Sightseeing in Madeira: Porto Moniz, Câmara de Lobos, Paúl da Serra

You will be picked up from your hotel in Funchal or Canico and accompanied by a guide. Depart Funchal heading west via the fishing village on Câmara de Lobos (wolves' gorge), picturesquely situated under the east side of Cabo Girao (589m), a rugged headland falling almost vertically down to the sea and the highest cliff of its kind in Europe. Beyond Câmara de Lobos the road climbs away from the coast, with numerous turns, to make its way around the north side of Cabo Girao.

The tour continues along the south coast passing banana plantations and at Ribeira Brava, you will head across the island to São Vicente. Enjoy the breath taking views of the rugged north coast between São Vicente and Porto Moniz. It was only after the Second World War that the road between this municipality and São Vicente was built to put an end to its isolation from the rest of the island. The road was literally dug out of the rocky hillside. It has a number of tunnels and there are waterfalls cascading over it on their down way to the sea. The road is considered one of the prettiest and most impressive on the island. A new, wider road has recently been built parallel to the original one, which makes the journey safer and more comfortable. In Porto Moniz you will have time for lunch and inspecting the natural lava stone swimming pools and take the chance to view them afterwards.

The tour continues to Madeira’s only tablelands, “Paúl da Serra” (1.400 m), where you have a breathtaking view both coasts and the mountainous centre of the island in the midst of untouched Madeiran forests that are always green. Travelling over the Encemeada-Pass (1007m). A photo stop will give you time to enjoy the splendid view of the sea to the north and south and the crest of the mountain range that crosses inland Madeira. You will pass through deep valleys full of a wide variety of fauna and flora belonging to the Laurissilva Forest, a relic of bygone ages that has been declared a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site.

The tour ends at your hotel.