Sunrise Tour @ Pico Do Areiro | Half Day 4x4 Tour
By Hit The Road Madeira · listed in sunrise tours and guided hikes at Pico do Arieiro
I'd choose this for the ride up Funchal's back roads with a short forest walk after sunrise. The shared group has up to 6 travellers. It suits a morning out without the Arieiro to Ruivo hike.
A coffee stop comes before the drive to Pico do Arieiro. The morning continues with a walk at Balcões. You then stop for breakfast in Ribeiro Frio. The driver-guide and transport are included. Breakfast and drinks cost extra.
Bad weather can move the sunrise stop to another viewpoint. There is no refund for poor weather if the trip runs. Ask about pickup before booking from outside Funchal.
- Trip type
- Shared tour with stops
- Departure
- FunchalMeeting point and check-in below
- Duration
- 5 hours
- Listed group limit
- up to 6 people
- Price
- from €76 per adultLowest price the operator lists. Your date may cost more.
- Rating
- 4.89/5 from 152 reviews, combined Viator and Tripadvisor; on Viator alone 4.9 from 41 reviews
- Languages
- English
- Details as of
- 13 September 2026
Before you book
- Children must be at least 10.
- Pickup at Funchal hotels and holiday rentals is included.
- There is no pickup at Funchal port.
- Ask about pickup outside Funchal before booking.
- Breakfast and drinks cost extra.
- Cancel by email if weather is your reason. Do this at least 24 hours before departure for a full refund.
- Up to 6 people per booking.
Options
Pick the option on the booking page. Prices are the lowest for each option.
| Option | What it is | From | Languages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunrise 4x4 Tour | Pickup included | €76 per adult | English |
Book through Viator, a Tripadvisor company. Cancel at least 24 hours before departure for a full refund.
Programme
- Stop for coffee before the 4x4 drive from Funchal to Pico do Arieiro, about 1 hour
- Stop at Pico do Arieiro for sunrise, about 1 hour 30 minutes
- Walk to Balcões at Ribeiro Frio, about 45 minutes
- Stop for breakfast at a snack bar in Ribeiro Frio, about 45 minutes
What the operator writes about each stop
- Funchal
After stopping for an early morning coffee and pit stop we head up into the mountains via the "interesting" back roads of Funchal in our 4x4 towards the third highest peak of Madeira, Pico do Areiro
- Pico do Arieiro
Very often we are above the clouds and the colours are absolutely extraordinary, truly a once in a lifetime moment!
- Balcoes de Ribeiro Frio
After coming down from the sunrise we go on a special "bonus" levada walk which we will get all to ourselves, usually very crowded and popular tourist route.
- Ribeiro Frio
We end off with a local style breakfast coffee/sandwich/poncha at one of Madeira´s best local snack bars
Photos
Photos from the tour listing on Viator.
Included
- Alternative route for bad weather conditions
- 4x4 transport and short hike
- Morning forest walk and coffee stop
- Local driver-guide
Paid separately
- Food and drinks
- Personal expenses
Meeting point, pickup and return
Hotel pickup or meet at the start point. 114 pickup points listed by the operator.
We pick up free of charge all hotels and holiday rentals in the Funchal area. Locations outside of Funchal may be subject to a pick up fee or may not be available for pickup. Please note that we do not refund travellers for bad weather conditions. If the weather is not optimal on the day, we will offer an alternative route to make the most of the tour. All cancellations regarding the weather must be made 24 hours prior to the start of the tour, via email, for a full refund.
We pick up free of charge all hotels and holiday rentals in the Funchal area. We do not offer pickups outside of Funchal. We do not pick up at the Funchal Port. Show in Google Maps
You come back to the same place.
Schedule and confirmation
Usual timetable: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, at 06:00. Check your date when you book.
Instant confirmation. Book at least 4 hours 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
Bad weather can cancel the trip.
The operator's conditions, as written
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Adult rate: ages 10 to 119
Ratings by source
4.89/5 from 152 reviews, combined Viator and Tripadvisor; on Viator alone 4.9 from 41 reviews.
| Source | Average | Reviews | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viator | 4.9 | 41 | 38 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Tripadvisor | 4.9 | 111 | 104 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Counts and averages as shown on Viator on 13 September 2026. We don't have the review texts.
From the operator
In Hit The Road Madeira's own words, from the Viator listing.
Witness one of Madeira’s most magical moments — sunrise above the clouds. This adventure is ideal for couples, families, and photographers who want to experience the island before the world wakes up. Our top sunrise spot is Pico do Arieiro, the island’s third-highest peak, where colors and cloud formations create a once-in-a-lifetime scene.
Because mountain weather can be unpredictable, our expert guides always have a “Plan B,” choosing the best possible viewpoint — from Pico do Facho to Ponta de São Lourenço, Guindaste, or secret local spots. After sunrise, enjoy a short forest walk and a relaxing coffee stop before heading back. A true off-road adventure and an unforgettable way to start your day in Madeira.
Alternatives in the same collection
- Sunrise Guided Hike PR1 Pico do Areeiro Pico Ruivo small group€16 cheaper · 1 hour longer · 8 people at most · from €60 per adult
- Sunrise in Areeiro Peak€16 cheaper · 1 hour shorter · 7 people at most · from €60 per adult
- Sunrise Transfer To Pico Do Arieiro, Hike To Pico Ruivo & Return From Teixeira€26 cheaper · 2 hours 30 minutes longer · 8 people at most · from €50 per adult
Who checked this
Edited by Roman Antonov. I love Madeira and keep going back. Every detail on this page comes from the operator's own listing on Viator, as of 13 September 2026.
Report a mistake · How we choose tours
Bookings go through Viator. If you book through a link here, we earn a commission. It costs you nothing extra. How we earn.