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![]() Tours in Madeira
Your tour continues to Paul da Sarra which is the only plateau of the island at 1,400meters high. Your next stop is Porto Moniz, a village well known for its volcanic swimming pools, where you can discover one of the most beautiful points of the north coast - a road built on the rocks by the sea where you can admire the astonishing waterfalls. Visit Sao Vicente, a village famous for being known as Court of the North, and discover its characteristic streets, monuments and history. Enjoy a stop for lunch before heading to Cabanas Sao Jorge for it's amazing panoramic views. After visiting the beautiful area of Faial, climb up to Santana famous for its cottages. On the way back to Funchal you will discover the town of Machico where discoverers first disembarked in 1420.
Observe the endemic species and sub-species of Madeira while delighting yourself with the scenery of the Eastern part of Madeira. On a tour mainly by car with some stops on the hot spots, you will visit at least two different habitats to observe several different species. This is a great tour for the whole family as there are no long walks. Your first stop is at a park where you will be surrounded by the green of the indigenous and exotic species in such a quiet atmosphere that you can identify the birds by their the calls. You will certainly observe some species flying from one tree to the other or feeding on the ground, such as Goldfinches, Black Birds and Greenfinches. On a view point inside the Park, if the weather permits, you are able to admire the east extreme of the island and on a clear day, Porto Santo Island as well. The second stop of the tour takes you to an arid area, the habitat of the Berthelot's Pipit. Here you may also find Canaries, Goldfinches, Kestrels and Buzzards. Besides the birds you will be amazed by the landscape of rocky cliffs falling in the sea on one side and on the other side, the contrast view of the north and south of Madeira. If there is still time you may stop on a third spot, near a water course to observe some Grey Wagtails, Egrets and the Waxbills that live and reproduce freely here. This is a great tour for the whole family as there are no long walks and the diversity of natural species and landscapes to see is wide. You may even see horses, fallow deer or even red-legged partridges, but unfortunately these are in an enclosed space.
If you want to learn about Madeira Island's natural treasures, don't join a crowded tour, join this full day Birdwatching tour with up to only eight participants. See Madeira's primitive endemic birds, indigenous forest and impressive mountains, all of which are surrounded by the Atlantic ocean. First stop will be on a valley surrounded by Madeira's indigenous forest - the Laurel Forest, to search for the Trocaz Pigeon. Next stop is on a high place where the ancient fetid laurels are shelters for Madeira Firecrests and Madeira Chaffinches. Next you will descend to sea level, for lunch, where you will dine on a nice fish or meat meal. Highly recommended is the tuna fish or the scabbard fish or, if you do not like fish, maybe the grilled steak with mushrooms. After lunch a short scenic walk for a good digestion and, if it is summer, to sea watch some seabirds. A 30 minute ride to reach the most western part of Madeira, a lovely place to watch Canaries, Berthelot's Pipits, Buzzards, Kestrels and with luck, some migrants. Last stop will be on the south coast of the island, on a fresh water lagoon near the sea, a beautiful spot for migrant waders, Moorhens and Coots and, if it is summer maybe see the rare Roseate Tern among Common Terns and Yellow-legged Gulls. If you hope to find as many species as you can in one day this will be the perfect tour for you as you are able to see most of the Madeira species and subspecies. This is not only a Birdwatching tour but also a flora and sightseeing tour as the places visited have very beautiful landscapes and are full of natural history.
As an European Biogenetic Reserve, Desertas Islands are a beautiful place for you to experience nature at its best. This sailing trip to Desertas can be long but if you really enjoy sailing and observing sea species, this is one of the best things you can do in Madeira. Be adventurous, go to Desertas. Desertas Islands are a group of 3 small islands on the southeast of Madeira. This small archipelago is the habitat of the endemic and rare Monk seal, several seabirds and some indigenous flora species. For these reasons it is a protected area and is a European Biogenetic Reserve. A sea trip to these untouched islands is for those who love to sail and are curious about desert islands with its endemic species. On the way you will get the chance to admire mountainous landscape of Madeira as well as try to spot some dolphins, whales, turtles or seabirds. Arriving at the largest island, the yacht will anchor and you can go ashore on a small floatable boat. Once on land, follow a path around the Natural Park to the warden's house along which you may observe some flora and avifauna of the island. After the visit to the island and a relaxing swim in Desertas crystal waters, lunch is served onboard. Usually lunch is a Madeira traditional fish dish, black scabbard fish, with salad and potatoes. Following lunch it is time to pick the anchor up and depart towards Funchal enjoying a nap, sunbathe or spotting sea mammals and seabirds along the way.
This full day tour gives you the opportunity to see artisans at work, a town famous for its cottages and to enjoy picture perfect scenery. Visiting Camacha, Pico do Ariero, Ribeiro Frio, Portela and Santana, this tour will be the highlight of any visit to Madeira. Camacha is a village famous for being the wickerwork center. Visit the factory and see artisans working and perhaps purchase articles from a wide collection available. Next you'll visit Pico do Arieiro, which is the second highest summit on the island (1,810 meters high) and offers wonderful views. Discover a natural park and take some time to explore a trout hatchery at Ribeiro Frio. After visiting the beautiful area of Faial, climb up to Santana, a picturesque village where you will find enchanting cottages with pointed thatched roofs which are today known world wide. Stop for lunch before visiting Portela (670 meters), a place where you can admire the impressive rock formations of the Eagle's Cliff, and part of the north coast, Pico do Facho. Return to Funchal visiting the historic seaside town of Machico where the discoverers first disembarked in 1420.
Enjoy the romantic moments before sunset on a relaxing cruise along the west coast of Funchal, reviving old routes of passenger and cargo vessels while admiring the wonderful view of southwest Madeira Island. Taste Madeira wine and feel the peaceful ambiance surrounding you on a blue and green background. Departing from Funchal marina, just next to the main pier, your evening cruise heads west to Camara de Lobos, a typical fishing village which Winston Churchill used to paint. You will have the chance to enjoy the beautiful landscape and feel the cool
sea breeze stroking your face and relax. The route that will be followed is the
same of the old passenger and cargo vessels, known as Carreireiros, which, on
the beginning of the 20th century, regularly linked the villages of the south
cost of the island.
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