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

Madeira works best when you stop trying to do everything yourself. This Santana 4WD and levada combo strings together the island’s north-side highlights with less hassle. I especially love the 4WD access to viewpoints you would not reach easily on foot, and the gentle levada walk that keeps the day outdoors but not exhausting. One consideration: each stop is short, so this is a see-more, not a stay-long kind of day.

The best part for me is how the schedule stays readable. You get round-trip hotel pickup, a guided day in English, and time to actually enjoy places like Pico do Arieiro and Ponta de São Lourenço instead of racing through them alone. If you’re picky about lunch, plan for an optional meal add-on, and you might want to keep expectations realistic since the included food option has not impressed everyone.

This tour makes a strong match if you want variety in one outing: jeep driving, village atmosphere in Santana, rum culture in Porto da Cruz, and a walk through the Laurisilva forest area.

Key reasons this Santana Jeep and Levada day earns top marks

• Hotel pickup that removes the planning so you can focus on the views
• 4WD off-road driving that feels fun, and stays safely organized with a pro guide
• Easy levada walk (Referta) with a clear, manageable time window
• Best-of-the-north itinerary that mixes viewpoints, villages, and a distillery stop
• Multilingual guidance with Portuguese, English, and German used to keep everyone included

From hotel pickup to 4WD driving, this day is built for convenience

You meet up early in Funchal, with pickup from the central area between 8:45 and 9:00, or from Funchal’s Port between 8:40 and 8:50. The tour starts at 9:00 am, and it runs about 7.5 hours.

Once you’re in the vehicle, the tone is straightforward: you are here for a guided circuit. The 4WD part matters. Madeira’s north side has steep access points and tight roads, and this route is designed to get you closer to the outdoors than you could reasonably manage with public transport. In the reviews, the jeep experience is repeatedly described as exhilarating but still safe, and that matches what you want from a group jeep tour: motion, not chaos.

The vehicle time also keeps you from spending your whole day commuting. You get guided stops with predictable durations, rather than guessing travel times and parking.

Pico do Arieiro: a short stop with big altitude payoff

Your first major viewpoint is Pico do Arieiro, at 1,818 meters. You get about 20 minutes there, and the admission ticket is included.

That 20 minutes is the real deal if your mindset is big views, quick photos, move on. At that elevation, visibility can be a make-or-break factor, so bring a layer even if Funchal feels warm. And if it’s foggy or rainy, do not assume you wasted your time. You will still get to the viewpoint area, and the guide can help you make the best of what the conditions offer.

Because this stop is short by design, do your photo planning fast. Aim for one or two prime angles, snap your essentials, and save your energy for the next segments.

Santana’s thatched-roof houses: where the island feels old-school

Santana is your culture pause. You have about 1 hour 30 minutes here, and admission is free.

What I like about this stop is the specific connection to Madeira’s past. Santana is known for the oldest thatched-roof houses on the island, with buildings that have stood for over 250 years. You get a feel for the village character, and then you get a lunch break time window.

Food and drinks are not included, so if you want to eat, you either bring something or buy locally during that break. One practical tip: if you care about lunch timing, decide early. Santana is scenic, but it can also be tempting to linger. When you’re on a timed tour, you want to eat before you get swept up in photos.

Also note: this stop is a great place to do a quick reset. The morning views are intense, and the village pace helps you absorb the day.

Porto da Cruz rum distillery: a quick cultural stop, not a long museum day

Next is Porto da Cruz, with a visit to its rum distillery. You’ll have around 20 minutes, and admission is free.

This is a compact introduction to traditional sugar cane rum production. The tradeoff is obvious: you should not plan this as a deep tasting session. Snacks and drinks are not included, and your time is limited. Still, for me, it’s a good pairing with the north-side theme. It adds Madeira’s agricultural and beverage history without turning the day into a food tour.

If you enjoy rum culture, you can treat this as a curiosity stop: learn the basic story, look around, then carry on. If you dislike alcohol-themed stops, it’s short enough that you can focus on the surroundings and the guide’s context.

Referta levada walk: the easy nature break that keeps the day human

Then you get the levada walk at Referta. This part is described as easy and beautiful, with about 30 minutes on the trail.

Levada walks are one of Madeira’s signatures, and the value here is that you are not doing a huge hike. You get a manageable duration and a guided route through the area tied to the island’s Laurisilva forest. That’s the kind of setting you want for photos, but also the kind that makes you slow down. The greenery and the water channels give the walk rhythm, and the guide helps you stay on track.

Here’s the practical angle: even an easy levada can be damp. Wear shoes you can trust on slick surfaces, and bring a light rain layer if weather is iffy. The tour operates in all weather conditions, but that does not mean it will be comfortable without the right gear.

Also remember the timing. The walk is short enough that you can enjoy it, not short enough to feel like a waste.

Ponta de São Lourenço: your final hit of dramatic coastal scenery

Your last stop is Ponta de São Lourenço. You get about 15 minutes, and admission is included.

This is all about the scenery. The headland setting makes the coastline feel exposed and expansive, with nature showing off in a way you rarely get near town. Since the stop is brief, be ready to move quickly once you arrive. If you want photos, position yourself early and keep an eye on where the group will gather next.

This ending works well because it closes the day with a strong visual payoff after the village, distillery, and forest walk. It’s like putting the final punctuation on your north-side tour.

Why the pacing works (and where it can feel rushed)

The itinerary is built from many short blocks: 20 minutes here, 1 hour 30 there, 30 minutes walking. That sounds intense until you understand what it’s doing. It gives you variety without forcing you into a full-day trek.

The upside is clear:

• You see the high viewpoint rhythm at Pico do Arieiro
• You get village time at Santana
• You get culture at Porto da Cruz
• You get nature on a manageable levada
• You finish with coastal scenery

The downside is also clear: you will not slow down for long lingering moments at each stop. If you prefer deep time in one place, this may feel like a fast circuit. But if you want a smart highlight sweep with a guide and included transportation, it’s a great fit.

Value and price: what $78.10 buys you on Madeira

At $78.10 per person, the key value is not just the stops. It’s what comes bundled.

Included:

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

Also, admission is included for some parts of the day: Pico do Arieiro and Ponta de São Lourenço have admission tickets included. Santana, Porto da Cruz, and Referta are listed as admission free for this tour.

What’s not included:

• Alcoholic beverages
• Lunch (optional, €15 per person, with choices fish, meat, or vegetarian)
• Snacks and drinks on the rum distillery stop

So where does the price land for you? You are paying for guided routing plus the heavy lifting of getting from place to place on Madeira’s north side. Without a tour, you would spend time arranging transport, timing, and tickets. Here, the tour does that math for you, and your day stays structured.

One note on lunch: the meal is optional, so you can control your budget. If you do choose it, be aware one piece of feedback said the restaurant food was not very good, even though the staff were friendly. That does not mean it will be bad every day, but it’s enough to keep your expectations grounded.

The guide experience: communication that matters in a group jeep day

A good jeep tour hinges on communication, especially when you bounce between viewpoints, villages, and walking sections. In the feedback for this tour, guides are described as professional and able to shift language across Portuguese, English, and German to keep everyone included.

You do not need to speak multiple languages to benefit from this. The point is that you should feel informed about what you are seeing and what to do next. That matters more than people expect, because timed stops can go sideways if you do not understand meeting points and what the group is waiting for.

Also, reviews specifically mention that off-roading felt safe. That’s a big deal. The jeep is part of the fun, but it should feel controlled.

What to pack for a jeep plus a levada walk

Because the day mixes vehicles, viewpoints, and a guided walk, pack for comfort first.

Bring:

• Weather-appropriate layers (Madeira can shift fast)
• Comfortable walking shoes for the levada portion
• A small rain layer if the forecast looks unsettled
• Sun protection if it’s clear at Pico do Arieiro and Ponta de São Lourenço

The tour notes that it runs in all weather conditions, and you should dress appropriately. So you’re not just dressing for the itinerary. You’re dressing for the day you actually get.

If you’re prone to feeling cold at altitude, plan for that during Pico do Arieiro. Even when Funchal feels mild, higher elevations can feel sharper.

Who should book this Santana combo, and who should skip it

Book it if you:

• Want a guided north-side sampler without transport headaches
• Enjoy jeep driving and want it to feel safe and organized
• Prefer an easy, time-limited levada walk over a long hike
• Like variety, from villages to viewpoints to a rum distillery stop

Consider a different option if you:

• Hate short stops and want a slower pace
• Want a long, deep dive into one place (this is a highlight circuit)
• Are very sensitive to weather and want maximum time buffers, since conditions can affect viewpoint comfort

Should you book the Santana Combo Expedition?

For most visitors, I think it’s a strong yes if your goal is efficient, authentic variety. The tour is guided, with round-trip hotel pickup, and it stitches together some of Madeira’s signature experiences: altitude views at Pico do Arieiro, historic village atmosphere in Santana, a rum distillery story in Porto da Cruz, a gentle Referta levada walk, and coastal scenery at Ponta de São Lourenço.

It also has excellent signals in the data: a 4.9 rating from 49 reviews and a 98% recommendation rate. That lines up with the practical feedback that the day feels well paced, the jeep drive is fun, and the guide keeps communication working across languages.

If you book, do this one smart move: treat each stop like a chapter, not a whole novel. You’ll enjoy the day more, and you’ll leave with a clear sense of what Madeira looks like when you go past the easy-to-reach parts.

FAQ

What is the duration of the Santana Combo Expedition?

It runs for about 7 hours 30 minutes.

Where is the tour located?

The tour is based in Funchal, Portugal, and focuses on Madeira’s north side.

What time does the tour start, and what are pickup times like?

The start time is 9:00 am. Pickup from Funchal’s central area is typically between 8:45 and 9:00. Pickup from Funchal’s Port is typically between 8:40 and 8:50.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Round-trip hotel or accommodation pickup and drop-off are included.

What is included in the price?

Pickup and drop-off, a driver/guide, and insurance required by Portuguese law are included.

What is not included?

Alcoholic beverages are not included. Lunch is optional and costs €15 per person, with fish, meat, or vegetarian options. Snacks and drinks at the rum distillery stop are also not included.

Are tickets included for all stops?

Not all stops have admission included. Admission is included for Pico do Arieiro and Ponta de São Lourenço. Santana, Porto da Cruz, and Referta are listed as free admission for this tour.

Is the levada walk difficult?

Referta is described as an easy levada walk, and it lasts about 30 minutes.

Does the tour run in bad weather?

The tour operates in all weather conditions, and you should dress appropriately. If it gets canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

What is the cancellation window?

You can cancel for free up to 24 hours before the experience’s start time for a full refund. Changes inside 24 hours of the start time are not accepted.