Cape Verde, as beautiful as it is mysterious. A child born of the volcanic fury. Those 10 islands were uninhabited before the Portuguese stumbled upon them in 1456. Since the country has developed unique mixed culture of people that have kept the beauties of its land for generations. We will explore two or those islands. Sao Vicente and Santo Antao may be neighbors, but they contrast starkly. Sao Vicente’s rugged hills and coastline hide deep caves and high waterfalls. The island has many superb sandy beaches and offers some great coastal views. It is also known for its lively nightlife and culture. Santo Antao is really green and fertile and braided with mountains and valleys. The Cape Verde islands benefit from perfect average annual temperatures between 20°C and 30°C. Holidays to Cape Verde offer long, uninterrupted sunshine hours and low humidity, part of the reason why so many people return time and time again.
Highlights:
- Fontainhas - a fairytale village of colored houses located on an edge of hundreds of meters deep cliff. National Geographic, says it is one of the villages with the most beautiful view.
- São Vicente Island and Mindelo - the cultural capital of Cape Verde
- The colonial architecture of Pombas, Ribeira Grande and Ponta do Sol
Itinerary:
Day 1. Sao Vicente Island
Transfer from the airport to your hotel in Mindelo. You will be welcomed by our driver in the airport Cesaria Évora in Sao Vicente and take you to your hotel in Mindelo. The First night in the hotel. -/-/D
Day 2. Sao Vicente Island / Santo Antao Island
After breakfast, we will pick you up in your hotel (Mindelo) and drive you to the port terminal. The ferry will take one hour to reach the island of Santo Antao. Walk: Volcano Crater Cova - The Paul Valley. Our driver will welcome you at the Porto Novo port terminal, and in less than 20 minutes you will be in Cova, volcano crater at 1522 meters altitude, where you start the descent to the majestic valley Paul accompanied by a local guide to tell the history of the beauty surrounding you. You have a picnic that you can enjoy en route. After a short tour of the city of Pombas, transfers to Ponta do Sol to spend the night in a guesthouse. B/L/D
Walking time: 5hrs | Distance: 12,5 Km | Elevation: + 300 m / - 1320 m
Day 3. Ribeira Grande - Ribeira da Torre - Ponta do Sol
Today we can look forward to some fantastic relaxing walking after the ups and downs of the previous stretch. We will discover the picturesque Ribeira da Torre valley, to appreciate the true beauty of nature. We have a picnic that we can enjoy on the route. In the late afternoon we return to Ponta do Sol to spend the night in a guesthouse. B/L/D
Walking Time: 3h30 | Distance: 8 Km | Elevation: + 560 m / - 710 m
Day 4. Espongeiro - Lin d'Corvo - Joao Afonso
After breakfast, transfer following the Corda Road (with stops at tourist attractions) to Espongeiro, the starting point of the walk towards Lagoa, on a semi-desert high altitude plateau. From there, a panoramic trail (we cross sugarcane plantations and small rural villages) descends towards João Afonso, where we spend the night in a homestay. You will have a picnic to enjoy along the way. Dinner prepared by the inhabitants of the valley. B/L/D
Walking time: 4h | Distance: 10.7 km | Elevation: 170 m / - 820 m
Day 5. Cruzinha - Fontaínhas - Ponta do Sol
After breakfast, transfer to the starting point of the hike in Cruzinha. Superb ride along the fantastic coast, passing through rugged cliffs and wonderful small rural villages; Cruzinha, Corvo and Fontaínhas (named by the National Geography Magazine, the 2nd best located location in the world). You have a picnic lunch that you can enjoy on route. After a short tour of the village, the walk continues to Ponta do Sol, to spend the night in a guesthouse. B/L/D
Walking time: 4h30 | Distance: 11 Km | Elevation: +690 m / - 710 m |
Day 6. Santo Antao Island / Sao Vicente Island
After breakfast, transfer (collective car) to Porto Novo port terminal via the island coastal road. At 9:00 a.m. the ferry will take you back to São Vicente Island.At 10:00 a.m. our driver will meet you at the port terminal.
Sao Vicente Island: full-day Trip
In a day trip you see the best the Island of Sao Vicente has to offer. We offer a spectacular tour around the island, taking in spectacular sights such as Verde (the highest mountain on the island at 774 meters high) and the beautiful Baía das Gatas, the beach where the most famous music festival of the country annually runs. To enjoy an appetizing lunch of fresh fish we visit Calhau, a charming fishing village. You will be accompanied by one of our highly knowledgeable drivers on your journey
who will provide the information and history of the area. Overnight at a hotel. B/L/-
Day 7. São Vicente – Mindelo: Free
You are free to discovery Mindelo, the cultural city of Cape Verde and to buy souvenirs and why not, or to enjoy the beach to relax and to gather strengths. Laginha, the island's most popular beach, is located a 6-minute walk from your hotel. Overnight in a hotel. B/-/-
Day 8. São Vicente Island Airport (Departure)
Transfer from your hotel to Airport Cesaria Évora. Our guide will pick you up and transfer you to the airport wishing you a nice flight home. B/-/-
This program depends on weather conditions and may be modified by us on site for your safety.