Private: Maderia Island Tour & Famous Monte Toboggan Ride

The most memorable part of this private Madeira tour comes at the end: a wicker toboggan slides you down Monte’s steep streets while two Carreiros steer with rubber-soled shoes. Before that, you get a fast but scenic survey of Funchal and the island’s dramatic mountain roads.

I like the private vehicle, which lets your group stop for views without being tied to a large coach. I also like the mix of high lookouts, a fishing village, a famous sea cliff, and the old-fashioned toboggan ride. The main caution is timing: the ride costs extra, can sell out, and may be canceled by weather.

• Pico dos Barcelos reaches 355 meters, with broad views over Funchal and the coast.
• Eira do Serrado looks into Curral das Freiras, a sharply cut valley surrounded by serrated peaks.
• Câmara de Lobos offers a slower village stop, with whitewashed buildings and the chance to taste poncha.
• Cabo Girão adds a high sea-cliff viewpoint and a quieter stop among pine and eucalyptus scents.
• The Monte toboggan ride lasts about 10 minutes, reaching speeds of up to 30 mph.
• Pickup and drop-off are included, making this a useful choice for hotel and cruise ship visitors.

A Private Route Through Madeira’s Big Views

This four-and-a-half-hour outing packs a lot into half a day. You travel in a private group with a driver-guide, so the day feels more personal than a standard coach circuit. The route moves from Funchal’s hills to a mountain valley, then west along the coast before finishing in Monte.

That variety is the tour’s strongest point. You are not spending four hours looking at similar viewpoints. Instead, each stop gives you a different piece of Madeira: city views, steep interior peaks, village life, coastal cliffs, and a historic downhill ride.

The pace is also practical for a short stay. You can see several well-known sights in one morning or afternoon, then return to your hotel or cruise ship. The tradeoff is that the stops are brief. If you prefer long walks, extended meals, or time inside museums, this route may feel too packed.

Because the activity is private, your group is the only group participating. That can matter on Madeira, where narrow, steep roads make a small vehicle more comfortable than a full-size tour bus. A good driver also makes a real difference here. One guide named Michael received particular praise for sharing useful facts, driving carefully on the hills, and adjusting the pace to suit the group.

Pico dos Barcelos at 355 Meters

The first stop is Pico dos Barcelos, an observation area on the outskirts of Funchal. At 355 meters above sea level, it gives you a broad view over the city and surrounding coast.

This is a useful first stop because it helps you understand Funchal’s shape. From above, the city climbs sharply from the waterfront into the hills. You get a sense of why driving around Madeira can take longer than distances on a map suggest.

Bring your phone or camera. This is one of the tour’s clearest photo stops, with a view that works well as an introduction to the island. The drawback is simple: it is primarily a viewpoint, not a long sightseeing stop. You will get the most from it if you want an overview and a few strong photos rather than a detailed visit.

Cloud and changing mountain weather can affect what you see. On a clear day, the height gives you a fine sense of Funchal’s setting. On a cloudy day, the stop may be less rewarding, though the tour still has several other viewpoints.

Looking Into Curral das Freiras at Eira do Serrado

Eira do Serrado is the most dramatic mountain stop on the route. From this rocky ledge, you look down into Curral das Freiras, a horseshoe-shaped valley surrounded on three sides by steep, serrated peaks.

The view is very different from Pico dos Barcelos. Instead of looking across a city and ocean, you are facing a tight interior valley cut into Madeira’s mountains. The sheer sides make the island feel rugged and remote, even though Funchal is not far away.

I would pay close attention to the weather here. Mountain cloud can roll across the peaks and reduce the view quickly. Since this is a lookout rather than a long walk, the stop works best when conditions are clear enough to see into the valley.

The road journey itself adds to the sense of the place. The route takes you away from the coastal city and into Madeira’s steep interior. You are not simply checking off a viewpoint. You are seeing why the island is known for dramatic elevation changes and difficult roads.

Câmara de Lobos and a Taste of Poncha

Câmara de Lobos, west of Funchal, changes the tone of the day. This is a small fishing village with whitewashed houses, a harbor, local shops, and bars where you can taste poncha, a traditional Madeiran drink.

This stop gives you a chance to walk a little and see a more everyday side of the island. The village has a compact center, so you can take in the harbor and buildings without needing a long visit. It is also a pleasant place to pause after the mountain viewpoints.

Poncha is a local specialty, but the drink can be strong. If you want to try it, ask what is being served and take it slowly. Food and drinks are not included in the tour price, so anything you order here is extra.

Câmara de Lobos may be the best stop for travelers who want a little local character rather than only grand scenery. Still, do not expect a long village tour. The overall route has several stops, and your time here is part of a larger half-day plan.

Cabo Girão and the High Coastal View

The route then heads to Cabo Girão, described as the second-highest sea cliff in the world after Norway. The viewpoint looks toward the distant coast and cultivated land below.

The stop has a different feel from the busier attractions. The setting is described as tranquil, with pine and eucalyptus in the air, vines and vegetables growing at the foot of the cliff, and a small, well-railed lookout. That combination gives you a view of both the natural drop and Madeira’s working farmland.

You should confirm exactly how much time your group will spend at the viewpoint. The supplied details describe a small lookout rather than a major complex, so this is best treated as a scenic pause. It is valuable for the setting, not for a long list of facilities.

Cabo Girão also adds a useful coastal counterpoint to Eira do Serrado. One looks into the island’s mountain interior. The other places you above the Atlantic-facing side of Madeira. Together, they show how quickly the island changes from high peaks to sea cliffs.

The Monte Toboggan Ride

The final activity is the tour’s main novelty. The Monte Toboggan dates from the 1850s, when wicker sledges were used as a form of downhill public transport. Today, the ride is a short adventure and one of Madeira’s most recognizable activities.

Two Carreiros steer your wicker basket down the road. They wear white clothing and straw hats, along with special rubber-soled shoes that help them brake and guide the runners. The toboggan itself is a wicker basket attached to two wooden runners, which slide over greased rags.

The downhill run takes about 10 minutes. Speeds can reach 30 mph, and the route follows a curving road. That makes it fun, but it is not a slow scenic glide. You should expect movement, turns, and a mildly thrilling finish.

The ride is not included in the advertised tour price. The extra charge is €35 per couple, according to the supplied details. Confirm the current fee when booking, since prices can change.

You also need to treat availability as a real concern. One cruise ship group reached the toboggan stop only to find the experience sold out. If the ride is the main reason you are booking, ask the provider how the timing works for your date, especially if you are arriving by ship.

Weather can cancel the ride. One group had its toboggan run called off because of weather and had to make do with the rest of the tour. That is not a flaw in the guide’s control, but it does affect the value of the outing if you are paying mainly for the final activity.

What the Private Format Adds

The tour costs $191.02 per person, before the separate toboggan charge. That is a serious price for a half-day outing, so the value depends on how much you care about privacy and convenience.

For a private group, the price pays for more than transportation. You get a dedicated driver-guide, hotel or port pickup, return transportation, and a route covering several distant parts of Madeira. You can also avoid being tied to the pace of a large group.

The private setup is especially useful for cruise ship passengers. Pickup and drop-off at the port remove the need to arrange separate transport, and the return is built into the plan. It also helps if your group includes people who want photo stops or need a more flexible pace.

Still, the price will feel high if you mainly want a short ride and a single viewpoint. One low rating described the tour as too expensive for what was included. That criticism is worth taking seriously. The experience makes more sense for a group splitting the private vehicle cost than for one or two people seeking the cheapest way around Funchal.

The driver-guide quality also matters. Several strong comments praised careful driving, local information, scenic stops, and flexibility. Another person found the driver’s English difficult to understand. Since the driver is also your guide, communication can shape the whole day. If clear explanation is important to you, ask about the guide’s language ability before confirming.

Who Will Get the Most From This Tour?

I would recommend this outing to you if you have limited time in Madeira and want a broad introduction rather than a specialist tour. It suits first-time visitors who want major viewpoints, a village stop, and the Monte ride without planning several separate trips.

It is also a good fit for families with children aged three and older, since the minimum age is three. Remember that the toboggan ride itself involves speed and turns, so anyone concerned about that should ask questions before booking.

Cruise ship passengers are another natural match. The port pickup and return reduce the risk of getting lost on Madeira’s steep roads or arranging a taxi at each stop. The fixed start time is 9:30 a.m., so check that it matches your ship schedule.

You may want a different option if you prefer hiking, long village visits, or a relaxed meal. This is a sightseeing drive with several short stops, not a walking tour. It gives you a strong sampler of the island but not much time to linger.

Practical Details Before You Book

The tour is offered in English and includes a mobile ticket. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the route is near public transportation, though the included pickup makes that less important for most people.

Most people can participate, but the tour involves steep mountain roads, lookout areas, and a fast downhill ride. The supplied information does not give detailed accessibility specifications, so ask the provider directly if you need wheelchair access or other mobility arrangements.

Food and drinks are not included. Câmara de Lobos is the logical place to buy something, especially if you want to try poncha, but plan for that cost separately.

The cancellation policy is generous if your plans change. You can receive a full refund by canceling at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. The operator also requires a minimum number of participants and may offer another date or a full refund if that minimum is not met.

Should You Book the Madeira Tour?

Book it if you want a private, efficient overview of Funchal and western Madeira, and if the Monte toboggan ride sounds like the day’s main event. The combination of Pico dos Barcelos, Eira do Serrado, Câmara de Lobos, and Cabo Girão gives you a useful range of scenery in about four and a half hours.

Before paying, confirm three things: the toboggan’s current extra fee, whether space is available for your date, and how weather cancellations are handled. If the ride sells out or is canceled, you will still receive a scenic private tour, but the high price may feel harder to justify.

For a group that values a dedicated vehicle, port pickup, and a flexible guide, this is a practical choice. For budget-minded visitors or anyone seeking long walks and slow meals, it is probably too expensive and too tightly timed.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 9:30 a.m.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

Is cruise port pickup available?

Yes. Port pickup and drop-off are included, making the tour suitable for cruise ship passengers.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group participates in the private tour or activity.

Is the Monte toboggan ride included in the price?

No. The toboggan ride is listed as an extra cost of €35 per couple.

What happens during the Monte toboggan ride?

Two Carreiros steer a wicker toboggan downhill using their rubber-soled shoes to guide and brake it. The ride takes about 10 minutes and can reach speeds of up to 30 mph.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is 3 years.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded.