Trekking on Santo Antão

Individual Hiking Tour

On arrival via São Vicente, you’ll dive deep into the greenest island of the archipelago and experience unforgettable views. You’ll enjoy moderate hikes as well as being able to test your strength. Explore donkey trails along the cliffs, climb to the top of the highest mountain, walk through tropical green valleys, and let yourself be enchanted by spectacular views from high plateaus and the peaceful atmosphere of the island. Experiencing the country firsthand: learning a few words of Creole will bring you closer to the country and its people. You’ll stay with host families and indulge in their ‘home cooking’. To finish, there are a few days of relaxation in the remote town of Tarrafal, located directly on the sea.

It is bookable throughout the year at the date of your choice! 

Day 1: Arrival in Cape Verde

The arrival on the island of São Vicente. The first day in Mindelo, the proud cultural capital with its music, carnival, sailors’ pubs … not to mention the view of the bay, rated one of the 30 most beautiful in the world. Cesaria Evora once sang: ” Who doesn’t know Mindelo, doesn’t know Cape Verde”. The barefooted diva brought great attention to the city where she was born and where she died. We will spend the night in the old town of Mindelo.

Day 2: Santo Antão – The Green Paúl Valley

(Hike approx. 5 hours // + 200m / -1500m // Difficulty level 2-3)

Journey by ferry to Santo Antão. First of all, you will drive with your guide up the old trade road that crosses the island from south to north. One breathtaking view follows the other. Once you arrive at the Cova crater, now your hiking tour begins – and with a bang: you descend into the greenest valley of Cape Verde and then spend the night in Vila da Pombas, a nice place by the sea. It is a beautiful day – and also the beginning of this journey.

Day 3: To Caibros

(Hike approx. 5 hours // +/-500m // Difficulty level 2-3)

There is a short transfer and today’s hike takes you up and down through three different valleys. While walking through tropical vegetation and small traditional villages, your heart begins to beat for Cape Verde. This is the hike through typical landscape on the island of Santo Antão.

Day 4: Caibros – Chã de Igreja

(Hike to Chã de Igreja // approx. 4 hours // 8.9 km // + 850 m / – 1100 m // Difficulty level 3)

You’ll start the hike through two picture-perfect valleys. While learning a few words of Cape Verdean Creole, you’ll be able to do more than just smile with the local farmers you meet along the way. When you arrive in the small town, meet your host family for the night and enjoy a delicious home-cooked dinner. It’s simple, humane and typically Cape Verdean.

Day 5: Chã de Igreja – Figueiras

(Hike approx. 7 hours // + 1200m / -700 m // Difficulty level 4*)

You’ll test your strength today – with this beautiful and at the same time challenging hike that only a few people know about. Early in the morning, you set off along the coast with your guide. Arriving on the other side, you will first go uphill, then downhill again and then uphill again. You will reach a valley that can only be reached on foot. You will spend the night here in a primary school. The accommodation is more than basic, but the place and the people are so friendly that you will feel like kings (without main luggage).

Day 6: Figueiras – Ribeira da Cruz

(Hike approx. 5 hours // +800 m / -600m // Difficulty level 3)

It is important to remember – on the beautiful and relatively easy path – that you walk this hike just for fun, whereas it is a necessity for the residents. You’ll walk along the coast until you reach a cliff – which is probably the most beautiful spot to enjoy the picnic and rest a bit – before you go on. Spending the night in a beautiful rural area in a weekend cottage belonging to a Cape Verdean family living in Mindelo. The people staying in the village will take very good care of you; most likely so good that you would like to stay a few days longer (without main luggage).

Day 7: To Norte

(Hike approx. 4 hours // + 1100 m / – 300 m // Difficulty level 3)

Initially, the hike seems a bit boring, the landscape is nothing special – was the guide joking? However, then, after a bend, you suddenly find yourself in front of a green and lush valley – and the guide has once again become your hero. The state of the path shows how rarely it is walked. Only one thing is certain: We are moving far away from mass tourism. You then enjoy a view over all the valleys you have walked through on a high plateau. The occasional goats you meet are unmistakable signs that you are approaching your destination. You will spend the night with a rustic host family. Here you will also find your main luggage.

Day 8: To the Tope de Coroa

(Hike approx. 7 hours // +1300 m / -1300 m // Difficulty level 4* )

With a cup of coffee at sunrise, you will start your ascent to the highest mountain on the island, the Tope de Coroa, with an altitude of 1,979 metres. Along the way, you will realise that it was not a bad idea to have a guide: with so many little forks in the road, how else would you find your way to the top? It will then also guide you back to your host family.

Day 9: Norte – Monte Trigo

(Hike approx. 7 hours // +600m / -1700m // Difficulty level 4*)

An early start again today, because you will have the longest and loneliest hike on the island ahead of you. However, the landscape, the silence and the peaceful atmosphere are worth the effort. And what a spectacular view – this wild and untouched nature. We will stay overnight in a small, simple guesthouse in Monte Trigo (without main luggage).

Day 10: Monte Trigo – Tarrafal

(Hike to Tarrafal // 5 hours // 10 km // + 600 m / – 630 m // Difficulty level 3)

The final stage on the way to paradise: the view over the sea and the stony path will be your only companions today. Green landscapes will soon replace the previous lunar landscape – you have reached your destination. How delightful, you have access to your main luggage again. You’ll spend the rest of the day relaxing by the sea, maybe even sticking your big toe in or practising your freshly learned creole in a conversation with the local fishermen.

Day 11: Rest in Tarrafal

You will say goodbye to your guide today and now it’s up to you alone to decide what to do 🙂
Let the experience pass in review, relax, or start walking again.

Day 12: Rest in Tarrafal

Day 13: Return to São Vicente

Let’s get back to so-called civilisation. One more early start and enjoy the landscape shining in the morning sun as you drive back to the port over a somewhat bumpy road. Get on board the ferry and drive back to Mindelo.

Tag 14: Return to Europe

We transfer to the airport and fly back to Europe. While there is no vaccination required to enter Cape Verde, it appears that a certain virus is very active there: Whoever catches it can only think of one thing: to return to Cape Verde as soon as possible. See you soon!

Who we are:

We have been organising trips to the Cape Verde Islands for more than 15 years with a German/Cape Verdean team of almost 20 people. Together with our drivers and guides, we work hand in hand on all nine inhabited islands of the archipelago. Looking forward to a trip organised by people who know the local area inside out and also have a lot of fun at work.

What you can expect from us:

• Competent advice on planning your trip
• Consideration of your individual wishes when creating the travel offer
• Carefully selected accommodation and drivers
• Qualified English speaking guides
• Varied excursions
• Detailed travel documents
• A 24-hour service number on-site during your trip

Services Included in the price:

• Ferry São Vicente – Santo Antão – São Vicente
• 13 nights with breakfast incl. accommodation tax
• Other meals: 3x lunch, 6x packed lunch, 10x dinner
• 9 hikes with a local English-speaking guide
• Airport, port and all other transfers as per itinerary
• Travel documents

Services Not Included:

• Airport tax (3,400 ECV or €31)
• International flights.
  *You are welcome to book your international flights through us: With TAP Air Portugal, from an airport near you.

Booking request individual hiking tour:
Trekking on Santo Antão