Private: Maderia Island Tour & Famous Monte Toboggan Ride
Description
Come and enjoy one of Maderia's favourite tours in a private taxi or minivan, this personal enjoyable tour gives you all you need from the sights and includes the famous Toboggan run. Pick up can be from any hotel or the cruise port, with English, French, German, Spanish or Portuguese speaking guide.
Tour Options
Itinerary
We start off first to Pico dos Barcelos, this is a beautiful observation area on the outskirts of Funchal. Here you will enjoy amazing views from 355M above sea level. After this great photo opportunity stop we then head to Eira Do Serrado, this is an eye catching rock ledge, that overlooks “Curral das Freiras” a horse shoe shaped valley beneath us. This valley has three sheer sides that cut into the serrated peaks of Madeira.
Next stop on our half day luxury tour is Camara de Lobos, situated west of Funchal. Here you will love the character of a small fishing village. It was named after the famous monk seals which frequent visitors to the harbour. The centre of the village, with its whitewashed houses, shops and bar where you can taste the local drink poncha, is a great way to finish of your tour in style.
Then we make our way to Cabo Girao: The second highest Sea Cliff in the world (after Norway). so named because Zarco got this far on his exploration of Madeira´s coast in 1418 before he did an about turn (girao) back to Funchal .There is a small well railed miradouro.With a fine view across towards the distants.It´s a lovely and tranquil spot .The smell of pine and eucalyptus in the air.Vine and vegatables are cultivated at the foot of the cliff.
Then we finish off our tour in style with the famous Monte Toboggan run. This is one of Madeira’s most famous attractions. Dating back to the 1850s, the Monte Sledge — a wicker toboggan — was the primary means of downhill public transportation. Two men, called “Carreiros” dressed in white and wearing straw hats, will be your chauffeurs on this downhill adventure. They wear special, rubber-soled shoes that help them steer and brake the toboggan, which is essentially a wicker basket attached to two wooden runners (that glide on greased up rags). The trip to the bottom takes about 10 minutes down a curvy road, and you can expect to reach speeds up to 30mph! This private tour will then drop you back to your hotel or cruise ship making sure the memories of this day will live long in your memory.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Minimum age is 3 years
Reviews(30)
The driver was excellent and very knowledgeable of the local area. A very scenic driving tour with many opportunities to stop and enjoy local sights and foods
Enjoyable experience a must if you go up the cable car, we did the gardens then the toboggan, only downside was the wait took around a hour to get on but worth the wait. We walked back to Funchel 35 minute walk all down hill, might be worth getting a cab but haggle with them it gets cheaper.
It was fun!!! A lot of fun! Go on and just do it! We laughed a shouted all the way down! It’s two kms of fun! We even bought the tourist snap dot at the end!
From start to finish, Michael was the consummate guide, sharing lots of factual info about beautiful Funchal. We weren’t rushed…he safely maneuvered the narrow streets up and down the steep hills of the city. We got to see amazing vistas from various locations, especially from The higher elevations. He was flexible as well as considerate, so we saw and learned so much about this unique location off the coast of Africa. (The weather canceled the toboggan ride; we had to be flexible ourselves.) Another outstanding Viator excursion!!
this is such a blast going down the streets of Maderia .You travel really quickly but it is really safe .Would say its something you have to do
Did this as a combined excursion that included the cable car ride up to the start of the toboggan ride. There was a fair bit of queueing despite there being 70+ toboggans and 140+ staff. The ride itself was fun, but did not appear to be not as scary or fast as the trip that Susan Calman had, shown on TV a year or so ago. Worth doing, as its a unique experience.
Went on the cable car and toboggan ride as part of an excursion organised by our cruise company P&O. Glad we went on an organised tour as got preferrential place in queue for both cable car and toboggan. Cable car gondola held 6 people seated. Great views looking back at Funchal. Start of toboggan ride a short walk from top cable car station. Toboggan ride is great - speed controlled by 2 staff. Photo taken part way down the ride and available for purchase at bottom toboggan station. Cafe, tat shops and toilets available at bottom toboggan station. Would recommend.
Driver was our tour guide and was very friendly but hard to understand his English. He took us all around as expected. What a beautiful island! Unfortunately, the toboggan experience was sold out to cruise ship passengers so we didn’t get to do that.
. . . I've done it, but never again. I didn't want to do it but my daughter wanted to. All 'Health and Safety' out of the window. So glad to reach the end and left via taxi as soon as possible. I didn't like the attention my daughter received; inappropriate.
It is fun. Just be prepared that it’s 30 euros for two and you will probably queue for an hour. Not a must-do for me, but my son (13) loves it.
