After you hear the word levada, you’ll want this. It’s a 4WD + easy hike day that mixes viewpoints, village time, and real Madeira footpaths.

I like that you don’t have to plan transport at all: round-trip hotel pickup is included, so you can just show up and ride.

You’ll also appreciate how the pacing stays easy to handle. The Jeep portions are great fun, and the guide keeps the group included with English support (and often more than one language).

One thing to consider: the stops include a couple places where lunch and drinks are not included, and the optional meal can be hit-or-miss depending on where you eat that day. If you’re picky about food, plan to bring snacks or choose your lunch option carefully.

Quick Highlights You’ll Feel on Day One

• Hotel pickup and drop-off take the stress out of getting to the north side
• Jeep access to viewpoints you can’t reach on your own at that hour
• Laurisilva forest walking with a guide route and easy confidence
• Pico do Arieiro: a short visit at 1818 m with strong panoramic payoff
• Referta levada walk: easy, scenic, and short enough to enjoy
• Smallish shared group feel with a maximum of 99 people

Why This Combo Tour Works: Jeep Access Plus Levada Walking

This tour is built for people who want variety in one day without feeling rushed to plan. You get off the main roads via a 4WD vehicle, then you swap to your shoes for a levada walk—the kind of Madeira experience that feels different from another bus day.

The best part is the balance. You’re not hiking for hours, but you are walking on the island’s famous irrigation paths (levadas), with a guide helping you stay on the right route and read the terrain.

And because it’s a shared tour, it’s often a good way to meet other visitors while still getting a guide’s perspective on what you’re seeing.

Price and Value: What $78.10 Actually Buys You

At about $78.10 per person, this is reasonably priced for a full-day mix of transport, guiding, and multiple paid and free entry stops. The key value is that it includes round-trip hotel transfers plus a driver/guide and required insurance.

What you should budget extra for is straightforward: lunch is optional, and alcohol isn’t included. Snacks and drinks also aren’t included at the rum stop, so if you’re the type who snacks often, you may want to plan for that.

What’s included

• Hotel or accommodation pickup and drop-off
• Driver/guide
• Insurance required by Portuguese law

What’s not included

• Alcoholic beverages
• Lunch (optional): 15€ per person with fish, meat, or vegetarian options

Where the Day Starts: Funchal Pickup Timing That’s Easy to Hit

The tour starts at 9:00 am, with pickup in Funchal’s central area around 8:45–9:00 am. If you’re closer to the port area, pickup is 8:40–8:50 am.

This matters because that north-side driving and viewpoint timing works best when the group is already assembled. You’ll avoid that awkward scramble where you’re sprinting to meet a moving vehicle.

Also, you’ll get a mobile ticket, and confirmation comes at booking time, so you’re not stuck guessing details day-of.

Pico do Arieiro at 1818 m: A Short Stop With Real View Payoff

Your first real wow moment is Pico do Arieiro, sitting at 1818 meters. The visit is about 20 minutes, and that’s enough time to grab photos, soak in the scale, and take in the panoramic lookouts.

A quick stop can sound like a downside—because you’ll probably want more time when the views are good. But the upside is you avoid the slow time sink that can happen at high points, especially if weather shifts.

Tip: dress for wind and sudden temperature changes up high. The tour runs in all weather conditions, but you’ll still feel it at elevation.

Santana Village Time: Thatched Roofs and a Proper Village Break

Next up is Santana, with about 1 hour 30 minutes here. This is your step-back moment: the village is known for Madeira’s oldest thatched-roof houses, some standing for over 250 years.

You’ll also get a lunch break built into this stop. Lunch itself isn’t included, but the timing gives you space to eat without needing to find a restaurant immediately after you arrive somewhere new.

Possible drawback: 1.5 hours is a nice window, but it’s still not a full wander-and-stay-long day. If you love slow shopping and deep conversation, you may wish you had more time here—but the overall tour keeps good variety across the island.

Porto da Cruz Rum Distillery: A Quick Cultural Flavor Stop

At Porto da Cruz, you’ll visit a rum distillery for around 20 minutes. This area is associated with traditional sugar cane rum production, so it’s a good contrast to the mountains and levadas.

Admission is free here, which helps keep the day’s cost reasonable. But the stop is short and focused, so don’t expect a long tasting tour unless your guide builds it into the visit.

Also note: snacks and drinks aren’t included at this stop. If you get hungry mid-drive, plan ahead so you’re not relying on vending machines or random timing.

Referta Levada Walk: Easy Effort, Beautiful Path Time

The Referta levada walk is about 30 minutes and is described as easy. That’s the sweet spot for most people: enough time to feel like you’re actually walking Madeira, but not so long that you arrive at the next viewpoint wiped out.

Levada walks are special because you’re moving along irrigation channels carved into the island’s slope. Even when the hike feels gentle, you still get those constantly changing views—plus the sense that you’re on a working landscape, not just a scenic lookout.

If you’re nervous about hiking, this is one of the better options in the Madeira mix. Wear shoes with solid grip, because the path can get slick depending on weather.

Ponta de São Lourenço: The Coast Hit, With Time for Photos

The day ends with Ponta de São Lourenço, a shorter stop of about 15 minutes. It’s another “quick wow” moment—time for a few photos, a look around, and that fresh feeling you get when you shift from mountains to coastline.

An admission ticket is included here. Like Pico do Arieiro, the short time window is a tradeoff: you get the highlights, but you don’t linger for a full walk of the entire peninsula.

If the weather is clear, you’ll likely want more time. If it’s windy or misty, those 15 minutes can still be worth it—just make sure you’re dressed for it.

The Jeep Ride: Comfort, Fun, and That Safety Factor

The 4WD sections are what make this tour feel like an event. You’ll go off-road enough that it feels exciting, but the experience is designed to keep everyone comfortable and safe.

One of the most praised parts of the day is the feel of safety during the driving. That matters on Madeira because road angles and terrain can look intense from the outside.

You also get a proper “group day” format. The Jeep is shared, the guide handles the route, and you’re not stuck trying to coordinate where everyone’s supposed to be next.

From a practical standpoint, ask your guide how long the drives are between stops. That helps you pace your hydration and snacks.

Laurisilva Forest: Why a Guided Route Changes Everything

This tour includes time in the Laurisilva forest, with a guide helping you navigate. That’s the kind of detail that turns a pretty walk into an informative one, because the guide can point out what you’re seeing and help you read the terrain around you.

Even if you’re not the type who loves plant facts, being guided is a big deal on Madeira. Forest paths and slopes can look similar, and a good route keeps you moving efficiently so you don’t lose time getting oriented.

Packing Tips for Off-Road + Levada Weather

Because it operates in all weather conditions, you should pack like the day could change fast. I’d plan on bringing:

• A light waterproof layer (even if it looks fine at pickup)
• Comfortable walking shoes with grip for the levada path
• Sun protection, because Pico do Arieiro can still be bright
• A small snack or water plan, since drinks and snacks aren’t included everywhere

If you run hot, dress in layers. If you run cold, add a warmer layer—elevation and coastal wind can be surprising.

Should You Book This Tour? (My Honest Take)

You should book the Santana Combo Expedition if you want a structured day that mixes major viewpoints with a real levada walk, without the stress of arranging transport. It’s especially good for people who like the idea of 4WD access plus short, manageable walking segments.

You might skip it if you’re the type who wants long stays at each place. The day is designed for highlights, so you’ll be moving between stops and you’ll feel the “short visit” time box at Pico, Ponta, and Porto da Cruz.

If you’re on the fence, here’s the practical nudge: the price includes hotel pickup, a guide, and required insurance, so you’re paying for convenience as much as scenery. And since lunch is optional (15€), you can control your food plan instead of being forced into a set menu.

If your dates are flexible, you also get free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, which makes decision-making less stressful.

FAQ

How long is the Santana Combo Expedition tour?

It runs about 7 hours 30 minutes (approx.).

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 9:00 am.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Hotel or accommodation pickup and drop-off is included, with free pickup in central Funchal around 8:45–9:00 am and in the port area around 8:40–8:50 am.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $78.10 per person.

Are tickets included for all stops?

Not all stops. Admission is included for Pico do Arieiro and Ponta de São Lourenço. Admission is free for Santana, Porto da Cruz, and the Referta levada walk.

Is lunch included in the price?

Lunch is not included. You can add lunch for 15€ per person (fish, meat, or vegetarian options are listed).

Are drinks or snacks included?

No. Alcoholic beverages are not included, and snacks and drinks are not included at the Porto da Cruz rum distillery stop.

Is the levada walk difficult?

The Referta levada walk is described as easy and lasts about 30 minutes.

Does the tour run in all weather conditions?

It operates in all weather conditions, and you should dress appropriately. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

How many people are in the tour group?

The tour has a maximum of 99 travelers.

Are children allowed?

Most travelers can participate, and children must be accompanied by an adult.