The crossing of Santo Antao

Arrival at the São Vicente air terminal. Welcome by our driver and transfer to Mindelo. Check-in at a comfortable hotel located in the heart of the city. The colonial-era architectural structures and the brightly colored cobblestone streets around the bay give Mindelo an exotic atmosphere. For a Sunday arrival, the city is quiet and all the activity is concentrated mainly around the beach. Depending on your arrival time, you can enjoy a city tour;

Meals not included.

Type of accommodation: hotel

Morning transfer to the port to board the boat to Porto Novo at 7:00 a.m. After a one-hour crossing, transfer to Tarrafal, a picturesque fishing village. Take the opportunity to take a short hike to discover the cultures of this exceptional valley.

Breakfast, picnic and dinner included.

Type of accommodation: hotel or guesthouse depending on availability

This adventure takes you through wild coastal landscapes to a remote fishing village, accessible only on foot or by boat. You'll embark on a coastal hike beneath the island's summit, a volcano rising nearly 2,000 meters above sea level. In the afternoon, a fishing trip is planned with local fishermen.

Breakfast, picnic and dinner included

Between 3 and 3.5 hours of walking

Elevation gain: +500m Elevation loss: -500m

Distance: 12.6km

Accommodation: hotel or guesthouse depending on availability

Today you set off early in the morning. From Monte Trigo, the trail climbs steeply. This initial climb is demanding but offers breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and the village you are leaving behind. The vegetation is mainly arid bushes with a few wind- and salt-resistant trees. As you approach the Plateau de Norte, the path begins to descend. This area is greener, with more visible agriculture, including cultivated terraces. The Plateau de Norte itself is an agricultural region, busier than the previous trails, where you can observe more traditional rural life. You will spend the night in a room or bivouac on a terrace of a family's house in the village of Cha de Feijoal.

Breakfast, picnic and dinner included

Between 6 and 6.5 hours of walking

Elevation gain: + 1500m Elevation loss: - 450m

Distance: 19.6km

Accommodation: in a room or bivouac on a terrace depending on availability

At dawn, begin the ascent to the summit of Topo de Coroa. This route takes you through lunar landscapes and mountain ridges, offering panoramic views of the island's interior and the coast. The trail crosses the volcano's summit plateau, where vegetation is sporadic and the terrain is mainly composed of volcanic rock and sand. After exploring the plateau, begin your descent to Bordeira de Norte. This section can be quite steep and requires good downhill walking skills. The views of deep valleys and mountain ridges are spectacular. Overnight stay in Ribeira das Patas.

Breakfast, picnic and dinner included

6.5 hours of walking

Elevation gain: +800m Elevation loss: -1300m

Distance: 12km

Accommodation: boarding house

The trail leads you to the Forquinha Pass, a strategic passage between two valleys, then descends to Alto Mira. From there, following the bottom of a gorge, you venture into a remote region.

Breakfast, picnic and dinner included

6 hours of walking

Elevation gain +: 530m Elevation loss -: 790m

Distance: 17.8km

Accommodation: in a room with a local or bivouac depending on availability

After breakfast, you descend to the ocean, passing cultivated fields, citrus groves, and small, isolated hamlets. Panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean gradually unfold, providing a dramatic contrast to the towering mountains. Follow the path along the coast, savoring the refreshing sea air and listening to the sound of waves crashing on the rocks below.

In the afternoon you will finally reach the picturesque village of Meio de Espanha, Figueira Valley.

Breakfast, picnic and dinner included

6 hours of walking

Elevation gain: +600m Elevation loss: -620m

Distance: 17km

Accommodation: in a room with a local or bivouac depending on availability

Today you continue across the island on a paved trail between sea and mountains through the Ribeira Alta Valley. After crossing the valley, you reach a fairly steep switchback climb, but one that rewards hikers with incredible views of the deep valleys and mountain ridges. Once at the pass, the trail begins to descend towards the village of Chã de Igreja. This descent is less demanding than the climb and offers superb views of the island's north coast, with the Atlantic Ocean sparkling in the distance.

Breakfast, picnic and dinner included

5h30 walk

Elevation gain: 850m Elevation loss: 1070m

Distance: 20.5km

Accommodation: boarding house

Enjoy a free day at your hotel to relax. Explore the village at your own pace or stroll to the seaside in Cruzinha, a fishing village just a 10-minute walk from the hotel.

Breakfast, picnic and dinner included

Accommodation: boarding house

Depending on availability and group participants, you can stay at the Palmeiras da Cruz or Kaza D'igreja hotels.

After breakfast, embark on a charming coastal hike along a light-filled path carved into the mountainside. Pass through the villages of Formiguinhas, Corvo, and Fontainhas, the latter a famous hilltop village. Then, settle in for the night in Ponta do Sol, a fishing village. Overnight stay.

Breakfast, picnic and dinner included

5 hours of walking

Elevation gain +: 610m Elevation loss -: 670m

Distance: 15km

Accommodation: boarding house

From Figueiral de Coculi, head towards Ribeira da Torre, another valley characterized by steep slopes and terraced crops. This section of the trail offers spectacular views of rock formations and lush vegetation. You'll climb to a ridge path that offers impressive views of the valley below and the surrounding mountains. The final part of your hike takes you to Rabo Curte, a village nestled in a tranquil setting, ideal for a break after the long walk. The descent is gentler and passes through areas of denser vegetation, providing a beautiful end to the trail.

Breakfast, picnic and dinner included

6 hours of walking

Elevation gain: 1050m Elevation loss: 1000m

Distance: 15km

Accommodation: in a room with a local or bivouac depending on availability

This hike is considered moderately difficult due to its altitude and sometimes steep climbs, but it is extremely rewarding for those seeking panoramic views and contact with the island's unspoiled nature. As you continue your ascent, you will reach mountain ridges offering spectacular views of the valleys below and the surrounding peaks. In the afternoon, you will arrive in the village of Pico da Cruz, one of the highest points on Santo Antão. The summit offers panoramic views of the entire island, making it an excellent spot for photos and a well-deserved rest.

Overnight in a guesthouse.

Breakfast, picnic and dinner included

5 hours of walking

Elevation gain: 1080m Elevation loss: 210m

Distance: 13.6km

Accommodation: board or bivouac depending on availability

The descent from Pico da Cruz to the Paul Valley is primarily mountainous at first, crossing rocky terrain and ridges with breathtaking views. This descent continues towards the lush Paul Valley, known for its terraced crops and rich agriculture. It is one of the most fertile valleys in Santo Antão. The trail will take you through fields of sugarcane, cassava, and bananas, interspersed with small villages where you can observe the daily lives of the locals.

After a visit to a rum distillery, a coastal road transfer will take you to Porto Novo, followed by a boat ride to Mindelo at 5 p.m. Once in Mindelo, our driver will meet you and drop you off at your accommodation.

Breakfast and lunch at a local's home included. Dinner not included.

5h30 walk

Elevation gain +: 150m Elevation loss -: 1460m

Distance: 16km

Accommodation: in a hotel

A great way to discover the beauty and diversity of this vibrant island. The route you're planning, passing through Monte Verde, Baía das Gatas, Praia Grande, and Calhau, offers a fascinating combination of mountainous landscapes, picturesque beaches, and charming villages.

You'll explore Monte Verde, the highest point on São Vicente, which offers panoramic views of the entire island and sometimes even beyond, to neighboring islands, on a clear day. From Monte Verde, head to Baía das Gatas. Renowned for its annual music festival, this bay offers calm waters thanks to a natural reef that forms a natural pool ideal for swimming. After Baía das Gatas, continue to Praia Grande, a long, undeveloped white sand beach, perfect for those looking to escape the crowds. The last stop is Calhau, another fishing village with a pleasant beach and views of Santa Luzia Island and other deserted islets. In Calhau, you can have lunch at one of the local restaurants, which often serve fresh fish caught that same day.

It is possible to take a short walk (45 minutes) around an ancient volcano by the sea

Finish your tour by returning to Mindelo. The return route offers beautiful views of the Ribeira de Calhau valley and additional opportunities for photo stops.

Breakfast included. Lunch and dinner not included.

Accommodation: in a hotel

Transfer to the airport according to your flight schedule.

Breakfast included.