountain’s lush vegetation, including heather, moss, and the impressive purple Echium candicans, known as the pride of Madeira. Continue your adventure off-road and immerse yourself in the nature of the island before returning for drop-off at your hotel. 

Experience the best of Madeira by 4WD vehicle on a full-day tour by Jeep. Venture off-road to discover the dramatic scenery far from the usual tourist crowds. Ideal if you have visited the island before and want to see it from a different perspective, each tour will take you to parts of the island that you never knew existed and leave you speechless with wonder at its natural beauty. Benefit from a 3-course lunch at a local restaurant along the way. Choose from the full-day tour to suit your schedule and preferences: Exciting West Tour (Mondays): Funchal - Encumeada - São Vicente - Seixal - Porto Moniz - Fanal Funchal Explore the steep escarpments and deep river valleys on a tour of the west of Madeira, including the seaside village of Seixal and the municipality of Porto Moniz, where a natural complex of lava pools is popular with locals and tourists alike. Delightful East Tour (Wednesdays): Funchal - Pico do Arieiro - Ribeiro Frio - Guindaste - Porto da Cruz - Portela - Caniçal - Funchal Venture east from Funchal to the stunning Pico do Arieiro (1,818 meters) and Ribeiro Frio, where the Balcões levada trails journey through the indigenous flora of the Laurissilva Forest. Enchanting Northeast Tour (Fridays): Funchal - São Vicente - Ponta Delgada - São Jorge - Santana - Faial - Poiso - Funchal Depart Funchal for São Vicente and continue to the small village of Ponta Delgada and the hilltop parish and coastal cliffs of São Jorge in the municipality of Santana. Dramatic Southwest Tour (Sundays): Funchal - Paul da Serra - Ponta do Pargo - Paul do Mar - Jardim do Mar - Calheta - Ponta do Sol - Funchal Explore Madeira’s dramatic southwest, including the extensive plateau of Paul da Serra and the high altitude cliffs of Ponta do Pargo.

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.

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. 

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.