Combined 2 islands: São Vicente and Santo Antão

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  J1 São Vicente Island - Mindelo

  

  Arrival at São Vicente airport. Welcome and transfer to Mindelo. Overnight stay in the city center. Free program. Depending on your arrival time, you can visit the lively city center and its colorful markets (fish, vegetables), as well as go to Laginha beach. For arrivals on Sunday, note that the city is quiet on this day, with activity focused around Laginha beach and in the villages outside the city. Type of accommodation: boutique hotel

• day 2

  J2 Santo Antão Island - Boat crossing - Porto Novo, Ribeira das Patas - The Norte plateau

  

  After breakfast, transfer to the port and boat crossing (1h) to reach the island of Santo Antão. From Porto Novo, transfer to Cirio, in the west of the island. The Norte plateau is one of the two high plateaus of the island. It is also the driest and wildest, at the end of which the summit of the island rises. You go up and down by two panoramic cliffside paths, which are among the most beautiful paved works in the country, offering a breathtaking view of this part of the island up to the neighboring islands when the weather is clear. You finish your hike in your accommodation, in a guesthouse, in Chã de Cochete, for 2 nights. Walking hours: between 5h and 5h30 Elevation gain: 650 m Elevation loss: 850 m Type of accommodation: in a guesthouse

• day 3

  J3 Ribeira das Patas - Alto Mira - Cha d'Branquin - Ribeira das Patas

  

  After a short transfer to Chã d’Orgueiro, the highest village in the Alto Mira valley, you descend along the side of the valley, overlooking a deep canyon and crossing an impressive system of terraced crops. Every drop of water is used and you pass from one oasis of cultivation to another until you reach the seaside and the beach of pebbles and black sand at the mouth of the canyon. Your driver will be waiting for you by the sea and will take you back to your accommodation. Walking time: 4h30 Elevation gain: 200 m Elevation loss: 1000 m Type of accommodation: guesthouse

• day 4

  J4 Paul Valley - Cabo de Ribeira - Figueral - Vila das Pombas

  

  Transfer by the coastal road to the Paul valley, reputed to be the greenest and most cultivated valley of the archipelago. Terraces planted with coffee, banana trees, guava trees, sugar cane, orange trees and all kinds of vegetables. The end of the walk is by the sea at your accommodation. You will spend one night in a family guesthouse in Vila das Pombas. Walking hours: 5h walking Elevation gain: 550 m Elevation loss: 750 m Type of accommodation: in a family guesthouse

• day 5

  J5 Ponta de Sol - Coastal trail - Fontainhas - Corvo - Cruzinha

  

  In the morning, you head to Ponta do Sol, the island's former thriving port, where a languorous "overseas" atmosphere prevails. Hike along an impressive cobbled path overlooking the ocean. The path passes through Fontainhas, a perched village famous for its colorful houses, and through the peaceful and verdant Corvo valley. Your driver will be waiting for you by the sea in the village of Cruzinha and will take you back to your accommodation through the mountainous landscapes of the Ribeira Grande and Garça valleys. You settle in for two nights in a guesthouse in the Ribeira Grande valley. Walking hours: between 5h and 5h30 Elevation gain +: 620 m Elevation loss –: 620 m Type of accommodation: guesthouse

• day 6

  J6 Ribeira Grande - Cha de Pedra - Aguada Loop

  

  Transfer in the morning to go up the Chã das Pedras valley, until you enter the remote and wild cirque of Aguada, a secret paradise where the hamlets, lost in the mountains, are surrounded by terraced crops irrigated by an impressive network of canals and reservoirs. In the middle flows one of the most beautiful torrents of Cape Verde, carving a deep gorge that you overlook to reach the road. At the end of the walk, transfer back to your accommodation for a final night. Walking time: 5h00 Elevation gain: 750 m Elevation loss: 750 m Type of accommodation: guesthouse

• day 7

  J7 Ribeira da Torre (loop) - Return to São Vicente (boat)

  

  Short transfer to the Ribeira da Torre valley, a deep volcanic valley surrounded by cliffs and scattered with peaks, where we spend the day discovering rural life and crops. The trail and irrigation channels lead us to the village of Rabo Curto. Descent through the sugar cane and yam fields. At the end of the day, your driver will pick you up to drop you off at Porto Novo, via the "corde" road. This is a monumental paved work that cuts through the mountain from north to south. Superb views over the Ribeira Grande and Ribeira da Torre valleys that the road overlooks. In Porto Novo, boat to Mindelo. Upon your return to Mindelo, short transfer to your accommodation on the heights of the city center. Check-in for one night in a charming hotel. Walking time: 4h30 Elevation gain: 520 m Elevation loss: 520 m Type of accommodation: charming hotel

• day 8

  J8 End of stay - Departure from Sao Vicente

  

  Transfer to the airport according to your flight schedule.