Full Day Jeep Safari East – Pico do Areeiro – Santana – Ponta de são Lourenço

Madeira’s east has big, dramatic scenes, but it can be hard to reach them without your own wheels. This full-day jeep safari strings together mountain viewpoints, forest paths, and coastal lookouts, with a small group and real off-road time.

I especially like how the day mixes altitude with coast, so you keep getting fresh views, not the same scenery on repeat. My other favorite is the way the stops are paced for wandering, like the short Levada dos Balcões walk and the longer stretch in Santana for a proper lunch break.

One thing to plan for: the jeep is open on top, so you should expect sun, wind, and some road noise. Also, the day includes moderate walking, and a small fee at the levada walk is possible depending on what you encounter on the day.

Key Highlights You Will Feel Immediately

• Open-top 4×4 time on narrow roads and off-road sections that buses just cannot do
• Pico do Arieiro for serious mountain and cloud-valley views
• Ribeiro Frio and Balcões viewpoint with a short levada walk through lush forest
• Santana’s thatched houses plus a real lunch stop in the middle of the day
• Coastal viewpoints including Miradouro do Guindaste and the Ponta do Rosto area
• Madeira rum tasting stop at Engenhos do Norte, for adults 18+

Price and Timing: Is This a Good Value Day?

At $74.98 per person for about 7 hours, this tour is built for people who want maximum variety without sprinting across the island on your own. You are paying for the convenience of hotel pickup and drop-off, live guiding, and the 4×4 transportation that gets you to spots along Madeira’s east coast.

The big “value math” is that lunch and drinks are not included, but you do get a full day of structured sightseeing with multiple viewpoints plus one walking segment and one cultural stop. With a cap of 8 travelers, the day also tends to feel smoother than the huge-bus style tours.

The start time is 9:00 am from the Funchal area. If you need pickup outside Funchal, there is an extra charge mentioned as additional pickup tax, so I would ask at booking if that applies to your lodging.

Meeting the Route: What a Full-Day East Safari Actually Covers

This trip is designed like a loop of contrasts. It begins high in the mountains, steps down into a forested levada area, shifts into rural Santana, then rides along dramatic coastlines toward the eastern tip.

What helps most is that the stops are short enough to keep energy up, but long enough that you can step out, take photos, and walk a bit without feeling trapped in the vehicle. The timing also fits families better than you might expect, as long as everyone can handle some uneven trail time.

Also, you should know the basic pace comes from where the island allows you to stop safely. Madeira roads can be tight and winding, so a good guide is part of the experience, not just a bonus.

Pico do Arieiro: Mountain Views That Change as You Look

The day starts at Pico do Arieiro, Madeira’s third highest peak, with about 25 minutes on-site. Expect views over layered mountains and clouded valleys, the kind of scenery that makes you check the horizon more than once.

What I like about this opening stop is that it sets the tone early. You get that sense of scale fast, so the rest of the day feels like a gradual reveal rather than a random checklist.

A practical note: mornings in the high points can feel cooler and windier than lower elevations. Bring a layer you can keep on, and if you are prone to motion sickness, take it seriously before this kind of mountain road day.

Balcões de Ribeiro Frio: The Short Levada Walk with Big Payoff

Next comes Balcoes de Ribeiro Frio, around 45 minutes, where the star is the Levada dos Balcões walk to the Balcões viewpoint. This is a calmer stretch than the jeep drive, and it is your chance to slow down and look at the forest up close.

Madeira’s Laurissilva forest shows up here, and you can really feel why people protect these areas. The walk is short, but it is not a full flat stroll, so good shoes matter.

One detail to keep in mind: the tour data lists admission as free for this stop, but I would still be ready for a small fee at the trail or viewpoint access. One rider noted 3 euros was needed for the levada walk. I would treat this as a “might happen” cost, not something to count on for sure.

If you want an easy win, this is it: a moderate walk, a clean viewpoint payoff, and a break from the motion of the road.

Santana: Thatched Houses, Rural Scenery, and Lunch in the Right Place

Santana is where the tour turns more cultural, with about 2 hours for the stop and a lunch window. Santana is famous for its traditional houses with thatched roofs, set against a green, rural backdrop.

This is a good place to step away from just “look at views” and get a taste of Madeira’s heritage. The longer stop means you can actually browse, take photos, and choose a meal without feeling rushed.

Lunch is not included, but the tour gives you the structure of being there at the middle of the day, when you will likely be ready for it. Many guides also point you toward local value spots, so I would ask your driver what they recommend once you arrive.

If you are traveling with kids, this is usually the easiest time to keep everyone happy. Views are still there, but you also get something hands-on and visually different.

Miradouro do Guindaste: Clifftop Views That Make You Look Down

After Santana, you head to Miradouro do Guindaste for about 15 minutes. This viewpoint gives you a clifftop perspective where steep drops meet the Atlantic, with exposed platforms for a panoramic look.

It is the type of stop that makes you naturally take your time, because the ocean and the rock formations look different from every angle. Just be careful if you have vertigo, as the edge feels close in person.

This is also where the open-air jeep stops start to make more sense. You are not just sitting, you are moving from one dramatic vantage to another, and the coast is the payoff.

Porto da Cruz and Engenhos do Norte: A Rum Stop for Adults

Next is Porto da Cruz, where you spend about 20 minutes at the Engenhos do Norte Rum Factory. The idea is simple: you get a chance to taste Madeira rum.

A key rule: the tour notes a minimum drinking age of 18. So if you are traveling with teens or younger kids, they can still enjoy the stop, but they should not expect to sample alcohol.

One timing reality: the rum factory can be closed on some visits depending on operating hours. I would not assume it is guaranteed to run that day. If tasting matters to you, confirm the hours when you book, or as soon as you get your confirmation.

Even if the tasting is limited, this stop still adds a local flavor to the day beyond viewpoints.

Miradouro da Ponta do Rosto, Caniçal, and the Eastern-Tip Feeling

Then comes Miradouro da Ponta do Rosto in Caniçal, about 15 minutes. This viewpoint focuses on the eastern tip of Madeira, with views of colorful cliffs and volcanic rock shapes meeting open ocean.

This is where the coast feels the most rugged. You get a sense of how Madeira formed, and you also see how different this east side looks compared with the more familiar west coast vibes.

It is a short stop, but it is a good one for photos and for that last “wow” before heading back toward the more settled towns.

Machico and Santa Cruz: Ending with Coast and Town Life

The schedule also includes Machico, Madeira’s first capital city, and a stop in Santa Cruz. Specific durations are not listed for these final stops, but the idea is to finish the day with calmer coastal scenery and a bit of local atmosphere.

I like these closing stops because they help you transition out of “mountain plus cliff” mode. You get a chance to breathe, look at the shoreline, and wrap the day with something that feels more normal and walkable than the steepest viewpoints.

What You Really Ride: The Jeep, the Wind, and the Photo Stops

This is where the experience becomes very physical, in a good way. The 4×4 format lets you see areas that big vehicles cannot reach, and the off-road sections add the “we are getting somewhere real” feeling.

But you should prepare for the open-air design. One rider noted the roof stays open the entire time, meaning sun and wind, plus extra noise from road and tunnels. If you tend to get cold easily, bring a light layer. If you burn fast, wear sun protection early, because stops can happen quickly.

If you sit in the back, the wind can be stronger. Plan your photo strategy accordingly, like holding your phone steady and watching your hair or hat situation.

For comfort, bring shoes with grip. Roads can be steep and uneven, and the walking parts are short, but you do not want to do them in flimsy footwear.

Guides Make or Break This Day

The guides are a major reason this tour scores so high. Names you may encounter include Nico, John, Gabriel, Bryan, Alex, Ernesto, Pedro, and Rodrigo. Across these guides, the common thread is that they keep the day lively with local context and clear timing.

You can also feel the difference in driving style. Several people highlighted that their guide drove steep roads in a way that felt safe and controlled, which matters on Madeira. When your driver is confident, you can focus on the scenery instead of worrying about the road.

One practical tip: if you are in a group, ask your driver early about staying together. One rider noted it can be hard for people in the back of the jeep to hear everything, so pick your seating if you can, and do not be shy about asking questions during stops.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Might Want Something Else)

This is a strong fit if you want a full day that covers a lot of the east in a single sweep. It is also great if you enjoy off-road driving, short hikes, and scenic photo stops more than you care about long museum-style breaks.

It is also sensible if you are on a tight schedule. When you only have a few days, it helps you get your bearings across Madeira’s variety, from mountaintops to rugged coastline.

It may be less ideal if you hate wind, or if short walks are a deal breaker. The tour calls for moderate physical fitness, and the levada walk requires a bit of effort. If you have mobility issues, this could feel like too much switching between vehicle and walking.

Should You Book This Jeep Safari?

Yes, if you want an active, scenic day on Madeira’s east that feels different from standard bus tours. The small group size, the mix of mountain and coast, and the chance to ride somewhere you would not easily reach on your own add up to real value for your time.

I would book it especially if you meet any of these conditions:

• You want views plus walking, not just sitting on a sightseeing bus
• You like local culture stops like Santana and the rum tasting stop
• You are comfortable with a jeep ride that is open on top

I would reconsider if you cannot handle moderate walking, you are extremely sensitive to wind and noise, or rum tasting is a must on a specific day. Otherwise, this is one of those Madeira days that earns its place in your itinerary fast, and you will come home with the kind of scenery you actually remember.

FAQ

How long is the Jeep Safari East tour?

It runs for about 7 hours.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 9:00 am.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch and drinks are not included.

Do children need to be accompanied by an adult?

Yes. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Is there an age limit for the rum tasting stop?

The tour lists a minimum drinking age of 18.

How big is the group?

This tour has a maximum of 8 travelers.

Is there free cancellation?

Yes. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience’s start time.