Summary
Enjoy waters sports and beach time on Sal, explore the culturally vibrant city of Mindelo, and spend four glorious days walking along the high mountain paths of Santo Antao, with a guide.
Highlights
- Walk into the lush Paul Valley down the famous Serpentine Road.
- Stay in local accommodation to refresh after your hikes.
- Hike the edge of Africa, with dramatic coastal cliff scenery.
The Details
The highlight of this holiday is four spectacular days of walking on Santo Antao. With one of our resident guides, you will spend four glorious days walking along high mountain trails and through green mountain valleys.
The valleys on Santo Antao are absolutely breath-taking, so we’ve included hikes in the famous Paul , and the neighbouring valleys of Ribeira Grande, Cha das Pedras and Cha d’Igreja. You’ll follow small winding paths, often a little exposed, through mountain sides scattered with little houses. Your luggage will be transferred from point to point, so you will only carry a small rucksack. For a bit of variety, you final hike takes you along ta coastal path to Ponta do Sol, swapping steep green valleys for dramatic sea-cliff scenery.
Walking on Santo Antao is the perfect way to immerse yourself in island life. You’ll see farmers hard at work in the fertile volcanic soils, pass terraces of banana, almond and mango trees, and smell the aroma of freshly roasted coffee beans wafts up from little hamlets. You can enjoy sample the grogue, a local alcoholic drink made from sugar cane, and enjoy delicious seafood dishes each evening.
The three islands of Sal, Sao Vicente and Santo Antao are a great combination to enjoy the best of Cape Verde. You can relax on the beaches of Sal after your flight, then immerse yourself in the music and culture of Sao Vicente. .
As the perfect compliment to your four days of walking, you will spend time in the city of Mindelo on Sao Vicente, and time at the wonderful Hotel Morabeza on the golden sands of Santa Maria Beeach, on Sal.
Gallery
Suggested Itinerary
Depart Heathrow and fly direct to Sal, staying at the beautiful Morabeza Hotel. After your six hour flight, Santa Maria beach will be the perfect place to relax and unwind.
Today you take an inter-island flight from Sal to Sao Vicente. We have left the day free so you can wander into Mindelo and acclimatise yourself. There are lots of lovely restaurants and bars in the town, and there is a nice beach down at Mindelo Harbour.
After an early breakfast, transfer to the ferry port for your one-hour ferry crossing to Santo Antao. Your private driver and guide will already be waiting for you when you arrive. Drive up the steep road to Cova crater where you start your walk. Today you walk (4-5hrs) down the 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. Depending on the time of the year, you can also visit a grogue distillery. The walk can be hard on the knees, so make sure you bring your walking poles. The walk ends at Casa das Ilhas where you stay for one night. A picnic is included.
Your private guide will be picking you up again after breakfast and you will be driven to the Cha das Pedras valley, where your walk starts. Today's walk (4-5hrs) including a picnic, starts with an uphill stretch, but you're soon rewarded with magnificent views of the valley below, where small houses are scattered about on the steep hillsides. Once you have reached the ridge, you can see a long but interesting path winding its' way down to the next village in the valley and your accommodation. Your luggage will be transferred separately and will be waiting for you at Pedracin Village where you stay for one night.
Accompanied by your private guide, you'll hike up and over to the remote Cha d'Igreja valley and the pretty village of Casa d'Igreja itself. The moderate to difficult walk (4-5hrs) has some exposed and narrow paths, but the scenery is stunning. Your luggage will be transferred separately to Kasa d'Igreja for your one night stay. Picnic is included.
Your final walk on the island takes you along the dramatic Atlantic coast from your Kasa to Ponta do Sol. The walk 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. Your luggage will be transferred separately to Musica do Mar where you stay for one night.
Early morning transfer the ferry port for your crossing back to Sao Vicente. Depending on the flight to Sal, you may have some free time in Mindelo before it's time for your transfer to the airport. On arrival transfer to the Morabeza where you stay for the night.
Today you fly direct from Sal back to the UK.
Suggested places to stay
From £2,500 per person
Price included
The price is based on two people sharing a twin or a double room, activities as described and includes flights from the UK.
For a personalised itinerary and full list of what's included, please get in touch.
