A class above the usual Madeira tours We had a fantastic 4×4 tour with Nico from Up Mountain Madeira. From beginning to end, the day was personal, informative, relaxed and enormous fun. Nico knows Madeira extraordinarily well—not merely its well-known sights, but its landscape, agriculture, communities and the people who live and work there. He is extremely friendly, naturally chatty and full of fascinating information, without the tour ever feeling rehearsed or formulaic. What makes Nico particularly special is his willingness to tailor the day completely around his guests. My particular interest was Madeira’s viticulture, so he adapted the tour to concentrate on vineyards, grape growing and wine production. He took us well away from the standard tourist circuit, stopped whenever there was something worth seeing or discussing, and used his local relationships to give us private access to places that ordinary tours simply cannot visit. This was the complete opposite of a faceless coach tour ticking off crowded tourist spots. It felt like exploring Madeira with a knowledgeable and well-connected local friend. Superb value, hugely enjoyable and genuinely memorable. Nico and Up Mountain Madeira are in a different league—very highly recommended.
Private Sunrise Pico do Areeiro Half Day with easy levada walk
+5 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 4–5 hours
- Price from
- $286 / person
- Location
- Funchal, Portugal
- Rating
- 5.0 / 5 · 7 reviews
- Languages
- PT, EN, FR, ES
- Group
- Private
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Hotel pickup
- Available
- Confirmation
- Within 24h
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- Up Mountain Madeira
Description
As you make your way up to Pico do Areeiro before dawn, the air will be crisp and the darkness will add to the anticipation of what's to come. As the sun begins to rise, the sky will slowly transform into a vivid canvas of colors, ranging from deep blues and purples to fiery oranges and reds. As the first rays of sunlight start the distant valleys and the coastline will start to slowly emerge from the shadows. The clouds that were once blanketing the landscape will also begin to take on a new life, as they change colors from a dark gray to a warm pink and orange. As the sun continues to rise, the surrounding landscape will become increasingly illuminated, casting a warm and golden glow over the mountains, hills, and valleys. The view from the top of Pico do Areeiro is breathtaking. We will then go and hike on a small strech of Levada dos balcões about 2km (30 min. optional) and go for a cofee to really wake up before heading back leaving you a fullday still to explore!
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Every day
- Start times
- 6:00 AM
- Next available
- Wed, Oct 14
- Group price
- $286 per vehicle, up to 6 people
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 13.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Pico do Arieiro
If the day is clear we will go all the way to pico do areeiro at 1818 mts for amazing views on the peaks of Madeira
PR11 Vereda dos Balcoes
Vereda dos Bacões is a beautiful hiking trail lIt is a perfect spot for those looking to explore the outdoors and take in the stunning views of the island in a very easy way. a great stop for those looking to experience a levada. The path is easy to follow, with plenty of signs and markers to guide you. Along the way, you will encounter plenty of flora and fauna. The route ends with a a great cofee break PR11 Vereda dos Bacões is a great way to explore the natural beauty of Madeira easily
Balcoes de Ribeiro Frio
Miradouro do guindaste
The Miradouro do Guindaste Madeira is a stunning lookout point with a glass platform skywalk wich you can be above the sea and walk on its glass and cliff
Machico
Machico is a historic town located on the eastern coast of Madeira, an autonomous region of Portugal. It is the second largest city in Madeira after Funchal, the capital city. Machico has a population of around 20,000 people and is known for its beautiful beaches, charming streets, and historical landmarks.
What's included
Included
Local guide
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Port pickup and drop-off
Live commentary on board
Not included
Food and drinks, unless specified
Hotel pickup and drop-off outside the free areas of Funchal and Caniço
Pickup Locations & Times
Please fill up you Hotel name or airbnb adress so we can process your booking! we pickup in all hotels in Funchal and Caniço area and also airBnb's. Pickup inside the port or other areas is also available at extra request and Extra fee. if you come from outside funchal we provide free parking for your car on the day.please ask before booking for availiability
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
5.0
7 reviews
Important Information
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- At time of booking, Cruise ship passengers must provide the following information at time of booking: ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time
- May be operated by a multi-lingual guide
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does this tour take?
Private Sunrise Pico do Areeiro Half Day with easy levada walk lasts about 4–5 hours. The itinerary has 5 stops.
How much does this tour cost?
Prices start at $286 per person for this Funchal experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does this tour run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 6:00 AM.
Can I cancel this tour for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered. Please fill up you Hotel name or airbnb adress so we can process your booking! we pickup in all hotels in Funchal and Caniço area and also airBnb's. Pickup inside the port or other areas is also available at extra request and Extra fee. if you come from outside funchal we provide free parking for your car on the day.please ask before booking for availiability Pickup points include The Editory Garden Funchal.
What languages is this tour offered in?
The experience is available in PT, EN, FR, ES.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a private experience: only your party takes part. Up to 6 travellers can book together.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Specialized infant seats are available Children must be accompanied by an adult
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Confirmation is sent by the operator within 24 hours of booking.
Is this tour worth it?
Travellers rate it 5.0 out of 5 across 7 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Up Mountain Madeira.
Reviews(7)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
Q
A class above ….
C
A Phenomenal Experience We Will Never Forget
We were in Madeira for 5 days and Nicoulo (Nico) was our guide taking us on many adventures across the island during our stay. We saw the Valley of Nuns, rode the Wicker Sleds, did the Sunrise Hike, went out on the glass ledge, took a walk through the woods, went to the gardens, pretty much anything and everything we could cram into our 5 days there. Our stay was phenomenal and we had a great time. And it was definitely made even better because Nico was our guide and like a long lost friend and he was just positive and upbeat and fun to hang out with. He gave us great restaurant recommendations and was accessible by WhatsApp and texted other great recommendations for things for us to do on our off day when we didn't have anything scheduled with him including introducing us to a friend who owned a restaurant (Bananas) that served the best Prego. If you're traveling to Madeira, I could not more highly recommend any company or guide over Nico and Up Mountain Madeira. If you're reading this review and even remotely hesitating to pull the trigger on booking an excursion with them, just book it, you will not regret it. Easily one of the best travel experiences we've ever had in our lives. Thanks Nico!
R
Beautiful sunrise
Real nice, relaxed tour with Tobias. Picked up at 7am from our hotel in Funchal in a jeep. Booster seats were ready for our two children (5 and 9 years old) and It was a comfortable, safe journey up to the peak. As a booked tour, we could drive straight to the top while rental cars had to park a bit further away and take a shuttle bus. It’s an easy walk to find a nice spot to watch the sunrise above the clouds. Felt about 0-5C so needed hats, scarves but the view is absolutely amazing and worth the early departure. Then a nice drive to the next stop for an easy Levada hike. Nice walk and ended up at a beautiful view point before meeting our guide at the other end, and journey back to the hotel. I liked the private tour as we avoided all the crowds and got a personalised experience.
6
Will use Up Mountain Madeira again
We booked our "Sunrise in Pico do Areeiro and Laurisilva walk Half Day tour" with Up Mountain Madeira mainly because we had previosly taken a tour with them a few years ago. Both tours were excellent, outstanding guides, great value for money and as there are lots of tour operators now we went with someone we knew and had experience of. We were not dissapointed. Thank you Nico, excellent comunication, on time and very well enjoyed morning tour. Bob N.
K
4x4 fun and more
Niko was a fun and knew tons about the island. His passion for Madeira was infectious. He tailored the tour to our needs and the weather. Highly recommend.
Operator response
we did our best regarding the weather :D great you still had a fantastic time as we did also. see you soon my friends
4
Family fun with Jeep 1st experience!
The half day jeep tour with Nicolau was a great success. It was our 1st visit in Madeira. Nico was ver y ice and sharing a lot of local tips about Madeira culture and usages. The jeep was awesome. My 9 years old daughter was a big fan. I recommend this to anyone who do not yet know Madeira!!!
Operator response
Tnak you so much for your review, loved meeting your familly and your beautifull princess, knowing that she loved the experience make us very proud and wants us to keep working everyday to improve even more Send you a big hug from Madeira my friends
K
Up Mountain put the 'Fun' in Funchal (& beyond)
This was our second half day tour on a cruise stop with Up Mountain and like last time it was another terrific unforgettable experience! This is the best way to see the natural beauty of Madeira, plus have a ton of fun. David is a great driver and an interesting and fun guide. We learned so much from his love of his adopted home. And Nico was so great to correspond with in making our arrangements and requests. We definitely recommend this great experience and can't wait to go again ourselves!!
Operator response
Thank you friend for your words. We love to show the island at normal price to people visiting us on a cruise as we never charge more for people who visit us on cruises and can pickup and dropoff by the ship.having you coming back again for another year and another tours you dont imagine how happy we get and I hope you will return many times. THANK YOU
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from$286
5.0(7) Free cancellation