Funchal: Private Jeep Tour Santana & Laurissilva Forest Full-Day

What does a mountain look like when you can drive straight into the clouds?

You spend a full day in a private 4x4 jeep exploring Madeira's east side, starting at Pico do Arieiro and moving through Laurissilva Forest, Santana village, and coastal viewpoints. The driver is English-speaking and flexible with the route based on weather and your interests. Hotel pickup is not mentioned, so confirm transport logistics when you book.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Pico do Arieiro30m
2. Santana1h

Full-day Jeep tour of Madeira East

• Start Jeep tour from Funchal
• Pass Poiso on the way
• Visit Pico do Arieiro mountain
• Walk in garden and Laurissilva forest
• Visit Faial Village beach and views
• Explore Santana Village and thatched houses
• Lunch at typical Santana restaurant
• See waterfall in Santana
• Visit viewpoint with sea cliffs
• Walk seafront promenade in Porto da Cruz
• Visit old sugar cane distillery
• See eastern tip sea cliffs and volcanic rocks
• Visit Jesus Christ statue viewpoint
• Return and finish tour in Funchal

The experience

Funchal sits at sea level, but the Madeira Island jeep tour climbs you out of it fast. You start in the city and head up toward Poiso, then push higher to Pico do Arieiro, the third-highest peak on the island, where the view opens up in a way that photographs don't quite catch. The driver knows the road. You're in a private Land Rover 4x4, not sharing it with strangers, so the pace is yours. If the weather shifts or you want to linger at a viewpoint, the route bends around it.

The day moves through the Laurissilva Forest on the east side of the island, which is a UNESCO-protected natural park and feels like stepping into a different climate altogether: ferns, ancient trees, and the sound of water channels called levadas running through it. You stop to walk a section if you want, or just stand there and let it sink in. Then the jeep takes you down to Santana village, where the houses have those distinctive thatched roofs you've probably seen in photos, and there's a typical restaurant if you want lunch. A waterfall nearby is part of the stop too. The route keeps moving: Faial beach with views toward Penha de Águia mountain, the northern coast from Vila do Porto da Cruz (there's an old sugar cane distillery there if you're curious), and the eastern tip of the island, which is drier and more volcanic than the rest, with colored rock formations that look almost otherworldly. A Jesus Christ statue overlooks Funchal and Garajau beach from another viewpoint. By late afternoon, you're back in Funchal.

The tour is offered in English, French, Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese, and the driver adjusts the stops based on weather and what you want to see. It's a full day: the kind where you cover a lot of ground without having to navigate or worry about timing. You're not hiking for hours. You're moving through the island in a vehicle that can handle the mountain roads, stopping at places you couldn't reach on your own.

What’s included

• Private Land Rover 4x4 jeep reserved for your group.
• English-speaking driver (or French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese).
• stops at Pico do Arieiro, Laurissilva Forest, Santana village with thatched-roof houses, Faial beach, Porto da Cruz, the eastern volcanic cliffs, and Jesus Christ viewpoint overlooking Funchal.
• access to levada water channels for walking.
• opportunity to visit a historic sugar cane distillery.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, Italian 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. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48h

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by Just Go Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see Madeira's mountains, forest, and coastline in one day without renting a car or navigating mountain roads yourself: the private jeep and flexible route mean you stop where the view is best and the weather is clearest.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, Italian 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 tour private or shared with other travelers?

It's private. The Land Rover is reserved only for your group, not shared with other bookings.

What's included in the tour?

A private jeep, a guide, and access to all the stops listed in the itinerary. Lunch is not included, though you can eat at a restaurant in Santana village.

Can the route be changed if weather is bad?

Yes. The tour is personalized and flexible. The driver will adjust stops to find better weather and sunlight if needed.

Is this tour suitable for people with mobility concerns?

The tour involves getting in and out of a jeep at multiple viewpoints and short walks in some areas. It's not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health. Confirm your fitness level with the operator before booking.

Are there height or weight restrictions?

Travelers over 190 cm (6'3") or over 100 kg (220 lbs) should inform the company in advance so they can confirm comfort and safety in the vehicle.

Do I need to arrange my own hotel pickup?

Hotel pickup is not mentioned in the tour details. Confirm whether pickup is included or if you need to meet the driver in Funchal.