Santo Antão: crossing rural villages

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Home

  

  Welcome and transfer to your accommodation in downtown Mindelo. Free program. Depending on the time of arrival, you can visit the lively city center and its colorful markets (fish, vegetables), as well as go to Laginha beach. Type of accommodation: guesthouse Full board

• day 2

  Boat crossing to Santo Antão

  

  After an early morning breakfast, you will cross by boat to the neighboring island of Santo Antão. Transfer via the old road from Cova to Cuculi. Lunch with a local family and hike in the Ribeira Grande valley, among sugar cane and vegetable plantations, to the village of Caibros where you will be awaited by a local family who will welcome you. Elevation gain +: 310 m Elevation loss -: 400 m Distance: 5 km Type: Family accommodation with private rooms and bathroom Full board

• day 3

  Crossing of 3 valleys

  

  After breakfast, you will start a hike with your local guide through the valleys of Boca, Ambas as Riebeiras, and Mocho, with magnificent panoramic views. This hike will take you to the highest point of the valley, then you will visit the village of Mocho and taste traditional Cape Verdean cuisine with a local family. End of the tour at Cha de Igreja. Elevation gain +: 459 m Elevation loss -: 960 m Distance: 9 km Type of accommodation: Family accommodation with private bathroom Full board

• day 4

  Hiking along the coastal trail

  

  In the morning, we will start the hike in the village of Cha de Igreja, crossing the fishing village of Cruzinha, then we will take the basalt stone-paved path that will lead us along the coastal trails. We will always have the immensity of the Atlantic in view, the volcanic rocks, and feel a gentle breeze on our face. This trail will take us through the village of Fontainhas, with its colorful houses embedded in the rock. The hike ends in the tourist village of Ponta do Sol. Elevation gain +: 850m Elevation loss –: 850m Type of accommodation: in a guesthouse Full board

• day 5

  Hiking through the villages of Lombo Branco.

  

  A transfer will take you to the high areas of Ribeira Grande, where you will start the hike through the villages of Lombo Branco, passing through agricultural areas and always with a panoramic view of the immense Atlantic. At the end, a transfer will take you to Vila de Pombas, in Paul. Elevation gain +: 160 m Elevation loss -: 540 m Distance: 6 km Type of accommodation: guesthouse Full board

• day 6

  Hiking in the lush valley of Paul.

  

  Today, you will discover the greenest valley of Santo Antão, with lush valleys, mountains and hills, banana plantations, apple trees, orange trees, mango trees, as well as other fruits and vegetables. You will be invited to a local family's home for a traditional Cape Verdean lunch. To finish, a transfer will bring you back to the reality of Alto Mira. Elevation gain +: 160 m Elevation loss -: 540 m Distance: 5 km Type of accommodation: Family accommodation with private bathroom Full board

• day 7

  Arid trails

  

  The hike starts very early in the village of Alto Mira, offering very interesting geological and volcanic observations on arid and rocky lands. It ends in the village of Chá de Morte, followed by a short transfer to a rural restaurant, then a transfer to Porto-Novo. In the afternoon, return by boat to Mindelo. Elevation gain: 310 m Elevation loss: 470 m Distance: 5 km Type of accommodation: Guesthouse Full board

• day 8

  Goodbye Cape Verde

  

  Transfer to the airport according to your flight schedule. Breakfast