Duration: | 7 Day(s) - 6 Night(s) |
Tour Category: | Trekking & Hiking / Discovery |
SHORT PACKAGE DESCRIPTION
Explore Santo Antão`s best hiking trails and enjoy breathtaking views of Paúl Volcano Crater above 1000 meters high. Hike through an unspoiled nature with spectacular peaks and green valleys surrounded by tropical fruits and vegetables. Discover São Vicente, known as the most welcoming and attractive island in the country.
Day 1: Arrival in São Vicente - Airport Transfer to Mindelo – Hotel check-in
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.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Check-in starts at 3 pm. Printed vouchers requested.
Day 2: Santo Antão: Hiking Cova Volcano Crater - Paúl Valley (From São Vicente)
Starting from your hotel in the city of Mindelo, head straight to the harbor. Then, embark on a beautiful one-hour ferry trip to Santo Antão and enjoy the forbidding behind Mindelo, and its stunning guardian rock erupting from the harbor.
Arrive in Porto Novo and depart toward 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 impressively 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 via a stone path for 3 hours. During the descent, explore Cape Verde’s greenest valley, see and learn about native flora and fauna, soak up scenic views of the island's landscapes, and have the opportunity to see abandoned vineyards, sugar cane, and banana plantations; mango, avocados, and coconut trees.
Next, experience the production of a local rum-making distillery and taste the famous “Grogue” (The Rum production season runs from January 1 st to May 31st). The tour concludes with a drop-off at your accommodation.
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.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Please bring, a hat, sunscreen, and water. Not recommended for those who are afraid of heights
Day 3: Santo Antão: Hiking Cabo de Ribeira – Paúl Valley
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, eucalyptus, 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. The tour concludes with a drop-off at your accommodation.
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.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Please bring, a hat, sunscreen, and water. Not recommended for those who are afraid of heights
Day 4: Santo Antão: Hike Ponta do Sol - Fontainhas - Cruzinha
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 Geographic.
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 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. At the end of an unforgettable day, sit back and relax on the return transfer to your accommodation 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: Medium
Total Walking Duration: 6 hours Path quality: Very Long, narrow at the beginning, and safe.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Please bring, a hat, sunscreen, and water. Not recommended for those who are afraid of heights
Day 5: From Santo Antão: Full Day São Vicente Island Tour
DETAILED TOUR DESCRIPTION
Get 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 explore Mindelo, the capital of the island, known as the most welcoming and attractive city in the country.
Visit its church, municipal market, pass through Cesária Évora's house 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 to 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 break and enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant. Next, 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. The tour concludes with a drop-off at your accommodation in Mindelo.
DURATION: Every day, from 8 am to 4 pm (8 hours)
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Please bring flip-flops, a towel, swimwear, and sunscreen.
Day 6: Free day in São Vicente
Day 7: Checkout, Transfer out, and Goodbye Cabo Verde
Get picked up at your accommodation in Mindelo and depart toward Cesária Évora international airport. Take your international flight back and say goodbye longing for "La Morabeza Crioula"!!!
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Check-out time: 12h00
INCLUSIONS:
Accommodation (6 Nights);
Meals included are 6 Breakfast; 3 Picnics and 6 lunches; Vegetarian food option on request;
Tours as mentioned in the program;
Guiding Service (English, French, Portuguese and Spanish);
Round-trip Ferry ticket (São Vicente – Santo Antão – São Vicente);
Hotel pick up and drop off for all the tours
Custom and private airport Transfers;
All entrance fees;
Service charges and VAT;
Others are mentioned in the tour description.
EXCLUSIONS:
Travel insurance;
Single supplement fee;
Visa (We recommend checking with your local embassy whether you need a visa or not);
International Flights;
Airport Security Tax fees (TSA);
Pre and post-tour accommodation;
Tourist tax (Paid locally: Per Person/Night);
Sevices not mentioned in the program;
Personal expenses.
HOTEL ACCOMMODATION DETAILS:
Standard room category on a double/twin sharing basis.
02 night at Hotel Terra Lodge in Mindelo (São Vicente Island) or similar
03 night at Hotel Tiduca in Ponta do Sol (Santo Antão Island) or similar