PACKAGES
PACKAGE 6 NIGHT AND 7 HIKES
Summary
DAY 1: AGUA DAS CALDEIRAS TO XOXO
DAY 2: CORDA TO COCULI
DAY 3: PONTA DO SOL TO CRUZINHA
DAY 4: HIKE FROM CHA IGREJA OR FROM CRUZINHA TO BOCA DE AMBAS RIBEIRAS
DAY 5: HIKE IN PAUL VALLEY
DAY 6: SECRET VALLEY OF JANELA
DAY 7: ALTO MIRA TO CHA DE MORTE
Itinerary
DAY 1: AGUA DAS CALDEIRAS TO XOXO
Duration: 3-4 hours -1200m 5 km
From Mindelo, on the island of São Vicente, take the ferry to Porto Novo, on the island of Santo Antão. Your guide will meet you upon arrival and take you to the starting point of the first hike at an altitude of 1500 meters, Aguas das Caldeiras – Xôxô. In the midst of pines, eucalyptus, and endemic plants, a 3-4 hour walk awaits through coffee, sugar cane, and other plantations to reach the village of Ribeira da Torre. Overnight in Ribeira Grande.
DAY 2: CORDA TO COCULI
Duration: 2h30 hours -1000m 5 km
Depart to Corda via the legendary paved road crossing Santo Antão towards Coculi. From this vantage point, enjoy a magnificent view of the terraced crops. After about 2.5 hours of walking through the fields, discover Coculi, a small village with the church boasting the largest bells on the island. Transfer to a pension or guesthouse for the night. Overnight in Ribeira Grande or Ponta do Sol.
DAY 3: PONTA DO SOL TO CRUZINHA
Duration: 6 hours +550 -550 15 km
Starting from the village of Ponta do Sol, hike to Cruzinha. This 5-6 hour trek follows an impressive paved path suspended from cliffs overlooking the ocean, passing through the hilltop village of Fontainhas, famous for its colorful houses. The hike ends at Cruzinha or Chã d’Igreja, where you’ll stay overnight.
DAY 4: HIKE FROM CHA IGREJA OR FROM CRUZINHA TO BOCA DE AMBAS RIBEIRAS
Duration: 4 hours +600 -500 8 km
Starting from Cha Igreja or Cruzinha, ascend the steep slope to the pass to the valley of Mocho. Enjoy a panoramic view of the valley of Mocho from the pass. Spectacular mountain scenery awaits as you zigzag around contours on well-made old mule paths, passing hamlets along the way. Overnight in Ribeira Grande valley.
DAY 5: HIKE IN PAUL VALLEY
Duration: 4-5 hours +650 -450 10 km
Transfer: 1 hour
Today, explore tropical cultures and peasant life in the heart of the Paul Valley. After a small pass, descend to the yam valley via an extraordinary staircase of terraces. Encounter banana, sugar cane, cassava, and sweet potato fields irrigated by a network of canals. Overnight in Paul.
DAY 6: SECRET VALLEY OF JANELA
Duration: 4 hours +500 -500
Transfer via the coastal road to the fishing village of Pontinha de Janela. Embark on a hike to uncover rural life in the valleys of Janela and Penedo. Traverse paved paths amid banana, mango, and orange orchards, leading to a small pass with breathtaking vistas. Descend to the thriving Janela Valley, followed by a transfer to Porto Novo via the coastal road.
Overnight in Porto Novo.
DAY 7: ALTO MIRA TO CHA DE MORTE
Duration: 3 hours +300 -500 5 km
A 3-hour walk to reach Alto Mira. After a 40-minute walk, arrive in Forquinha for a magnificent view of Alto Mira and Ribeira das Patas. Descend towards Ribeira das Patas to observe local daily life and agricultural practices. Experience lush vegetation giving way to volcanic black earth. Transfer to Porto Novo and ferry back to Sao Vicente.
Included:
Duration: 6 nights and 7 hikes
- Accommodation: guesthouse or hotel depending on availability
- Tourist taxes
- Guide
- Transfers and luggage transfers
- Breakfast
Excluded: meals, drinks…
If you have any further questions or need additional assistance, feel free to ask!