Northwest Terraces and Volcanic Pools 4x4 Full Day Tour

We were 8 people in a 4x4 van for the "Journey to East Lava Pools and the West" excursion, and we were all really happy with it! Great and dependable company, timing was perfect and we got back to the ship in plenty of time before sailing. It went exactly as described: we got out to walk at the water channels in a charming forest area, had time at the "Enchanted Forest", great lunch stop, and two stops at different lava pools with chance to swim. Guide/Driver Diego was great. We went in mid-April and the water in the lava pools (we stopped at two different locations) was really cold (sea water, not warmed up), but bearable for a short time, and worth the experience. The island is absolutely gorgeous and this tour was perfect for seeing it! In one section we were off road on dirt and big stones, so bumpy! The rest of the time we were on the paved highways.

Our guide for the day was Dino. Friendly, humorous and informative. Pick up was easy, a stone’s throw from our hotel in Funchal. The Land Rover can fit 8 people but there were only 3 on our tour. We headed west out of Funchal and then north to Serra de Agua where there was a quick pit stop for coffee and pastel de Natas then onwards and off road climbing through the forest up towards Estanquinhos. There were stops along the way to walk a levada and admire and photograph the stunning views. Eventually, we emerged onto the plateau and headed northwest onto the eerie forest at Fanal and its 800 year old trees. From there the tour descends to Ribera da Janela and it’s photogenic rocky islet before continuing west to Porto Moniz for an excellent and typically Madeiran lunch, tomato soup with a poached egg in it (don’t knock it until you’ve tried it) and tuna with pepper and onions. After lunch and exploring the natural pools we followed the coat east to Seixal with its black volcanic beach and big breakers. Last stop was Sao Vincent’s for a taste of Madeira wine and a cheeky Pescador’s Poncha before heading back to Funchal.

Het was een prachtige tour ondanks de vertraging door files als gevolg van een ongeval. We bezochten veel verschillende plaatsen: bos, bergen, plaatsen etc. Door het mooie weer was het extra mooi, soms een sprookje. We hadden een fantastische reisleider/chaiffeur Dino