Private Monte and Taboggan ride Tour

Monte means views, speed, and a very steep hill. This private tour pairs hotel pickup with a guide who keeps the day moving, plus a classic stop at Paroquia de Nossa Senhora do Monte. I love the private attention, and you get help managing the taboggan logistics, but the sled ride ticket is paid separately and lines can affect your timing.

You are looking at about 1 hour 30 minutes total, designed for a smooth half-tour morning. In plain terms, it is ideal if you want local context without figuring out buses or taxis on a schedule. Just know you are also buying the taboggan ticket onsite for about $40 per booking, so budget a bit extra.

Key highlights worth knowing before you go

• Private guide just for your group (up to 3 people), with live commentary during the ride
• Free time at Paroquia de Nossa Senhora do Monte with gardens and big city views
• Hotel pickup in Funchal City area (and cruise port pickup available with a fee)
• Taboggan tickets are not included and must be purchased separately onsite
• Weather-proof plan (operates in all weather), so dress for mist and wind

Monte, a private guide, and why this works in 90 minutes

Monte is one of those places where the views do half the work for you, and the other half is getting the logistics right. This tour is built for that. You start with a stop at the 19th century Church of Our Lady of Monte, then you move on to the taboggan area without the stress of figuring out where to go next.

The big win is that your guide is not juggling other groups. That matters because the taboggan portion can be timing-sensitive. In one real example, Gonzalo stayed with the group in line so you could still see the church up top before heading down for the ride. If you hate standing around without a plan, you’ll appreciate how tightly your guide helps stitch the moments together.

Also, the transportation is private, so you are not bargaining with public schedules. You get live commentary while you ride, which is more useful than you might think, especially if Monte is your first stop on your Madeira trip.

Price and value, including the $40 taboggan ticket extra

The tour price is listed as $120.02 per group for up to 3 people. For a private outing, that is fairly straightforward value because you are paying for guide time plus all private transport.

Here is the key cost reality: the taboggan admission is not included. The taboggan ticket is paid separately, listed at about $40 per booking. So your true cost is closer to $160 for a group of up to 3, plus anything you choose to add at the taboggan area.

Why that is still good value: the private part covers the heavy lifting, getting you from your hotel to Monte, explaining what you are seeing, and helping you get through the onsite steps. Even one small detail, like having someone walk you to the ticket office or make sure you return to the right meeting spot, can save time and frustration when the lines are long.

How pickup works in Funchal, and what to do with cruise ships

This is set up for hotel pickup in the Funchal City area at no extra cost, if you choose that option. If you are staying outside that zone, you will need to rely on the details you get at booking time, since the free pickup is specifically for the Funchal City area.

If you are on a cruise, there is an optional harbor pickup. The important part is that it includes pick-up fees, listed as 5€ per vehicle charged by the port authority. That means the cruise option is not just the same as hotel pickup with a different start point, it has a small extra fee baked in.

One practical tip: when you book, double-check the pickup area name and the exact time window you are given. Private tours can be perfect on timing, but they require accurate pickup details to avoid a last-minute scramble.

The Paroquia de Nossa Senhora do Monte stop: views, gardens, and a quick breather

Your first stop is Paroquia de Nossa Senhora do Monte, the Church of Our Lady of Monte. It is a 19th century church with gardens around it, plus views over Funchal. Admission for the church is free, and the time budget is about 30 minutes.

What you should plan for here is not a long museum visit. Think of it as a pause with payoff. You get to orient yourself to Funchal from above, and you can take photos without turning the day into an endurance event.

In one account involving Gonzalo, the guide timed the group so they arrived with enough time to see the church area before getting pulled into the taboggan logistics below. That is the sort of pacing you want. If you treat this stop like a quick look and move on, it becomes a blur. If you give it the full 30 minutes, you usually get the best photo angles and an easier start to the ride day.

Taboggan ride reality: tickets onsite, lines, and meeting your guide

The taboggan portion is the headline, but it comes with two truths.

First, you buy tickets separately. The toboggan company does not allow pre-booking or pre-sales through this tour, so you should plan on purchasing onsite at the ticket counter. Your guide can help you get to the right place, but they cannot replace that onsite ticket step.

Second, lines can vary a lot. One person hit a 75 minute wait and wished they had booked a cable car combo with the sled. Another mentioned a wait that looked like 90 minutes at their time. On the other hand, there are also accounts where the wait was short and the ride felt easy to fit in.

What this means for you: if you want the smoothest experience, consider your arrival time and how much patience you have for queues. If you hate waiting, check cable car combo options when you buy the taboggan ticket, since that was specifically suggested by someone who had a long wait.

What the guide actually does during the taboggan portion

This is one of those tours where your guide is not just steering the vehicle. Multiple named guides were described as doing the exact help that makes a difference:

• Maggie was described as competent and effective from pickup through the end of the ride.
• Margarida walked the group to the ticket office and made sure everyone knew where to go, then met them after the ride.
• Joao helped with tickets, stood in line so you could look around for photos, and met the group at the bottom of the hill, then added suggestions for food and a bit of souvenir time.

You can treat that as a template. When you arrive at the taboggan area, expect your guide to point you in the right direction, help with ticket logistics, and keep you from losing time or wandering off the route.

The ride timing, how to dress, and what weather will do to your day

This experience runs in all weather conditions, so you do not get a simple sunny-day guarantee. Dress appropriately for rain, mist, and wind. Even when it is dry, the Monte hillside can feel cooler once you move away from Funchal proper.

Also, remember that the taboggan process can involve waiting outdoors. If you get caught in a line, the difference between having a light jacket and not having one is huge. Bring layers you can shed later.

One more timing note: if you are arriving hungry, plan for the wait. You might not want a big meal right before, but you do want water and something small. Several guides were described as suggesting food stops on the way back, and that can turn the ride day into a proper morning instead of a scramble.

Your guide is the difference: named examples and what to look for

The best part of this tour is not the vehicle or the route. It is the guide doing the small coordination moves that keep things fun.

Here is what stood out in the information you were given:

• Gonzalo is described as knowledgeable about the island and as actively timing the day so people could still see the church at the top, then handling line time to reduce stress.
• Maggie is described as energetic, in the good sense, and very competent at keeping things on track.
• Margarida was described as organized, walking you through the ticket steps and then meeting you at the end.
• Joao was described as tailoring the outing to the personalities of the group, plus adding extra moments like souvenir shopping and a bakery stop after the ride.

How do you use this as a decision tool? When you book, treat the guide as part of the value. If your group wants flexibility, photo stops, or help with the ticket process, this kind of guide-led coordination is exactly what you are paying for.

Getting the most out of your 90 minutes in Monte

With only about 1 hour 30 minutes total, you are not meant to do a long checklist tour. You are meant to do the best-hit version of Monte.

Here is how to make the time work for you:

• Give the church stop the full 30 minutes, since it also helps you frame the views before the ride.
• Bring something to do while waiting for the sled, because line lengths can change quickly.
• Be ready to buy the taboggan ticket onsite, even if you planned around a smoother booking experience.

If you are the type who always wants a little extra time for photos, this tour gives you a pathway. Some guide accounts specifically mention standing in line so people could look around the property for pictures, which is a smart workaround.

Is this tour for you? Best fit and possible mismatches

This private Monte and taboggan ride is a great fit if you:

• Want private transportation so you are not coordinating buses and taxis.
• Like local explanations during the drive, not just a quick drop-off.
• Care about having someone handle the taboggan ticket steps and the return meeting point.

It may be a mismatch if you:

• Hate waiting in queues. Since line time can be 75 to 90 minutes at peak moments, your tolerance matters.
• Want the taboggan included in the upfront price. The $40 ticket is paid separately.

For families, note that children must be accompanied by an adult and the minimum age is 3 years. If you are traveling with small kids, make sure you have a plan for waiting time so everyone stays calm.

Should you book this Private Monte and Taboggan ride?

Yes, I would book it if your priority is a smooth, guided day with private pickup and someone managing the steps around the taboggan. The value is strong for groups up to 3, and the guide support described here is the kind that prevents the most common trip-up points, finding the right ticket counter and getting everyone back together.

I would think twice if your schedule is tight and you are very line-averse. In that case, read the situation on timing and consider adding a cable car combo when you buy the taboggan ticket, since that was recommended after a long wait.

If you can handle a bit of outdoor waiting, and you want a classic Monte experience with less hassle than doing it solo, this is a very sensible choice in Funchal.

FAQ

What is included in the Private Monte and Taboggan ride tour price?

The tour includes a local guide, driver/guide, live commentary on board, private tour transportation, and hotel pickup and drop-off if you select the pickup option. The taboggan admission fee is not included.

How much is the taboggan admission fee?

The taboggan admission fee is listed as $40.00 per booking, paid separately onsite.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is offered for free in hotels or accommodations in the Funchal City area, if that pickup option is selected.

Do cruise ship passengers have pickup?

Yes, there is a harbor pick-up option for cruise guests. It covers pick-up fees imposed by the port authority, listed as 5€ per vehicle.

Is this tour private for my group?

Yes. This is a private tour/activity, and only your group participates.

Are there any limits on who can join?

Children must be accompanied by an adult, and the minimum age is 3 years. There is also a legal restriction that the maximum combined passenger weight should not exceed 210kg.