Madeira East Island Full Day Small-Group Tour From Funchal

Exploring the rugged beauty of Madeira’s east side on a small-group tour sounds like a fantastic way to experience the island’s natural wonders and cultural heritage. With a maximum of 8 participants, travelers can expect personalized attention as they venture to iconic viewpoints, charming villages, and stunning coastal vistas. While meals and tips aren’t included, the tour provides hotel pickups and drop-offs, ensuring a seamless journey. It’s an opportunity to take in Madeira’s breathtaking landscapes and uncover the stories that make this destination so captivating. What more could one hope to discover about this enchanting Portuguese island?

Key Points

1. A full-day small-group tour from Funchal that showcases the rugged eastern landscape of Madeira, including the third-highest peak, Pico do Arieiro.

2. Visit the traditional thatch-roofed architecture of Santana and enjoy coastal vistas from Penha d’Aguia, immersing in Madeira’s natural beauty and cultural heritage.

3. Personalized tour experience with a maximum capacity of 8 people, including hotel pickups and drop-offs in the Funchal area.

4. Tour includes transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle and a professional driver/guide, but excludes food, drinks, and gratuities.

5. Flexible tour options allow customization to suit preferences, with opportunities to spend more time at specific locations and accommodate dietary needs.

Tour Overview

On this full-day small-group tour from Funchal, guests will discover the rugged mountain landscape of eastern Madeira. The tour’s maximum capacity is 8 people, allowing for a more intimate and personalized experience.

Pickups and drop-offs are included at Funchal hotels, ensuring a seamless start and end to the day. Travelers will visit the island’s third-highest peak, Pico do Arieiro, and explore the traditional thatch-roofed architecture in the charming town of Santana.

The tour also includes a stop at Penha d’Aguia, offering stunning coastal views. While lunch in Santana is at your’ own expense, the day’s transportation is provided by an air-conditioned vehicle with a professional driver and guide.

Itinerary Highlights

The tour consistently highlights eastern Madeira’s stunning natural landscapes.

Guests will visit Pico do Arieiro, the island’s third-highest peak, and take in the breathtaking views. They’ll then explore the traditional thatch architecture of the village of Santana, a highlight of the tour.

Along the way, they’ll enjoy coastal vistas from Penha d’Aguia. While in Santana, travelers can purchase lunch at their own expense, allowing them to sample the local cuisine.

With the combination of dramatic mountain scenery and charming rural villages, this tour provides an immersive experience of Madeira’s rugged eastern side.

Inclusions and Exclusions

This tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a professional driver/guide, and transport by air-conditioned vehicle.

However, the cost of food and drinks isn’t included in the tour price. Plus, gratuities for the driver/guide are optional and not factored into the tour cost.

The main inclusions of this tour are:

1. Hotel pickup and drop-off in the Funchal area.
2. A professional driver/guide to lead the tour.
3. Transport by air-conditioned vehicle.

The exclusions include food, drinks, and gratuities for the driver/guide. Guests are responsible for covering these additional expenses during the tour.

Pickup and Accessibility

Pickup for this tour is only available from hotels and accommodations within the Funchal area. The driver will wait at the arrivals hall or hotel entrance to greet you.

Infant seats are available upon request, but the tour isn’t wheelchair accessible. However, foldable strollers and wheelchairs can be transported.

While the tour may not be suitable for those with mobility challenges, the stunning mountain landscapes and coastal views make it a must-see experience for visitors to Madeira.

If you have any special requirements, you can reach out to the tour operator and they’ll do their best to accommodate your needs.

Customizable Tour Options

Often, the Madeira East Island Full Day Tour can be customized to suit your preferences. While the standard itinerary covers the highlights, you can work with the team to personalize your experience.

For instance, you might want to spend more time at a particular location or add a stop that aligns with your interests. The tour is also flexible if you have special requests, such as accommodating dietary needs for lunch.

To customize your tour, simply reach out to the provider via email, and they’ll work with you to craft an itinerary that matches your ideal day in Madeira.

1. Personalize your stops and time allocation.
2. Accommodate special requests, such as dietary needs.
3. Coordinate customizations easily via email.

Pricing and Cancellation

The Madeira East Island Full Day Tour is priced from $132.71 per person, with the exact cost varying based on the size of the group.

This small-group tour offers flexible cancellation policies, allowing travelers to receive a full refund if they cancel up to 24 hours before the experience starts.

The tour also offers a "Reserve Now, Pay Later" option, providing added flexibility for booking.

While gratuities for the professional driver/guide aren’t included in the tour price, the overall value of the experience, which includes hotel pickup and drop-off, air-conditioned transportation, and a guided exploration of Madeira’s stunning eastern landscape, makes this tour a popular choice among visitors to the island.

Tour Reviews Breakdown

While the Madeira East Island Full Day Tour offers a compelling itinerary, a closer look at the tour reviews provides a more nuanced understanding of the experience.

The tour has an overall rating of 3.0 out of 5 based on just 2 reviews, which suggest a mixed bag. Some reviewers expressed disappointment with the actual group size, which involved a larger bus with multiple pickups, rather than the small group of up to 8 people as advertised.

However, positive comments highlighted the guide’s efforts and the spectacular views of the east side of the island.

The key takeaways from the reviews are:

1. Discrepancy between advertised and actual group size
2. Guide’s performance received positive feedback
3. Stunning scenery of the island’s east side

Explore Eastern Madeira

Madeira’s rugged eastern landscape beckons travelers with its towering mountain peaks, charming villages, and dramatic coastal vistas.

This full-day tour takes you on a journey through this captivating region, starting with a visit to Pico do Arieiro, the island’s third-highest peak.

Next, you’ll explore the traditional thatch-roofed houses of Santana, a charming town known for its unique architecture.

The tour then continues along the coast, offering stunning views from Penha d’Aguia.

Throughout the day, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about Madeira’s natural beauty and cultural heritage, all while enjoying the comfort of an air-conditioned vehicle and the expertise of a professional driver-guide.

Since You Asked

Can I Bring My Own Snacks and Drinks on the Tour?

According to the tour overview, food and drinks are not included in the tour. However, the description doesn’t specify if passengers can bring their own snacks and beverages. It’d be best to confirm this directly with the tour operator before the trip.

Is There a Minimum Age Requirement for This Tour?

The tour has no minimum age requirement. Children of all ages are welcome to join the small-group excursion. However, infants’ car seats are available upon request, indicating the tour can accommodate younger travelers.

How Much Walking Is Involved During the Tour?

The tour involves moderate walking, with opportunities to explore various sites on foot. Visitors can expect to walk for short durations, with some uneven terrain and inclines. The overall activity level is suitable for most participants.

Can I Request Stops at Specific Viewpoints or Attractions?

Yes, the tour is customizable via email. Guests can request stops at specific viewpoints or attractions along the route. The driver/guide will try to accommodate any reasonable requests to personalize the experience.

Is There an Option to Extend the Tour Duration?

Yes, the tour can be customized and extended. Travelers can request additional stops at specific viewpoints or attractions by emailing the tour operator ahead of time. There may be an extra charge for extending the tour duration.

The Sum Up

The Madeira East Island Full Day Small-Group Tour from Funchal offers an immersive experience exploring Madeira’s stunning natural beauty and cultural heritage. With personalized attention, guests can marvel at the island’s diverse landscapes, from the dramatic peaks of Pico do Arieiro to the charming villages along the coast. Though meals and tips aren’t included, the tour provides a convenient way to discover the essence of Eastern Madeira.