Full Day | Discovering Madeira

Full day tour

Discovering Madeira (East)

The wild east: Pico do Arieiro, Laurissilva forest, Santana’s thatched houses, a rum distillery and Ponta de São Lourenço.

8 hours Up to 9 people Departure 08:30 Pickup in Funchal

Overview

East Madeira Jeep Adventure

Discover the wild beauty and cultural richness of Madeira’s east on this unforgettable Jeep tour. From cloud-piercing mountains to coastal cliffs, traditional villages, and scenic off-road moments, this route offers a complete taste of the island’s eastern wonders.

Your day begins at Pico do Arieiro, the island’s third-highest peak (1,818m), where you’ll stand above the clouds and enjoy breathtaking views of Madeira’s rugged central mountains.

Next, we descend into the peaceful forest area of Ribeiro Frio, known for its endemic vegetation and natural springs — a serene stop in the heart of the Laurissilva Forest.

In the north, we’ll visit Santana, a charming village famous for its traditional thatched triangular houses. Then it’s on to Rocha do Navio, where a viewpoint perched above the ocean offers a panoramic look at the cliffs and a glimpse of a remote cable car down to the sea.

Our next stop is Porto da Cruz, where you’ll visit Engenhos do Norte, one of the oldest sugarcane rum distilleries on the island. Here, you can taste local rum and traditional Madeiran cake — both offered for free during the visit.

Miradouro do Gundaste is the second (and less crowded) glass – bottom viewpoint on the Island with amazing view.

Heading east, we reach the dramatic cliffs of Ponta de São Lourenço, where a viewpoint offers striking views over the island’s volcanic peninsula and the Atlantic stretching in all directions.

To finish, we’ll take a short off-road detour near Caniçal for a unique photo opportunity with sea views, cliffs, and rugged terrain — a perfect way to capture the wilder side of Madeira.

This Jeep tour blends natural beauty, local culture, and off-road adventure, offering a perfect day for those who want to explore the island in comfort, away from the crowds.

Itinerary

  1. PickupCR7 Square, Funchal or near your hotel · 08:30
  2. Pico do Arieiro
  3. Ribeiro Frio
  4. Santana
  5. Rocha do Navio
  6. Miradouro do Guindaste
  7. Engenhos do Norte – Porto da Cruz (free rum tasting)
  8. Ponta de São Lourenço viewpoint
  9. Caniçal – off-road photo stop
  10. Drop-offBack in Funchal or at your hotel

Good to know

Included4×4 Jeep transport, licensed local guide (also your driver), pickup & drop-off in Funchal
DifficultyModerate physical fitness
LanguagesEnglish, Spanish
Meeting pointAvenida Sá Carneiro (CR7 Square), Funchal. Pickup starts 30 min before departure. We can also start from Ponta do Sol, Ribeira Brava, Calheta or São Vicente.
CancellationFree cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour starts. No refunds after that. We may cancel for bad weather or not enough travellers – in that case you get a full refund.
Please noteNot wheelchair accessible. Not recommended for travellers with back problems, pregnant travellers or serious heart conditions. Service animals allowed.

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