Santo Antao Tour – 08 Days and 07 Nights

Flight to Sao Vicente, Cape Verde. Completion of entry formalities. You will be met by a representative and transferred to your hotel in Mindelo. Rest of the day at leisure.

The colonial architecture and cobbled and colourful alleys all around the bay give Mindelo an overseas charm, embellished by the vegetable and fish markets, and by the small beach of Laginha.

Meals: nil

Early breakfast at the hotel. We will take the first ferry out to Santo Antao (0800) — you may need to ask for a breakfast box to take with you. The journey takes one hour.

Today is about discovering Santo Antao at its most striking — its dramatic ribeiras, small villages, and wild, untamed nature. We will visit places such as Garca, Cha de Igreja, Cruzinha, Coculi, and Ribeira da Torre, taking in a day packed with changing scenery and unforgettable viewpoints.

Full-day guided excursion. Lunch at a local restaurant. Return to the hotel.

Meals: breakfast, lunch

Breakfast at the hotel. Ribeira da Torre is a deep volcanic valley, framed by towering cliffs and scattered with dramatic pitons. We’ll spend the day discovering local life and rural culture as we move through this remarkable landscape.

The route takes us via Ribeira da Vinha, home to a magnificent 150-metre waterfall, and on to the village of Lombo de Pico, known for its spectacular volcanic neck. Along the trail, we follow irrigation canals (levadas) before beginning our descent through fields of sugar cane and yams, ending in the village of Xoxo.

04h00 walking, 08km | Accumulated elevation: +600m / -450m | Level: Level 1 moderate

Meals: breakfast, lunch

Breakfast at the hotel. From Porto Novo, we travel to the village of Tarrafal on the southwest coast — about 1 hour and 30 minutes away. There, you’ll discover calm waters and a superb black-sand beach. We’ll also explore the Tarrafal Valley, where you’ll learn about yam cultivation and the valley’s distinctive irrigation methods used to water the plantations.

01h30 walking | Level: Level 1

Meals: breakfast, lunch

Breakfast at the hotel. Discover the island’s southwest on a pick-up safari through volcanic landscapes and pozzolana fields, passing scattered, isolated villages along the way. Expect striking, unusual scenery, with a stop in Lajedos — known for its fair tourism.

Full-day guided excursion. Lunch on an ecological farm.

Meals: breakfast, lunch

Breakfast at the hotel. From Ponta do Sol, a fishing town on the island’s northeast coast, we begin by climbing up to Fontainhas, passing small plantations before reaching Selada de Corvo. From here, we enjoy sweeping views over Ponta do Sol and Corvo, then descend into a valley where water flows year-round. We continue on to Formiguinhas, a small seaside village.

From Formiguinhas, we head to Aranhas — an abandoned settlement — before reaching Mezcla de Ribeira Seca Beach, known for its striking mix of white and black sand. Time for a refreshing swim, and the nearby lava-formed caves make a perfect spot for a picnic. We then pass Motcho Beach on our way to the village of Cruzinha.

06h00 walking, 14km | Accumulated elevation: +1000m | Level: Level 2

Meals: breakfast, lunch

Breakfast at the hotel. A transfer takes you to the starting point of this magnificent hike. The walk winds through fields and terraces of potatoes, yams, sweet potatoes, papaya, and other fruits and vegetables. Setting off from over 600 metres above sea level, you’ll enjoy spectacular views along the trail, with many sugar-cane terraces — and the chance to taste local grogue and punch. We’ll finish by sharing a traditional meal at a typical local restaurant.

04h30 walking, 09km | Accumulated elevation: +500m / -700m | Level: Level 1 easy-moderate

At the end of the afternoon, transfer to Porto Novo to catch the ferry to Sao Vicente.

Meals: breakfast, lunch

Breakfast at the hotel. Depending on your flight time, we transfer to the Airport Cesaria Evora. The tour ends at the airport for check-in and security formalities and to board the flight home.

Adeus Cabo Verde!

Meals: breakfast