Summary
This holiday combines four glorious days of walking on Santo Antao with the most colourful event of the year, Cape Verde's carnival in the city of Mindelo, on Sao Vicente.
Highlights
- Mindelo Carnival is one of the best carnival celebrations in the world.
- Combine the Carnival with walking wild Santo Antao.
- Explore Sao Vicente with our guides.
The Details
Enjoy four fantastic days of walking on Santo Antao, then return to Sao Vicente to join in with the carnival. This is Cape Verde’s biggest cultural event of the year! Though the date of the main parade is fixed to Tuesday 9th February 2027, all other elements of this holiday can be flexible.
The creole carnival celebrations take place during the middle of Cape Verde’s dry season. This means the valley walks on Santo Antao won’t be as green as they are in the wet season, but the trails will be dry and you can enjoy pleasantly warm temperatures. Combine clear skies with elevated paths and you get expansive of views across this scenic island.
Carnival is hugely popular amongst the residents of Sao Vicente. The expertly tailored costumes, dances, and music all reflect the rich culture of Cape Verde. The unique mix of African and Portuguese cultural celebrations is a reminder of Cape Verde’s pivotal role in the trans-Atlantic trade of the 1600’s. Though the main parade is on shrove Tuesday, there are parties, street bands, food stalls, and celebrations in the week leading up to the main parade. On the day of the main parade, the streets come alive with energetic drum beats, swirling dance troops and spectacular floats, each competing to win the coveted carnival prize: VIDEO FOOTAGE
We’ve combined the Carnival with a visit to Santo Antao because it’s is one of the best islands for walking trails. You take a ferry from Sao Vicente to Porto Novo on Santo Antao. From the ferry terminal, you hop on the back of a jeep and drive up a steep cobbled mountain road to the crater rim of Cova do Paul. From here you trek to the crater floor, walking across a flat fertile land that is cultivated for growing grain and various fruit and vegetables. Ascending the crater rim on the opposite side, you join a path that zig zags down a steep decline into the Paul Valley. The views are simply stunning.
We include a free day in the Paul Valley and your hosts will suggest some nice return routes for you to consider. After this, you are transferred to Pinhao to the start of another mountainous walking area. You’ll walk along terraced hillsides, spanning several valleys and passing deserted mountain villages. After three days of walking in the mountains, you finish with a coastal walk. This scenic trail starts in Ponta do So and finishes in Cruzinha. We think this is such an exciting holiday, combing some of the best walks and the biggest cultural event on Cape Verde.
Gallery
Suggested Itinerary
Upon arrival on Sao Vicente you'll be met and transferred to your Hotel in Mindelo, the Casamarel. This lovely restored house has great views of Mindelo Harbour, due to its slightly elevated position.
Transfer to the port and take the morning ferry to Santo Antao. Upon arrival you will be met by your walking guide and transferred up to the Cova Crater. The walk starts at the impressive crater and then heads down a cobbled path which zigs zags its way down into the green fertile Paul Valley amongst towering cliffs and tropic vegetation consisting of sugar cane, mango and dragon trees. The walk finishes at your accommodation, the Casa Cavoquinho (your luggage will be transferred separately).
Free day for relaxing and local walks in the Paul Valley. There are several nice loops that you can choose from, some shorter and some longer, and your hosts will point you in the right direction. A second night at the Casa Cavoquinho.
You will be collected from your hotel and transferred to the small village of Pinhao, the starting point for todays walk from Pinhao to Sinagoga. This trail takes you to around 2000ft above sea level, passing through terraced fields and agricultural land. Over the next 3 hours you cross through several valleys and a deserted village before the final short climb to Lombo Branco and then the descent to Sinagoga, formerly home to a Jewish family that lived on the island after being expelled from Portugal. After your walk, you will be transferred to Mamiwata, a really lovely eco village with amazing coastal views.
In the morning you will be transferred to Ponta do Sol and you will follow a lovely coastal trail to Cruzinha, and then back to Mamiwata. This is a well established walk so you can opt to go with your guide, or walk independently. The trail has plenty of photo opportunity spots and, although it is moderate in distance, there are some steep and challenging sections. The duration is 5 to 6 hours and a packed lunch is included.
A free day and second night at the Mamiwata Eco Village
After breakfast you will be transferred to Porto Novo to catch the following ferry back to Sao Vicente, returning to your accommodation at Casamarel. Though the main parade is tomorrow, carnival celebrations go on all week so you can enjoy music, street dances, and food stalls. this evening
Tuesday 9th February 2027 - Shrove Tuesday is the day of the main parade of Sao Vicente Carnival Carnival, so we've left the day free for you to immerse yourself in the experience. The streets are awash with colourful costumes, accompanied by the sounds of lively music. This is a spectacle not to be missed and celebrations go on late into the night.
After an action-packed holiday of walking and dancing, we thought you might appreciate a free day to simply relax. Perhaps spend some time at the beach down near the port and enjoy wandering around Mindelo.
Today you can enjoy a private tour of the island, which will include visits to Baia das Gatas, Calhau and Salagassa Beach. You will also be taken to the highest point of the island, Monte Verde, from where you can see across the channel to the neighbouring island of Santo Antao. You can sometimes see Santa Luzia, which is an uninhabited island. You'll be shown the lush green valley of Madeiral where local farmers grow crops of bananas, sugar cane, papaya and vegetables. There will be plenty of stops to get out and admire the views and take a short stroll, and at Praia Grande you can also walk on the dunes created by sand that has blown over from the Sahara desert.
Today you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home.
Suggested places to stay
The combination of accommodation we choose for your trip is the key to an unforgettable holiday. From coastal hideaways to small hotels nestled in the mountains, each island has a variety of great accommodation choices and the hotels on this trip will be specially selected for you.
£2,900pp
INCLUDED: International flights (guide price only), accommodation in twin share basis. Breakfast only basis throughout in Mindelo, at the Casamarel. Breakfast and dinner included for all nights on Santo Antao, with a packed lunch provided on walking days (lunch not included for the free day at Mamiwata Eco Village). Return ferry tickets to Santo Antao. Private off-road tour of Sao Vicente, support from our team in Cape Verde. Four Days of guided walking on Santo Antao.
EXCLUDED: Meals not specified above and insurance. Additional excursions on free days.
For a personalised itinerary and full list of what's included, please get in touch.
