Santana - Private Full-Day - Safari 4x4 Tour - NorthEast

Your private tour begins with the transfer from the hotel or apartment in my UMM (open classic ex-army Portuguese jeep - it has a cover also for all weather conditions). Get ready to be amazed by panoramic views and explore the heart of nature, while learning all about Madeira's traditions and history. You will have the opportunity of riding in a very relaxed safari-style tour, going to places that you just have to see! I`ll take you off the beaten track, whenever possible, through old roads & off-road, in really remote places, hidden valleys and villages lost in the mountains, so you can see the wild beauty of the island, all done in a very calm safe and relaxed way. Along our route we will stop at all the good photo opportunities, on an exciting open jeep ride, enjoying various experiences, awakening all your senses. At the end of the tour you will want to return and stay longer on my paradise :)

On board our Jeep, the trip starts from Funchal to Poiso at 1 412mts of altitude, passing by Shoupana Hills & Montado do Pereiro (protected Natural Área), always with its beautiful bay in the background. We will take the back roads through Funchal’s hillside, going for a hidden view of the beautiful bay that we will have as a background. Stopping in all the good photo opportunities, always in relaxed atmosphere, far from the beaten track.

After stopping in a beautiful view point we will keep going up the hill through old roads & off-road, all done in a very calm safe and relaxed, stopping in all the good photo opportunities, far from the beaten track.

While we ascend at the 3rd highest peak of the island, Pico do Areeiro at 1818m alt, we will keep stopping in all the good photo opportunities, always in relaxed atmosphere, far from the beaten track. Often we are above the clouds for a breathtaking landscape over the south and north side of the island.

We will stop at Pico Do Areiro, the third-highest peak on the island, 1811 m above sea level. There are usually very dramatic views, and we tend to spend a fair amount of time up there. After a stop to explore and pictures, we venture to the North side of the island, such as Ribeiro Frio and Faial, along the ancient royal footpath, where our sight is captured by the geometry of the oldest terraces of the island, along the beaten tracks crossing the wonderful Laurisilva forest and the water springs that supply the trout tanks. You will be amazed at the isolated rural nature of the villages we will visit. Always stopping in all the good photo opportunities, always in relaxed atmosphere.

As we pass through the wonderful Laurisilva forest and the water springs, we will have time to stop at one and for the more adventurous to taste it hehehe After that, will cross the hearth of our Laurisilva forest, descending trough Ribeiro Frio and observing the fauna and flora that habit this wonderful millenary forest, protected by Unesco. Always stopping in all the good photo opportunities, always in relaxed atmosphere, far from the beaten track.

As we continue our descent, we will be able to contemplate the imponent form of the rock formation Penha d’Águia (Eagle’s Rock) which will accompany us, as we climb the mountain side. Always stopping in all the good photo opportunities, always in relaxed atmosphere, far from the beaten track.

We will make a stop in a local bar with local prices. After that we will make a spectacular off road, where we’ll enjoy a wonderful scenery.

After off-road we will arrive to Pico das Pedras, and we will immediately begin to descend to santana. This is where you can find the traditional, authentic A-frame houses you might have seen online or in guide books. We see lots of agricultural terraces, we meet locals, and we have lunch at a local restaurant to try the local food (Lunch optional extra — not included in the price but highly recommended).

In Santana it`s time to visit a genuine Santana House, a triangle shaped house traditional from this area of Madeira with about 240 years and lunch at a local place, where you could eat some of the local traditional food, as for example the espetada, tuna or Peixe-Espada (Lunch – optional extra, not included in price and highly recommended) - 12,00€ We will visit a real house typical of Madeira, not touristic

After that, and it will be the time to get back through the north coast, Seeing the amazing views of Faial and Porto da Cruz, awayas stopping in all the good photo opportunities, always in relaxed atmosphere, far from the beaten track.

If the weather permits, we will walk in a section of a levada for about 30/40 minutes - 2Km (optional), stretching the legs, on one of the many unique water canals of Madeira.

We will finish up with the perfect ending, our famous freshly homemade Poncha drink! All these in a very relaxed informative fun way, going off road and off the beaten track having a good overview on the island, cruising through the mountain in the morning, and in the afternoon by the sea line.

This is a fun and informative trip for all ages and a great “first tour” for everyone visiting our beautiful island. A day to remember in years to come… Go ahead and Book Now! Spaces are limited!