SANTANA Combo Expedition (Jeep & Levada Walk) – Shared Tour

Madeira packs a lot into a small island, and this 7.5-hour 4WD and levada tour gives you a broad taste of its mountain scenery, old villages, forest paths, and eastern coast. The day begins high at Pico do Arieiro, then heads to Santana, Porto da Cruz, Referta, and Ponta de São Lourenço.

I like the included hotel pickup and the smart mix of activities: you get a little off-road excitement without giving up a peaceful levada walk. I also like the multilingual guiding, with one guide reported to move between Portuguese, English, and German. The main drawback is time. Several stops are short, and the optional lunch costs an extra €15, so this is a sampler rather than a slow, in-depth tour.

Key points to know before booking

• Pico do Arieiro reaches 1,818 meters, giving you a quick burst of high-mountain views.
• Santana supplies the cultural stop, with old thatched-roof houses and time for lunch.
• The 4WD vehicle reaches rougher outdoor routes that would be less convenient by regular car.
• Referta offers an easy 30-minute levada walk, a good fit if you want gentle walking rather than a full-day hike.
• Porto da Cruz adds a traditional sugar cane rum stop, though drinks and snacks cost extra.
• The €78.10 price includes transport, a driver-guide, and required insurance, but not lunch or alcoholic drinks.

One day, five different sides of Madeira

This tour works because it keeps changing character. You start above the clouds, move into the north coast’s village country, pause for local rum, walk beside a water channel, and finish among the bare volcanic shapes of Ponta de São Lourenço.

That variety is the real value. A private car could cover the same general area, but you would need to plan the route, handle mountain roads, find parking, and arrange a walk that fits the day. Here, the driver handles the transport while you look out the window.

The shared format also keeps the cost down. At $78.10 per person, the tour is not the cheapest way to see one place in Madeira, but it is fair for a full day with pickup and drop-off, a 4WD vehicle, a guide, and insurance. You are paying for access and convenience as much as for sightseeing.

The tradeoff is that the schedule moves quickly. You will not have hours at any one stop. If your ideal Madeira day means sitting in one village café or completing a long levada trail, choose a more focused tour. If you want a first look at several parts of the island, this route makes good sense.

Pico do Arieiro at 1,818 meters

The first stop is Pico do Arieiro, one of Madeira’s great high viewpoints. At 1,818 meters, it gives you a sharp change from Funchal’s lower, warmer setting. On a clear day, the mountains open out in dramatic layers, and the air feels cooler and thinner.

You get about 20 minutes here, with admission included. That is enough to step out, take in the view, and make photographs, but not enough for a serious mountain walk. Think of it as a lookout stop, not a hiking session.

Weather matters more here than at almost any other point on the route. Clouds can soften or block the views, and the tour operates in all weather conditions, so bring clothing that handles wind, mist, or rain. The operator may cancel for poor weather, in which case you can accept another date or receive a full refund.

This opening stop is well chosen. It gives you an immediate sense of Madeira’s steep interior before the vehicle drops toward the villages. Just keep your expectations realistic: 20 minutes is a scenic pause, not time to explore the peak.

Santana and its old thatched homes

Santana is the longest stop, with about 1 hour and 30 minutes. This is where the tour slows down enough for lunch and a look around the village.

Santana is known for Madeira’s traditional triangular houses with steep thatched roofs. Some of these houses have lasted for more than 250 years. Their shape and roofline are among the island’s most recognizable sights, and they offer a useful glimpse of older rural Madeira.

The stop is free to enter, and lunch is optional. The meal costs €15 per person, with fish, meat, or vegetarian choices. Food and drinks are not included in the tour price, so you should plan your budget before the day begins.

I would treat this as a practical lunch break with cultural scenery rather than a major museum visit. You have enough time to eat and look around, but the schedule does not suggest a long, detailed visit to every corner of Santana.

Food quality may be uneven. One direct account found the restaurant meal disappointing, although the staff were friendly. That does not mean your meal will be poor, but it is a reason to ask what is being served before committing to the €15 option. If you prefer to choose your own food, confirm what time you have and make your own arrangement in Santana.

Porto da Cruz and the sugar cane rum tradition

The 20-minute stop at Porto da Cruz adds a local production story to the day. The village is known for traditional sugar cane rum, and the tour visits a rum distillery connected with that craft.

This is a short stop, so you should not expect a long tasting session or a full industrial tour. Snacks and drinks are not included, and alcoholic beverages are specifically excluded from the price.

Still, the stop helps connect Madeira’s scenery with its working traditions. Sugar cane is not just a souvenir theme here. It is part of the island’s food and drink culture, and the distillery gives you a chance to see that side of Madeira between the mountain and coastal stops.

If you are interested in buying or tasting rum, check the timing with the guide. With only 20 minutes, you may need to keep your visit focused. If you do not drink alcohol, the stop is still brief enough that it should not dominate your day.

Referta and a gentle 30-minute levada walk

The Referta stop is the most active part of the tour, but the walk is described as easy. You spend about 30 minutes following a levada, one of Madeira’s famous irrigation channels.

A levada walk offers a different way to see the island. Instead of standing at a viewpoint, you move through the scenery at a slow pace, with the water channel shaping the route. The walk at Referta is short enough for people who want fresh air and a taste of Madeira’s walking culture without signing up for a demanding hike.

The tour description also highlights access to Laurisilva forest with a guide. This ancient forest environment is one of Madeira’s signature natural features, and having a guide helps you follow the route without worrying about navigation.

Do not confuse this with a full levada excursion. Thirty minutes is enough to stretch your legs and enjoy the setting, but not enough for a long trail experience. Wear shoes with a good grip and bring a light waterproof layer. The tour runs in all weather, and a path beside water can feel slippery or damp even when the day in Funchal is dry.

For many people, this will be the best-balanced part of the day. The 4WD sections add energy, while the levada walk gives you a quiet break.

Ponta de São Lourenço in just 15 minutes

The final stop is Ponta de São Lourenço, on Madeira’s eastern tip. Its scenery differs from the forested mountain interior. The area is known for open, rugged volcanic forms and wide coastal views, with nature shaping the scene at every turn.

You have about 15 minutes here, and admission is included. That is enough for a quick look and a few photographs, but not for walking far along the peninsula. The full area deserves more time than this tour allows, so consider this stop an introduction.

The short visit may frustrate hikers. Ponta de São Lourenço is one of the places where you could easily spend hours if you had a separate day. On this tour, the benefit is seeing it as part of a larger route instead of giving the entire day to one coastal trail.

That final change in scenery makes the route feel more complete. You have seen steep peaks, traditional houses, cultivated rural areas, forest, and the exposed eastern coast, all in one outing.

What the 4WD format adds

The 4WD vehicle is not just a novelty. It helps the group reach outdoor places that can be harder to access by ordinary transport, and it adds some fun to the transfers. One account described the off-road sections as exciting while still feeling safe, and also noted that the vehicle was clean and comfortable.

That balance matters. A rough-road ride can be entertaining, but it should not turn the day into a white-knuckle stunt. Here, the 4WD element appears to support the sightseeing rather than replace it.

You should still expect some movement and road time. Madeira is mountainous, and the stops are spread across the island. If you are prone to motion sickness, take that into account before booking, though the supplied information does not specify a vehicle layout or provide medical guidance.

The shared format may include a multilingual guide. One particularly strong account described a guide switching between Portuguese, English, and German to keep everyone included. The actual guide is not named, and the activity may be operated by a multilingual guide, so language arrangements can vary.

Timing, pickup, and the shared group

The advertised start is 9:00 a.m. Free pickup is offered in central Funchal between 8:45 and 9:00, and at Funchal Port between 8:40 and 8:50. Be ready at the earlier end of that window. Pickup delays can affect a route with several timed stops.

Hotel or accommodation pickup and drop-off are included. This is one of the strongest practical reasons to choose the tour. You do not need to locate a rental car, plan mountain roads, or work out how to connect five separate stops by public transport.

The maximum group size is listed as 99 people. That is a large possible cap, even though the actual vehicle arrangement may be smaller. A shared tour can be sociable and good value, but it will not offer the privacy or flexible timing of a private excursion.

The tour suits most people, and children must be accompanied by an adult. The 30-minute walk is easy, but you still need to be comfortable getting in and out of a 4WD vehicle and walking outdoors in changing weather.

Is $78.10 a fair price?

I think the price is reasonable if you want variety and transport in one package. Included are round-trip pickup, the driver-guide, the 4WD outing, and insurance required by Portuguese law. You also get several entry-free stops and included admission at Pico do Arieiro and Ponta de São Lourenço.

The price does not include lunch, alcoholic drinks, or other snacks. Add €15 if you take the optional fish, meat, or vegetarian meal. You may want extra money for drinks or purchases at Porto da Cruz.

Value depends on what you would otherwise pay for transport. If you already have a rental car and feel comfortable on Madeira’s mountain roads, a self-guided day may cost less and give you more time at Ponta de São Lourenço or Santana. If you prefer not to drive, the included pickup and guided route make the price easier to justify.

The strongest value comes from combining several short experiences. The weakest value is for anyone who wants depth at one site. This is a broad island sampler, not a specialist hike or a long village visit.

Who should book this Madeira day tour?

Book it if you want a single organized day covering mountains, villages, forest, coast, and 4WD roads. It is particularly useful early in a Madeira stay, when you want to understand the island’s shape and decide which places deserve a return visit.

It also suits visitors who do not want to rent a car. Pickup from central Funchal or the port removes much of the day’s planning, and the guide handles the route.

Families can consider it because the walk is easy and children are permitted with an adult. Still, the changing weather, short stops, and shared vehicle mean it is not designed around long breaks or a very slow pace.

I would skip it if your main goal is a serious levada hike, a full visit to Ponta de São Lourenço, or a relaxed meal in Santana. You will see each place, but only briefly. The tour is at its best when you value range, convenience, and a little off-road fun more than extended time at any one stop.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund, and the operator may cancel for poor weather.

FAQ

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes hotel or accommodation pickup and drop-off, a driver-guide, and insurance required by Portuguese law.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is optional and costs €15 per person. Choices are fish, meat, or vegetarian. Alcoholic drinks, snacks, and other drinks are not included.

Where can I be picked up?

Free pickup is offered in central Funchal between 8:45 and 9:00 a.m. Pickup at Funchal Port is between 8:40 and 8:50 a.m.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 9:00 a.m.

How long does the activity last?

The tour lasts approximately 7 hours and 30 minutes.

How long is the levada walk?

The easy levada walk at Referta lasts about 30 minutes.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. It is offered in English, and it may be operated by a multilingual guide.

Can children join the tour?

Yes. Children may participate, but they must be accompanied by an adult.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can be offered a different date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.