Tropical Valleys and White Sand Beaches of Cape Verde

Arrival at São Vicente airport. Reception and transfer to Mindelo. Installation in a charming lodge.

Depending on the time of arrival, you can enjoy the city tour.

Its markets, museums, numerous bars and restaurants, Laginha beach make it a very lively town (except on Sundays when everything is closed – the bustle is concentrated on the beach).

Charming lodge night.

After breakfast, transfer to the port and crossing by boat (1 hour) to reach the island of Santo Antão.

Departing from Porto Novo, excursion to the heart of the island, in the eastern valleys. The road first follows the seaside crossing ancient lava flows and small black sand dunes before joining the white pozzolana veins that cover part of the island.

You then go up the Ribeira das Patas valley characterized by its deep canyon that one overlooks and its jagged volcanic peak relief: the Dykes. Once at the top of the valley you switch over the Alto Mira pass into the Alto Mira and Ribeira da Cruz valleys.

The first is the gateway to the isolated and remote valleys to the north. The road ends at the top of the valley, but lower and in the adjacent valleys many villages live isolated from the world. It is also a valley remarkable for its irrigated terraced crops. Depending on the condition of the track, which follows the bed of a dry stream, but regularly upset by floods, it will be possible to descend to the seaside in Ribeira da Cruz, to discover beautiful basalt columns on a black sand beach. On the way back, lunch possible at the inhabitant’s house and visit of the cooperative of local products of Lagedos (purchase and possible tasting, jams, liqueurs, dried fruits …).

Return to Porto Novo for a night in a charming guest house on the beach.

This day is offered with a private, French-speaking driver who accompanies you throughout the day.

Night in a guest house.

Transfer by the rope road to the ascent of the southern foothills of the island until reaching the wooded ridges.

In the middle of the ridges is Cova, a large volcanic crater whose bottom is cultivated and the surrounding area is wooded.

From this crater, if you feel in good shape for a short walk (about 2 hours downhill) you can slide into Paul’s valley via a pretty paved path that zigzags down through the fields.

If you do not want to walk, you continue by vehicle on the rope road to reach Paul, take a drive in this very cultivated and green valley, before reaching your accommodation in a charming rural lodge located in the heart of the valley. Installation for 2 nights.

This day is offered with a private, French-speaking driver who accompanies you throughout the day.

Night in a charming rural lodge.

Departing from your accommodation, explore Ribeira Grande, the main valley of the island, from which emerge several cultivated valleys dotted with small hamlets.

Small walk possible on foot in these valleys (Joao Afonso), between sugar cane and banana trees, before continuing to go up the valley to the bottom.

Pass through the Garça pass to descend into the valley of the same name. Stop at the pretty flowered village of Cha d’Igreja, then continue to Cruzinha, a small fishing village, and finally to the black sand beach of Zaranhas.

Swimming if the weather permits…

This day is offered with a private, French-speaking driver who accompanies you throughout the day

Night in a charming rural lodge.

Morning transfer to Porto Novo and crossing by boat to reach Mindelo.

From the port, transfer to the fishing village of São Pedro and installation for 3 nights in an eco-hotel.

Night at the hotel.

Free stay to enjoy relaxation, swimming, walks.

Possibility of organizing on site (option)

•     Cabotage (fishing boat trip)
•     Artisanal fishing
•     Diving, snorkeling
•     Sailing (for confirmed)

Nights at the hotel.

Transfer to the airport according to your flight schedule