Madeira East Island Tour with Levada Walk and Lunch

East Madeira runs on views and water. This 8-hour tour strings together the levada walk experience with village time in Camacha and Santana, then tops it off with a 3-course lunch and wine on the east side. My only caution: the route and the walk can shift with weather, and the mountains can feel cold even in better seasons.

I like that it is built for real touring, not just quick stops. Hotel pickup is offered in selected areas, and the day is paced with breaks for viewpoints like Ribeiro Frio and Pico do Arieiro. Guides such as Tony, Carlos, Lucy, Michael, and Carlos are repeatedly praised for keeping the information flowing while still giving you time to look and wander.

One more practical note before you book: the tour is advertised as small-group, but vehicle sizes can vary on the day due to logistics. If you are sensitive to narrow seats or tight legroom on winding roads, plan for that possibility and choose comfortable clothing.

Key highlights at a glance

• Small-group feel, with a max group size of 15 for a more personal pace than big bus touring
• Levada walking in the east, with optional add-ons like the Balcões-type route for extra time
• East coast viewpoints that connect Ribeiro Frio, Pico do Arieiro, and the Laurissilva forest area
• Lunch with a three-course choice menu and wine, plus a real stop at the Grutas do Faial area
• Porto Cruz rum tasting as a fun Madeira flavor moment during the ride
• Many guided days return to your starting point, so you do not have to juggle transport

Entering Madeira’s East Coast, Santana first

This tour is designed to introduce you to Madeira’s east, which feels different from the west right away. Instead of only jumping between scenic pull-offs, the route mixes traditional villages, high viewpoints, and the kind of countryside you can only really understand by moving along it.

Santana is a strong starter. Expect a village atmosphere where you can slow down, look around, and get a feel for the island’s older traditions. If you time it right, you might also catch a local event atmosphere, since Santana can have festivals that bring extra energy and crowds into the schedule.

The good part of starting here is that you can settle in early. You are likely to be arriving with energy, not tired from travel or waiting. The possible drawback is that sometimes road closures and events can affect exact access or timing, so you should be ready for small changes without drama.

Camacha and Monte-to-Poiso routing: the practical way to orient yourself

After Santana, the drive-and-stop rhythm gets you oriented across the central and eastern interior. The route commonly passes through places like Monte and Camacha, then heads toward Poiso, where you begin to see how the island’s hills shape what you get at each viewpoint.

Camacha is one of those Madeira villages that helps you understand the island beyond the coastline. You get time to look and soak in the slower pace, and it also works as a contrast to the more dramatic high points later in the day.

One thing I would plan for: this is an island of switchbacks and steep grades. Even when the itinerary is well organized, the driving time matters. In day trips like this, comfort and patience make the difference between a great day and a cramped one.

Pico do Arieiro and Ribeiro Frio: where the air changes

Pico do Arieiro is a highlight for good reason: it is high, exposed, and often windswept, so the views feel big even when clouds play tricks. The tour also builds in Ribeiro Frio, a calmer counterpoint that helps you break up the day before you head into the forest zone and levadas.

Bring a jacket. The tour notes this directly, and the reason is simple: when you climb, the temperature drops. Even if it feels warm when you leave Funchal, it can cool fast near the mountains, especially around the Pico area.

Another practical tip: if you are prone to motion sickness, take it seriously. This route spends real time on winding roads. A seatbelt is available in the vehicle, and you should use it even if you do not hear reminders from the driver. (Roads here can be unforgiving when visibility shifts.)

The Laurissilva forest area and the levada walk reality check

This is where the tour earns its keep. Madeira’s levadas are not just scenery, they are the island’s water lifeline, built into the terrain over generations. Walking one gives you that rare feeling of moving alongside something that mattered for survival and agriculture long before tourism.

The tour includes a levada-style walk, but with a key caveat: some levada routes like Balcões are treated as optional add-ons with an extra fee paid directly on the walk. The pricing is listed in two places in the tour materials, €3.00 and €4.50, so if you care about the exact cost, check your voucher or ask when you’re picked up.

Footwear is the difference between comfortable and miserable. Mud and damp patches happen. The tour materials also warn that levada walks can get cold in the mountains, so dress in layers you can adjust.

If weather is rough, you may not get the full walk experience you expected. The tour notes that subject to favorable weather conditions, so plan around flexibility. On a bad weather day, you might still enjoy viewpoints and village time, but the forest and levada parts may be reduced or adjusted.

Grutas do Faial lunch, wine, and the fun Porto Cruz rum tasting

Lunch is one of the main value drivers here. The tour includes a three-course choice menu and wine, and it is scheduled as a midday anchor so you can recharge. This matters on a day like this, where you are combining high viewpoints, a walk, and multiple villages.

One detail I like is that lunch is tied to the Grutas do Faial area, which makes it feel more connected to the day than a generic stop. The experience is not just about food, it’s also about placing the meal in context with the island’s landscape and water world.

After lunch, there is typically a rum tasting at Porto Cruz. This is a fun Madeira flavor moment, especially if you like trying local products without turning it into a long detour. It also breaks up the ride back toward Machico, giving the day a second mini-finish.

If you are picky about pacing, keep this in mind: when events or festivals are happening, lunch can feel slightly rushed due to restaurant timing and crowd levels. It does not usually mean the meal is bad, but it can affect how slow you can linger.

Stop rhythm along the east: Faial, Porto da Cruz, and Machico returns

As the day moves along the east, you tend to pass through or near key areas like Faial, Porto da Cruz, Portela, and Machico. This is part of the appeal of the itinerary: you are not stuck in one town. You are tracing the island’s curve and letting the coast and high ground take turns.

Faial usually plays into the food stop area, and Porto da Cruz is where the rum tasting fits nicely into the geography. Machico is often used as one of the return points, which makes the day feel complete, since you are ending closer to the coast and the familiar shapes around Funchal.

One more small planning thought: you will likely have a few minutes here and there between stops to take photos, use a restroom, and just breathe. Those small gaps add up. When the route is successful, it feels like a full day rather than a checklist.

Who leads this tour matters, and it can change your day

The guides are a big reason this trip holds up. Names that show up often include Tony, Carlos, Lucy, Michael, Gamma, and Gomes. The common thread is that they keep explaining what you are seeing, while still letting you get your bearings at each stop.

Some days also include a multi-lingual approach. The tour notes that if there are five or fewer people speaking the same language, you might be mixed with another language group, but the guide is still expected to speak all required languages. Practically, that means you should be ready for a bit of variation in how information is delivered, even if the guide is doing their best.

If you care about explanations during the drive, pick a day where you know you will still be in the mood after lunch and a walk. This tour rewards curiosity, not just sightseeing.

Price and logistics: where value is real, and where you should double-check

At $66.38 per person, this feels like good value if you want a full east-coast sampler with a real lunch included. You get a driver/guide, hotel pickup and drop-off in selected areas, an air-conditioned vehicle, a three-course lunch choice menu with wine, plus rum tasting. For many people, the total package is the point.

But here is the honest part: the “small group” promise is something you should confirm before you rely on it. The tour highlights suggest a max of 8 in some descriptions, while other tour materials allow up to 15, and there can also be vehicle substitutions due to road or maintenance issues. That can affect seat comfort, especially on a windy day.

Also note pickup details clearly. If pickup is not possible from your hotel, you may need to head to the cable car area or an H&M Store location in Funchal. Santa Cruz pickups have an additional cost of €6.00 per person unless you meet at Caniço area pickup, which is free.

Finally, there is a seat comfort tip that comes up with mountain-road days: do not underestimate legroom. If you are taller or you know you feel cramped in small vehicles, ask about the vehicle size or seat layout when booking.

What to pack for this east-coast day

This tour has a gentle range of effort, but it does not ignore the outdoors. You should pack for walking, cold, and quick changes.

Bring:

• A jacket, because it can get cold at higher elevations like Pico do Arieiro
• Proper footwear for muddy levada paths, especially if Balcões-type routes are part of your plan
• A small day bag for water, a snack, and anything you need during viewpoint time

Also plan your expectations. This is not a short walk in a park. If you go in with hiking-style footwear and layers, you will feel much more in control of the day.

Should you book the Madeira East Island Tour with levada walk and lunch?

If you want an organized, guided way to experience Madeira’s east coast, this is a strong choice. The included 3-course lunch with wine, the levada walking, and the Porto Cruz rum tasting make it feel like a full day with real value, not just a series of photo stops.

I would book it if:

• You like village time plus mountain viewpoints in the same day
• You want a guided explanation while still having time to look around
• You are comfortable with a walk and a windy-drive day

I would think twice or at least double-check details if:

• You are sensitive to cramped seating, because vehicle size can vary
• You need maximum mobility support, since the tour is not recommended for travelers with mobility problems
• You are booking expecting one exact levada route every day, because weather can change the plan

Bottom line: if you show up ready for layers, good shoes, and some route flexibility, you will likely end the day thinking the east side of Madeira has a personality of its own.

FAQ

How long is the Madeira East Island Tour?

The tour runs about 8 hours (approximately).

What time does the tour start and how does pickup work?

The tour starts around 9:00 am, with pickup typically happening between 8:00 am and 9:00 am depending on where your hotel is. The tour can start between 8:00, 8:45, and 9:30 am.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for selected areas. If hotel pickup is not possible, you may need to make your way to the cable car or the H&M Store area in Funchal.

Is there extra cost for pickup in Santa Cruz?

Yes. Pickups for the Santa Cruz area have an additional cost of €6.00 per person for pickup and drop-off, while meeting in Caniço can be free.

What does lunch include?

Lunch includes a three-course choice menu. The tour also lists meals, and the highlights mention wine with the lunch.

Is the rum tasting included?

Yes. Rum tasting at Porto Cruz is included.

Is the levada walk included, and what about Balcões?

Levada walking is part of the experience, and the materials note that levada walks such as Balcões can have an additional fee paid directly on the walk (the materials list both €3.00 and an optional €4.50 amount, so confirm in your booking details).

What should I bring for the mountains and levada path?

Bring a jacket, as it can get cold in the mountains. You should also wear proper footwear, since the levada can be muddy.

What if the weather is bad?

The tour is subject to favorable weather conditions. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered an alternative date or a full refund.

Is this tour suitable for kids and mobility needs?

Children must be accompanied by an adult, and you need to provide the child’s age so the correct chair can be supplied, since strict laws do not allow children to travel on a parent’s lap. The tour is not recommended for travelers with mobility problems.