Madeira Dramatic West Coast Tour with Lunch in Porto Moniz

Madeira's magnificent scenery takes centre stage on this full day tour. You'll visit all the main panoramic points including the Cabo Girão Skywalk, Porto Moniz, Paúl da Serra and Encumeada Pass. Mariana, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘You'll get to know the true drama of Madeira's landscapes. You might be lucky enough to see the ocean both to the north and the south from Encumeada Pass, but the highest points on the island do sometimes catch the clouds.'Your first destination will be one of the highest sea cliffs in the world, Cabo Girão. You'll enjoy a rare bird's-eye view as you walk out on a glass platform – it's a thrill to look down the rugged cliff face to the waves 500 metres below. Mariana adds, ‘You'll see that no patch of flat land is wasted in Madeira – there's a strip of crops right at the bottom of the cliffs.' Then, it's on to Ribeira Brava, followed by a stroll through a banana plantation in Madalena do Mar.Next, we'll head up the 1,500m-high Paúl da Serra plateau before descending on Porto Moniz, famous for its natural lava rock swimming pools. A typical lunch freshly prepared with local produce awaits in the village. Then, crossing north to south, we'll venture over the Encumeada Pass for some knockout views across the island. Rounding off the day is a poncha drink demonstration and tasting in Câmara de Lobos – a favourite holiday spot of Winston Churchill. Mariana says, ‘Be careful – poncha is so fruity and refreshing, but it hides a serious brandy kick.'