Funchal: Pico Arieiro 4x4 Safari & Santana Levada Walk

Six people in an open jeep, 1,818 meters up, and the island spreads out below you

You ride an open jeep to Madeira's third-highest peak, stop in a traditional village for local poncha and food, walk a 2km levada through forest, and return to your hotel without arranging transport or timing yourself. Small groups (max 8) mean you're with a local guide who knows the backroads, not in a convoy.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Pico do Arieiro30m
2. Santana1h
3. Machico30m

Explore Pico do Arieiro and Santana

• Drive through Ribeiro Frio forest
• Visit Pico do Arieiro peak
• Explore traditional houses in Santana
• Walk 2km on levada trail

The experience

Yeah, so the thing about small groups is you actually get to talk to the driver instead of sitting in a convoy of twelve identical vehicles all honking at each other on the way up. This tour caps out at six or eight people max, which means you're in an open-top UMM jeep with someone who actually knows the back roads, not the main highway everyone else takes. You start from your hotel in Funchal or Caniço, and then it's straight into the old routes and offroads heading toward Pico do Arieiro, the third-highest peak on Madeira at 1,818 meters. The drive itself is half the experience. You're not just getting transported, you're watching the landscape shift as you climb.

Once you hit the peak, the views are the kind that make you understand why people come to Madeira in the first place. From there you head down to Santana, where the traditional houses with their steep triangular thatched roofs are still standing, not a museum version, just the actual village where people live. Your guide stops for poncha (the local spirit mixed with honey and lemon, and it hits different when you're at altitude) and other island specials, so you're eating and drinking the way locals do, not the way a tour company thinks tourists should. Then there's a 2-kilometer walk along a levada (those are the old water channels carved into the mountainside), which takes about thirty minutes and passes through forest that feels like it's been there forever. The whole day is paced so you're not rushing between checkpoints. It's relaxed, which is kind of the point.

The guide is local, speaks English (and possibly other languages depending on the day), and actually supports the small economy instead of funneling money into the big tour machine. They'll tell you what's edible, what the old houses are made of, why the levadas exist. The stuff that makes a place make sense instead of just look nice. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, so you don't have to figure out how to get to the trailhead or negotiate a taxi fare at the end of the day when you're tired.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from Funchal or Caniço.
• open-top 4x4 jeep ride with a local driver/guide.
• visit to Pico do Arieiro at 1,818 meters.
• stop in Santana village with traditional houses.
• local poncha and island food tastings.
• 2-kilometer levada walk through forest.
• live commentary on the drive.
• professional guide service (may be multilingual).

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to10h before

AgesAdult (10 and older) · Under 10: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48h

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Up Mountain Madeira

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want the mountain scenery and local village experience without renting a car or timing yourself between stops: the small group size and local guide mean you're actually exploring Madeira instead of checking boxes in a convoy.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and Portuguese.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Is the jeep covered or open?

It's an open-top UMM jeep, so you're exposed to the weather and views. Dress for mountain conditions. It's cooler at 1,818 meters even if Funchal is warm.

Can I bring children?

Yes, children are welcome and must be accompanied by an adult. Specialized infant seats are available if you need one.

What if the weather is bad?

The tour operates in all weather conditions, so bring appropriate clothing. Mountain weather can change quickly, so layers are a good idea.

Are dietary requirements accommodated?

Vegetarian options are available. Let the operator know your dietary needs when you book.

Do I need to be fit for the levada walk?

The 2km levada walk is suitable for all fitness levels and takes about 30 minutes at a relaxed pace.

Is this tour suitable for cruise ship passengers?

Yes, but you'll need to provide your ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time when you book so the return is timed correctly.

What's included in the price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off in Funchal or Caniço, a local guide, professional driver/guide, and live commentary during the drive. Food and drinks (poncha, local specials) are included as stops.