Machico

Photography tours

Discover the diverse landscapes of Madeira on a day-long tour. Wander charming towns, enjoy panoramic views and learn about the area from your expert guide. 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 the 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 viewpoint where you can look over the bay and the golden sandy beach.

Hike at your own rhythm on a self-guided trek in Caldeirão Verde. Explore the incredible Laurissilva Forest and mystical trail along a water channel, with green views on one side and stunning waterfalls along the other. Observe the waterfalls, ancient endemic trees, the Levada trail, and feel the nature of Queimadas. Get picked up at your accommodation with a shared transfer (up to 8 guests per van). Arrive at your destination and receive your hike instructions with scheduling and map explanation. The hike is a round trip trail totalling 15 km in length. The starting point will be at Queimadas Park. This hike will take you roughly 5.5-hours to complete. The minimum elevation on this tour is 872-meters whereas the maximum is 1062-meters, so it's known for no hills or stairs.

Pico Areeiro: Start the tour in the magnificent Pico do Areeiro mountain at an altitude of 1818 meters. Ribeiro Frio: Here you will enjoy a small ( 40 - 45 minute) Levada Walk to a beautiful viewpoint. If you are not a walking person, you can enjoy this stop to visit the Trout nursery. Santana: This stop is the bigger one. You can take advantage of this 1.5-hour stop for lunch and visit Santana village. Faial: At the Guindaste viewpoint you can admire the wonderful northeast coast view. Porto da Cruz: At this small village the stop is around 20 to 30 minutes. Here you can visit the North Mills Distillery and taste the local rum. Ponta São Lourenço: The Ponta do Rosto is a must-see viewpoint. It's situated at the easiest part of the Island and gives you astonishing views over the North and South Madeira Sea and sometimes also of Porto Santo Island.

Start with pick-up from the hotel and drive through Funchal's steep roads. Pass the Eucalyptus and Mimosa forests overlooking the Christmas pines, into the breathtaking mountains of Pico do Arieiro at 1,800 meters. The centenary Forest covered by the old trees (Laurisilva) is a must and a short walk along the Levada Madeiras water channels can be taken as an option. Taking the old road of Faial overlooking the eagles rock mountain, Stop at the Guindaste Skywalk (This stop will depend on the traffic and the feasts in the village.) Santana will be the next stop. Visit the town's traditional thatched houses and vines. Make a stop for lunch (not included in the price). After the lunch stop in Santana, continue to Porto Cruz, passing the sugar cane fields. Visit the only steam rum factory in Europe (with rum tasting) and explore the village. See the rough black sandy beach popular for surfers. In July and August, enjoy the chance to swim in the famous saltwater. Then, travel along the North Coast where sugar cane terraces are still visible. See the old capital of Madeira, Machico, where the first Portuguese settlers arrived in the 15th century, before heading to Ponta de São Lourenço, the eastern point cape of the island.  Dragon Back The tour ends with a drop-off at your hotel. 

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.

Follow this easy 2-hour and 30-minute path starting at the famous "Trilho das Funduras" in Fajã dos Rolos. Enjoy a stunning view of the Floresta Laurissilva, a UNESCO World Heritage site, throughout your journey. Pause near Casa das Funduras, a support hub for forestry activities, before continuing towards Pico do Furado to see the island's north side. Capture photos of the island's beautiful green points and iconic landscapes. Experience the thrill of the path, filled with dust and mud, ensuring an adventurous trek through Madeira's natural beauty.

During this 2 day tour, from 9AM to 5PM each day, you will have the change to experience the best of Madeira. Here are a few highlights that you will discover - Cabo Girão: Our first stop, we travel up to the magnificent 580m high, glass balcony view point of Cabo Girão, famous for being the highest in Europe and second highest cliff in the world. - Ribeira Brava: Traveling along the coast of the island we soon arrive at the village of Ribeira Brava, where we can visit a church dated in the 15th century. - Madalena do Mar: Next we make our way to Madalena do Mar, a smnice visit throught the lush green banana plantations. - Fonte do Bispo: From an altitude of between 1300-1500 meters we find the tourist attraction of Paúl de Serra and it's initiation of several levada walks that connect to different points of the island through the Laurissilva forest. - Porto Moniz: Home of the largest volcanic natural pools of Madeira. On our decent towards the town we can enjoy fantastic views, especially those of the volcanic pools in their entirety. Lunch stop / free time, about 1.30 to 2 hours stop. - Seixal: Next we enjoy a brief stop in Seixal. Along the way, we have the pleasure of passing several waterfalls, particularly the famous and stunning Bridal Veil waterfall. - São Vicente: Thereafter we visit the picturesque neighbouring village of São Vicente, where you can visit a beautiful church dating from the 17th century before returning to Funchal. - Câmara de Lobos: Situated 5km from the city of Funchal, our last stop is the quaint and famous fishing village of Câmara de Lobos; a favourite painting spot of the late Winston Churchill! - Cristo Rei in Garajau: Situated in one of the most surprising places on the Island of Madeira, the statue of Christ the King of Garajau is one of the most emblematic monuments on the east coast. - Machico: A historic city, it was here that the first settlers loved in 1420 and Funchal only became the capital in 1508. - Ponta de São Lourenço: Ponta do Rosto, the easternmost point of Madeira and is a natural reserve with panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and spectacular rock formations; it is a unique landscape very different from the rest of the island. - Porto da Cruz: A small village located in the North Eastern part of Madeira, an ancient rum distillery testifies the importance of sugarcane for Madeira. - Faial: A small and picturesque village on the northeast coast of the island that was named after a local beech tree. The colonizers arrived here only in 1519 and were mostly of Moorish and Galician origin. - Santana: Santana is a charming village on the northeast coast of Madeira, well known for its colorful, thatched, triangular houses. Lunch stop / free time, about 1.30 to 2 hours stop. - Ribeiro Frio: Ribeiro Frio is a natural park located in a deep valley in the north of the island surrounded by mountains. - Pico do Arieiro: Pico do Arieiro is the third highest peak on the island of Madeira, with an altitude of 1818 meters. The views are fabulous, with clouds hovering over the fantastic rock formations - an impossible scenario to describe.

Head into open waters for a chance to see wild whales and dolphins in their natural habitat on a guided tour from Machico. Admire the views of Madeira's beautiful coast as you search for sealife and even get a chance to swim with dolphins. Start your tour with a safety briefing and instructions from a marine biologist on how to swim with wild dolphins. Pick up your safety vests and windbreakers before setting off on your adventure. Sail out into open waters and observe marine wildlife, such as whales, dolphins, sea birds, turtles, and jellyfish. As you sail, your marine biologist guide will provide insight into the native species and their habitats. If you spot common or spotted dolphins and the sea conditions permit it, feel free to get into the water for a chance to swim with those adorable creatures. With 29 species, Madeira is one of the best places in the world to observe whales and dolphins, and the rate of success is very high.

Look for whales and dolphins and discover other marine life off the beautiful Ponta de São Lourenço coast in Madeira on a small-group boat tour with a crew of marine biologists. Climb aboard the 300 hp engine boat with a sleek design and listen to informative commentary about the sea life and places of interest of Madeira as you start the trip. Encounter different groups of dolphins, whales, and turtles in the water. Marvel as the animals breach and splash about in the water and learn amazing facts about them from your marine biologists guide. See endemic marine birds and get up-close to the unique rock formations on the coast as you speed across large distances in little time. If you are visiting in summer, get the chance to snorkel and swim in Ponta de São Lourenço.

Level II Canyoning is a longer type of Canyoning, with more waterfalls and more jumps. Normally is practiced on the north of Madeira (Paul da Serra) at an altitude of about 1400 meters. Here, as usually above the 1100 meters, heather predominates with wide open views allow sights on the mountains surrounding the area of Rabaçal and the great natural lakes with clear water. The approach to this Canyoning takes about 10 minutes to the river. The another option for Moderate Canyoning is in Ribeiro do Cidrão, inside of the Nuns Valley. •Where: Ribeira do Lajeado Or Ribeira do Cidrão •Number of waterfalls: 6 to 10 •Number of jumps: Máximum 6 (all optional) •Longest abseil: 20 meters •Duration: 5 to 6 hours •To be brought by clients: bathing suit and good mood •Included: everything you need for the activity. We provide all the necessary equipment for the activity, from the canyoning suit, harness, helmet, socks, gloves and adidas canyoning boots.