EAST: Pico do Arieiro & Laurissilva Forest - Full Day tour
By Madeira Island Tours · listed in east Madeira day tours from Funchal
I'd shortlist this for a lower starting fare if you're staying in the hotel pickup area. It gives Pico do Arieiro 45 minutes. That is the longest peak stop among these one-day trips.
There is an hour at Ribeiro Frio with an optional Balcões walk. The Santana stop lasts 90 minutes. Cristo Rei above Garajau is also on the route.
Check the stop order before reserving a trail slot. For a cruise visit, arrange the meeting point before booking. Set aside money for lunch and your Balcões ticket.
- Trip type
- Shared tour with stops
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Listed group limit
- up to 15 travellers
- Price
- from €33.90 per adultLowest price the operator lists. Your date may cost more.
- Rating
- 4.67/5 from 52 reviews, combined Viator and Tripadvisor; on Viator alone 4.6 from 27 reviews
- Languages
- Portuguese, English, French, Spanish
- Details as of
- 21 September 2026
Before you book
- Ask where you'll meet the driver before booking from a cruise ship.
- Hotel pickup covers Funchal and Caniço. It also covers Câmara de Lobos village and Cabo Girão. Some addresses need a nearby meeting point.
- Wait at reception where collection is possible. At a villa or flat, wait outside the entrance. Drivers wait up to 5 minutes.
- Check the day's stop order before arranging Balcões entry. The walk is optional and entry costs extra.
- Infant fares cover ages 0 to 4. Child fares cover ages 5 to 11. Each booking needs someone aged 12 or over.
- Lunch and tips are separate costs. Reserve this tour at least a day before departure.
- At least one traveller aged 12 or over per booking, up to 15 people per booking.
Options
Pick the option on the booking page. Prices are the lowest for each option.
| Option | What it is | From | Languages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spanish Guide & Pickup | Spanish Pickup included | €33.90 per adult | Spanish |
| English Guide & Pickup | English Pickup included | €33.90 per adult | English |
| Portuguese Guide & Pickup | Portuguese Pickup included | €33.90 per adult | Portuguese |
| French Guide & Pickup | French Pickup included | €33.90 per adult | French |
Book through Viator, a Tripadvisor company. Cancel at least 24 hours before departure for a full refund.
Programme
- Arrange pickup in the covered accommodation areas before departure
- Check the day's stop order before reserving a trail slot
- Pico do Arieiro stop, 45 minutes
- Ribeiro Frio stop, 1 hour with an optional Balcões walk. Entry costs extra.
- Santana stop, 90 minutes
- Miradouro do Guindaste stop, 20 minutes
- Porto da Cruz stop, 30 minutes
- Ponta de São Lourenço stop, 35 minutes
- Cristo Rei above Garajau stop, 15 minutes
What the operator writes about each stop
- Pico do Arieiro
We then uphill heading for Pico Arieiro, 1818m (5965 fts). 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.
- Balcoes de Ribeiro Frio
Leaving Pico Areiro continuing your journey up hill, through small terraces lining the road where you can find all types of fruits before you reaching Ribeiro Frio is a delightful spot set among the Laurissilva forest This Forest was classified in the World Heritage by UNESCO in 1999. Herew you will be able to the balcoes levada walk
- Santana
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 cow sheds. Traditionally people lived in these ingenious structures. You will discover how spacious the Santana ´A` farmed buildings are when you visit one.
- Miradouro do guindaste
Perched on one of the slopes of Foz da Ribeira do Faial, in Santana municipality, the Guindaste viewpoint provides a spectacular perspective of Madeira's stunning north coast. This spot is perfect for admiring the majestic Atlantic Ocean that embraces the island. Renowned for the remarkable beauty of its surroundings, this viewpoint offers an idyllic scene where lush green mountains blend seamlessly with towering cliffs and the crystalline waters of the sea. Visitors can also glimpse the pebble beach of Foz da Ribeira do Faial and its unique geological feature—a columnar disjunction formed by ancient lava flows. The Guindaste viewpoint presents a sweeping panoramic view of Madeira's northern coastline, stretching from Faial to the eastern tip at Ponta de São Lourenço, including the dramatic Penha d'Águia rock formation. On exceptionally clear days, visitors can even spot the island of Porto Santo, located to the northeast.
- Porto da Cruz
Driving down to the North Coast, to a 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. The only running sugar mill in the north coast is located in this village. Its brick chimney stands up high in the village. It has a beautiful sea promenade.
- Ponta de Sao Lourenco
Ponta de São Lorenço. The eastern most point of the island. The area around Caniçal and Sao Lorenço has a similar climate to that of the island of Porto Santo. It is noticeable that the nature vegetation is different here .The north and south coast can be seen simultaneously. On a clear day Porto Santo can also be seen. Beautiful rock formation can be found in this region and one of the coast plants, the ice plant
- Cristo Rei (Jesus Statue)
Inspired by the famous Christ the Redeemer statues in Rio de Janeiro and Lisbon, the Cristo Rei statue stands with its arms open towards the Atlantic Ocean. From this viewpoint, you can enjoy stunning panoramic views over Funchal, the coastline and the cruise ships arriving and departing from the harbour.
Photos
Photos from the tour listing on Viator.
Included
- All taxes, fees and handling charges
- Professional guide
- Pickup & drop-off at hotel, home, apartment, WERE POSSIBLE Funchal + canico + camara de lobos -areas
- In-vehicle air conditioning
Paid separately
- Does not include pickup from the Cruise Ship Port (requires extra fee of €5 pp)
- Lunch
- Gratuities
- Entrance at Balcoes Walk has an extra 5 euros entrance fee
Meeting point, pickup and return
Hotel pickup or meet at the start point. Pickup 30 minutes before departure. 127 pickup points listed by the operator.
We will meet you directly at the hotel reception, WHERE POSSILBLE. If your accommodation is not a hotel—such as a villa or apartment , please wait outside by the main entrance. If your hotel is not on the list, please specify so pickup can be organized. Please note: Please check your email / whatsapp the day before for more precise pickup times, and locations. Pickup from All accommodation in Funchal, Camara de Lobos Village, Cabo Girao & Canico areas are included in the price. Drivers will wait no longer than 5 minutes after the scheduled pickup time. Please Note we do NOT PICKUP from Machico or Santa Cruz or Cruise port or any other location outside the above ones.
You come back to the same place.
Schedule and confirmation
Usual timetable: daily, at 08:30. Check your date when you book.
Instant confirmation. Book at least 1 day ahead. Mobile or paper ticket accepted.
Cancellation, weather and limits
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- 100% refund when cancelled 1 day or more before
- 0% refund when cancelled less than 1 day before
The operator's conditions, as written
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Infant rate: ages 0 to 4
- Child rate: ages 5 to 11
- Adult rate: ages 12 to 99
Ratings by source
4.67/5 from 52 reviews, combined Viator and Tripadvisor; on Viator alone 4.6 from 27 reviews.
| Source | Average | Reviews | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viator | 4.6 | 27 | 22 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Tripadvisor | 4.7 | 25 | 21 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Counts and averages as shown on Viator on 21 September 2026. We don't have the review texts.
From the operator
In Madeira Island Tours's own words, from the Viator listing.
Discover the natural wonders of east side, beginning at CRISTO REI VIEWPOINT with panoramic views of the coastline and Atlantic Ocean. Continue to PONTA DE SAO lOURENCO, a unique semi-arid peninsula where volcanic rock formations, low-growing vegetation create a landscape unlike anywhere else on the island. Along the north coast, visit PORTO DA CRUZ a charming traditional village, with a visit and tasting of local Madeira rum. Continue to GUINDASTE VIEWPOINT, where glass walkways offer spectacular views over the rugged northern coastline. Discover SANTANA, famous for its traditional triangular A-frame houses with colourful thatched roofs. Then reach RIBEIRO FRIO located in the UNESCO-listed LAURISSILVA FOREST, with an optional short walk to Balcões Viewpoint (tickets not included). The tour’s main highlight is PICO DO ARIEIRO– 1,818 m, Madeira’s third-highest peak offering dramatic mountain scenery and breathtaking views, it is sometimes possible to experience all 4 seasons.
Alternatives in the same collection
- The East Tour-Pico do Areeiro,Santana & Pico do Facho Small Group€1.32 dearer · 1 hour shorter · 8 people at most · from €35.22 per adult
- Full Day East Tour at Pico do Arieiro and Santana with Pickup€41.10 dearer · 7 people at most · from €75 per adult
- Madeira Surreal East Tour€5.10 dearer · 1 hour shorter · 8 people at most · from €39 per adult
Who checked this
Edited by Roman Antonov. I love Madeira and keep going back. Trip details come from the operator's own listing on Viator, as of 21 September 2026.
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