Laurisilva de Madeira, Portugal

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.

Start with pickup from your hotel and travel along a scenic route through the Fanal Forest of Madeira. Stop at various points of interest and beautiful viewpoints with your expert driver/guide. Then, stop for a walk through the ancient trees such as the notable centenary Tis Trees (Ocotea foetens). Learn about the fascinating natural history of the area. Discover the Laurissilva Forest, which has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since December 1999.

Explore Madeira Island in a unique and active way on this Land Rover 4x4 trip. Prepare to see breathtaking views, visit hidden places that you can’t reach by yourself, and collect memories you’ll never forget. Visit the Laurissilva Forest and Pico do Arieiro. Start your trip by departing from Funchal in the direction of Camacha Village, where you can visit the basketwork factory. Then, continue through Vale Paraíso towards Poiso with an altitude of 1412 meters. Climb through the mountains to Pico do Arieiro, Madeira’s third-highest peak at a height of 1,818 meters. This is one of the most beautiful places in Madeira, with unbeatable views of the island. Stay here for a while and walk around. Later, descend to Ribeiro Frio and reach the Laurissilva Forest to visit the trout nursery. Continue the adventure along old paths passing Cedro Gordo and Cruzinhas until you reach the Village de Santana where you’ll get to visit the typical straw houses (colmo). After this stop, descend to the village of Faial with views down to the sea, then continue towards Ponta de São Lourenço in the east of Madeira. This part of the Island is much drier and arid, but with a unique beauty due to its cliffs and colors. End your trip with drop-off back in Funchal.

Travel on the old roads along the coast of Madeira as you make your way through Boaventura, Arco de São Jorge, and Cabanas. Visit São Vicente and Ponta Delgada. Benefit from convenient hotel transfers from Funchal or Caniço. Head to the first stop of the day, São Vicente. São Vicente is home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Laurisilva. Marvel at the stunning valleys that surround this windswept headland. Next, progress to Ponta Delgada to visit an old church. Soaked in local legacies and tales, listen to your guide share stories about the church and take in the atmosphere. Then, head further north along the old roads and admire the breathtaking views of the sea as you travel through Boaventura, Arco de São Jorge, and Cabanas. Visit an old watermill from the 1700s and the only one still operating in Madeira. Explore the São Jorge Valley with a door that opens to the sea. Finish with a great view from the top of the Ilha village to watch the whole valley of São Jorge.