Santo Antão Trails: From A to Z, 15 Days
Overview
Come and venture into the famous and most beautiful island of Cape Verde, Santo Antão. Enjoy the company of your local guide and go hiking on the trails of the islands from A to Z, getting to know the local fauna and flora in depth. Live the local culture and taste the typical dishes in cozy environments.
Inclusions
- Accommodation (14 Nights);
- Custom and private arrival and departure airport transfers; Luggage Transfers;
- Hiking tour as mentioned in the program;
- Hotel pick up and drop off for all the tours;
- Roundtrip Ferry Tickets
- 14x Breakfast
- 11x Lunch
- Accommodation included: 14 nights
- Entry/Admission - Residencial Aldeia Manga
What to expect
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in São Vicente - Airport Transfer to Mindelo – Hotel check-in
Stop At: Cesária Évora International Airport, RWPW+795, São Pedro, Cabo Verde
Be welcomed by our professional driver at Cesária Évora International Airport and enjoy a private transfer to your accommodation in Mindelo city center, including free waiting time.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Mindelo, Mindelo, Sao Vicente
Our team will also take you from door to door with complete security and professionalism, providing all relevant information about your stay.
Duration: 15 minutes
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Solar Windelo in Mindelo (São Vicente Island) or similar
Check in starts from 2 pm.
Day 2: Santo Antão: Hiking Cova Volcano Crater - Paúl Valley (From São Vicente)
Stop At: Mindelo, Mindelo, Sao Vicente
Starting from your hotel in the city of Mindelo, head straight to the harbor. Then, embark on a beautiful one-hour ferry trip to Santo Antão and enjoy the forbidding behind Mindelo, and it stunning guardian rock erupting from the harbour.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Porto Novo-Ribeira Grande Road, Porto Novo, Santo Antao Cape Verde
Arrive in Porto Novo and depart toward the Cova Natural Park.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Cova - Krater, Bergstrasse von Santo Antao, Ribeira Grande, Santo Antao 1110 Cape Verde
From the starting point, enjoy a privileged view of the volcano crater, and see locals in their agricultural fields. Start your 4-hour hike from 1, 100 meters above sea level, with an oasis of vast vegetation emerging in the interior of the Volcano Crater.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Strasse ins Paul Tal Vila das Pombas, Santo Antao Cape Verde
Then, reach the crater’s edge and have the best and the most breathtaking view ever: standing on the edge of the crater, look out over the impressive green valley of Paul that lies in the depth before you plus the beautiful ocean view that is 10 kilometers away. After that, start the zigzagging part of the hike, going down via a stone path for 3 hours. During the descent, explore Cape Verde’s greenest valley, see and learn about native flora and fauna, soak up scenic views of the island's landscapes and have opportunity to see abandoned vineayrds, sugar cane and banana plantations; mango, avocados and coconut trees. Next, experience the production of a local rum-making distillery and taste the famous “grogue” (The Rum production season runs from January 1 st to May 31st).
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Residencial Aldeia Manga, Lombo Comprido, Paul, Cabo Verde
The tour concludes with drop-off at your accommodation.
Duration: 10 minutes
Meals included:
•
•
Accommodation included: Aldeia Manga or similar
Day 3: Santo Antão: Hiking Cabo de Ribeira – Paúl Valley
Stop At: Strasse ins Paul Tal Vila das Pombas, Santo Antao Cape Verde
After being collected from your accommodation, depart toward the Cobo de Ribeira, from where the hiking adventure will start. Follow the cobbled paths lined with dry-stone walls and the small villages nestled on steep sided mountains. Along the way, admire some simply decorated straw houses, perched on the side of a hill, facing a steep cliff reaching the clouds, with spectacular views of the valley. Next, move on to the Paul valley, known to be the greenest of the archipelago. There, dive into the lush-green vegetal world between sugarcane fields, fruit tree plantations, coffee, banana, guava, mango, breadfruit, eaucalyptus, papaya and more. Continue the walk through areas with crisp mountain air and past tiny communities. The tour concludes with drop-off at your accommodation.
Duration: 4 hours
Meals included:
•
•
Accommodation included: Aldeia Manga or similar
Day 4: Santo Antão: Hiking Ribeira Grande – Coculi – Boca das Ambas Ribeiras – Chã de Igreja
Stop At: Chã de Igreja, Cabo Verde
This spectacular walk begins at the Vila de Ribeira Grande riverbed, passing through scattered houses, banana plantations and a large windmill that helps residents collect water. After 1 hour of walking, arrive at Coculi Village with its prominent Santo Crucifixo parish church and then reach the second Ribeira Grande (at the mouth of two Ribeiras). Learn about the local fauna and flora from your guide and walk between the sugarcane plantations to a slender aqueduct built by the Portuguese in 1956, which still carries water today. Half an hour later find the small village of Boca das Ambas Ribeiras or “Mouth of Both Valleys”, where you will enjoy the picnic with a vertiginous view of the valley floor, far below. After that, enjoy a zigzagging cobled path that leads to the tiny settlement of Selado do Mocho and the Ribeira Garça. Finally, catch a glimpse of Chã da Igreja, meet locals and finish the walk in the village´s promontory. The tour concludes with drop off at your hotel.
Duration: 6 hours
Meals included:
•
Accommodation included: Kasa D'igreja Hebergement or similar!
Day 5: Santo Antão: Hike Ponta do Sol - Fontainhas - Cruzinha - Chã da Igrejã
Stop At: Monte Fontainhas, Santo Antao Cape Verde
Start your walk from Ponta do Sol, a waterfront-fishing village and enjoy a background decoration overlooking the sea. Then, head through a sinuous road sculpted on the top of a mountain and surrounded with deep valleys that will lead you to the picturesque village of Fontainhas, one of the 10 villages with the best view in the world according to National Geografic. Follow a steep descent and a pedestrian path, crossing Corvo, Formiguinhas and some dazzling heights to the Aranhas valley. Next, arrive at a beautiful Praia das Aranhas, a place for turtle’s nesting where you can swim depending on the sea conditions. There, find a scenic spot for a well-deserved rest and enjoy a picnic on the shore. Then, start your 2.5-hour hike between volcanic rocks and the ocean, offering stunning views until you reach Cruzinha, a small fishing village with breathtaking views on the coast and the ocean. At the end of an unforgettable day, sit back and relax on the return transfer to your accommodation.
Duration: 6 hours
Meals included:
•
•
Accommodation included: Kasa D'igreja Hebergement or similar!
Day 6: Santo Antão: Hike Caibros Waterfall - Chã de Igreja
Stop At: Caibros de Ribeira de Jorge, Cabo Verde
The “Estritin” corner (Estreitinhoem Português) is located at the ends of the Caibros stream, within the Ribeira Grande valley. After passing through the Ribeira Grande, you enter the river and after about 20 minutes of climbing, there is a beautiful waterfall, flanked by mountains that, according to the Santatoneneses, reach the sky. The waterfall water is fresh and crystal clear. In caves where water flows, amazing stalactites and stalagmites are formed. A mixture of charm and fear invades the visitor who is frightened by the authoritarianism of the rocks. Estritin is a place par excellence to be part of a tourism circuit based on nature. Places like this should be referred to as natural monuments.
Duration: 6 hours
Meals included:
•
•
Accommodation included: Kasa D'igreja Hebergement or similar!
Day 7: Santo Antão: Hike Tarrafal - Monte Trigo
Stop At: Tarrafal de Monte Trigo, Tarrafal de Monte Trigo, Santo Antao
This route runs through the places of Chã de Cruz, Chã Dura, Pascoal Alves, Figueirinha de Pascoal Alves, Ribeira Preta, Ribeira de Purgueira and Selada de Monte Trigo, between Morrinho d´Égua / Topo de Coroa and Monte do Trigo (a fishing village) which, due to its modern 24/24 hour photovoltaic energy system, has been dubbed the “most renewable village in Cape Verde”).
On the route between this town and Tarrafal de Monte Trigo, the connection can, alternatively, be made, in either direction, by sea, through small artisanal fishing boats, lasting 50 minutes. In this crossing, the traveler can enjoy a unique and singular landscape, shared between the tranquil blue sea of this bay and the high peaks of the Topo de Coroa volcano that rise, imposing, from these waters.
Duration: 4 hours
Meals included:
•
•
Accommodation included: Guest House Tarrafal or Similar
Day 8: Santo Antão: Hike Monte Trigo - Tope de Coroa (Planalto do Norte)
Stop At: Tope de Coroa, Cabo Verde
Departure at 8 am. Start the ascent along the cobblestone path and then fork to the right (white sign about 900 m) to the shortcut. At noon, the heat is felt and you need at least 3 liters of water. Arrival at Casa do Lusiano. Meals and breakfast served by a local family.
Duration: 5 hours
Meals included:
•
•
Accommodation included: Casa do Luciano or similar!
Day 9: Santo Antão: Hike Tope de Coroa - Chã de Norte
Stop At: Tope de Coroa, Cabo Verde
Tope de Coroa, Santo Antão's highest altitude, at 1, 979 meters, is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Santo Antão, and is therefore one of the main tourist attractions of this island. This volcano is inserted in the natural park of the same name, with more than 84 kilometers of extension, where there are 61 percent (%) of endemic species of plants typical of Cape Verde, of which 25% are on the list species in the process of extinction
Duration: 4 hours
Meals included:
•
•
Accommodation included: Chez Tutu or similar!
Day 10: Santo Antão: Hike Chã de Norte - Alto Mira
Stop At: Alto Mira, Cabo Verde
Enjoy spectacular view of the three groups of houses Alto Mira 3, 2 and 1 surrounded by terraces. At the bottom, reached after going through a canyon, you can eat and sleep in basic conditions at Tutu's.
Duration: 5 hours
Meals included:
•
•
Accommodation included: Chez Tutu or similar!
Day 11: Santo Antão: Hike Lombo de Galinha - Chã da Igreja + Transfer to Ponta do Sol
Stop At: Chã de Igreja, Cabo Verde
As in the previous stage, you have to pass several canyons before reaching Cha de Igreja.
Duration: 5 hours
Meals included:
•
•
Accommodation included: Hotel Tiduca in Ponta do Sol**** (Santo Antão Island) or similar
Day 12: Santo Antão: Hiking Pinhao – Lombo Branco - Sinagoga Natural Swimming Pools
Stop At: Sinagoga, Cabo Verde
Get picked up at your accommodation and start this incredible trail in the small village of Pinhao, located 600 meters above sea level. Cross small streams and hills with peaceful settlements along green valleys and see endemic plants and tropical birds.
Duration: 4 hours
Meals included:
•
•
Accommodation included: Hotel Tiduca in Ponta do Sol**** (Santo Antão Island) or similar
Day 13: Santo Antão: Hike Água das Caldeiras – Ribeira de Torre – Ribeira Grande
Stop At: Ribeira Grande, Ribeira Grande, Santo Antao
Discover Ribeira de Torre, the most beautiful valley of Santo Antão and be delighted with amazing views from Xoxo to the valley of Ribeira Grande. Pass close to a gorgeous waterfall and enjoy a natural swimming pool with locals.
Duration: 4 hours
Meals included:
•
•
Accommodation included: Hotel Tiduca in Ponta do Sol**** (Santo Antão Island) or similar
Day 14: Ferry trip to São Vicente and Free day at Laginha beach
Stop At: Santo Antao, Santo Antao
Morning ferry trip to São Vicente
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Praia da Laginha, Sao Vicente Cape Verde
Enjoy your day in the beautiful beach of Laginha
Duration: 4 hours
Meals included:
•
Accommodation included: Solar Windelo in Mindelo (São Vicente Island) or similar
Day 15: Goodbye Cabo Verde
Stop At: Sao Vicente, Sao Vicente
Custom Transfer to Cesária Évora international airport.
Duration: 20 minutes
Pass By: Cesária Évora International Airport, RWPW+795, São Pedro, Cabo Verde
Drop off and say Goodbye Cape Verde!!!
Meals included:
•
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 1: Arrival in São Vicente - Airport Transfer to Mindelo – Hotel check-in
Stop At: Cesária Évora International Airport, RWPW+795, São Pedro, Cabo Verde
Be welcomed by our professional driver at Cesária Évora International Airport and enjoy a private transfer to your accommodation in Mindelo city center, including free waiting time.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Mindelo, Mindelo, Sao Vicente
Our team will also take you from door to door with complete security and professionalism, providing all relevant information about your stay.
Duration: 15 minutes
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Solar Windelo in Mindelo (São Vicente Island) or similar
Check in starts from 2 pm.
Day 2: Santo Antão: Hiking Cova Volcano Crater - Paúl Valley (From São Vicente)
Stop At: Mindelo, Mindelo, Sao Vicente
Starting from your hotel in the city of Mindelo, head straight to the harbor. Then, embark on a beautiful one-hour ferry trip to Santo Antão and enjoy the forbidding behind Mindelo, and it stunning guardian rock erupting from the harbour.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Porto Novo-Ribeira Grande Road, Porto Novo, Santo Antao Cape Verde
Arrive in Porto Novo and depart toward the Cova Natural Park.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Cova - Krater, Bergstrasse von Santo Antao, Ribeira Grande, Santo Antao 1110 Cape Verde
From the starting point, enjoy a privileged view of the volcano crater, and see locals in their agricultural fields. Start your 4-hour hike from 1, 100 meters above sea level, with an oasis of vast vegetation emerging in the interior of the Volcano Crater.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Strasse ins Paul Tal Vila das Pombas, Santo Antao Cape Verde
Then, reach the crater’s edge and have the best and the most breathtaking view ever: standing on the edge of the crater, look out over the impressive green valley of Paul that lies in the depth before you plus the beautiful ocean view that is 10 kilometers away. After that, start the zigzagging part of the hike, going down via a stone path for 3 hours. During the descent, explore Cape Verde’s greenest valley, see and learn about native flora and fauna, soak up scenic views of the island's landscapes and have opportunity to see abandoned vineayrds, sugar cane and banana plantations; mango, avocados and coconut trees. Next, experience the production of a local rum-making distillery and taste the famous “grogue” (The Rum production season runs from January 1 st to May 31st).
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Residencial Aldeia Manga, Lombo Comprido, Paul, Cabo Verde
The tour concludes with drop-off at your accommodation.
Duration: 10 minutes
Meals included:
•
•
Accommodation included: Aldeia Manga or similar
Day 3: Santo Antão: Hiking Cabo de Ribeira – Paúl Valley
Stop At: Strasse ins Paul Tal Vila das Pombas, Santo Antao Cape Verde
After being collected from your accommodation, depart toward the Cobo de Ribeira, from where the hiking adventure will start. Follow the cobbled paths lined with dry-stone walls and the small villages nestled on steep sided mountains. Along the way, admire some simply decorated straw houses, perched on the side of a hill, facing a steep cliff reaching the clouds, with spectacular views of the valley. Next, move on to the Paul valley, known to be the greenest of the archipelago. There, dive into the lush-green vegetal world between sugarcane fields, fruit tree plantations, coffee, banana, guava, mango, breadfruit, eaucalyptus, papaya and more. Continue the walk through areas with crisp mountain air and past tiny communities. The tour concludes with drop-off at your accommodation.
Duration: 4 hours
Meals included:
•
•
Accommodation included: Aldeia Manga or similar
Day 4: Santo Antão: Hiking Ribeira Grande – Coculi – Boca das Ambas Ribeiras – Chã de Igreja
Stop At: Chã de Igreja, Cabo Verde
This spectacular walk begins at the Vila de Ribeira Grande riverbed, passing through scattered houses, banana plantations and a large windmill that helps residents collect water. After 1 hour of walking, arrive at Coculi Village with its prominent Santo Crucifixo parish church and then reach the second Ribeira Grande (at the mouth of two Ribeiras). Learn about the local fauna and flora from your guide and walk between the sugarcane plantations to a slender aqueduct built by the Portuguese in 1956, which still carries water today. Half an hour later find the small village of Boca das Ambas Ribeiras or “Mouth of Both Valleys”, where you will enjoy the picnic with a vertiginous view of the valley floor, far below. After that, enjoy a zigzagging cobled path that leads to the tiny settlement of Selado do Mocho and the Ribeira Garça. Finally, catch a glimpse of Chã da Igreja, meet locals and finish the walk in the village´s promontory. The tour concludes with drop off at your hotel.
Duration: 6 hours
Meals included:
•
Accommodation included: Kasa D'igreja Hebergement or similar!
Day 5: Santo Antão: Hike Ponta do Sol - Fontainhas - Cruzinha - Chã da Igrejã
Stop At: Monte Fontainhas, Santo Antao Cape Verde
Start your walk from Ponta do Sol, a waterfront-fishing village and enjoy a background decoration overlooking the sea. Then, head through a sinuous road sculpted on the top of a mountain and surrounded with deep valleys that will lead you to the picturesque village of Fontainhas, one of the 10 villages with the best view in the world according to National Geografic. Follow a steep descent and a pedestrian path, crossing Corvo, Formiguinhas and some dazzling heights to the Aranhas valley. Next, arrive at a beautiful Praia das Aranhas, a place for turtle’s nesting where you can swim depending on the sea conditions. There, find a scenic spot for a well-deserved rest and enjoy a picnic on the shore. Then, start your 2.5-hour hike between volcanic rocks and the ocean, offering stunning views until you reach Cruzinha, a small fishing village with breathtaking views on the coast and the ocean. At the end of an unforgettable day, sit back and relax on the return transfer to your accommodation.
Duration: 6 hours
Meals included:
•
•
Accommodation included: Kasa D'igreja Hebergement or similar!
Day 6: Santo Antão: Hike Caibros Waterfall - Chã de Igreja
Stop At: Caibros de Ribeira de Jorge, Cabo Verde
The “Estritin” corner (Estreitinhoem Português) is located at the ends of the Caibros stream, within the Ribeira Grande valley. After passing through the Ribeira Grande, you enter the river and after about 20 minutes of climbing, there is a beautiful waterfall, flanked by mountains that, according to the Santatoneneses, reach the sky. The waterfall water is fresh and crystal clear. In caves where water flows, amazing stalactites and stalagmites are formed. A mixture of charm and fear invades the visitor who is frightened by the authoritarianism of the rocks. Estritin is a place par excellence to be part of a tourism circuit based on nature. Places like this should be referred to as natural monuments.
Duration: 6 hours
Meals included:
•
•
Accommodation included: Kasa D'igreja Hebergement or similar!
Day 7: Santo Antão: Hike Tarrafal - Monte Trigo
Stop At: Tarrafal de Monte Trigo, Tarrafal de Monte Trigo, Santo Antao
This route runs through the places of Chã de Cruz, Chã Dura, Pascoal Alves, Figueirinha de Pascoal Alves, Ribeira Preta, Ribeira de Purgueira and Selada de Monte Trigo, between Morrinho d´Égua / Topo de Coroa and Monte do Trigo (a fishing village) which, due to its modern 24/24 hour photovoltaic energy system, has been dubbed the “most renewable village in Cape Verde”).
On the route between this town and Tarrafal de Monte Trigo, the connection can, alternatively, be made, in either direction, by sea, through small artisanal fishing boats, lasting 50 minutes. In this crossing, the traveler can enjoy a unique and singular landscape, shared between the tranquil blue sea of this bay and the high peaks of the Topo de Coroa volcano that rise, imposing, from these waters.
Duration: 4 hours
Meals included:
•
•
Accommodation included: Guest House Tarrafal or Similar
Day 8: Santo Antão: Hike Monte Trigo - Tope de Coroa (Planalto do Norte)
Stop At: Tope de Coroa, Cabo Verde
Departure at 8 am. Start the ascent along the cobblestone path and then fork to the right (white sign about 900 m) to the shortcut. At noon, the heat is felt and you need at least 3 liters of water. Arrival at Casa do Lusiano. Meals and breakfast served by a local family.
Duration: 5 hours
Meals included:
•
•
Accommodation included: Casa do Luciano or similar!
Day 9: Santo Antão: Hike Tope de Coroa - Chã de Norte
Stop At: Tope de Coroa, Cabo Verde
Tope de Coroa, Santo Antão's highest altitude, at 1, 979 meters, is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Santo Antão, and is therefore one of the main tourist attractions of this island. This volcano is inserted in the natural park of the same name, with more than 84 kilometers of extension, where there are 61 percent (%) of endemic species of plants typical of Cape Verde, of which 25% are on the list species in the process of extinction
Duration: 4 hours
Meals included:
•
•
Accommodation included: Chez Tutu or similar!
Day 10: Santo Antão: Hike Chã de Norte - Alto Mira
Stop At: Alto Mira, Cabo Verde
Enjoy spectacular view of the three groups of houses Alto Mira 3, 2 and 1 surrounded by terraces. At the bottom, reached after going through a canyon, you can eat and sleep in basic conditions at Tutu's.
Duration: 5 hours
Meals included:
•
•
Accommodation included: Chez Tutu or similar!
Day 11: Santo Antão: Hike Lombo de Galinha - Chã da Igreja + Transfer to Ponta do Sol
Stop At: Chã de Igreja, Cabo Verde
As in the previous stage, you have to pass several canyons before reaching Cha de Igreja.
Duration: 5 hours
Meals included:
•
•
Accommodation included: Hotel Tiduca in Ponta do Sol**** (Santo Antão Island) or similar
Day 12: Santo Antão: Hiking Pinhao – Lombo Branco - Sinagoga Natural Swimming Pools
Stop At: Sinagoga, Cabo Verde
Get picked up at your accommodation and start this incredible trail in the small village of Pinhao, located 600 meters above sea level. Cross small streams and hills with peaceful settlements along green valleys and see endemic plants and tropical birds.
Duration: 4 hours
Meals included:
•
•
Accommodation included: Hotel Tiduca in Ponta do Sol**** (Santo Antão Island) or similar
Day 13: Santo Antão: Hike Água das Caldeiras – Ribeira de Torre – Ribeira Grande
Stop At: Ribeira Grande, Ribeira Grande, Santo Antao
Discover Ribeira de Torre, the most beautiful valley of Santo Antão and be delighted with amazing views from Xoxo to the valley of Ribeira Grande. Pass close to a gorgeous waterfall and enjoy a natural swimming pool with locals.
Duration: 4 hours
Meals included:
•
•
Accommodation included: Hotel Tiduca in Ponta do Sol**** (Santo Antão Island) or similar
Day 14: Ferry trip to São Vicente and Free day at Laginha beach
Stop At: Santo Antao, Santo Antao
Morning ferry trip to São Vicente
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Praia da Laginha, Sao Vicente Cape Verde
Enjoy your day in the beautiful beach of Laginha
Duration: 4 hours
Meals included:
•
Accommodation included: Solar Windelo in Mindelo (São Vicente Island) or similar
Day 15: Goodbye Cabo Verde
Stop At: Sao Vicente, Sao Vicente
Custom Transfer to Cesária Évora international airport.
Duration: 20 minutes
Pass By: Cesária Évora International Airport, RWPW+795, São Pedro, Cabo Verde
Drop off and say Goodbye Cape Verde!!!
Meals included:
•
No accommodation included on this day.
Additional information
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Near public transportation
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Travelers should have a strong physical fitness level
- Lunch and diner includes fish, meet or main dish + dessert + water.
- We reserve the right to alter the order of the itinerary or substitute a hotel of similar class if deemed necessary. The same will be informed to the traveler before departure.
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 7 days of travel. In this case confirmation will be received within 48 hours, subject to availability
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
If you cancel at least 7 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is no cancellation fee.
If you cancel between 3 and 6 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is a 50 percent cancellation fee.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 percent cancellation fee.
If you cancel between 3 and 6 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is a 50 percent cancellation fee.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 percent cancellation fee.