We’re going to the Island of Madeira (Portugal)...

Are you in?

Around the New Moon...

From July 21st to July 27th 2025, Laura Oppelt and Jabi Sanz (PhotoPills Masters) will be travelling across the remote Island of Madeira to photograph the Milky Way and the golden light along with the soul of this hidden Atlantic pearl...

The island above the Clouds!

Of course, we’ll be taking photos all day long!

But...

Can you imagine it?

To photograph the Milky Way, the Sun and the golden light along with dramatic sea cliffs, secluded lighthouses, picturesque A-framed houses, stunning rock formations, tall waterfalls, majestic volcanic peaks, the ancient laurel trees and the always fascinating sea of clouds...

We’re dreaming about it!

To achieve it, we’ll use the planning power of PhotoPills and the expert knowledge of Laura Oppelt and Jabi Sanz to always be at the right place at the right time.

Top secret: we have quite a few legendary photos planned already ;)

The Deal (Only 7 Spots Left)

We're offering you a €500 discount on the regular price!

All you have to do is to book 1 of the 7 spots available before Sunday January 26h.

Read carefully all the details of this unique adventure.

And when you’re ready, click here to book your spot.

Please, book as soon as possible. The seats are sold on a first come, first served basis.

The Adventure

12 PhotoPillers | 2 PhotoPills Masters | Madeira | Endless legendary photos

Warning! This is not a honeymoon...

We’re recruiting 12 brave PhotoPillers (PhotoPills and photography nerds) to join us on a 7-day expedition to photograph the Milky Way, the Sun and the golden light along with some of the most precious treasures hidden in the beautiful island of Madeira.

This is a non-stop adventure to chase legendary photos and you are a key asset!

We have planned tons of photos, and we’ll travel many kilometers (and we will hike a few more) to capture them...

But we also want to maximize our flexibility in terms of itinerary and schedule in order to take advantage of all the opportunities that the changing weather will surely put in our way.

If we're fortunate enough to be out photographing the Milky Way at night and it takes us into the late hours, we'll take a little extra sleep the next morning, skip Sunrise and kick start our day a bit later.

On the other hand, if the conditions make us skip the nighttime photography session, we'll rise and shine early to catch the Sunrise.

Whichever path we take, you can count on us to seize every photo opportunity and be right where the magic happens!

You are about to embark on a PhotoPills’ style journey. And it’s not going to be a honeymoon precisely... :P

You’ll be a true PhotoPiller!

Are you in?

Day 1. Monday, July 21st - Welcome to Madeira

12:30 pm

It’s Monday afternoon...

And you land at “Aeroporto da Madeira Internacional - Cristiano Ronaldo”...

Welcome to the Atlantic sea!

1:30 pm

After collecting your luggage, take the exit door to the main hall to meet Laura Oppelt, Jabi Sanz... And a few more PhotoPillers for sure :)

When ready, we’ll jump onto our private transport towards our basecamp for the first two days, the Hotel Aqua Natura Madeira, located just above the famous natural pools in the picturesque and welcoming village of Porto Moniz on the north coast of Madeira.

Here we’ll enjoy a superb view of the Atlantic Ocean.

Bring your swimsuit!

3:00 pm

Check-in at Hotel Aqua Natura Madeira.

5:00 pm

Expedition briefing.

Laura Oppelt and Jabi Sanz will go over the itinerary for the adventure, explaining the logistics, the locations and some of the photo opportunities we’ve specially planned for you.

They’ll also cover the recommended gear, the shooting techniques and some important safety instructions.

5:30 pm

PhotoPills class!

Get ready to learn lots of tips that will help you master PhotoPills once and for all :)

6:00 pm

Dinner at the Hotel Aqua Natura Madeira.

7:30 pm

It’s time to get your camera ready for the enchanted forest...

The Fanal Forest in Madeira is actually part of a larger forest called Laurisilva, which has earned its spot as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s crazy to think that this forest has been around for about 20 million years!

This type of forest goes all the way back to the Tertiary period. While the trees in Fanal have different ages, some of the oldest ones, especially the laurel trees, are thought to be between 500 and 800 years old.

The way the trees twist and turn gives them these incredible, almost sculptural shapes and textures.

One thing Fanal is really known for is the mist. It rolls in often and wraps around the trees, making the whole place feel like it’s straight out of a dream. That fog is like nature’s softbox, giving the light this beautiful, even glow that makes your photos look magical without even trying.

As the Sun sets and we’re standing there in the middle of it all, photographing those ancient laurel trees, it’s going to feel like you’ve stepped into a fantasy world – like something straight out of a Tolkien story.

Golden hour begins at 8:39 pm, Sunset is at 9:14 pm, golden hour ends at 9:31 pm, and blue hour ends at 9:42 pm.

Note: It’s the end of July and I bet many tourists will be wandering around in the forest. But most likely they will be out of the forest for our Milky Way shots.

And before the Sun goes down, we’ll do our homework and plan our Milky Way shots for the night.

Open PhotoPills and check the position of the Milky Way. It’s time to plan our astro shots for the night.

10:45 pm

If the sky’s clear, we’ll hang out and wait for the stars. But if not, we’ll just head back to the hotel and get up early to catch the sunrise.

The Galactic Center becomes visible at 10:51 pm, and the Moon (at 14%) won’t rise until 4:22 am. So we’ve got a nice window to shoot the mystical trees without the Moon interfering.

Get your wide-angle lenses ready – it’s Milky Way time!

Once the Moon does rise, we can use its light to bring out more detail in the trees and the foreground.

Oh, and a tip: grab some shots of the foreground during the blue hour. It'll make it easier to blend with the Milky Way later when you're post-processing.

3:00 am

We finally get to our hotel, where our comfortable beds await.

Rest well my friends... Sweet dreams!

Photographic pills:

• Sunset, golden hour and blue hour at the Fanal Forest.
• Milky Way at the Fanal Forest (If the sky is clear).

Day 2. Tuesday, July 22nd - Sea Stacks and the Enchanted Forest

6:00 am

If the clouds got in the way of shooting the Milky Way last night, we’ll just make an early start.

We’ll kick things off at Ribeira da Janela for Sunrise.

This spot is a photographer's dream: black pebbles, a little stream flowing into the ocean, a cave, and even some wildflowers scattered around.

The real highlight, though, is catching the Sun coming up behind two amazing sea stacks (Ilheus da Rib and Ilheus da Janela), which is perfect for playing around with that sunburst effect.

Plus, we’ll have plenty of room to try out different angles along the beach.

Blue hour begins at 6:48 am, golden hour begins at 6:58 am, Sunrise is at 7:15 am and golden hour ends at 7:51 am.

8:00 am

After a fulfilling Sunrise shoot, we head back to the hotel for breakfast and a short break.

1:00 pm

A well-deserved lunch awaits us before our afternoon adventure.

3:00 pm

Post-processing class with Laura and Jabi.

6:15 pm

Dinner at the Hotel Aqua Natura Madeira.

8:00 pm

As the day winds down, we’re heading back to the amazing Fanal Forest. Those old, twisted laurel trees are just waiting for us to snap some shots as the evening light hits.

Golden hour and blue hour are when we really get to work – it's all about capturing the trees with that soft, dreamy light, making everything look a bit more magical in our photos.

Golden hour begins at 8:38 pm, Sunset is at 9:14 pm, golden hour ends at 9:31 pm, and blue hour ends at 9:41 pm.

10:00 pm

When the Sun goes down, it's time to aim our cameras at the night sky.

Right now, the Moon’s only about 7% full and isn’t even above the horizon yet.

We’ve got the Milky Way to work with, sweeping over this amazing forest view.

We’ll try out different angles and compositions all night, soaking in the peaceful vibes of Fanal under the stars.

The Galactic Center becomes visible at 10:50 pm, the Moon rises at 5:28 am, and then the Galactic Center dips back out of sight at 4:31 am.

4:00 am

Again, if the sky is clear, we’ll go to bed very late. And wake up the following morning for breakfast.

So sleep well my friends, tomorrow we'll go over the clouds.

Photographic Pills:

• Sunrise, golden hour and blue hour with dramatic sea stacks at Ribeira da Janela (if no Milky Way shooting the night before).
• Sunset, golden and blue hour shots of the ancient trees in Fanal Forest.
• Milky Way photography in the mystical Fanal Forest (if the sky is clear).

Day 3. Wednesday, July 23rd - The Sea of Clouds

5:40 am

We're heading to São Cristóvão Beach.

It’s such a hidden gem, with amazing cliffs and mountains that look like something out of a postcard.

The plan? We want to catch those cliffs as they light up with the Sunrise, and if you time it right, you can even get the Sun in your shot.

Don't forget your widest lens for this one!

Hiking distance: 300 m (984 ft) and -50 m (164 ft) elevation gain one way.

Blue hour begins at 6:48 am, golden hour begins at 6:59 am, Sunrise is at 7:15 am and golden hour ends at 7:51 am.

8:00 am

After shooting, we return to the hotel for breakfast.

12:00 pm

After checking out, we head over to Miradouro do Véu da Noiva.

It’s such a beautiful spot, with the Véu da Noiva waterfall dropping 86 meters (or 282 feet!) straight into the ocean. The view is even more dramatic with the rugged coastline in the background – it’s a sight you don’t want to miss!

12:30 pm

Lunch time! We stop at a local restaurant for a hearty meal.

2:45 pm

Check in at our hotel in the south-east part of the island, The Views Oasis, which enjoys a privileged location in front of the sea.

This will be our basecamp for the rest of the adventure.

6:00 pm

Here’s the plan for tonight – dinner out in the field!

After we recharge with a good nap, we’ll head over to Pico do Areeiro. Trust me, the views are insane! You get this epic panorama of Madeira’s peaks and valleys.

The wildflowers and trails there? Perfect for snapping some cool photos.

And, if we’re lucky, we might even catch the sea of clouds! Imagine shooting above the clouds. How cool is that?

At Pico do Areeiro, those peaks and valleys are going to look unreal.

Keep an eye out for wildflowers – they can really add something extra to your shots. Plus, the hiking paths make great leading lines for your photos, guiding the eye right through the scene.

Golden hour begins at 8:37 pm, Sunset is at 9:12 pm, golden hour ends at 9:29 pm, and blue hour ends at 9:40 pm.

9:50 pm

We wrap up and drive back to our hotel, ready for a good night's sleep.

Tomorrow another spectacular Sunrise awaits!

Photographic Pills:

• Sunrise, golden hour and blue hour with dramatic sea stacks at São Cristóvão Beach (if no Milky Way shooting the night before).
• Midday capturing the Véu da Noiva waterfall and exploring optional hiking paths.
• Evening photography at Pico do Areeiro with panoramic views and cloud inversions.
• Sunset, golden hour and blue hour shots capturing the mountainous landscape.

Day 4. Thursday, July 24th - The Cliffs

5:30 am

We get an early start and head to Ponta de São Lourenço, which is at the far east of Madeira. The cliffs there are seriously impressive, and the rock formations are unlike anything else.

When we arrive, we have to split up since the space at Miradouro de Abismo is a bit tight.

Group A goes off to Miradouro de Abismo, and Group B checks out Miradouro do Caniçal and Ponta do Rosto.

That way, everyone gets a chance to take in those epic views and catch the Sunrise over the rugged landscape.

Hiking distance: 1km (3,280 ft), ascend +89 m (291 ft) and descent -17m (55 ft) one way

Blue hour begins at 6:47 am, golden hour begins at 6:58 am, Sunrise is at 7:15 am and golden hour ends at 7:50 am.

8:10 am

After reuniting both groups, we return to the hotel for breakfast.

12:30 pm

Lunch time to refuel for the afternoon.

2:30 pm

Second post-processing class of the expedition!

Laura Oppelt and Jabi Sanz will share with you their editing workflows to help you bring your photos to the next level!

4:10 pm

Next up is Parque Florestal das Queimadas. It’s got these amazing trails that meander through a super lush, green forest – the kind of place that feels like you’re stepping into a nature lover’s dream.

And right in the middle of all that beauty, there’s a cluster of traditional houses that totally give off fairytale vibes. It’s like something out of a storybook!

6:00 pm

One of the coolest spots in Portugal, and actually the third highest, is right on the island of Madeira.

It’s this iconic place with views that are seriously one of a kind. We’re talking about Pico Ruivo, which sits at a solid 1,862 meters (or 6,108 feet). That's where we're headed next!

The hike up there? Totally worth it. You’ll get these insane views of Madeira’s landscapes, and the rugged beauty of the island will blow your mind.

Hiking distance 2.1 km (1.3 mi) and +400 m (1,312 ft) elevation gain one way.

7:30 pm

When we get to Pico Ruivo, we’ll use PhotoPills to plan out the perfect Milky Way shot. Picture this: dead trees, those rugged mountain peaks, and a sky full of stars as our backdrop.

But before all that, let’s snap some shots of the landscape and the Sunset – it’s too beautiful to miss.

And hey, if we’re really lucky, we might get another chance to capture that epic sea of clouds.

It’s all about planning and a little bit of luck!

Plan & Pray!

Golden hour begins at 8:36 pm, Sunset is at 9:11 pm, golden hour ends at 9:28 pm, and blue hour ends at 9:39 pm.

10:45 pm

If we're lucky and the skies stay clear...

Once night comes, we'll have dinner out in the field while we wait for the Milky Way to show up.

When it's time for the shoot, we'll head to the spot we picked to capture the Milky Way’s core along with those eerie dead trees.

Oh, and the Moon will only be at 1%, so it'll be below the horizon – perfect for the photos!

Galactic Center visibility begins at 10:47 pm, Moonrise (1%) is at 7:46 and Galactic Center visibility ends at 4:22 am.

2:30 am

After our astrophotography session, we pack and hike back to our bus.

4:10 am

Finally, we return to our hotel for a well-deserved rest.

What a day!

Photographic Pills:

• Sunrise, golden hour and blue hour at Ponta de São Lourenço with dramatic sea cliffs.
• Afternoon at Parque Florestal das Queimadas.
• Sunset, golden hour and blue hour photography at Pico Ruivo.
• Milky Way and star trails above the stunning landscape of Pico Ruivo (if the sky is clear).

Day 5. Friday, July 25th - The Three “Miradouro”

6:00 am

Today's another early one – heading out to Miradouro do Guindaste for Sunrise.

When we get there, pull out your phone and use the augmented reality feature on PhotoPills (Sun Pill) to see exactly where the sun will come up. It’s going to rise from the side, lighting up Madeira’s dramatic coastline with this amazing golden glow.

It’s going to look incredible!

You can even have Laura or Jabi stand off in the distance for a cool shot that gives some scale to the whole scene.

Blue hour begins at 6:49 am, golden hour begins at 6:59 am, Sunrise is at 7:16 am and golden hour ends at 7:51 am.

8:30 am

Breakfast at our hotel, The Views Oasis, and down time.

1:00 pm

Lunch time to gather energy for the afternoon's shoot.

3:00 pm

Time for an image or portfolio review with Laura and Jabi. They’ll give you helpful and friendly feedback on your shot so you can go a step further in your art and creativity.

5:00 pm

We drive to Miradouro Eira do Serrado...

Hiking distance: 400 m (1,312 ft) distance and +40 m (131 ft) elevation gain one way.

You’re going to love this spot – it gives you an amazing view of the whole valley and the village of Curral das Freiras down below.

We’ll be up on this high platform, and from there, we can really take in how the light and shadows dance across the valley.

Plus, with the little buildings scattered around, it makes the mountains look even more massive. It’s the perfect way to capture just how grand everything feels.

7:50 pm

Our final destination of the day is Pico Areeiro (1818 m, 5964 ft), known for its panoramic views.

From here we’ll hike 25 minutes to Miradouro Ninho da Manta, from where we'll capture the breathtaking view of the stunning peaks of Madeira.

Hiking distance: 750 m (2,460 ft) and +197 m (645 ft) elevation gain one way.

The scene will offer a remarkable contrast between light and shadows, especially as sunrays pierce through behind the main subject, adding depth and drama to our compositions.

Golden hour begins at 8:35 pm, Sunset is at 9:11 pm, golden hour ends at 9:27 pm, and blue hour ends at 9:38 pm.

10:00 pm

Here is where our day ends... Let’s go back to our hotel for a well deserved rest!

Photographic Pills:

• Sunrise, golden hour and blue hour at Miradouro do Guindaste.
• Midday photography at Miradouro Eira do Serrado capturing the valley's magnificence.
• Sunset, golden hour and blue hour at Pico Areeiro, capturing the breathtaking views and dramatic light play on the peaks.

Day 6. Saturday, July 26th - The Secret

I’ve been giving you lots of details of this amazing expedition to the island of Madeira.

Maybe far too many...

But on July 26th we’ll do something really cool... :)

What will that be?

Well, you'll have to be there, with us, to figure it out :P

Day 7. Sunday, July 27th - The Farewell

5:50 am

Our final morning starts early as we head to our final Sunrise spot.

Miradouro Cortado is this great spot that looks out to the east, giving you an amazing view of the coastline stretching out to Ponta de São Lourenço. You can even see some of the nearby villages from there. It's especially beautiful during blue hour when the village lights mix in with the increasing daylight.

As always, we’ll be at the right place, at the right time...

Ready to press the shutter!

Blue hour begins at 6:50 am, golden hour begins at 7:00 am, Sunrise is at 7:17 am and golden hour ends at 7:52 am.

8:30 am

We return to the hotel for our final breakfast together, marking the end of our photographic journey.

09:30 am

As we wrap up and put our cameras away, we can't help but think about all the amazing moments we've had and the stunning shots we've taken.

The beauty of Madeira – the dramatic coastline, the landscapes, and the connections we've made here – will stick with us long after we're gone.

Goodbye for now, Madeira. Hope to see you again soon!

Book Now and Save €500 (Only 7 Spots Left)

To book your spot to join the expedition to Madeira at a reduced price of €4,900 (the official price is €5,400), a €1,000 deposit is required by Sunday January 26th.

Payment in full is required by March, 9th 2025.

Please, finalise your booking as soon as possible. The seats are sold on a first come, first served basis.

BOOK NOW

What’s included in the price

• The PhotoPills Welcome Pack.
• A 7-day expedition photographing the island of Madeira with the Milky Way, the Sun and the golden light along with the soul of this hidden Atlantic pearl.
• 7 days of learning, fun and adventure with Laura Oppelt, Jabi Sanz and the funniest geek community – the PhotoPillers.
• Full immersion in the PhotoPills method (Imagine.Plan.Shoot.!).
• The activities on the Secret Day.
• 6 nights of lodging, sharing a double room with another PhotoPiller (optional €750 single room supplement upon availability).
• 2 nights at 4* Hotel Aqua Natura.
• 4 nights at 4* The Views Oásis.
• Beakfast.
• Ground transportation during the expedition.
• Hiking passes.

What’s not included

• Flights to/from Madeira.
• Tourist visa (if necessary).
• International medical and travel insurance coverage (strongly recommended).
• Lunch & dinner.
• Snacks, alcohol and beverages.
• Anything not mentioned in the “included” list.

Do you want an example of how huge this will be?

This is a glimpse to what happened in the PhotoPills Expedition to Iceland. We had so many adventures and so much fun... We can’t wait for Madeira!

But you don’t have to take our word for granted. Here’s what some PhotoPillers say about the PhotoPills adventures:

“I went to Iceland expecting to have the opportunity to photograph the marvelous landscape and master nightscapes. What I encountered was so much more – 14 kindred souls from across the globe who share a passion for photography. Together we expanded our creative boundaries, learned from one another and had an insane amount of fun in the process. I am confident that everyone came away from the experience a better photographer.”

“From the very moment the guys from PhotoPills announced the expedition to Iceland... I didn’t think it twice! I was using PhotoPills but not at its full capacity, so I had no better chance to learn from the creators of this amazing app. The experience was even more amazing than anything I could have imagined. In Iceland, I discovered a bunch of folks as crazy about photography as I am. I had a blast!

Photography is a continuous learning process, you always find something new that motivates you to improve. And this adventure made me improve more than I could imagine.”

"The PhotoPills guys know how to create a fantastic experience. They bring an infectiously fun energy and are always willing to drop some handy photography knowledge on you that you will take with you. You take their trip and you'll for sure have a good time, get some amazing pics and leave a better photographer."

“During my experience in Iceland I lived wonderful moments and had surprises that were beyond the expected. It completely exceeded my initial expectations! Sharing knowledge, experiences and ways of working and living photography with such a great group has been one of the most enriching life experiences I have ever had.

Who he said that learning and knowledge sharing can not be wonderfully fun?”

“I can't say enough about what a fantastic time I had during the PhotoPills Iceland photo tour! The guys from PhotoPills and Donal Boyd were so knowledgeable, accommodating, and especially lots of fun. Never a dull moment – nonstop action and shooting of amazing landscapes for 10 days. I came away with enough images and memories to last a lifetime!”

FAQs

What’s the temperature in Madeira in July?

In Madeira, July is part of the summer season, characterised by pleasant and warm weather.

Typically, during this period, you can expect:

• Daytime temperatures can reach up to 25ºC (77ºF) or slightly higher.
• Nighttime temperatures average around 19ºC (66ºF).

These temperatures make for a comfortable climate, ideal for exploring and photographing the diverse landscapes of Madeira.

However, it's always good to be prepared for occasional variations in weather, especially in coastal and mountainous areas where conditions can change quickly.

What do you recommend I bring along for the expedition?

Your sense of adventure and fun, your camera and of course your sense of humour.

Besides that? Once you book your spot, we’ll send you further details and suggestions about what to bring (gear, clothing, etc.).

Is travel insurance included in the price of the expedition?

No. Participants are suggested to purchase national or international medical and travel insurance coverage.

Also, we recommend you to choose a travel insurance that:

• Covers trip cancellation costs.
• Covers Covid-19 health, travel and cancellation costs.

What is the cancellation policy?

We hope you don’t need to cancel your spot, but if a situation arises where you don’t have a choice, our cancellation policy is the following.

If you decide not to go on the Expedition, you might have to pay a fee. This fee would be the cost of the Expedition, but we’ll take off any money we save or make if we’re able to fill your spot with someone else.

However, if there are unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances at the destination or nearby that significantly affect the execution of the Expedition or the transportation of passengers to the destination, no penalty will be applied, and we will refund all payments you have made toward the Expedition.

Refunds will be paid by the same method that the original payment was made.

Credits: Images by Marco Grassi, Felix Inden, Laura Oppelt, Felix Inden, Albert Dros and iStockphoto.