Secret Trails of Santo Antão & São Vicente Discovery Tours – 7 Days 6 Nights

After disembarking, head to the main exit and meet Your professional guide who will be waiting for you with a sign displaying your name. Then, enjoy a private transfer from Cesária Évora International Airport to your accommodation in Mindelo. Our team will also take you from door to door with complete security and professionalism, providing all relevant information about your stay. In the evening, fell free to explore Mindelo by your onw. Known as the most vibrant city in Cape Verde, be sure to enjoy live music at one of the restaurants near the hotel. Feel the warmth of Morna and relish local delights. Overnight in Mindelo.  

Starting from your hotel in the city of Mindelo, head straight to the harbor, and then, embark on a beautiful one-hour ferry trip to Santo Antão. Arrive in Porto Novo and be transferred to the Cova Natural Park. From the starting point, enjoy a privileged view of the volcano crater, and see locals in their agricultural fields. Start your 4-hour hike from 1,100 meters above sea level, with an oasis of vast vegetation emerging in the interior of the Volcano Crater. Then, reach the crater’s edge and have the best and the most breathtaking view ever: standing on the edge of the crater, look out over the impressive green valley of Paul that lies in the depth before you, plus the beautiful ocean view that is 10 kilometers away. After that, start the zigzagging part of the hike, going down until Cape Verde’s greenest valley. See and learn about native flora and fauna, and have opportunity to see sugar cane and banana plantations; mango, avocados, coconut trees and more. Next, experience the production of a local in a traditional distillery and taste the famous “Grogue”. Overnight in Paúl.

DURATION: Every day from 6 am to 2 pm (5 - 6 hours)

ROUTE FILE:    

Extension: ~12 Km                              Ascent: ~249 /Descent: ~1329 m     Difficult Level: Moderate                          

Total Walking Duration: 4 - 5 hours     Path quality: Good, narrow at the beginning and safe.

After being collected from your accommodation, depart toward the Cobo de Ribeira, from where the hiking adventure will start. Follow the cobbled paths lined with dry-stone walls and the small villages nestled on steep sided mountains. Along the way, admire some simply decorated straw houses, perched on the side of a hill, facing a steep cliff reaching the clouds, with spectacular views of the valley. Next, move on to the Paul valley, known to be the greenest of the archipelago. There, dive into the lush-green vegetal world between sugarcane fields, fruit tree plantations, coffee, banana, guava, mango, breadfruit, eaucalyptus, papaya and more. Continue the walk through areas with crisp mountain air and past tiny communities and learn about the Paúl's variety of native flora and fauna. Overnight in Paúl.

DURATION: Every day from 9 am to 2 pm (5 - 6 hours)

ROUTE FILE:   

Extension: ~7 Km                             Ascent: ~249 /Descent: ~1329 m     Difficult Level: Moderate                          

Total Walking Duration: 4 - 5 hours    Path quality: Good, narrow at the beginning and safe.

After breakfast, start your walk from Ponta do Sol, a waterfront-fishing village with colorful houses, follow a breathtaking road up along rocky cliffs that hover over the ocean and enjoy a background decoration overlooking the sea. Then, head through a small and sinuous road sculpted on the top of a mountain and surrounded with deep valleys that will lead you to the picturesque village of Fontainhas, one of the 10 villages with the best view in the world according to National Geografic. Follow a steep descent and a pedestrian path, crossing Corvo, Formiguinhas and some dazzling heights to the Aranhas valley. Next, arrive at a beautiful black sand’s beach, Praia das Aranhas, a place for turtle’s nesting where you can swim depending on the sea conditions. There, find a scenic spot for a well-deserved rest and enjoy a picnic on the shore. After that, start your 2.5-hour hike between volcanic rocks and the ocean, offering stunning views until you reach Cruzinha, a small fishing village with breathtaking views on the coast and the ocean. Overnight in Ponta do Sol.

DURATION: Every day from 9 am to 4 pm (7 hours)

ROUTE FILE:     

Extension: 15 Km                                Ascent/Descent: ~249 m     Difficult Level: Difficulty                          

Total Walking Duration: 5-6 hours      Path quality: Very Long, narrow at the beginning and safe.

After a delicious breakfast, be picked up from your accommodation in Santo Antão and depart towards Porto Novo Harbour.  Say goodbye to “Ilha das Montanhas” and embark on a beautiful one-hour ferry trip to São Vicente. Arrive and start your discovery tour from Mindelo, the capital of the island, known as the most welcoming and attractive city in the country. Visit its church, municipal market, and enjoy a panoramic view of the capital from the top of Fortin. The tour will continue along the Avenida Marginal to Praia da Bote and the African market, where the first community was established. Then, drive to the eastern part of the island where animals, endemic plants and farmland can be seen along the green Calhau Valley until the fishing village of Salamansa. Take a breack and enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant. After that, visit the village of Baía das Gatas and take a stroll through its shallow lagoons and then move on to the white sand dunes by the sea. Drive to Monte Verde Natural Park, admire the stunning landscape of the entire island, and take beautiful photos of other Cape Verde islands. Overnight in Mindelo.

Start your day with a delicious breakfast at your accommodation and then explore Mindelo by your self. You may like to relax on the white sand of the most picturesque and beautiful beach on the Island, Laginha Beach, known for its white sand and turquoise waters. Overnight in Mindelo.

Start your last day with a delicious breakfast at your accommodation and then enjoy your free time according to the flight schedules. Check out from the accommodation in Mindelo and at agreed time be picked up and transferred to Cesária Évora international airport. Catch your international flight back home and say goodbye to "La Morabeza Crioula".