Santana – Private Full-Day – Safari 4×4 Tour – NorthEast

A full-day jeep safari in northeast Madeira feels like a shortcut to the island’s wild side. I love that you get pickup and a vehicle built for rough tracks, and I also love the calm pace with frequent photo stops that pull you off the usual routes. One thing to consider: it climbs to high viewpoints (and heads into the north coast), so weather can swing fast—bring a jacket even in warm months.

This is a private tour for up to 4 people, so you’re not stuck waiting on a big group. You ride in an open classic ex-army Portuguese jeep (with a cover for weather), and guide Miguel keeps the day organized but flexible, aiming for the best angles and quieter roads. The trade-off is time: you’ll spend a lot of your day in motion, plus a couple of optional walking moments.

If you want more than a checklist of viewpoints, this route makes sense. You’ll see iconic spots like Pico do Arieiro and Santana, but you’ll also spend meaningful time in Laurisilva forest paths and nearby rural villages where life looks lived-in.

Key things to know before you go

• Private, small-group comfort: up to 4 people, with pickup and drop-off from Funchal hotels
• Ex-army 4×4 jeep: open-top feel with a cover for weather
• Northeast focus: Pico do Arieiro, Santana, and Faial, plus north-coast viewpoints
• UNESCO Laurisilva time: you pass through and stop around forested areas tied to UNESCO
• A-frame Santana House visit: the goal is a more genuine local property, not just storefront photo ops
• Optional walking: a levada section (about 2 km / 30–40 minutes) if you feel up for it

What makes this northeast Madeira safari work so well

Madeira’s road system is good, but the island is steep. The best viewpoints sit above switchbacks, and the prettiest rural areas often sit just far enough away that self-driving turns into stress. This tour fixes that by bringing the driving, the timing, and the route planning into one private day.

The vehicle matters here. You’re in a classic ex-army Portuguese UMM jeep that’s meant for the terrain, with an open feel for views and a cover when conditions turn. That mix is part of the fun: you get the sense of being “out there” without feeling like you signed up for a white-knuckle ride.

The other big win is how the day is structured. There are planned stops for viewpoints and photo moments, but the flow stays relaxed. Miguel’s style—seen again and again in guide-focused reviews—is calm, safety-minded, and heavy on local context: traditions, nature, and what you’re actually looking at instead of just pointing and moving on.

Getting to the start: Funchal pickup and your jeep-ready morning

The day starts around 9:00 am with pickup from your place in Funchal (with drop-off back at the end). If your hotel isn’t in Funchal, you might still be able to adjust the route variant if you’re staying in Garajau or Caniço—the operator notes they can swap to NorthWest, SouthWest, or SouthEast depending on where you are.

Your meeting point is listed near Praia Formosa, São Martinho (Funchal), and the tour transfers you into the “off-road mindset” early. You’ll be climbing while the island is still waking up, which is when high viewpoints can look dramatic.

A practical tip: dress for altitude. The route goes up to roughly 1,800 meters, and the north coast can feel cooler even when Funchal is warm. A light jacket is an easy win.

Stop-by-stop: what you’ll actually see and why it’s worth the time

Think of this day as two halves: mountain-to-cloud viewpoints in the morning, then north-coast scenery, levadas, and towns on the way back.

Start with Funchal to Poiso: bays, hills, and protected nature (Stop 1)

The tour kicks off with a drive from Funchal to Poiso at about 1,412 meters. Along the way, you pass areas like Shoupana Hills and Montado do Pereiro, described as a protected natural area, with the bay in the background.

This portion works for two reasons. First, it gives you that “Madeira in layers” view—ocean, hills, and mountain slopes all at once. Second, you’re not just staring from one official viewpoint; you get back-road angles that usually don’t show up in standard tours.

You’ll also stop at good photo spots in a relaxed way. Admission tickets aren’t listed for these stops, which helps keep the day simple.

Choupana Hill: a climb that feels like you’re stepping into another world (Stop 2)

Next you go up toward Choupana Hill (365). The time is short—around 10 minutes—but the idea is clear: quick elevation gains, sweeping views, and off-the-beaten-track roads.

If you’re the type who likes early-day photo sessions without crowds, this is a good moment. The stop length is brief, so you won’t feel trapped watching one view forever.

Poiso and Pico do Areeiro’s altitude build-up (Stop 3)

From there you keep ascending toward the high country around Poiso while heading toward Pico do Arieiro (the day’s star). The tour notes you often move above the clouds. When that happens, the scenery can look unreal—soft cloud layers with sharp mountain edges cutting through.

This isn’t about one single viewpoint. It’s about building perspective so later stops hit harder.

Pico do Arieiro: the big viewpoint with time to breathe (Stop 4)

You reach Pico do Arieiro around 1,811–1,818 meters. Expect dramatic views, and you’ll likely spend a fair amount of time up there—part explore, part photos.

Here’s the practical value: Pico do Arieiro is one of those places where timing and weather matter. If clouds roll in, it can turn moody and cinematic. If the sky clears, you get strong views across both the south and north sides of the island. Either way, you’re set up for good “wow” photos, and the private nature of the tour helps you linger when conditions look best.

After this, the route turns north toward Ribeiro Frio and Faial along what’s described as an ancient royal footpath area, including time near terraces and forest paths.

Ribeiro Frio and Laurisilva forest: where the island turns green (Stop 5)

In the next part of the day, you move through the Laurisilva forest area—connected to UNESCO in the tour description—and you’ll pass water springs feeding trout tanks.

This section is more than scenery. It’s your chance to experience Madeira’s famous old-forest atmosphere. The tour includes stops and a mention of tasting something adventurous is possible (it’s described as “hehehe,” so think local opportunity rather than a formal tasting).

There’s a stop time around 10 minutes, but you’ll also see the protected forest setting as the drive continues. If you like nature that feels older than the roads, this part is a keeper.

São Roque do Faial: Penha d’Águia’s imposing presence (Stop 6)

As you descend further, you’ll be able to contemplate Penha d’Águia, also called Eagle’s Rock. The tour frames it as a striking rock formation that accompanies the route as you climb and descend.

This is one of those stops that can be quick but memorable. You’ll get a better sense of how Madeira’s geology shapes the roads and villages.

Miradouro do Cruzeiro and a local bar stop (Stop 7)

Next you reach Miradouro do Cruzeiro, and the plan includes a stop in a local bar with local prices.

That’s a small detail, but it matters. Most tours give you one coffee stop at a commercial spot. This one tries to make the day feel more like a lived-in route—short, simple, local.

Off-road toward Santana: off-road scenery and a longer mid-journey pause (Stop 8)

The itinerary calls for a spectacular off-road stretch as you head toward Santana, crossing the mountain. There’s a longer stop in the middle of this off-road segment to enjoy the scenery, around 15 minutes.

This is where the jeep feels essential. The ride isn’t just transport; it’s part of how you access viewpoints and remote village edges.

If you’re prone to motion sickness, this is the time you’ll want to sit in the most comfortable position and take it easy—open-road driving can feel more “present” than a normal car.

Pico das Pedras and the descent into Santana: terraces, people, and lunch (Stop 9)

You reach Pico das Pedras and immediately begin descending to Santana. This is where you’ll get to see the traditional A-frame houses that people often photograph.

The tour also sets expectations beyond the houses: you’ll see agricultural terraces, meet locals, and have lunch at a local restaurant. Lunch is optional and extra (the information provided lists lunch as optional and mentions €12 for Santana, while another part lists lunch extra fee as €17—so budget for a lunch cost in that range).

If you’re vegetarian, there’s a vegetarian option available if you inform booking, but the specific meal details aren’t spelled out here—so ask or confirm when you reserve.

Santana: visit a real Santana house and eat local food (Stop 10)

Santana is the cultural anchor of the day. You’ll visit a genuine Santana House, described as a traditional triangle-shaped home with about 240 years. The tour time is around 1 hour 30 minutes for this stop, including lunch at a local place.

You can also expect typical local dishes like espetada, tuna, or Peixe-Espada mentioned in the itinerary. This matters because the stop is framed as a visit to a traditional property, not just a photo wall.

One drawback to note: houses are historic. If you want to move quickly through interiors, plan to be patient for the visit experience part of the schedule.

Faial and Porto da Cruz viewpoints: north coast return (Stop 11)

After Santana, you head back through the north coast toward Faial with amazing views of Faial and Porto da Cruz. The stop time is shorter (about 10 minutes), and it’s mainly viewpoint time with more of the “Madeira from the sea side” feeling.

This is a good moment to reset your legs after the morning’s climbing.

Optional levada walk near Porto da Cruz (Stop 12)

At Porto da Cruz, if the weather permits, you can do an optional levada walk: about 2 km and roughly 30–40 minutes.

Levadast walks are a signature Madeira experience, and the value here is practical: you’ll walk a section of a water canal system rather than only standing at viewpoints. If you want one “active” slice of the day without a full hike, this fits the bill.

If you’re not up for it, no problem—you can still enjoy the rest of the route, but the itinerary suggests the walk is optional rather than required.

Estrada dos Maroços and Machico’s bay connection (Stop 13)

Next you return via the eastern coast, passing Maroços and Machico—the bay where the Portuguese landed in 1419/20.

This stop is brief (about 10 minutes), but the historical note gives context. It turns the drive from scenery-only into a story of how the island developed along its coastline.

End with poncha in Machico (Stop 14)

The day finishes in Machico with a freshly homemade poncha. The plan gives about 20 minutes for this final stop.

Poncha is Madeira in one drink: citrusy, sweet, and easy to like. It’s a fitting wrap-up because you end by the water after spending the morning in mountain air.

The value question: what you’re paying for, and what you should check

The price is listed as $493.07 per group, up to 4 people, for roughly 8 hours. That sounds high if you compare it to per-person group tours—but the math changes once you remember you’re hiring a private 4×4 guide and driver, with pickup and off-road capability built for the terrain.

This tour is worth it most when:

• You want maximum access to remote viewpoints and off-road sections without a rental car.
• You’re traveling as a small group and can spread the cost.
• You care about a guide-led day focused on local roads and context, not just ticket stops.

Two “check this before you book” points:

• Lunch cost is extra. Plan on paying at least for the meal portion. The tour lists lunch as optional with a cited cost around €12–€17 depending on the listed fee.
• Weather affects comfort and what you can do. The tour says it requires good weather. Also, you’ll be at altitude and on the north coast, so layers matter.

Who should book this tour?

This fits best if you:

• Want a first real look at Madeira beyond the usual port-day loop.
• Like driving in off-road conditions but want it done in a calm, safe way.
• Enjoy a balanced day: viewpoints, a historic house, forest time, and a short walking option.

It’s also a strong pick for mixed ages. The reviews include an 85-year-old participating with family members including a child, which suggests the pace is planned for normal vacation stamina, not hardcore trekking.

One possible drawback to plan around

The tour runs as a full day, with lots of stops and lots of moving parts. If you’re hoping for long stretches of free time, this isn’t that kind of schedule. It’s a “guided flow” day—great if you like structure, less great if you want to wander on your own for hours.

Also, open-air jeep rides are fun, but they can make it chilly or windy at higher elevations. Bring a jacket and plan for it to feel colder than Funchal.

Should you book this Santana & northeast safari?

If you’re choosing between a car rental plus self-drive viewpoints and a guided off-road day, I’d lean toward this tour for most visitors. You get private access, an off-road-suitable jeep, and route planning that hits the north coast and Santana without you needing to figure out every back road.

Book it if you want:

• Pico do Arieiro time with plenty of viewing options
• a real Santana House visit plus local food
• Laurisilva forest moments and the option for a levada walk

Skip it (or think hard) if you hate long driving days or if weather swings frequently during your dates. With Madeira, conditions can change quickly up in the mountains, so go into it expecting some day-to-day variation—and you’ll likely enjoy the tour’s calm, adaptable style.

FAQ

How long is the Santana private full-day 4×4 safari?

It runs for about 8 hours (approx.) starting at 9:00 am.

What’s the group size for this private tour?

It’s a private tour/activity where only your group participates, with pricing listed per group up to 4 people.

Is pickup from hotels included?

Pickup is offered from Funchal hotels (and it’s described as hassle-free pickup and drop-off).

What vehicle will I ride in?

You ride in an open classic ex-army Portuguese jeep that has a cover for all-weather conditions.

Is lunch included in the price?

Lunch is not included. It’s described as optional and extra, with a listed price for lunch during the Santana portion.

Do I have to do the levada walk?

The levada section near Porto da Cruz is optional and described as about 2 km / 30–40 minutes if weather permits.

What should I wear or bring for this tour?

The route goes up to around 1,800 meters, so it can be hot or cooler. Bring a jacket and dress appropriately for changing conditions.