

Hike Cape Verde's Santo Antão Island, discovering stunning landscapes and villages.
The Cape Verde Trekking Adventure Tour on Santo Antão Island offers an immersive hiking experience, exploring the island's stunning landscapes shaped by volcanic activity. From lush valleys to dramatic cliffs plunging into the ocean, this self-guided tour allows you to traverse the island’s most scenic hiking routes. The journey includes trekking through the Vallée de Paul, coastal paths, and picturesque villages, where you can experience the authentic local culture, taste traditional dishes, and interact with the friendly Cape Verdeans.
With all transfers included, this adventure ensures a seamless journey across the island, with each day offering a new hike, from tranquil valleys to panoramic coastal views. The digital app provides all the information you need for a fully independent experience, while optional picnic lunches add convenience. This tour combines breathtaking landscapes, rich culture, and an authentic connection to the heart of Cape Verde, making it the perfect getaway for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts.
Highlights of the Cape Verde Trekking Adventure Tour
Prices
- No Booking or Credit Card Fees
- Save Money
- Happiness Guaranteed
Cape Verde Trekking Adventure Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in São Vicente
Arrive at Mindelo Airport and take a transfer to your accommodation, where you’ll settle in for the night. Depending on your arrival time, you can relax on the nearby sunny beaches of the Atlantic Ocean or explore the vibrant streets of Mindelo city.
Overnight Location: Mindelo
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Vallée de Paul Hike
Take an early morning ferry to Santo Antão, followed by a taxi transfer to Figueiral de Paul, located near the charming coastal village of Vila das Pombas. You’ll enter the lush Vallée de Paul, one of the island’s most fertile valleys, where terraced fields of sugar cane, manioc, banana trees, and coffee thrive. The hike gradually ascends to Pico d'Antonio, offering breathtaking views. The hike concludes at O Curral bar, a popular spot in the valley, where you can enjoy fresh goat's cheese and sample the local grog (to be paid locally). Afterward, take a transfer back to Vila das Pombas for the night.
Overnight Location: Vila das Pombas
Distance: 4 hours, 7.2 km, +50 m/ -1250 m
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Lombo Branco & Pinhão Hike
After a short transfer, begin a beautiful, quiet hike from the village of Lombo Branco, situated at an altitude of 600m. Along the way, enjoy panoramic views of peaceful hamlets, terraced fields, small ribeiras, and the ocean in the distance. Afterward, take a transfer to Ponta do Sol, a charming fishing village and the island’s historic port.
Overnight Location: Ponta do Sol
Distance: 3 hours, + 500m/ - 800m
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Cliffside Coastal Hike and Scenic Villages
In a strikingly different landscape, take the coastal path that connects Ponta do Sol to the vibrant, colorful village of Fontainhas, continuing on to the hamlets of Corvo and Formiguinhas. This famous structure runs along the coast for several kilometres, providing stunning panoramic views of the ocean and the northern coast of the island. You’ll arrive at the small fishing village of Cruzinha da Garça, followed by the charming, flower-filled village of Chã de Igreja, where you will spend the night.
Overnight Location: Chã de Igreja
Distance: 5 hours, 15 km, +750m/- 750m
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Day 5 Mountain Pass Views and Central Valleys
From the village of Chã de Igreja, with its terraced fields, follow a cobblestone path that winds up the mountain to Mocho Pass, offering stunning views of both the ocean and the central valleys. The trail then leads through fertile valleys, where crops like sugar cane, corn, and sweet potatoes are grown. Afterward, take a transfer to your accommodation, nestled among majestic peaks.
Overnight Location: Boca de Coruja
Distance: 3 hours, +500m/- 750m
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Day 6 Scenic Loop Hike through João Afonso and Chã de Pedras
Today, a beautiful loop hike from your accommodation takes you through the peaceful João Afonso and Chã de Pedras valleys. This agricultural area is dotted with charming hamlets and terraced fields, where tropical crops such as bananas, coffee, cassava, and sugar cane flourish.
Overnight Location: Boca de Coruja
Distance: 4 hours 15 minutes, +500m/- 500m
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Day 7 High-Altitude Plateau Hike and Cova Crater View
For your final hike on Santo Antão, you'll follow a paved trail starting from the João Alfonso Valley, passing through corn terraces and fields of sisal. The path winds around basalt cones, crosses ridges, and leads through pastures and small hamlets before reaching the high-altitude plateaus, where pines and eucalyptus trees thrive. At the end of the hike, a taxi will be waiting to transfer you to Porto Novo, where you'll take the ferry back to Mindelo. Along the way, you’ll stop at a lookout point offering stunning views of the Cova Crater, surrounded by vibrant crops.
Overnight Location: Mindelo
Distance: 5 hours, +1200 m/- 100m
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 Departure day
Transfer to the airport to catch your overnight flight.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Cape Verde Trekking Adventure Tour Price and Dates
Book NowAccommodation on the Cape Verde Trekking Adventure Tour
This tour is based on hotels and guesthouses. All the rooms have a private bathroom and all the necessary services to ensure your best comfort.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy. You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel where possible. Solo travellers may be required to pay a supplement.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Solar Windelo Guest House, Mindelo
This hotel offers one of the most beautiful views in Mindelo, overlooking the entire city, from the stunning Porto Grande Bay to the iconic Monte Cara.
Residencial Oasis Paul, Vila das Pombas
The hotel offers rooms with private bathrooms, each featuring large balconies, comfortable armchairs, a table, sockets, Wi-Fi.
Sol Point Art Hotel, Ponta do Sol
Sol Point Art offers comfortable, family-friendly rooms with ocean views, free Wi-Fi, buffet breakfast, and convenient amenities like a sun terrace.
Residencial Mite, Cha de Igreja
Offers a welcoming and comfortable stay in a charming location. Enjoy a relaxing atmosphere and convenient access to nearby attractions.
Pedracin Village, Boca de Coruja
The hotel offers rooms with air conditioning, free internet, a pool, and complimentary breakfast for a relaxing stay.
Solar Windelo Guest House, Mindelo
This hotel offers one of the most beautiful views in Mindelo, overlooking the entire city, from the stunning Porto Grande Bay to the iconic Monte Cara.
What’s Included in the Cape Verde Trekking Adventure Tour?
Meals
7 breakfasts and 3 dinners are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 7 nights are included.
Transportation during the Tour
Transportation for you and your luggage are included throughout the tour, including transfers to and from the airport.
Also included
- Excursions mentioned in the itinerary
- Entrance fees where applicable
- Ground transfers by private taxi as indicated in the program
- Regular line boat tickets for the Sao Vicente / Santo Antao round trip
- Tourist tax of €2.50 per person per night
- Your road book with detailed walking itineraries, including highlighted maps
- 24/7 phone assistance
Not included
- International flights to Cape Verde
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Gratuities for tour guides or other staff if desired
- Dinners on D1, D2, D3, and D7
- Insurance
- Airport tax of €30 per person (to be paid on site or on the https://www.ease.gov.cv/ website)
- Tips
Optional Extras
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Picnic lunch package (6 lunches)
- Single occupancy upgrades
- Optional activities or excursions
Frequently Asked Questions about Cape Verde Trekking Adventure Tour
Is this tour for me?
Ask a Question