Santo Antão: crossing through rural villages, visiting the inhabitants
In summary
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Sports
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Duration8 days
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LevelIntermediate
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DestinationCape Verde / Santo Antão
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AgeFrom 16 - 90 years
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CO₂-Emissions68.53 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
English
German
Spanish
In a few words
Head to Santo Antão , Cape Verde 's verdant and mountainous jewel, where spectacular landscapes create an ideal playground for hiking enthusiasts. This authentic island captivates with its rugged terrain , lush valleys , and mild year-round climate. Far from the beaten path, this journey takes you to the heart of unspoiled nature, amidst terraced fields, perched hamlets, and breathtaking panoramas. Guided by passionate locals, you'll explore the island's many facets through routes chosen for their beauty and variety. Each stop offers opportunities for warm encounters and cultural discoveries in a friendly and exotic atmosphere. Immersion, sharing, and disconnecting define this stay in the heart of a still relatively undiscovered Cape Verde, perfect for travelers seeking authenticity and an active escape.
The highlights
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Explore the island of wonders and its fascinating mountains on foot
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Visit the small village of Fontainhas and its colorful houses on the rocky cliffs
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Explore hiking trails and mule tracks far from the big cities
Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
In figures
Trekking
- Average duration/day: 4h30
- Average distance/day: 8 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 330 m
- Average daily descent: 367 m
- Exposed Passages: Yes
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 5h30
- Average distance/day: 11 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 600 m
- Average daily descent: 770 m
- Exposed Passages: Yes
Management
French
English
German
Spanish
Program
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Welcome
- Transportation 00h15 - 3km
- Accommodation B&B
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Arrival at Sao Vicente International Airport and transfer to your hotel in the city centre
Day 1 -
Ferry crossing to the neighboring island of Santo Antão
- Activity Trekking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 6 km
- Positive elevation gain 440 m
- Negative elevation 360 m
- Exposed passages Yes
- Accommodation Bed and Breakfast
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
In the morning, you'll take a one-hour ferry to Santo Antão. Upon arrival on the island, you'll begin your exploration along the old road leading to the island's highlands, with its verdant landscapes and viewpoints offering stunning mountain vistas. After enjoying a traditional Cape Verdean lunch with a local family, you'll embark on a hike along footpaths through farmland to your new accommodation.
Day 2 -
Crossing 3 valleys
- Activity Trekking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 9 km
- Positive elevation gain 550 m
- Negative elevation 740 m
- Exposed passages Yes
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Today, you will hike from accommodation A to B. The hike begins in Caibros, crosses the Ribeira Grande valley, and begins the ascent of the steep Mocho cliffs to the highest point, where you will enjoy a magical view over the Ribeira Grande and Garça valleys. This hike ends in the coastal village of Cha de Igreja.
Day 3 -
Hiking on coastal trails
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Distance 17 km
- Positive elevation gain 850 m
- Negative elevation 850 m
- Exposed passages Yes
- Accommodation Bed and Breakfast
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
One of the island's most impressive trails begins at the seaside and passes through fishing villages and several other abandoned villages, accessible only by footpaths. The trail continues along the coast, with views of the Atlantic and the mountains, ending in the village of Ponta do Sol.
Day 4 -
Hiking in Paul's Green Valley
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 5 km
- Positive elevation gain 350 m
- Negative elevation 690 m
- Exposed passages Yes
- Accommodation Rural hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
This trail will lead you to the greenest valley on the island, with vast expanses of sugarcane, banana trees, coffee plants, papaya trees, and other fruit trees. The trail continues to the top of the valley and loops around it, crossing the entire Paul Valley to enjoy the views, and ends near Pigeon Town.
Day 5 -
Hike to R da Torre and return boat crossing to Mindelo
- Activity Trekking
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Distance 8 km
- Exposed passages Yes
- Accommodation B&B
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
In the morning, you will explore a hike through the Ribeira da Torre valley and enjoy a true connection with nature among banana plantations and waterfalls. This hike will lead you to the water source that supplies the entire valley.
Day 6 -
Free day at your convenience
- Accommodation B&B
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Possibility of swimming with green turtles in Mindelo or going deep diving, or even spending the day at Laginha beach, depending on your availability.
Day 7 -
Flight home
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
It's time to pack our bags and summarize the passions experienced during these days.
Day 8
Accommodation
Located in the city center of the capital Praia, with all services and amenities nearby, making it easy to get from one place to another.
Located in a rural village far from urban centers, this family home has rooms with private bathrooms and offers visitors above all an escape from the stress of big cities with special hospitality.
Located in the city of Ponta do Sol in a central area with all services nearby, such as banks, supermarkets, restaurants, bars, and offering visitors a unique stay on the island of Santo Antão.
Located in a rural coastal village, a few minutes from the sea and far from urban centers, this family home has rooms with private bathrooms and offers above all the visitor physical and mental rest in a simple village, but with a rich culture.
Access
Arrival according to your flight schedule
Go to the starting point
Arrival at Sao Vicente International Airport and transfer to your hotel in the city center
Price details
The price includes
- Meals mentioned
- Airport and hotel transfers
- Accommodation
- Tourist tax
- Tourist guide
- Ferry Tickets
The price does not include
- International Flight
- Entry visa to the country
Options
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
