Come along on this very special journey, which starts in Lisbon, the trendy capital of Portugal, and passes through the cultural capital of Cabo Verde, Mindelo, before we take the scenic ferry trip to Santo Antão, a walker paradise, and still an unspoiled destination, away from touristic crowds.
Highlights
Spectacular mountain and coastal hikes in Santo Antão, a remote hidden gem
Charming historical town of Mindelo, cultural heart of Cabo Verde
Typical fishermen villages and ways of life
The village of Fontainhas, recognized as having one of the best views in the world
Traditional Cabo-verdean gastronomy
A fantastic itinerary of walks and experiences developed and perfected by local leaders
The hospitality and warmth from the local population
Professional leader to guide the tour and make sure everything runs smoothly
Come along on this very special journey, which starts in Lisbon, the trendy capital of Portugal, and passes through the cultural capital of Cabo Verde, Mindelo, before we take the scenic ferry trip to Santo Antão, a walker paradise, and still an unspoiled destination, away from touristic crowds.
Lisbon
We start in Lisbon, the charming capital of Portugal. Seeped in history and culture, the city is an exciting destination for its diversity, beautiful sites and enviable sunny climate.
Cabo Verde – Mindelo
From Lisbon, we take our flight to the westerly island of São Vicente, in Cabo Verde. Known as the cultural capital of the archipelago (and birthplace of Cesária Évora, the famous morna’s singer), Mindelo is a charismatic town with coloured colonial buildings, a faded grandeur, and an urban beach where you can take a refreshing dip in the turquoise waters of its sheltered bay.
Mindelo and view to Monte Cara
Cesária Évora mural in Mindelo by Vihls
Laginha, the city beach of Mindelo, São Vicente
National Centre of Arts, Crafts and Design in Mindelo
Produce market in Mindelo
Cabo Verde – Santo Antão
If Cabo Verde were a jewel, Santo Antão would be its rarest and most valuable diamond.
Walking in Santo Antão Cabo Verde
Lush vegetation, mountains, and trails that run along cliffs by the sea or that descend along volcanic and agricultural slopes.
Fontaínhas is recognized as a National Cultural and Natural Heritage site
Walking in Santo Antão Cabo Verde
Santo Antão is a lost paradise, the complete opposite of other Cabo Verdean touristic islands, better known for long sandy beaches and closed luxury resorts. Discover this hidden and precious secret where you can experience diverse walks in authentic and pristine landscapes.
Production of grogue in Santo Antão
Paúl Valley, Santo Antão
Sugar cane crop, Santo Antão Cabo Verde
The proverbial cordiality and gentleness of the Cabo-Verdean people here is even more genuine. Feel the morabeza!
Itinerary
DAY 1
Arrival to Lisbon
Your leader will welcome you, and after meeting your fellow passengers, an introductory walk will be available if time allows.
DAY 2
Transfer to Mindelo – São Vicente
Early morning transfer to Lisbon airport and flight to São Vicente (4h flight). Arrival at São Vicente and transfer to your accommodation in Mindelo (15 min).
An introductory walk will cover the must-see places downtown.
Known for its live music scene, Mindelo is Cabo Verde’s second-largest city and the birthplace of the world-renowned morna singer and national treasure Cesária Évora, honoured with a massive mural by the Portuguese contemporary artist Vihls.
There is a surprising amount to do and see in this small city, always very tidy and welcoming, with colourful colonial facades and a cosmopolitan ambience.
Discover the bustling fish market, the produce market with a series of handicraft shops on the first floor, set in a charming building, the Belém Tower (a replica of the Lisbon one), and the contemporary design centre.
At Praça Estrela, a multitude of traders offer their goods (clothes, shoes, electronic items, bric-a-brac, but also fruit and vegetables, which come from Santo Antão.
The city is nested in a deep-waters bay surrounded by mountains, and the marina or the sandy beach of Laginha are perfect places to enjoy the sunset or a drink.
DAY 3
Santo Antão
Take the modern ferry from Mindelo to the city of Porto Novo in Santo Antão (1h), passing through an imposing inhabited rock in the middle of the channel, Bird Island, and transfer by road to the start of your first walk.
Our trail winds through diverse landscapes of desert hills, small agricultural hamlets with corn, sweet potato and bean fields, and patches of forest, offering panoramic views over each of the island slopes when the weather is clear.
It will serve as a presentation of the extraordinary diversity of this magical island, virtually untouched by tourism.
In the afternoon, transfer from the end of the walk to your hotel.
DAY 4
Paúl Valley
A short transfer will get us to the lush valley of Paúl (marsh). Follow the small paths from hamlet to hamlet, passing through cultivated terraces carved in the steep hills in the area of Cabo de Ribeira.
Here, the locals grow coffee, oranges, guavas, and vegetables, depending on the season; this is also where the delicious grogue (local rum) is distilled, still in traditional mills. The grogue from Paúl valley is considered one of the finest in Cabo Verde.
At lunch, we prepared a treat: a local family will welcome our group to taste their homegrown produce in the small valley of Figueiral.
After lunch, the walk follows a spectacular path along the coastline of the Atlantic Ocean.
DAY 5
Cruzinha, Fontaínhas and Ponta do Sol
A morning transfer takes us through the mountainous and fertile valleys of Ribeira Grande and Garça to the picturesque coastal village of Cruzinha.
Here, our walk ventures along a trail bordering the ocean. Keep an eye out for the sight of turtles, dolphins or whales.
Enjoy a picnic lunch in the isolated hamlet of Corvo before continuing to Fontainhas, a cliff-clinging village famous for its multicoloured houses and already featured in the National Geographic magazine for boasting one of the most formidable views in the world.
Our walk ends at the attractive fishing town of Ponta do Sol, the northernmost point of Cabo Verde, with a striking yellow town hall, whitewashed church and waving palm trees.
DAY 6
Grogue Tour
Today, we take a cultural and sensory journey when we visit some local producers of grogue! Santo Antão is a famed producer of this spirit, the local rum, reputed as the best in Cabo Verde.
The grogue production is still mainly artisanal, in a device called trapiche.
We will not only visit production areas but also experience living museums which use ancestral techniques of sugar cane grinding. The extracted juice is fermented in large wooden barrels, followed by distillation in a copper still, where the wood-fired fire gives life to the grogue.
The dedication and knowledge passed through generations guarantee the exceptional quality and authenticity of this much-loved product.
Explore and taste a cultural treasure, speak with local producers, and get a bit more of the essence of Cabo Verde through its flavours and stories.
In the afternoon, we say goodbye to Santo Antão and hop on the ferry to return to Mindelo.
DAY 7
Mindelo
In Mindelo, we can have a free day to enjoy the beach, shop, or organize a tour to visit the Island of São Vicente.
Know Salamansa, Calhau and the famed Baía das Gatas, where the biggest Cabo-Verdean music festival takes place on the first full-moon weekend in August.
DAY 8
Return to Lisbon
Transfer to São Vicente Airport to take the return flight to Lisbon.
Info
Hotels
Lisbon – Hotel Roma*** (or similar)
1 night
A historic and iconic hotel on Avenida de Roma, one of the main arteries of Lisbon, and known for its personalized service. The en-suite rooms are spacious, with good natural lighting and maximum comfort. The unit offers a 24-hour reception service, free wi-fi, and a quality breakfast buffet.
Mindelo (São Vicente Island) – *** unit
2 nights at an en-suite room
Santo Antão Island – *** unit
4 nights at an en-suite room
Board: Full board (Breakfast, pic-nick lunches and dinners at restaurants/hotels)
Costs include: private airport transfers, all transportation as outlined in the program with a private vehicle, luggage transfers between hotels, all walks, ferry trips between Cabo Verde islands, an English-speaking guide throughout the entire tour, and one lunch at a local farm.
What's included
Accommodation
7 nights in a twin standard room for two pax (3 stars hotel)
1 nights in Lisbon
2 nights in Mindelo
4 nights in Santo Antão
Single supplement available with a surcharge
Extra nights available on request
Meals
7 buffet breakfasts at the Hotel
Dinners and lunches according to description
Transport
Meet & Greet Airport Transfer to the hotel on the first day – group transfer
Transfer from the hotel to the airport on last day – group transfer
All transports to walks and activities (as outlined) with dedicated driver and vehicle
Additional transfers are available on request at an extra cost
Tour Leaders
Dedicated English speaking local tour leader
The tour leader will assist and guide the group throughout the holidays, handle all the arrangements and other needs that might arise, making sure that you don’t have to worry about planning your days and you can enjoy your holiday
Each evening, your tour leader will discuss the details and program for the following day
Walks and Activities
Walks according to program
Exclusions
Any services not listed as included
Flights
Meals, tips/gratuities, baggage, or personal insurance (except as outlined)
Admission fees to castles & attractions or events (except as outlined)
