Sunrise Guided Hike PR1 Pico do Areeiro Pico Ruivo small group

Recommended by 100% of travelers

Funchal, Portugal

Popular pick

Booked 5+ times last week!

6 to 8 hours (approx.)
Pickup offered
Group discounts
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

5.0

· Tim_M ·

Jun 2025

It was an early start but worth it … the tour was well planned we saw a stunning sunrise through the clouds. Our guide David was super friendly and knowledgeable and paced everything really well. Thanks for a great tour ….

· Tami_M ·

May 2025

David was an exceptional tour guide. Encouraging and attentive to needs of the individuals in our group as hike was challenging in certain areas yet kept us going so we were able to see the sunrise from a beautiful vantage point. He was also well informed of history and culture of the island.

Explore our promoted experiences

Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour in Madeira

Funchal, Madeira

4.9

(1,215)

Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour in Madeira

from $88

Funchal, Madeira

Vereda do Larano: Machico to Porto da Cruz via Boca do Risco

from $57

Shore Excursion - East Madeira Peaks & Santana

Funchal, Madeira

4.1

(9)

Shore Excursion - East Madeira Peaks & Santana

from $82

Viator earns higher commissions on experiences featured here

Overview

See the extraordinary views from the summit of Pico Ruivo on this small-group sunrise hike. The PR1 hike from Pico do Arieiro takes you to the highest peak in Madeira, offering panoramic scenes of the island below. Set off long before the crowds arrive and climb the mountainous region to reach the top, often above the clouds, as the sun rises.

Start your day with hotel pickup from Caniço and Funchal
Hike with confidence alongside a professional mountain guide
Take advantage of an extraordinary photo opportunity
Enjoy a small-group experience with just eight travelers

What's Included

Hotel pickup and drop-off from Caniço and Funchal - pickup for free close to the port
Walking poles available at pre-request
Professional certified mountain guide
Local guide
Air-conditioned vehicle

Food and drinks
Pickup outside Funchal, Caniço, Câmara de Lobos
Government Fees

Since January 1, 2025, Madeira Governement requires hikers to pay a €3 tax. Our prices are the same from the last 4 years, -this payment doesnt go trough us, can be paid on spot, or previously online.

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

Pickup time can vary trougth out the year, as the sun rises at diferent hours, at diferent times of the year! Please be aware: Time shown on ticket is just a website generic time - after confirmation we will contact with exact hour of Pickup and meeting point. Please MAKE SURE you get from us a message with exact details, if not please contact us ASAP to be sure of the details! Please fill up you Hotel name or airbnb adress. Pickup inside the port or other areas is also available at extra request if you come from outside funchal we provide free parking for your car on the day. please enquire before booking for availiability

Operating hours
.6:00 am

Itinerary

Pico do Arieiro

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Pico Ruivo

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Santana

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Not wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
bring confortable clothes and shoes be prepared for sun and cold in the mountain and pack a picnic/water

Operates in all weather conditions since there is safety assured, please dress appropriately
Minimum age is 10 years
It is recommended to bring water and food for your picnic
A maximum of 8 people per booking
Pickup time can vary trougth out the year, as the sun rises at diferent hours, at diferent times of the year! Please be aware: Time shown on ticket is just a website generic time - after confirmation we will contact with exact hour of Pickup and meeting point. Please MAKE SURE you get from us a message with exact details, if not please contact us ASAP to be sure of the details!
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Featured review

Linda_M

David was very flexible and adaptable as the weather was unfavourable (rain/wind/fog) and we were unable to do the hike. He took us to a different place to try to watch the sunrise, went on another walk with great views, and to a local coffee shop and poncha pub. He still showed us a great time even though we were unable to do the PR1 hike. Would definitely book with David again as we will be back to try the hike again! He made the day positive even though it was disappointing to not do the hike.

Reviews

5.0

based on 134 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Great experience with an amazing guide

Megan_E, Nov 2025

David was amazing and the tour itself was exactly what we wanted. We didn't get to see the sunrise due to weather conditions however David drove us to another spot below the clouds to watch it and then drove us back to the trail. Overall would recommend the experience to anyone thinking of booking

Amazing experience

Kiomara_H, Oct 2025

It was an amazing experience. The views are breathtaking. It is very safe if you stay on the path and follow the guide instructions.

David was very flexible...

Linda_M, Sep 2025

10/10 you have to do this hike!

Orla_P, Sep 2025

David was a gentleman, very knowledgeable, a great and safe driver, accommodating of everyone’s needs and abilities. We captured a phenomenal sunrise and Pico do Aeiro and managed to beat 90% of the crowds for a very enjoyable experience. We couldn’t complete the PR1 trail as it’s partially closed due to wildfires, however we did not lose out. After descending, David took us to a beautiful village for a nice coffee before driving us to complete the remainder of the trail to climb Pico Ruivo -PR1.2 Incredible views and experience. Everywhere we looked was a “wow”. The trail was moderate. Would recommend good footwear - boots ideally or good hiking shoes. The pathway is excellent but it’s very undulating and when you’re tired it could be easy to roll an ankle. We stopped at the cafe on top of Pico Ruivo for a quick refreshment and toilet break before climbing the last 500m to take it 360 views of Madeira, above the clouds. Finally, after descending, David took us to Santana to see the traditional A-framed local houses from times gone by, before returning us safely to our accommodation. 10/10. Highly recommend. David was punctual, knowledgeable, kind, and a fantastic experienced local guide.

Amazing experience, the...

Olivia_C, Sep 2025

Amazing experience, the views were unbelievable. A shame that some of the PR1 trail was still closed, but David was fantastic and you still get to do both peaks still!

Early Start bur Worth It !!

Tim_M, Jun 2025

Sunrise tour

Tami_M, May 2025

Had a great day outdoors

Alexandra_D, Sep 2024

We did a different hike (Larano) as PR1 was closed. Still it was a very nice experience, easy hike with amazing views! Our guide and driver were both very friendly

An amazing time! (Clouds or not)

Daniel_S, Aug 2024

Even with clouds for most of our hike, David provided us an AMAZING tour and time! So knowledgeable and passionate about the island and mountains, we learned so much and he knew just where to stop to give us chances to take advantage of the limited views that came our way thanks to cloud cover. There are a ton of choices out there, this is the one!!! Fully adjusts to fit the pace of the group, autonomy when you want it, detailed storytelling when you want it too. Perfect balance from a great guide!

Pico do Ruivo sunrise hike

Alison_F, Aug 2024

David was a great guide, very knowledgeable. He was happy for everyone to find their own pace, quite a challenging hike for us but well worth the effort. Would highly recommend this tour.

An amazing time!

Shirley_S, Jul 2024

Had an amazing time! Pickup was on time and the guide was great! I’m a bit out of shape and it was a difficult climb for me, but the guide was very patient and stayed with me the whole way. So encouraging. I’m very grateful.

Exceptional tour company

Raksha_S, Jun 2024

Unfortunately, I fell sick at the last noment and coudl not do this hike, however, i had the best experience with the tour group. They are very kind and professional. Given we were too late in our communication, we could not cancel the booking. Later, we were offered to join another group on another sunrise hike in the island without any extra charge. It was also very very cool and Nico n David took xare of organising the tour timely so we didn't miss our flight. I highly recommend this tour company their tours for exploring the island.

A must do!

Marjolaine_S, Oct 2023

Big Thank you to David (our Guide) and Nico (our driver). Even if the half end of the excursion was raining so bad, we had a GREAT time! They picked us up on time at our address, we had time for a coffee on our way. They know the area and the weather so well, last second they decided to switch area to see the sunrise at a better spot. We couldn't see the Sun itself because of the clouds but the Purple sky was amazing. Thanks💜

Madeira Sunrise - mountain hike

Trisha_A, Apr 2023

This tour was amazing. Picked up early on time by our guide David who was brilliant from start to finish, he was really friendly and informative about the tour, the surrounding area and the landscape. We paid a little more compared to other sites but having read the reviews this tour sounded better all round and didn't fail to deliver. The hike itself was quite was challenging and certainly not for people with height issues or who are not as physically able, they're are some very steep steps that do test you and myself and my wife did struggle. Having said that David was so patient and helpful telling us to take our time it was nice to see as we had seen other site reviews where this wasn't the case. Seeing the sunrise itself was beyond amazing, being up so high above everything is hard to put into words and was worth the struggle. We would definitely recommend this tour and want to say a massive thank you, especially to David who made a fabulous tour even better.

Once in a lifetime experience

Maria_A, Mar 2022

I am not an athletic person so this climb was really difficult for me but David our guide was so supportive and patient. He was very calm during the whole journey encouraging us to go at our own pace. I am glad that I have booked this tour with UpMountain Madeira. Will highly recommend to my friends!

Response from Host, Apr 2023

my sweet friends, so happy you had a great day with us, we loved meeting you Thank you so much for your words and your support, so happy you had a good time for us it was a pleasure makes us very proud and wants us to keep working everyday to improve even more

Highlight of the trip

Lisa_M, Jul 2025

It was a unique trip and for us the highlight of our trip. Our guide Ronaldo drove us safely and guided us through the hike. It's great to be out in a smaller group. I was a little afraid of heights and it was dealt with superbly. Even though part of PR1 was closed, we were able to do a great tour. The guide has previously rescheduled the route so that the highlights (sunrise, sky staircase and Pico Ruivo) were all made anyway. We had two more stops on our trip that were added because we had to drive from one mountain to the other. Ronaldo also tells very interesting things about the island and makes the day unforgettable. We have received other great tips for our holiday. Thanks again for the beautiful tour!

Auto-translated

Incroyable

Maria_V, Jul 2024

La companhia du guide Très attentionné avec tout le groupe très gentil Très paciente Nous aidait à prendre de fotos e faire de vidéos toujours prêt quand on lui demandait La sortie je n’ai pas de mots pour le décrire C’était dur la caminhada Très contente de avoir vu le lever du soleil Quelles couleurs magnifiques Le guide nous a choisi un place porque on puisse regarder mieux le lever du soleil où il avait moins de monde Le trajet avec des magnifiques montagne, des vues extraordinaires Très bien

Journée magique en famille !

Caroline_F, Jul 2024

Nous sommes une famille de 5 qui avons vécus un moment magique en compagnie de notre guide David lors de cette activité. Il nous a fourni de nombreuses informations et sa conduite était parfaite. Le soleil était au rdv!