Amazing East Tour Madeira: Mountains, Levada Walk, Santana and Rum Tasting

The Amazing East Tour is a shared sightseeing excursion through Madeira’s mountainous interior, Laurissilva forest and contrasting north and east coasts. The route normally combines Pico do Areeiro, Ribeiro Frio, an optional walk to Balcões Viewpoint, Santana’s traditional houses, Porto da Cruz and Ponta de São Lourenço.

The original Trip.com product ID 62386917 is titled Amazing East Tour. Its direct URL currently redirects to Trip.com’s wider Santa Cruz activities catalogue, although regional Trip.com results still display the product with a 4.4/5 rating from 14 reviews and regional starting prices around S$53 or AU$58 when indexed.

The matching supplier describes an approximately seven-hour shared minibus tour beginning around 8:30 am. Hotel pickup is offered in selected areas, commentary may be provided in English, German, French, Spanish or Portuguese, and the itinerary includes a rum-biscuit tasting. Lunch and the official PR11 trail payment are not included.

View the original Amazing East Tour listing on Trip.com

Tour overview

The tour is intended as a broad introduction to eastern Madeira rather than a hiking-focused day. It moves from viewpoints above Funchal to the island’s high mountains, descends into the cool Laurissilva forest, continues to the north-coast settlements and finishes amid the dry volcanic scenery of the eastern peninsula.

The supplier currently describes a duration of approximately seven hours. Traveller reviews occasionally refer to an eight-hour experience, which is understandable because pickup rounds, traffic, lunch and weather-related route adjustments can lengthen the door-to-door day.

This is a shared tour. Other guests may be collected from different hotels, and the driver-guide controls the schedule. The compact itinerary provides considerable variety but individual stops are relatively short.

Quick facts

Trip.com listing status

The supplied Trip.com URL no longer opens a complete standalone booking page. It redirects to the broader Santa Cruz experiences catalogue while retaining the product ID in the address.

Trip.com regional search results still identify the activity as Amazing East Tour and display:

• A 4.4/5 rating from 14 reviews
• Regional pricing around S$53 or AU$58
• Electronic voucher information
• Several language options
• Booking confirmation
• Conditional cancellation wording

The product may be temporarily unavailable, partly delisted or accessible only through selected regional pages. Confirm that the checkout page retains product ID 62386917 and the same itinerary before making payment.

Who this tour suits

This tour suits travellers who want to see many eastern Madeira highlights without hiring a car or arranging separate transfers. It is particularly useful for first-time visitors who have limited sightseeing days.

It is a good choice for visitors interested in:

• Mountain viewpoints
• Laurissilva forest
• A short and relatively easy levada walk
• Traditional Madeira architecture
• North-coast villages
• Rum and sugarcane heritage
• Volcanic coastal scenery

It is less suitable for travellers who want a long hike, extensive free time, a private vehicle or a leisurely restaurant lunch. The day moves quickly between numerous stops.

Expected itinerary

1. Hotel or meeting-point pickup: Collection normally begins around 8:30 am.
2. Terreiro da Luta: A short viewpoint and historical stop of approximately 15 minutes.
3. Pico do Areeiro: Spend around 40 minutes at Madeira’s third-highest summit when road and weather conditions allow.
4. Ribeiro Frio and Balcões: Visit the forest and trout nursery, with an optional short levada walk.
5. Guindaste viewpoint: Make a brief north-coast photo stop when accessible.
6. Santana: Spend approximately 1 hour 30 minutes seeing traditional houses and taking the lunch break.
7. Porto da Cruz: Stop for about 30 minutes for the sugarcane village and tasting.
8. Machico: Pass through or view the settlement associated with Madeira’s first Portuguese landing.
9. Ponta de São Lourenço: Finish with approximately 25 minutes at an eastern-coast viewpoint.
10. Return: Travel back to the confirmed hotel or meeting point.

The route can change because of fog, wind, rain, snow, road closures, trail restrictions and attraction access.

Terreiro da Luta

Terreiro da Luta stands in the hills above Funchal and offers a broad view over the capital when visibility is clear. The tour normally allows about 15 minutes.

The area contains the Nossa Senhora da Paz monument, erected in connection with a promise made after German submarine attacks on Funchal during the First World War.

This is a brief interpretive stop rather than a full visit. Keep a camera ready and remain close to the vehicle.

Pico do Areeiro

Pico do Areeiro rises to 1,818 metres and is Madeira’s third-highest point. A road reaches the summit area, allowing sightseeing groups to experience the central mountain range without undertaking the full PR1 hike.

On clear days, views may extend toward Pico das Torres, Pico Ruivo, Curral das Freiras, Ponta de São Lourenço and even Porto Santo. Conditions can change within minutes, and dense cloud may hide the landscape completely.

The approximately 40-minute stop is for viewpoints and short walks near the summit complex. It does not include the demanding hike between Pico do Areeiro and Pico Ruivo.

Temperatures are often substantially lower than at the coast. Strong wind, ice, snow or road controls can cause the stop to be altered or cancelled.

Ribeiro Frio

Ribeiro Frio is a cool forested area within Madeira’s Laurissilva landscape. The tour description mentions the rainbow-trout nursery and a short walk through old forest.

Travellers who choose not to walk can normally remain around Ribeiro Frio, although the exact waiting arrangement should be confirmed with the guide.

The forest can be damp even when the coast is sunny. Paths may contain wet leaves, roots and occasional muddy sections.

PR11 Vereda dos Balcões

PR11 Vereda dos Balcões begins beside the ER103 road in Ribeiro Frio and follows Levada da Serra do Faial toward Balcões Viewpoint.

Official Madeira information describes the complete route as:

• 1.5 kilometres each way
• 3 kilometres return
• Easy difficulty
• Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes independently
• Altitude between approximately 870 and 880 metres

The tour allows only around 45 to 50 minutes, so its guided component may be shorter than the full independent timing. The walk is optional and does not normally proceed during heavy rain or unsuitable weather.

On a clear day, Balcões Viewpoint looks across the Ribeira da Metade valley toward Pico do Areeiro, Pico das Torres and Pico Ruivo.

Guindaste viewpoint

Miradouro do Guindaste near Faial provides dramatic views along Madeira’s north coast. Modern viewing platforms project toward the sea and cliffs.

The itinerary allows only about 13 minutes, making this a rapid photo stop. High wind, temporary closure, parking pressure or maintenance may require another viewpoint to be used.

Stay behind railings and secure hats, phones and loose objects during windy conditions.

Santana houses and lunch stop

Santana is famous for triangular wooden houses with steep thatched roofs and bright red, blue and white details. The official Madeira tourism authority identifies these houses as one of the archipelago’s most recognisable cultural symbols.

The steep roof allowed rainwater to drain, while local wood, wheat and rye straw reflected the materials historically available in the area. Traditional layouts included a ground-floor living space and an attic used for agricultural storage.

The tour allows approximately 1 hour 30 minutes, covering an original-house visit, photographs and the lunch break. This is not enough for a detailed exploration of the entire municipality.

Porto da Cruz and rum tasting

Porto da Cruz is a north-east coastal village associated with sugarcane cultivation and Madeira rum. The tour includes a short tasting described variously as rum tasting or rum-biscuit tasting.

The stop normally lasts around 30 minutes. It may include a producer, shop or mill area, but a full technical distillery tour should not be assumed.

Alcohol tasting is optional and subject to legal-age requirements. Non-drinkers can decline without losing the rest of the visit.

Ponta de São Lourenço

Ponta de São Lourenço forms the easternmost tip of Madeira. The nine-kilometre volcanic peninsula has a drier, treeless landscape that contrasts sharply with Ribeiro Frio’s dense green forest.

The area is protected as a partial nature reserve and supports rare plants and seabirds. Panoramic viewpoints can reveal the north and south sides of the island simultaneously.

The tour’s approximately 25-minute stop is a viewpoint visit, not the full six-kilometre PR8 hike. Travellers should not expect time to walk to Cais do Sardinha or the far end of the peninsula.

Pickup and meeting arrangements

Hotel pickup is offered from selected areas. The matching supplier currently states:

• No routine hotel pickup in Machico, Ponta do Sol or Calheta
• Special arrangements may be possible for groups of eight, sometimes at extra cost
• Santa Cruz hotel pickup costs an additional €6 per person, paid in cash to the driver
• Shared-tour cruise pickup is near the CR7 Museum bus stop

Pickup terms can change, so enter the exact hotel during booking and obtain written confirmation. Do not assume that the activity’s Santa Cruz destination label means every Santa Cruz hotel is included without charge.

Be ready at least 10 minutes before the confirmed time. Shared pickup rounds can delay the final departure from Funchal.

Transport, languages and group size

The activity operates as a shared van or minibus tour. The matching supplier lists a maximum of 19 travellers.

Trip.com and the supplier advertise service in:

• English
• German
• French
• Spanish
• Portuguese

Several languages may be used in the same vehicle. Commentary can therefore be repeated, and the actual language mix depends on that day’s bookings.

Madeira’s roads are steep and winding. Travellers prone to motion sickness should take appropriate precautions and request a forward seat, although seating cannot be guaranteed.

What is included

• Shared east-coast sightseeing tour
• Selected hotel or meeting-point pickup and return
• Driver-guide
• Multilingual commentary according to the booked option
• Pico do Areeiro viewpoint visit when accessible
• Ribeiro Frio stop
• Optional short Balcões levada walk
• Traditional Santana house visit
• Rum-biscuit or rum-related tasting
• Guindaste and Ponta de São Lourenço viewpoints when accessible
• Mobile booking confirmation

The final Trip.com voucher controls the precise inclusion list.

What is not included

• Lunch
• Food and additional drinks
• Official PR11 trail payment
• Santa Cruz hotel pickup supplement
• Pickup from excluded areas unless separately arranged
• Optional gratuities
• Personal purchases
• Travel insurance
• Full PR1 or PR8 hikes

PR11 trail fee and reservation

Official Madeira information currently lists PR11 as open and requires access payment through the SIMplifica portal.

• Visitors over 12: €4.50
• Visitors aged 12 or under: Exempt

The supplier advises selecting a PR11 time slot around 11:00 when instructed. Older supplier text may mention a lower cash fee, but the current official Visit Madeira price is the more reliable figure.

Trail payment is separate from the tour fare and may have its own refund rules. Book only after confirming the selected tour date and the operator’s preferred time slot.

Lunch and drinks

Lunch is not included. The meal break occurs in Santana during the 90-minute village stop.

Restaurant choice may be arranged by the guide to fit the group schedule. Travellers can expect regional dishes, sandwiches, soups, meat or fish plates, but exact menus and prices vary.

Bring cash or a payment card and advise the operator about allergies, vegetarian requirements or medical diets before the tour. Carrying a small snack is sensible because pickup begins in the morning and the lunch time can vary.

Accessibility and physical demands

The matching supplier labels the tour and surfaces as wheelchair accessible and also permits pushchairs and service animals. However, this general label requires careful interpretation.

The optional PR11 walk is on a natural forest path and may not be practical for every wheelchair, particularly after rain. The vehicle may also require a passenger to transfer into a standard seat.

Before booking, ask the operator to confirm:

• Whether the vehicle has a ramp or lift
• Whether the wheelchair must fold
• Whether the passenger must transfer
• Maximum chair dimensions and weight
• Which viewpoints are step-free
• What alternative is available during the Balcões walk

Travellers who can walk independently should still expect repeated vehicle entry, uneven viewpoints and changing weather.

Children and families

Infant seats are available and must be requested before travel. Infants are not permitted simply to sit on an adult’s lap according to the matching supplier information.

The route can work well for school-age children because it combines short stops, forests, mountains, unusual houses and a tasting. Younger children may become tired during the long minibus sections.

Small animals may be accepted with restrictions, while larger pets generally require a private tour. Families travelling with an animal should obtain written approval before booking.

Weather and itinerary changes

Madeira’s microclimates can produce sunshine at the coast, fog at Pico do Areeiro and rain in Ribeiro Frio on the same day.

The supplier states that the route can change because of:

• Bad weather
• Closed roads
• Heavy rain
• Snow or ice in the mountains
• High wind
• Trail restrictions

The Balcões walk does not normally proceed during unsuitable rain or weather. A cloud-covered mountain stop does not necessarily entitle travellers to a refund if the rest of the tour operates.

What to wear and bring

• Comfortable walking shoes with grip
• Warm jacket or fleece for Pico do Areeiro
• Light waterproof layer
• Sun hat and sunscreen
• Reusable water bottle
• Personal medication
• Motion-sickness medication if needed
• Cash for pickup supplements and lunch
• Phone or camera
• Portable power bank
• Offline copy of the voucher
• PR11 payment confirmation if walking

Do not dress only for Funchal’s coastal temperature. Pico do Areeiro can be cold and windy even in summer.

Photography tips

The tour offers strong visual contrasts. A wide-angle lens suits Pico do Areeiro and Ponta de São Lourenço, while a moderate zoom is useful for mountain layers and north-coast cliffs.

At Santana, photograph the houses from established paths without blocking entrances or leaning over garden fences. Look for details such as thatch construction, painted trim and flower beds.

Ribeiro Frio is often shaded, so use image stabilisation or a higher ISO. Keep equipment protected from rain, forest moisture and sudden mist.

Cancellation and booking checks

Trip.com regional results currently describe the product as having conditional cancellation. The matching supplier allows cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund.

Because the direct Trip.com product page now redirects, the checkout conditions and final voucher are especially important.

Before payment, verify:

• Product ID 62386917
• Tour date and 8:30 am operating time
• Seven-hour duration
• Shared-tour format
• Chosen guide language
• Hotel pickup eligibility
• Santa Cruz supplement if applicable
• Lunch exclusion
• PR11 payment exclusion
• Wheelchair or infant-seat arrangements
• Cancellation deadline in Madeira local time

Planning tips

• Confirm pickup directly after booking.
• Do not assume Santa Cruz hotel pickup is free.
• Buy the PR11 trail entry using the operator’s advised time slot.
• Wear layers suitable for mountain and coastal conditions.
• Take motion-sickness precautions before departure.
• Bring cash for the pickup supplement and lunch.
• Keep the evening flexible in case the tour runs longer.
• Do not book this tour expecting the full PR1 or PR8 hike.
• Check current road and trail conditions close to travel.
• Download the voucher and supplier number for offline use.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Amazing East Tour?

The matching supplier lists approximately seven hours, although hotel pickup and operational delays can make the full day closer to eight hours.

Why does the original Trip.com page redirect?

The product is still visible in regional Trip.com search results, but its direct page currently redirects to the wider Santa Cruz experience catalogue.

What is the current Trip.com rating?

Regional Trip.com search results display a 4.4/5 rating from 14 reviews.

Is this a private tour?

No. The matching supplier describes it as a shared minibus tour with other guests.

Which places are visited?

The expected route covers Terreiro da Luta, Pico do Areeiro, Ribeiro Frio, Balcões, Guindaste, Santana, Porto da Cruz and Ponta de São Lourenço.

Is the Balcões levada walk compulsory?

No. The walk is optional and may be cancelled during rain or unsuitable weather.

How much is the PR11 trail fee?

Current official information lists €4.50 for visitors over 12, with younger visitors exempt.

Is lunch included?

No. The itinerary includes a lunch break in Santana, but food and drinks are paid for separately.

Is rum tasting included?

The supplier includes a rum-biscuit or rum-related tasting during the Porto da Cruz portion of the day.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is offered from selected areas. Santa Cruz hotels currently attract a €6-per-person cash supplement, while Machico, Ponta do Sol and Calheta are generally excluded from routine pickup.

Which languages are available?

English, German, French, Spanish and Portuguese are advertised. Several languages may be used in the same vehicle.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

The supplier marks it wheelchair accessible, but vehicle loading and the natural levada path require direct confirmation before booking.

Can the booking be cancelled?

The matching supplier offers a full refund for cancellation at least 24 hours beforehand. Trip.com’s exact conditional-cancellation terms are shown during checkout.

Important: Prices, availability, pickup supplements, trail fees, road access and cancellation terms can change. Recheck Trip.com, official Madeira trail information and the final voucher before travel.