Madeira East Island Tour with Levada Walk and Lunch

Madeira’s east is a day of sharp contrasts: high mountain viewpoints, cool forest, traditional villages and the coast. This guided circuit links places that are spread across winding roads, so you can see a good deal without handling the driving yourself.

I like the mix of mountain scenery and village stops, and the chance to walk beside a levada, Madeira’s narrow water channel. I also like that the advertised price of $66.38 includes round-trip transport and a three-course lunch, making the day an appealing package if those inclusions are confirmed for your departure.

The main consideration is that the small-group promise is not consistent. The tour is promoted as limited to eight people, but the stated maximum is 15, and a larger vehicle has been used when the usual minibus was unavailable. The roads are winding, too, and the optional Balcões walk can be muddy and longer than expected.

What to know before you go

• Pico do Arieiro brings the high-altitude views: It can be cold at the summit, so take a jacket even if Funchal feels warm.
• The Balcões walk is optional and costs extra: The stated fee varies between €3 and €4.50, payable directly, so check the current amount before setting off.
• Lunch is listed as included: It is usually described as a three-course meal, but one departure had confusion over whether lunch was included. Confirm when booking.
• The vehicle size may vary: The advertised group size is eight, while the tour information allows up to 15 people.
• Pickups depend on where you stay: Hotel collection is offered in selected areas, with different meeting arrangements and an extra charge for Santa Cruz.
• Guides make a real difference: Tony, Carlos, Michael and Lucy are among the guides who have led the trip, but you cannot request a particular person from the information provided.

From Camacha to Pico do Arieiro

The tour’s route takes in Camacha, Poiso and Pico do Arieiro before continuing toward Ribeiro Frio and the east coast. You cover a lot of ground in one day, and the journey itself is part of the appeal: the road climbs from Funchal into the mountains, where the views can change quickly with the weather.

Camacha is one of Madeira’s traditional villages, and a useful early stop on a route that balances settlements with natural scenery. The tour information does not promise a particular activity here, so think of it as one part of the wider circuit rather than a long, guided visit.

Pico do Arieiro is the high point of the day, both literally and visually. On a clear day, you can look across rugged mountain terrain and, at times, find yourself above the clouds. Conditions are not guaranteed, and poor weather can affect what you see or prompt a route change. Pack a jacket: it can be cold up there even when the coast is mild.

The mountain roads are twisty, and that matters if you or a child gets carsick. One family found that sitting near the back made the ride harder for a child, so if you have a young passenger, mention the child seat and seating needs when arranging pickup. Children must use an appropriate seat; they cannot ride on an adult’s lap.

Ribeiro Frio and the levada walk

Ribeiro Frio gives the day a greener, cooler turn. The surrounding Laurissilva forest is one of the route’s headline sights, though weather and timing can affect whether you get a proper stop there. In poor conditions, the forest or walk may be left out, so it is wise to treat them as weather-dependent rather than guaranteed.

The optional Balcões walk follows a levada to a viewpoint. A levada is a historic irrigation channel, and walking beside one offers a close look at how water is carried across Madeira’s steep terrain. It is a different pace from the viewpoints reached by vehicle, and a welcome chance to stretch your legs.

Allow enough time and wear shoes with a good grip. The path can be muddy, and the walk has been described as taking longer than 45 minutes round trip. Do not hurry to keep up with an optimistic estimate: tell your guide if you need more time, and confirm both the current fee and the planned walking duration before you start. The information gives two different prices, €3 and €4.50, so that detail is worth checking.

If you have mobility problems, this tour is not recommended. Even if you skip the walk, the day still includes several scenic stops, but the levada is one of its distinctive features.

Santana, Faial and the eastern coast

Santana is the village stop most closely associated with the east of Madeira. It gives the day a welcome change from mountain roads and overlooks, and lunch is often arranged here or in the Faial area. The meal is described as a three-course choice menu, with wine included in the tour highlights. Food is a valued part of the day, but confirm that lunch is included in your particular booking, since arrangements have not been consistent on every departure.

Timing can shift when local events close roads or draw crowds. A festival in Santana has meant that access was not possible on one occasion, and another meal ran short on time during a busy festival day. The route can be changed for traffic restrictions and weather, so think of the named stops as a planned circuit rather than a fixed timetable.

After Santana, the route may continue through Faial and Porto da Cruz, then toward Portela and Machico. The eastern coastline brings cliffs and broad sea views, while Porto da Cruz adds a rum tasting to the day. The tasting is included; it is a short stop within a full schedule, not a separate distillery tour to plan your day around.

Some departures also pass the natural pools and waterfalls that make this side of Madeira memorable. The exact stops can vary, so ask your guide how much time is planned at each place. You will get a better day if you know whether a stop is a quick photo break or a chance to walk around.

How the group and guide shape the day

A good guide turns the drive into more than transport. Guides named Tony, Carlos, Michael, Lucy, Gomes and Mr Gama have been praised for sharing information about Madeira’s history, plants and local places, while keeping the group moving and making the roads feel manageable. The company may assign a multilingual guide, and if five or fewer people speak one language, the group may be combined with another language group. The guide will speak all required languages, which can mean more commentary time between stops.

The tour is advertised as a small group of eight, but the formal maximum is 15. One departure was moved into a larger vehicle after the usual eight-seat bus was damaged, and that group reached 22. That was an exception, but it shows why you should not book on the assumption that eight is an absolute limit. If a compact group matters to you, ask the operator to confirm the expected vehicle and group size.

Vehicle comfort is another practical point on a long day of winding roads. Some departures have had a comfortable, well-kept minibus; others have had cramped seating and less legroom. The route is scenic, but you will spend a substantial part of the day in the vehicle, so it is fair to ask about the vehicle when confirming your arrangements.

Is $66.38 good value?

At $66.38 per person, the price is attractive for an approximately eight-hour outing that includes a driver-guide, air-conditioned transport, selected-area hotel pickup and drop-off, lunch and a rum tasting. You avoid renting a car, navigating unfamiliar mountain roads and arranging separate transport between stops. For a first visit or a short stay, that convenience can be worth more than the price alone suggests.

The value depends on what is actually included in your departure. Lunch is presented as part of the package, but at least one group experienced confusion over it. The Balcões walk is extra, and the quoted cost differs between the tour information. Ask the operator to confirm the lunch, walk fee, pickup point and likely group size before paying.

The day is also tightly packed. You get a broad sense of Madeira’s eastern side, but not a long visit at every stop. If you prefer to linger, walk at your own pace or choose each meal and viewpoint yourself, renting a car or booking a private tour may suit you better. If you would rather let a local driver handle the bends and connect the dots, this is a sensible-value option.

Pickup, timing and weather

Pickup is offered from selected areas, generally between 8 and 9 am, while the listed start times vary between 8:00, 8:45 and 9:30. The tour also gives 9:00 am as a start time, so use the confirmed pickup time sent for your booking rather than relying on one general listing time.

If hotel pickup is not available, the stated Funchal meeting points include the Cable Car or H&M Store. People driving into Funchal from places such as Calheta, Ponta do Sol, Santana or São Vicente may be asked to meet near the bus stop by Hotel Madeira Panoramico. Cruise passengers are collected at the first roundabout outside the harbour, about a five-minute walk away; provide your ship and port schedule when booking.

Santa Cruz pickups carry an extra €6 per person for collection and drop-off, or you can meet in Caniço, where pickup is listed as free. The day is weather-dependent, and poor conditions can lead to a new date or a refund. The route can also change because of traffic restrictions or other unforeseen circumstances.

The operator has missed pickups on some occasions, leaving people unable to join another day trip at short notice. Keep the operator’s contact details handy and confirm the pickup the day before. That is especially useful if you are visiting on a cruise or have only one full day in Madeira.

Should you book this east-coast tour?

Book it if you want a practical overview of Madeira’s east, enjoy mountain scenery, and value having transport, a guide and lunch bundled together. It suits first-time visitors, short-stay visitors and anyone who would rather not drive the island’s winding roads. The levada walk and rum tasting add variety to a day that could otherwise be a string of viewpoints.

Look elsewhere if you need a guaranteed eight-person group, want a slow pace, or cannot manage uneven walking and long stretches in a vehicle. Before booking, get clear answers about group size, lunch, the Balcões fee and your exact pickup time. Those few checks can make the difference between a well-planned island day and an avoidable scramble.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

It is described as an approximately eight-hour tour. One schedule gives a seven-hour duration, so allow for a full day and follow the pickup details confirmed for your departure.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start times are 8:00, 8:45 and 9:30 am, while another section gives 9:00 am. Hotel pickups are generally between 8 and 9 am, depending on your area.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included in selected areas. If pickup is not available at your hotel, you may need to meet at a stated Funchal meeting point. Santa Cruz pickup costs an extra €6 per person, while Caniço pickup is listed as free.

Is lunch included in the price?

Lunch is listed as included and described as a three-course choice menu. Because arrangements have varied, confirm directly with the operator that lunch is included for your booking.

How much does the Balcões walk cost?

The tour information gives both €3 and €4.50 per person. The walk is optional, and the fee is paid directly, so check the current amount before you go.

How many people are in the group?

The tour is promoted as limited to eight people, but the stated maximum is 15. A larger vehicle has been used when the usual minibus was unavailable, so eight is not guaranteed.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Children must be accompanied by an adult and use an appropriate child seat. The operator needs the child’s age to supply the correct seat, and children cannot travel on an adult’s lap.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour is subject to favorable weather. If poor conditions lead to cancellation, you are offered an alternative date or a full refund; the route may also change because of weather or traffic restrictions.