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

Madeira rewards you for leaving town. This 7.5-hour shared tour links high mountain views, Santana’s traditional houses, a sugar cane rum distillery, a short levada walk, and the eastern tip of the island in one day. The mix is its main strength: you get both a 4WD outing and a gentle nature walk without arranging several separate trips.

I especially like the hotel pickup and drop-off, which removes the headache of Madeira’s winding roads and unfamiliar routes. I also like the easy levada walk at Referta, a good way to see one of the island’s famous water channels without committing to a long hike. The main drawback is the pace. With five stops in about seven and a half hours, several visits are brief, and the shared vehicle may carry as many as 99 people.

Key things to know before booking

• Pico do Arieiro reaches 1,818 meters, giving you a fast and dramatic introduction to Madeira’s high country.
• Santana combines sightseeing with lunch, including a look at traditional thatched houses more than 250 years old.
• The jeep section reaches harder-to-access areas, adding a lively off-road element to the day.
• Referta offers an easy 30-minute levada walk, suitable for visitors who want scenery without a demanding trail.
• Lunch costs an optional €15, with fish, meat, or vegetarian choices. Drinks and alcoholic beverages cost extra.
• Free pickup covers central Funchal and the port, usually between 8:40 and 9:00 a.m.

Why this combination works in Madeira

Madeira is not an island you understand from one viewpoint. The mountains rise sharply from the coast, roads twist through steep valleys, and the island’s old irrigation channels cut through forest and farmland. A tour that stays only in Funchal gives you a polished introduction, but not much sense of the island beyond the capital.

This outing gives you several different versions of Madeira in one day. At Pico do Arieiro, you see the high peaks. In Santana, you get a taste of rural tradition. Porto da Cruz brings sugar cane and rum production into the picture. Referta shows the levada system at walking speed. Ponta de São Lourenço finishes with bare, open scenery beside the sea.

I find that range more useful than spending the entire day on one long drive to a single viewpoint. You can compare the cooler mountain heights with the lower coastal areas and see how varied Madeira is over a surprisingly short distance.

The 4WD vehicle matters too. It is not simply a substitute for a standard coach. The jeep can use rougher and narrower routes, giving the day a more adventurous feel and access to outdoor spots that may be less practical for a large bus. The off-road sections are described as fun and exciting while still feeling safe, and the vehicle has been praised for being clean and comfortable.

Pickup in Funchal and the shape of the day

The stated start time is 9:00 a.m. Pickup is free from central Funchal between about 8:45 and 9:00, while port pickup runs earlier, roughly from 8:40 to 8:50. If you are staying outside the central area, check the exact pickup arrangement before booking. The tour includes hotel or accommodation pickup and return, but the listed details focus on Funchal.

That transfer service is a real part of the value. Madeira’s roads are easy to underestimate on a map. A route that looks short can include steep climbs, tight bends, and slow-moving traffic. You can spend the day looking out of the window instead of watching directions, and the guide handles the driving.

The tour is offered in English, but it may be operated by a multilingual guide. One guide was praised for moving between Portuguese, English, and German so the whole group could follow along. That is useful on a shared outing, although the amount of commentary you receive can vary when several languages are in use.

The maximum listed group size is 99 people. That is a large possible capacity for a tour promoted around a jeep experience, so I would ask about the expected vehicle size when booking if a small-group feel is important to you. A large group can also affect how quickly everyone gets on and off at short stops.

Pico do Arieiro at 1,818 meters

Your first stop is Pico do Arieiro, one of the high points of Madeira at 1,818 meters. You have about 20 minutes here, with admission included.

This is a strong opening stop because it gives you an immediate sense of Madeira’s scale. The views are broad and mountainous, and on a clear day the high peaks make a sharp contrast with the coast far below. The stop is short, so think of it as a viewpoint visit rather than a mountain hike.

You should bring a layer even if Funchal feels warm. The summit can be cooler, windier, or covered by cloud. The tour operates in all weather conditions, but the view will naturally depend on the conditions that day. The provider also notes that poor weather can lead to cancellation, with a different date or full refund offered.

Twenty minutes is enough for photographs and a quick look around, but not enough for a long walk. If Pico do Arieiro is your main reason for visiting Madeira, a dedicated mountain excursion would give you more time. For this combination tour, the brief stop works as an introduction before the jeep and village portions of the day.

Santana’s thatched houses and lunch break

Santana receives about an hour and a half, making it the longest stop on the schedule. This is where you can slow down a little, see Madeira’s oldest traditional thatched-roof houses, and take a lunch break.

The houses are more than 250 years old and offer a clear link to the island’s rural past. Their steep, thatched roofs are among Santana’s most recognizable features. This is not just a photo stop at a viewpoint. You get a glimpse of how older homes were built and how different the north side of Madeira feels from Funchal.

The lunch plan is flexible. A meal is optional and costs €15 per person, with fish, meat, or vegetarian choices. Food and drinks are not included in the tour price, so confirm whether you want the set meal or plan to buy something separately. Alcoholic beverages are also excluded.

I would treat the lunch as convenient rather than the highlight of the day. One recent experience found the food disappointing, though the staff were friendly. That is a useful warning. If you care strongly about your meal, ask what is being served before agreeing to the optional lunch. If you are happy with a simple group meal that keeps the schedule moving, the €15 option may be practical.

The 90-minute stop gives you enough time to eat and look around, but it is not an invitation to explore every corner of Santana. Keep an eye on the meeting time. The rest of the route still includes Porto da Cruz, Referta, and Ponta de São Lourenço.

Porto da Cruz and the sugar cane tradition

Porto da Cruz is a short 20-minute stop at a rum distillery known for traditional sugar cane rum production. This gives you a compact look at one of Madeira’s important agricultural and food traditions.

Do not expect a long distillery tour from the time allowed. The visit is best understood as a quick cultural stop, not a full tasting or production workshop. Snacks and drinks are not included, and you should not assume that a tasting is part of the price.

The stop helps break up the driving. After the mountain views and the village visit, Porto da Cruz adds a coastal community and a local product with strong ties to Madeira. If you enjoy food and drink history, you may wish you had more than 20 minutes. Still, it is a worthwhile pause for a first visit, especially if you have not arranged another chance to see how sugar cane rum fits into island life.

Referta’s easy 30-minute levada walk

At Referta, you take an easy levada walk lasting about 30 minutes. This is one of the best-balanced parts of the tour for visitors who want contact with Madeira’s famous walking routes but do not want a strenuous hike.

A levada is an irrigation channel with a path beside it. These channels run through the island, carrying water across difficult mountain terrain. Walking beside one gives you a close view of Madeira’s greenery, slopes, and old engineering without requiring a full-day trek.

The word easy is important here. The walk is short and designed to be accessible to most people on the tour, though you still need sensible clothing and footwear. The route is not presented as a demanding trail, so you should not book this excursion expecting a serious hiking day.

Thirty minutes goes quickly. You will get a taste of the setting, some fresh air, and a change from sitting in the jeep, but not a long walk through the forest. A guide accompanies the route and helps you navigate the Laurisilva forest area. That matters because a guide can keep the group together and explain what you are seeing while you walk.

If a levada hike is your top priority, look for a dedicated levada excursion with several hours on the trail. If you want a gentle sample added to a full island day, Referta fits the bill.

The jeep ride and off-road appeal

The 4WD section is the part that gives this excursion its personality. You are not simply being shuttled between standard bus stops. The jeep helps reach outdoor areas that can be harder to access, and the rougher sections add a little excitement.

The ride has been praised as fun and exhilarating, while the driving still felt safe. That combination is important. A good off-road outing should feel lively without turning into a white-knuckle stunt ride. The guide also acts as the driver, so you can focus on the views and the route.

A shared jeep tour means you will have less control over the pace than you would in a private vehicle. You cannot linger at every viewpoint or change the route to suit your own interests. In return, you get a lower price and a ready-made plan that covers a lot of ground.

At $78.10 per person, the value depends on how much you would otherwise spend arranging transport to these places. The price includes pickup, return transport, a driver-guide, and insurance required by Portuguese law. It does not include lunch, drinks, or alcohol. For one day combining mountain scenery, Santana, a distillery, a levada walk, and the eastern coast, I consider the price reasonable, especially for visitors without a rental car.

Ponta de São Lourenço in just 15 minutes

The final listed stop is Ponta de São Lourenço, a striking area at Madeira’s eastern end. You have about 15 minutes to take in the scenery.

This stop offers a different visual mood from the wooded levada and high mountain viewpoints. Ponta de São Lourenço is known for open coastal views and exposed rock formations. The short visit lets you see the area and take photographs, but it is not enough for the full Ponta de São Lourenço walk.

That distinction matters. If you have seen photographs of the long peninsula hike, do not expect to complete it during this tour. Fifteen minutes is a quick stop at the end of a busy route. It works as a final look at Madeira’s eastern edge, not as a proper walking excursion.

By this stage, the day may feel full. The advantage is variety. The tradeoff is that no single place gets much time beyond Santana.

Comfort, weather, and who should book

Most people can participate, and children must be accompanied by an adult. The tour runs in all weather conditions, so dress for changeable conditions rather than one sunny forecast. A warm layer for Pico do Arieiro, comfortable shoes for Referta, and protection from rain are sensible choices.

I would recommend this tour to you if you want to see several sides of Madeira in one day and prefer someone else to handle the roads. It suits first-time visitors, couples, families with older children, and anyone who likes a mix of sightseeing, light walking, and a little off-road fun.

I would be more cautious if you want a slow, quiet day or a serious hike. The route covers a lot, and the group may be large. You should also think twice if you dislike short stops, shared transport, or optional group meals.

The high praise focuses on three things: the views at Pico do Arieiro, the fun of the off-road ride, and the guide’s ability to keep the day organized. The tour is also described as well paced, with enough time at the main stops. Those strengths make the busy schedule easier to accept.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and late cancellations are not refunded. Since poor weather can affect the outing, keep some flexibility in your Madeira plans.

Should you book the Santana Combo Expedition?

Book it if you want one practical day outside Funchal with mountain views, traditional architecture, a short levada walk, and a 4WD ride. The included transfers and reasonable $78.10 price make it a useful choice when you do not want to rent a car or plan several separate outings.

Skip it if your priority is a long levada hike, an extended visit to Ponta de São Lourenço, or a relaxed private tour. The itinerary is broad rather than deep, and some stops are short. For a first look at Madeira’s north and east, though, this is an energetic and well-rounded day.

FAQ

How much does the SANTANA Combo Expedition cost?

The listed price is $78.10 per person.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 7 hours and 30 minutes.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel or accommodation pickup and drop-off are included. Free pickup from central Funchal is scheduled between 8:45 and 9:00 a.m., while pickup from Funchal port is scheduled between 8:40 and 8:50 a.m.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is optional and costs €15 per person. The available choices are fish, meat, or vegetarian. Drinks and alcoholic beverages are not included.

Is the levada walk difficult?

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

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English, although it may be operated by a multilingual guide.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If the tour is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.