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

Pico do Arieiro’s high-altitude views and the chance to reach outdoor sights by 4WD make this a varied way to spend a day in Madeira. I like that the route pairs scenic drives with a short walk, rather than asking you to choose between seeing the island by vehicle and getting out on foot.

I also like the included hotel transfers and the 30-minute levada walk through the Laurisilva forest area. One consideration: the stops are brief, especially at Ponta de São Lourenço, and lunch is not included in the tour price.

• Pico do Arieiro sits at 1,818 metres, with 20 minutes set aside for its panoramic views.
• Santana gets the longest stop, with 90 minutes for its traditional thatched-roof houses and a lunch break.
• The Referta walk lasts 30 minutes and is described as easy, making it a gentle change from riding in the Jeep.
• Porto da Cruz adds a rum-distillery visit, though snacks and drinks are not included.
• Funchal-area pickup and drop-off are included, so you do not need to arrange transport to the route’s stops.
• The tour takes about 7.5 hours, with a maximum group size of 99 and a multilingual guide possible.

A day that trades long walks for a broad view of Madeira

This shared tour covers a lot of ground in one day. You travel in a 4WD vehicle, stop at high viewpoints and villages, visit a rum distillery, and get out for a short levada walk. That mix suits you if you want a guided overview of Madeira’s inland and eastern sights without planning each transfer yourself.

The 4WD element is more than a novelty. It helps the tour reach outdoor places that are harder to access by ordinary transport, while the driver-guide handles the route and provides context along the way. An earlier outing was described as fun and exhilarating off road, but also safe, with a comfortable, clean Jeep. Your exact vehicle and route conditions can vary, but you can expect the ride to be part of the day’s appeal.

This is a shared tour, not a private outing. The listed maximum is 99 participants, so do not book expecting a small group by default. The actual group size may be smaller, but the published limit leaves room for a sizable party. The guide may speak several languages. One outing included Portuguese, English and German, a useful approach for a mixed-language group, though your guide’s language mix may differ.

Pico do Arieiro: a high viewpoint with a short visit

The first listed stop is Pico do Arieiro, at 1,818 metres above sea level. You have about 20 minutes here to take in the panoramic views. That is enough for a look around and photographs, but not a long walk or an extended visit, so arrive ready to make the most of the time.

The elevation is a major part of the appeal. You get a different sense of Madeira from up high than you do in the villages or along the levada. The views are among the most praised parts of the tour, and the stop gives you an immediate reason to have a camera or phone within reach.

Mountain weather can change, and the tour operates in all weather conditions, so dress for conditions rather than assuming the day will feel warm and settled. The tour also requires good weather to operate. If poor weather leads to cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Santana: traditional houses and the main lunch break

Santana is the longest stop, with about 90 minutes allocated for the village and lunch. Its best-known feature is a collection of old thatched-roof houses, described as more than 250 years old. The stop gives you time to see this distinctive architectural detail and take a break from the road.

Lunch is optional and not included in the $78.10 tour price. You can choose a fish, meat or vegetarian meal for €15 per person, or make your own arrangements during the break. The time is useful, but the meal should not be the main reason you book: one account of the tour found the restaurant food disappointing, though the staff were friendly. Food is personal, of course, and the tour does not promise a particular restaurant or meal experience.

The 90-minute pause is also a practical point in the day. It is the best chance to sit down and eat at an unhurried pace, but keep an eye on the time so you are ready when the group moves on. If you have dietary needs, the available meal options are listed as fish, meat and vegetarian; confirm any specific requirements before relying on the optional lunch.

Porto da Cruz: a quick look at sugar-cane rum

At Porto da Cruz, the tour stops at a rum distillery known for traditional sugar-cane rum production. The visit lasts around 20 minutes, so treat it as a brief introduction rather than a long distillery tour. It adds a local food-and-drink angle to a day otherwise centered on scenery and outdoor stops.

Snacks and drinks are not included. Alcoholic beverages are also excluded from the tour price, so budget separately if you choose to buy anything. The short stop is likely to suit you if you are curious about Madeira’s rum, but it may feel rushed if you want a detailed tasting or an extended look around. No tasting is specified as part of the experience.

Referta: a short levada walk in the Laurisilva forest

The 30-minute walk at Referta is the day’s main chance to stretch your legs. It is described as easy and beautiful, and the tour highlights the Laurisilva forest as part of the experience. A guide leads the way, which is helpful if you prefer not to navigate a levada route on your own.

A levada walk follows Madeira’s water channels, and this short outing gives you a sample without turning the day into a hiking trip. That makes the tour a good fit if you want some time on foot but do not want a demanding walk. Still, 30 minutes is brief. If a longer hike is your priority, this tour’s walking portion will not fill the day.

Wear suitable clothing and footwear for the conditions. The tour operates in all weather, and a short walk can still feel less pleasant if you are unprepared for rain or changing conditions. The operator provides insurance required by Portuguese law, but you should still bring the practical basics you would want for a walk outdoors.

Ponta de São Lourenço: a final scenic stop

The itinerary ends with a 15-minute stop at Ponta de São Lourenço, known for its striking natural scenery. The time is enough for a quick look and photographs, not a full walk along the area. If you have seen pictures of the peninsula and hope to explore it on foot, set expectations accordingly: this tour offers a brief visit.

That short stop makes sense within a packed route, but it is one of the clearest trade-offs. The tour takes you to several different places in a day, and the price of that breadth is limited time at each one. You get an overview and a taste of each stop, rather than a slow visit.

What $78.10 covers, and what it does not

At $78.10 per person, the price includes a driver-guide, insurance and round-trip pickup and drop-off from your accommodation. Transfers matter in Madeira, where arranging transport to several separate outdoor sights can take time and add cost. Here, you can leave the route planning to the operator and spend the day moving between the stops.

The tour is best value if you want a broad sampling of the island and would otherwise need to organize transport yourself. You get the high viewpoint, village time, distillery visit, short walk and coastal stop in one outing. It is less compelling if you want to linger, hike for several hours or focus on just one part of Madeira.

Lunch, snacks, drinks and alcoholic beverages are not included. The optional lunch costs €15 per person, with fish, meat and vegetarian choices. Factor that into your budget, along with any purchases at the distillery. The tour itself is priced in dollars, while the optional meal is priced in euros.

Pickup, timing and a few practical details

The tour starts at 9:00 am. Free pickup in central Funchal is scheduled between 8:45 and 9:00 am, while pickup at Funchal Port is listed between 8:40 and 8:50 am. Be ready during your pickup window, since the vehicle has several stops to cover over the day. Hotel or accommodation pickup and drop-off are included.

The full experience lasts about 7 hours and 30 minutes. The listed stops add up to just under three hours, leaving much of the day for travel between locations and the guided drive. That is normal for a multi-stop island tour, but it helps explain why individual visits are short.

Confirmation is provided at booking. Most people can participate, and children must be accompanied by an adult. The tour may be operated by a multilingual guide. It runs in all weather, though poor weather can lead to cancellation; in that case, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before are not accepted for a refund.

Who should book this Madeira 4WD and levada tour?

I would choose this tour if you have limited time in Madeira and want to see several different sides of the island without arranging transport. It suits you if mountain views, traditional houses, a short guided walk and an off-road ride all sound appealing. The included transfers and guide make the day simple to join, while the 4WD helps connect sights that are not all next door to one another.

It is also a good choice if you want a little walking but do not want a strenuous hiking day. The Referta section is only 30 minutes and is described as easy. The route’s variety, good pacing and engaging guide are central strengths, as are the views at Pico do Arieiro and the lively off-road portions.

I would look elsewhere if you want a quiet private tour, a long hike, or substantial time at Ponta de São Lourenço. The maximum group size is 99, and the short stops are designed for coverage rather than deep exploration. For a first guided overview of Madeira’s mountain, village and coastal sights, though, this is a practical and varied day at a reasonable price.

FAQ

How long is the SANTANA Combo Expedition?

The tour lasts approximately 7 hours and 30 minutes.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 9:00 am.

Is pickup included?

Yes. Hotel or accommodation pickup and drop-off are included. Central Funchal pickup is scheduled between 8:45 and 9:00 am, and Funchal Port pickup between 8:40 and 8:50 am.

What stops are included?

The route lists Pico do Arieiro, Santana, Porto da Cruz, Referta and Ponta de São Lourenço.

How long is the levada walk?

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

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch is optional and costs €15 per person, with fish, meat or vegetarian choices.

Are drinks included?

No. Snacks and drinks are not included, and alcoholic beverages are excluded.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Children must be accompanied by an adult. The tour information states that most people can participate.

How many people may be on the tour?

The maximum group size is 99 travelers.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If the tour is canceled due to poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.