Cape Verde Island Hopping

After an afternoon flight via Lisbon, we arrive in Praia on the island of Santiago, and a short transfer will take us to our hotel for a late check in.

Distance: 3 miles (5km)

Descent: 650 feet (198m)

This morning we explore Praia, the largest city in Cape Verde and capital, on a guided walking tour. We’ll see the old historic buildings such as the Presidential Palace, City Hall and the Church of Nossa Senhora da Graca in an area of the city known as the Plato. The statue of Diogo Gomes stares out to sea, reminding us of the European explorer who first made mention of these islands in 1460.

Following a drive through pleasant countryside, we start our afternoon walk. We start above the Salineiro Valley where we descend a rocky sandstone path to the valley floor. Once in the valley we follow paths which run along the river bed, through small villages and fertile terraces where we’ll see tropical fruits growing and small sugar cane plantations. The sugar cane is used to make ‘grogue’, a local drink which offers more punch than taste, which some distillers mix with honey or fruit syrup.

Lunch is at a seafront restaurant in Cidade Velha, after which we visit the old fortress. Cidade Velha stands on the site of the oldest settlement in Cape Verde, Ribeira Grande. It was classified as one of the Seven Wonders of Portuguese Origin. 

Distance: 6½ miles (10.5km)

Ascent: 700 feet (213m)

Descent: 3,300 feet (1,000m) 

We start the day with a visit to Assomada and its lively West African style market with its smells, noise and mesmerising colours. We may do this visit later in the day, depending on local conditions.

We continue to the entrance of the Serra Malagueta National Park, where we walk through recently planted reforestation projects and down into the Gon Gon valley to the village of Hortelão. The path is easy to follow, though there are a few steeper sandy sections. The trail takes us through small villages, tropical fruit orchards and the odd ‘grogue’ distillery. Look out for grey headed kingfishers on this walk. 

Today we fly to São Vicente where we’ll discover Mindelo on a guided walking tour. Mindelo is the jewel of this island, with a cosmopolitan atmosphere and a vibrant cultural scene. With its sheltered deep port, the British installed a coal station in 1838 which supplied ships from all around the world, leading to the town’s prosperity. On our tour we’ll see influences from the British and the Portuguese in the Governor’s Palace, the City Hall and the replica of the Belem Tower in Lisbon.

Distance: 6 miles (9.5km)
Ascent: 800 feet (240m)
Descent: 3,600 feet (1,100m)

We begin our day with a ferry ride from São Vicente to the neighbouring island of Santo Antão (1 hour crossing) followed by a scenic drive to the start of our walk overlooking the Cova da Paul - a volcano whose caldera is situated at the centre of steep cliffs at over 4,600 feet (1,400m). It is an important hiking destination known for its lush green scenery, agricultural terraces, and stunning views. After taking in the peaceful surroundings (the caldera is extinct) we head down a cobbled switchback through fertile plantations into the Paul Valley which is one of the most stunning hikes on Santo Antão. From the valley we continue on to our hotel.

Distance: 7.5 miles (12km)
Ascent: 2000 feet (620m)
Descent: 2200 feet (700m)

Today we walk from our hotel to the beautiful village of Cha de Igreja in the next valley. We walk along a road on the left-hand side of the Riberia Grande for about half an hour and cross the dry river bed to a small path up the right (north) side of the valley. The path is steep, and zig zags its way up the saddle at 830m. You might spot Egyptian vultures.

From here there's a steep descent on a cobbled path to the edge of the remote village of Selada do Mocho. We continue until we reach the dry river bed of Ribeira Garca, where we can see the small village of Cha de Igreja on a promontory of land above us. A short but steep path leads to the village.

A more relaxed option is also possible: walking from the hotel, ascend through maize and sugar cane fields to the ridge visible from the hotel’s terrace before descending on cobbled tracks to the village of Cha de Pedras, seen earlier in the week.

Distance: 4 miles (6.5km)
Ascent: 1,200 feet (370m)
Descent: 1,650 feet (500m)

Today we walk the lesser known northwest part of Santo Antão. The walk takes us from the remote village of Alto Mira III to Cha da Morte and is interesting because of its impressive and varied rock formations and microclimatic variations which affect certain parts of Santo Antão.

Today we take the ferry back to São Vicente and to Mindelo where we have an optional last walk and the rest of the day at leisure to relax or explore this vibrant cultural centre of the islands.

Transfer to the airport for the return flight from Sao Vicente via Lisbon back to London.

After an afternoon flight via Lisbon, we arrive in Praia on the island of Santiago, and a short transfer will take us to our hotel for a late check in.

Distance: 3 miles (5km)

Descent: 650 feet (198m)

This morning we explore Praia, the largest city in Cape Verde and capital, on a guided walking tour. We’ll see the old historic buildings such as the Presidential Palace, City Hall and the Church of Nossa Senhora da Graca in an area of the city known as the Plato. The statue of Diogo Gomes stares out to sea, reminding us of the European explorer who first made mention of these islands in 1460.Following a drive through pleasant countryside, we start our afternoon walk. We start above the Salineiro Valley where we descend a rocky sandstone path to the valley floor. Once in the valley we follow paths which run along the river bed, through small villages and fertile terraces where we’ll see tropical fruits growing and small sugar cane plantations. The sugar cane is used to make ‘grogue’, a local drink which offers more punch than taste, which some distillers mix with honey or fruit syrup. Lunch is at a seafront restaurant in Cidade Velha, after which we visit the old fortress. Cidade Velha stands on the site of the oldest settlement in Cape Verde, Ribeira Grande. It was classified as one of the Seven Wonders of Portuguese Origin. 

Distance: 6½ miles (10.5km)

Ascent: 700 feet (213m)

Descent: 3,300 feet (1,000m) 

We start the day with a visit to Assomada and its lively West African style market with its smells, noise and mesmerising colours. We may do this visit later in the day, depending on local conditions.
We continue to the entrance of the Serra Malagueta National Park, where we walk through recently planted reforestation projects and down into the Gon Gon valley to the village of Hortelão. The path is easy to follow, though there are a few steeper sandy sections. The trail takes us through small villages, tropical fruit orchards and the odd ‘grogue’ distillery. Look out for grey headed kingfishers on this walk.

Today we fly to São Vicente where we’ll discover Mindelo on a guided walking tour. Mindelo is the jewel of this island, with a cosmopolitan atmosphere and a vibrant cultural scene. With its sheltered deep port, the British installed a coal station in 1838 which supplied ships from all around the world, leading to the town’s prosperity. On our tour we’ll see influences from the British and the Portuguese in the Governor’s Palace, the City Hall and the replica of the Belem Tower in Lisbon.

Distance: 6 miles (9.5km)
Ascent: 800 feet (240m)
Descent: 3,600 feet (1,100m)

We begin our day with a ferry ride from São Vicente to the neighbouring island of Santo Antão (1 hour crossing) followed by a scenic drive to the start of our walk overlooking the Cova da Paul - a volcano whose caldera is situated at the centre of steep cliffs at over 4,600 feet (1,400m). It is an important hiking destination known for its lush green scenery, agricultural terraces, and stunning views. After taking in the peaceful surroundings (the caldera is extinct) we head down a cobbled switchback through fertile plantations into the Paul Valley which is one of the most stunning hikes on Santo Antão. From the valley we continue on to our hotel.

Distance: 4 miles (6.5km)
Ascent: 1,200 feet (370m)
Descent: 1,650 feet (500m)

Today we walk the lesser known northwest part of Santo Antão. The walk takes us from the remote village of Alto Mira III to Cha da Morte and is interesting because of its impressive and varied rock formations and microclimatic variations which affect certain parts of Santo Antão.

Distance: 7.5 miles (12km)
Ascent: 2000 feet (620m)
Descent: 2200 feet (700m)

Today we walk from our hotel to the beautiful village of Cha de Igreja in the next valley. We walk along a road on the left-hand side of the Riberia Grande for about half an hour and cross the dry river bed to a small path up the right (north) side of the valley. The path is steep, and zig zags its way up the saddle at 830m. You might spot Egyptian vultures.

From here there's a steep descent on a cobbled path to the edge of the remote village of Selada do Mocho. We continue until we reach the dry river bed of Ribeira Garca, where we can see the small village of Cha de Igreja on a promontory of land above us. A short but steep path leads to the village.

A more relaxed option is also possible: walking from the hotel, ascend through maize and sugar cane fields to the ridge visible from the hotel’s terrace before descending on cobbled tracks to the village of Cha de Pedras, seen earlier in the week.

Today we take the ferry back to São Vicente and to Mindelo where we have an optional last walk and the rest of the day at leisure to relax or explore this vibrant cultural centre of the islands.

Transfer to the airport for the return flight from Sao Vicente via Lisbon back to London.