On this tour, you'll dive into Madeira's wild side, giving you a taste of the island's nature, traditions and local life all in one trip. First up is the Parque Ecológico do Funchal, where you'll explore the island's sustainability efforts. Depending on the month, you'll either plant a tree to help restore Madeira's ecosystem or check out the Interpretation Centre to see how this landscape has been protected over time. Riu, one of our local expert guides, says, “this is the kind of experience that lets you give something back to Madeira while discovering what makes the island so special.”
After this, you'll head up to Santo da Serra for a 4x4 adventure that winds through hidden trails you'd never stumble across on your own. Then, things slow down with a walk along the Levada Serra do Faial, following Madeira's historic irrigation channels through dense greenery and streams. If the weather isn't playing ball, you might swap to the equally picturesque Paradise Valley Levada instead – either way, you'll get a feel for the island's deep connection to water and nature.
To wrap it all up, you'll stop at a bar for a proper taste of local life. You'll be welcomed with a regionally-crafted sidra and carne vinha d'alhos – marinated pork with a garlicky sauce – followed by sopa de trigo, Madeira's oldest traditional soup, cooked over a wood fire and served with a glass of red wine. After some live folklore music, you'll make your way to Ribeira de Machico, a valley lined with terraced farms that show just how much care locals have poured into this land for generations.
