A day trip that mixes 4WD thrills with a walk through Madeira’s famous green tunnels. You get guided access to high viewpoints like Pico do Arieiro (1,818 m), plus a levada walk in the Laurisilva forest area—no route-planning needed. One thing to keep in mind: the lunch stop is optional, so you’ll want to budget for food (and plan for snacks if you prefer to stay flexible).

What I like most is how the day is paced for real sights without feeling rushed. The small details matter too: pickup is built in from central Funchal, and the guide can shift languages to keep the group together. If your goal is a long sit-down meal or a lot of shopping time, you may find the food breaks pretty short and practical.

Key points to know before you go

• Jeep + levada combo means you see viewpoints that are hard to reach by road alone
• Round-trip hotel pickup takes the stress out of getting to the north side
• Easy levada walk (about 30 minutes) with a guide through Madeira’s Laurisilva forest
• Admission included at Pico do Arieiro and Ponta de São Lourenço
• Off-roading feels exciting but stays controlled with a pro driver/guide
• Lunch is optional (€15), so eat early planning or bring your own snacks

Why This Jeep and Levada Day Works on Madeira

This is one of those Madeira tours that makes sense on a first visit. You get two different styles of nature time: fast, high viewpoints by 4WD jeep, and slower, grounded walking on a levada trail with a guide. That mix helps you avoid the all-bus-all-day problem most people hate.

The levada part also isn’t just a random stroll. You’ll be guided through the area around the Laurisilva forest, where the vegetation and water-channel history are part of what makes the hike worth doing. Meanwhile, the jeep leg helps you access outdoor spots you’d struggle to reach on your own.

The only real drawback is the meal setup. Food at stops isn’t included, and the optional lunch costs extra—so plan your hunger accordingly.

Pickup Timing in Funchal: What Your 9:00 Start Really Means

The day runs about 7 hours 30 minutes, with a 9:00 am start. Pickup is free in central Funchal roughly between 8:45 and 9:00, and if you’re near Funchal’s port it’s around 8:40 to 8:50. This is helpful if you’re staying in the thick of it and don’t want to figure out local meeting points.

You’ll use a mobile ticket, and confirmation happens at booking time. The tour can be guided in English, and the guide may also be multi-lingual, which is a big deal when you want to understand what you’re seeing—not just where you’re standing.

Finally, this is a shared tour with a max of 99 travelers. That size doesn’t mean chaos, but it does mean you should be ready for a coordinated, group rhythm rather than a private pace.

Pico do Arieiro: 1,818m Views With a Short, Guided Stop

You start with one of Madeira’s most dramatic viewpoints: Pico do Arieiro at 1,818 meters. You’ll have about 20 minutes there, which is just enough time to take in the big sky-and-cliff effect without burning half the day fighting crowds or weather changes.

Admission is included for this stop, so you’re not doing any ticket math while you’re trying to enjoy the height. The upside of the short timing: you can enjoy the viewpoint even if the weather shifts, because you’re not committing to a long wait.

The trade-off: if you’re the type who wants 45–60 minutes to photograph slowly, you’ll need to work a bit faster. I’d treat this as a quick wow-moment and save slower photo time for a different spot on your own.

Santana’s Thatch-Roof Houses and the Practical Lunch Break

Next up is Santana, a village known for Madeira’s oldest thatched-roof houses—the kind that have been standing for over 250 years. You’ll get about 1 hour 30 minutes here, with the time framed as a history-and-stroll stop plus a lunch break.

Admission here is free, which keeps the day feeling less pay-everywhere. The food part is not built in though—food and drinks aren’t included. That means your lunch choice is yours, whether you go for something local or you just use the time to reset and stretch before the next legs of the day.

A smart tip: since this is the longest stop of the trip, use it to grab water if you need it. Also, don’t assume every café meal will hit the same quality level—you’re better off choosing based on what looks fresh and how busy it is.

Porto da Cruz Rum Distillery: A Quick Cultural Stop

You’ll also stop in Porto da Cruz for a visit connected with its traditional rum production. It’s a short stop—about 20 minutes—and admission is free.

Snacks and drinks aren’t included here, so treat this as a culture-and-smell stop rather than a meal stop. If you care about rum, you’ll likely enjoy seeing how the process fits into the island’s food story. If you’re more here for scenery, don’t worry: it’s brief and designed to keep the tour moving.

Because the time is short, this is best as a bonus experience. If you want a deeper distillery visit with lots of tasting time, you’d likely need a separate activity later.

Referta Levada Walk: Easy Steps, Real Forest Atmosphere

This is the calm break in the day. You’ll do an easy levada walk for about 30 minutes, and it’s guided. The goal is an enjoyable walk and a chance to feel the island away from the open-air viewpoints.

Levada paths matter on Madeira because they’re part of how water shaped daily life on the island. Even when you’re just walking for a half hour, you’re still following that working landscape concept—channels, humidity, and the sense that the forest is doing the talking.

This stop has a simple setup: admission is free, and the walk is short. Still, wear proper shoes. Levada routes can be slick if the weather has been wet, and “easy” doesn’t mean “zero footing issues.”

Ponta de São Lourenço: A Fast Finale of Coastline Views

Toward the end, you’ll head to Ponta de São Lourenço. Expect stunning coastal scenery with a short viewing window—about 15 minutes—and admission is included.

Why does a stop like this work in a combined tour? Because the best photo angles are usually available without a long trek. You can take in the headland’s character, then get back on the schedule.

The drawback is obvious: 15 minutes goes fast if the light is perfect. If conditions are foggy or windy, you’ll still get your shot, but you may wish you had more time for repeat photos. Think of it as a clean, high-impact finish.

4WD Off-Roading: Fun, Controlled, and Built for Access

The “combo expedition” part is the jeep. A 4WD tour gets you to hard-to-reach outdoor sights that you probably wouldn’t attempt by car on normal roads. You’re not just riding around; you’re experiencing Madeira’s terrain up close.

From what I’d advise based on how this day is set up, the off-roading is part of the fun—but it should feel controlled and safe. The tour is run by a driver/guide, and the day is structured so everyone stays together rather than turning into a free-for-all.

Also, the jeep experience tends to be a comfort factor. If you’re comparing this with other island transport options, it’s a good reminder that you can feel excited without feeling stressed.

One practical note: bring a layer. Even in mild weather, jeep rides and coastal wind can cool you quickly.

Price and Value at $78.10: What You’re Paying For

At about $78.10 per person, you’re paying for a full package: guided transport, multiple stops, and the mix of jeep + levada walking. That price stacks up well when you factor in that round-trip hotel pickup from Funchal is included and you also get insurance required by Portuguese law.

Admission isn’t included at every stop, but it is included at key viewpoint times: Pico do Arieiro and Ponta de São Lourenço include tickets. Santana and Porto da Cruz are free entry stops, so your main paid add-on is the meal situation, not the attractions.

Lunch is optional at €15 per person, with choices of fish, meat, or vegetarian. If you’re comparing value, this matters: you can keep your total cost down by skipping the lunch add-on and buying something else on your own during the long Santana break.

If food quality is a big priority for you, I’d plan to stay flexible. One weak spot some people report is that the included lunch restaurant experience can be uneven. You can avoid that by treating lunch as a choice, not a given.

What to Bring for a 7.5-Hour Northside Adventure

You’ll be outside for most of the day, mixing open viewpoints with forest walking. That means comfort beats style.

Bring:

• Good walking shoes for the levada path
• A light rain layer even if the forecast looks calm
• Sunglasses and sunscreen for Pico do Arieiro and Ponta de São Lourenço
• A small snack if you like extra buffer between stops
• Water, especially since snacks/drinks aren’t included at the rum stop and food isn’t included at Santana

Dress for variable weather. The tour runs in all weather conditions, and Madeira weather can switch fast. So think layers, not one outfit and hope.

Also, keep your camera ready. Even with short stop times, the viewpoint sequence is built for photos: high cliff moment first, then village character, then coastal finale.

Who This Shared Tour Suits Best

This works best for people who want a guided “greatest hits” day without planning logistics. If you like the idea of north-side Madeira but don’t want to rent a car or deal with directions, the pickup-and-go structure is a win.

It also fits travelers who want a bit of action. The jeep off-roading adds energy, while the levada walk gives you a slower, greener counterbalance.

Most travelers can join, and children must be accompanied by an adult. If you have mobility limits, the levada portion is short but still involves walking on a trail. If that’s a concern, you should judge your comfort level and consider other tour formats.

Language-wise, English is offered, and the guide may use multiple languages so everyone stays included.

Should You Book the Santana Combo Expedition?

Book it if you want a balanced Madeira day: jeep access for the dramatic viewpoints, plus an easy guided levada walk that brings the Laurisilva forest feel into your day. The price is reasonable when you compare it to the cost of doing the transport and viewpoints separately, especially with pickup included.

Skip it (or think twice) if you’re the type who needs lots of free time at each stop. The timing is efficient. Pico do Arieiro and Ponta de São Lourenço are short, and Santana’s meal time is practical rather than long and leisurely. Also, if lunch quality is central to your trip, treat the €15 lunch option as optional rather than a highlight.

For most first-timers, this is a strong choice. It’s active enough to feel like Madeira, but organized enough that you’re not wasting time trying to figure out how to see it.

FAQ

How long is the Santana Combo Expedition?

It lasts about 7 hours 30 minutes.

What time does the tour start, and when is pickup?

The start time is 9:00 am. Pickup is free in Funchal’s central area between 8:45 and 9:00, and near the port between 8:40 and 8:50.

Is English available on the tour?

Yes. The tour is offered in English, and the guide may be multi-lingual.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Food and drinks aren’t included at Santana, snacks and drinks aren’t included at the rum distillery stop, and lunch is optional. Lunch costs €15 per person with fish, meat, or vegetarian options.

Are entrance tickets included?

Tickets are included at Pico do Arieiro and Ponta de São Lourenço. Santana and the Porto da Cruz rum distillery stop have free admission, and the levada walk stop is also free.

Is the levada walk difficult?

It’s described as an easy levada walk and takes about 30 minutes.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour operates in all weather conditions, but it requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Can I cancel for free?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.