Luxury Private Tours: East Tour Full Day in a Mercedes-Benz Classe E – Santana

About the Experience

Leaving Funchal we take you to Camacha. The road is lined with orchards and in summer, with a blue blossom of the agapanthus. Camacha sits on a high plateau on the northeast of Funchal. At Camacha you will visit “O relogio”, the largest outlet on the island for wicker products. Demonstrations of wicker weaving can be seen in the basement. Camacha is also the first place where football was played in Portugal in 1875.

Then we travel to Pico Arieiro, 1818m (5965 ft). It is the third highest peak in Madeira. As you climb, the green woodland gives way to bare rock. There are tremendous views over an endless succession of knife-edge ridges and sheer cliffs. Cotton-wool clouds hang in the valleys.

Ribeiro Frio is a delightful spot set among the Laurissilva forest This Forest was classified in the World Heritage by UNESCO in 1999. Here the fresh clean cold water of the Ribeiro Frio (meaning cold river) is channelled into series of deep pools to create a small trout farm. Ribeiro Frio is the meeting point for some Levada walks, including Balcões which is nearby.

The next stop is the charming village of Santana. Presenting a picture of domestic and agricultural prosperity. The predominant colour is the greens of the terraced fields and the hay meadows, interspersed by apple, pear, and cherry orchards, dotted among the haystack are triangular thatched buildings, used by local farmers as cowsheds. Traditionally people lived in these ingenious structures.

Driving down the North Coast, we go to the rural village of Porto da Cruz. Located at the foot of a Rock called Penha d´Aguia, and on the other side, steep terraced slopes. It has a beautiful sea promenade. This small village of Porto da Cruz has a maze of alleys and the former warehouses are being converted into cafes. Porto da Cruz is famous for its wine.

Machico´s bay was the first place where Zarco and Tristão Vaz Teixeira landed when Madeira was discovered. It has an uncommonly shaped valley, which looks as if a balcony overlooks the sea and the mountains. The sugar cane crops and their mills' activities made it become very important for Madeira’s economy until the 17th century. The eastern side of Machico bay is dominated by Pico do Facho a 320 mts (1050 ft) a high peak. It was named after the beacon (facho) that used to be lit here to warn residents of approaching pirates.

Pick-up: Only on the city center

Terms and Conditions

• Free cancelation until 3 days before the start;
• Cancelation with less than 3 days will be charged 100%;
• No shows will be charged 100%.