Adventure Trikes Private Tour in Madeira

The fun here is not just the view at the end of the road. It is the open-air ride itself: a private guide takes you up Madeira’s steep, winding roads on a custom-built trike, with mountain air, forest scents and frequent chances to stop for photos. In a few hours, you can cover ground that would take much more effort to see on foot.

I like two things in particular: the route can be adjusted to your pace, and the trike gives you a clear, close-up view of the island as you travel. Guides such as John and Garth have been praised for safe driving, local context and taking photos along the way. One consideration: this is a short tour, so a stop that runs long can mean less time elsewhere.

The essentials at a glance

• The ride is the main event: You travel as a passenger on a chauffeur-driven, open-air trike, not as the person driving it.
• Pico do Arieiro reaches 1,810 metres: The route heads toward Madeira’s third-highest point, with mountain views and forest roads along the way.
• Nun’s Valley has a high viewpoint: A short walk leads to a viewpoint about 1,400 metres above sea level.
• The schedule is flexible: The tour lasts about three hours, with time at stops shaped by your interests.
• Pickup is offered: Hotel pickup and drop-off are available, and cruise passengers have arranged pickup near the port.
• Bring a layer: Helmets and jackets are provided, but mountain weather can feel different from Funchal’s.

An open-air ride above Funchal

Adventure Trikes is a private outing for up to two people at a listed price of $168.62 per group. That makes the price easier to assess as a couple or pair: it is not a per-person fare, and your group does not share the guide with strangers. The advertised start time is 10:30 am, and the ride lasts roughly three hours.

The trike is custom-built and driven by your guide. You sit back, take in the passing views and let someone used to Madeira’s curving roads handle the steering. That distinction matters if you want the thrill of a motorcycle-style ride without needing to ride a motorcycle yourself.

The open sides are a real part of the appeal. You can smell eucalyptus and pine as the route passes through forest, and you have an unobstructed view at scenic stops. The trade-off is exposure to the elements. Jackets are supplied, but I would still dress for cooler or damp conditions, especially on the mountain.

Pico do Arieiro and the mountain road

The tour’s main mountain outing heads toward Pico do Arieiro, Madeira’s third-highest point at 1,810 metres. The description combines the summit area with a scenic drive through eucalyptus and pine forest, a fishing village, viewpoints, wine tasting and a glass sky walk. The precise order and time at each place can vary with your group’s pace.

Expect the journey to be as much a part of the experience as the destination. The road climbs through changing terrain, and the open-air seat gives you a close sense of the bends, air and views. You are not simply being carried from one photo stop to the next. The ride itself is why this tour will appeal to anyone who wants an unusual way to see Madeira.

At the high point, conditions can differ from those in Funchal. Clouds may gather, and the temperature can drop, so the supplied jacket is useful rather than decorative. If the sky is clear, the elevated viewpoints are the reward. If visibility is poor, the forest drive and lower stops still give the outing variety, but the mountain panorama may not deliver the same payoff.

A glass sky walk is included among the advertised sights, though the tour information does not give extra details about its location or how much time is spent there. Treat it as one possible feature of the mountain portion, not the sole reason to book.

Nun’s Valley from above

The Nun’s Valley stop includes a walk up to a viewpoint at about 1,400 metres above sea level. This is a good contrast to the trike ride: you get out, stretch your legs and look down into a dramatic valley from above. The viewpoint is described as a short walk, but it is still worth wearing shoes you can comfortably walk in.

The valley is one of the trip’s most praised sights, and it makes sense as a highlight. From a high viewpoint, the scale of Madeira’s steep terrain becomes easier to grasp. This is not a flat island where a quick drive brings you to a single scenic overlook. The roads wind through ridges and valleys, and a guide can connect the stops into a better sense of how the island fits together.

The schedule places Nun’s Valley on the way to Pico do Arieiro, though the stop order may depend on the route taken. The guide can also adjust how long you stay. If you want time for photos or simply to take in the view, say so early; the tour is flexible, but it still has a three-hour frame.

A route that can change with your interests

The stated itinerary names Pico do Arieiro and Nun’s Valley, but the experience is not a rigid march through a fixed checklist. Your guide can include other viewpoints, and the route may be tailored to your preferences. Past outings have included the old town, Churchill Bay and Cabo Girão, whose viewing balcony and café offer another way to take in the coast.

That flexibility is useful if you have already seen some of Funchal’s familiar sights, or if there is a particular area you want to visit. It can also help if one viewpoint is cloudy or you would rather spend longer at a scenic stop. Ask your guide at the start what matters most to you. A clear priority helps make the best use of the limited time.

Some guides also add context about Madeira’s past and daily life. John, for example, has been praised for explaining local history, terraces and a fire-damaged area. Other guides named in accounts include Garth, João and Goth, with spelling variations reported for some names. Guide assignments can change, so book for the style of outing rather than expecting a particular person.

What the three hours feel like

Three hours is enough for a lively introduction, not a full island tour. You can see several places around Funchal and head into the mountains without spending a whole day in transit. For a first visit, or a free morning during a longer stay, that makes this a practical way to add variety to your plans.

The time is flexible by design. One group might stop briefly for photographs; another may want to linger at a viewpoint, have coffee or take a longer walk. The guide can work with your pace, but every extra pause uses time that could go toward another stop. If you want to cover the most ground, keep breaks short. If you value a slow look at the views, choose fewer stops.

A few people have wished they had booked a longer outing. That is useful advice if you are trying to see as much of the island as possible. This is best viewed as a focused half-day adventure, not a substitute for a full-day island circuit.

Private pickup and practical comfort

Hotel pickup and drop-off are offered, which removes the need to get yourself to a separate meeting point. The stated start time is 10:30 am. Cruise passengers have also arranged pickup near the port, including near the Ronaldo hotel, but confirm your exact pickup place when booking rather than assuming it is the same for every departure.

Helmets and jackets are included. Coffee and tea are not. You may find places to stop for refreshments, and some outings have included time for drinks or snacks, but those purchases are not part of the stated inclusions. The tour is near public transportation, and the information says most people can participate.

Weather is an important practical factor because this is an outdoor ride at altitude. If poor weather forces cancellation, you can choose a new date or receive a full refund. For other cancellations, you need to cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund; changes made inside that window are not accepted.

What the price buys you

At $168.62 for a private group of up to two, the value comes from having a guide and vehicle to yourselves, plus the ability to adapt the route and time at each stop. Compared with a shared bus outing, this is a more personal way to travel, with better access to spontaneous photo pauses and conversation. It is not the lowest-cost way to see Madeira, but the private format and distinctive ride explain the premium.

The price is most compelling if you are a pair who enjoy the journey as much as the destination. If you mainly want to reach a single viewpoint, a conventional transfer may cost less. If you want to cover several sights in a half-day, hear local context and travel in a way that feels different from a standard tour vehicle, the trike offers more than transport.

The available information does not spell out every possible fee at each stop. Wine tasting is mentioned as part of the outing, but the specific venue and tasting arrangements are not detailed. Ask the operator what is included in your planned route if tasting costs or exact stops matter to you.

Who should book this trike tour?

I would put this near the top of the list for couples, friends travelling as a pair, cruise passengers with a few hours ashore and anyone who wants an active-feeling outing without driving. It also suits people who have already seen Funchal and want mountain views, scenic roads and a guide to help make sense of the island.

It is less suited to someone who wants a long, unhurried day at each attraction or who dislikes open-air travel on winding roads. The route is flexible, but the tour is still only about three hours. If weather is poor, the mountain portion may also be less rewarding.

The strongest reasons to book are the private format, the guide’s ability to tailor the route and the combination of forest, viewpoints and mountain roads. Go in with a short wish list, wear a layer, and agree with your guide how you want to use the time.

FAQ

How long is the Adventure Trikes tour?

The tour lasts about three hours. The exact time at each stop can vary according to your group’s preferences.

What is the price, and how many people can join?

The listed price is $168.62 per group, for up to two people.

What sights are included?

The route includes Pico do Arieiro and a viewpoint over Nun’s Valley. The described outing also features forest roads, several viewpoints, a fishing village, wine tasting and a glass sky walk. Stops can vary with the route.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are offered. Cruise passengers have also arranged pickup near the port, but you should confirm your own pickup details.

Are helmets and jackets provided?

Yes. Helmets and jackets are offered for the tour.

Is the tour private?

Yes. It is a private activity, and only your group participates.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes the tour to be canceled, you will be offered another date or a full refund. For a full refund after a customer cancellation, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.