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Cabo Verde: Valleys & Creole Culture - 8 day GUIDED

Introduction
Cabo Verde: Valleys & Creole Culture - 8 day GUIDED image

8 days and 7 nights

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Discovery of São Vicente and Santo Antão

Explore the vibrant islands of São Vicente and Santo Antão over eight days, experiencing colonial architecture, colorful markets, lush valleys, and dramatic volcanic landscapes. Enjoy immersive cultural activities including local cuisine and dance, while discovering the authentic charm and natural beauty of Cape Verde.

8-day Valleys & Creole Culture: 49.7 km

  • 5 walking days: 6.7 + 10.5 + 10 + 15 + 7.5

  • Walking time: 21 hours

  • Elevation: +2,730 m / -3,640 m

Journey Highlights

Discover the colorful streets, lively markets, and colonial charm of Mindelo. Cross to Santo Antão by ferry and explore its spectacular volcanic landscapes. Hike through the semi-arid valleys and rugged mountain scenery of Ribeira das Patas. Discover the North Plateau and its dramatic volcanic cliffs
Journey Highlights image

At a glance

Map of the trip locations

Map

A. Mindelo

Mindelo, São Vicente, Cape Verde

B. Residencial beleza

Mindelo, São Vicente, Cape Verde

C. Porto Novo

Porto Novo, Santo Antão, Cape Verde

D. Ribeira das Patas

Ribeira das Patas, Santo Antão, Cape Verde

E. Chã de Morte

Chã de Morte, Santo Antão, Cape Verde

F. Cirio (Norte Plateau)

Cirio, Santo Antão, Cape Verde

G. Paul Valley

Paul, Santo Antão, Cape Verde

H. Paul Mar Hotel

Paul, Santo Antão, Cape Verde

I. Cruzinha

Cruzinha, Santo Antão, Cape Verde

J. Ponta do Sol

Ponta do Sol, Santo Antão, Cape Verde

K. Ribeira da Torre

Ribeira da Torre, Santo Antão, Cape Verde

L. Ouril Hôtel

Mindelo, São Vicente, Cape Verde

M. São Vicente Airport (Cesária Évora Airport)

Cesária Évora Airport, São Vicente, Cape Verde

Day 1 - Arrival in São Vicente and Mindelo City Visit

Day 1 - Arrival in São Vicente and Mindelo City Visit image

Arrival, Mindelo City Tour and Welcome Dinner

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Arrival in São Vicente

Arrive at Cesária Évora Airport (VXE) on São Vicente, where you will be welcomed and transferred to Mindelo. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy a visit to the city and discover its colonial architecture, colorful cobbled streets, lively vegetable and fish markets, and Laginha Beach.

On Sundays, Mindelo is generally quieter, with much of the activity concentrated around the beach.

Dinner is included.

Accommodation: Residencial Beleza, Mindelo.

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Dinner

Dinner included on arrival day.
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Residencial Beleza

Residencial Beleza offers a central location in Mindelo, making it easy to explore local attractions and enjoy the nearby beach. The comfortable accommodations and friendly staff create a welcoming atmosphere. Guests can unwind on the rooftop terrace, which provides stunning views, while being surrounded by authentic local decor and the vibrant culture of Cabo Verde.
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Day 2 - Forquinha Pass and Santo Antao Island

Day 2 - Forquinha Pass and Santo Antao Island image

Ferry to Santo Antao and Scenic Hike

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Transfer to the port and ferry to Santo Antao

Transfer to the port and take the one-hour ferry crossing to Porto Novo on Santo Antão. Continue by vehicle to Ribeira das Patas, where you will hike through semi-arid landscapes, cultivated oases, basaltic formations, and traditional farming villages. Walk down to your accommodation in Chã de Morte, where you will stay for two nights.

Walking distance: 6.7 km
Walking time: approximately 3 hours
Elevation gain: +390 m
Elevation loss: −510 m

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Hike in Ribeira das Patas

DurationDistance: 6.7 km 3 hours

Hike to discover the semi-arid landscapes of Ribeira das Patas, between oases of cultures, basaltic lakes and farming villages. Walking down to our accommodation in Chã de Morte, for two nights.

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Lunch

Lunch included.
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Dinner

Dinner included.
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Chez Chiquinha and Brink

Accommodation (family pension): Chez Chiquinha and Brink.

Day 3 - North Plateau, Santo Antao

Day 3 - North Plateau, Santo Antao image

Hiking the North Plateau and Volcanic Cliffs

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Transfer to Cirio and Ascent on the Plateau of Norte

Transfer to Cirio. Ascent on the plateau of Norte. The view is in the distance, on one side, on the arid volcanic summit, on the other, towards the bottom of the valley where the sources captured allow the multiplication of green oases - lemon and sugar cane being the queen cultures of this part of the island. Descent on an impressive paved cliff path, in the middle of the jagged volcanic relief. Return in the afternoon to your accommodation.
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Hiking North Plateau

DurationHours of walking: between 5h and 5h30. Elevation +: 720 m Elevation -: 910 m.
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Lunch

Lunch included.
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Dinner

Dinner included.
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Chez Chiquinha and Brink

Accommodation (family pension): Chez Chiquinha and Brink.

Day 4 - Valley of Paul

Day 4 - Valley of Paul image

Hiking Through Lush Paul Valley Landscapes

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Transfer by the coast and up the lush Paul Valley

Transfer by the coast and up the lush Paul Valley, the greenest and cultivated valley of the archipelago. Terraces planted with coffee, banana trees, guava trees, sugar canes, orange trees and vegetables of all kinds. The end of the walk takes you back to your accommodation.
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Paul Valley Hiking

Duration5h hiking. Elevation +: 550 m // Elevation -: 750m.
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Lunch

Lunch included.
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Dinner

Dinner included.
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Paul Mar

Accommodation (hotel): Paul Mar.

Day 5 - Coastal path : Cruzinha – Ponta do Sol

Day 5 - Coastal path : Cruzinha – Ponta do Sol image

Hiking Coastal Path from Cruzinha to Ponta do Sol

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Morning transfer to the Ribeira Grande valley and the village of Cruzinha

Morning transfer to the Ribeira Grande valley and the village of Cruzinha. From here you continue along the coastal path that passes through the abandoned village of Zaranhas, the green valley of Corvo and then the perched and colorful village of Fontainhas before reaching Ponta do Sol, the ancient floral port of the island. Transfer back to your accommodation in Paul.
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Hiking Coastal Path: Cruzinha to Ponta do Sol

Duration5h30 hiking. Elevation +: 500m / Elevation - :500m.
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Lunch

Lunch included.
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Dinner

Dinner included.
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Paul Mar

Accommodation (hotel): Paul Mar.

Day 6 - Ribeira da Torre and Return to Mindelo

Day 6 - Ribeira da Torre and Return to Mindelo image

Explore Ribeira da Torre and Scenic Road to Mindelo

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Morning transfers to Ribeira da Torre

Short morning transfers to reach Ribeira da Torre, a deep volcanic valley surrounded by cliffs and dotted with peaks, where we spend the day discovering rural life and cultures. The path and the irrigation canals lead us to the peasant village of Rabo Curto. Descend through the fields of sugar cane and yams. Continuation to the port of Porto Novo via the rope route, a monumental paved structure crossing the mountains. Ferry back to Mindelo. Transfer to your accommodation in town, for two nights.
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Hiking in Ribeira da Torre

Duration3h to 3h30. Elevation +: 450 m // Elevation -: 450 m.
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Lunch

Lunch included.
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Dinner

Dinner included.
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Ouril Hôtel

Accommodation (hotel): Ouril Hôtel.

Day 7 - Cooking & Dance Experiences

Day 7 - Cooking & Dance Experiences image

Culinary and Dance Immersion in Mindelo

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Cape Verdean Cooking Experience

Accompanied by a local cook, begin your culinary adventure with a visit to Mindelo’s fish and vegetable markets. Explore the stalls, discover seasonal ingredients, and learn about the fresh produce and local specialties that form an essential part of Cape Verdean cuisine.

After the market visit, head to your host’s home or a local restaurant to take part in preparing traditional dishes. Learn about local ingredients, cooking techniques, and culinary traditions while sharing stories and insights with your host.

The experience concludes around the table, where you can enjoy the meal you have helped prepare. This welcoming and interactive activity offers a genuine taste of everyday life in Cape Verde.

Please note: The markets are closed on Sundays and public holidays. If your visit falls on one of these days, the experience may be rescheduled or canceled if no suitable alternative can be arranged.

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Cape Verdean Dance Experience

Duration1h 30

In the afternoon, discover Cape Verde’s vibrant musical and dance traditions in the company of Ilana, a French-Cape Verdean dancer.

Through an engaging and accessible session, explore a variety of traditional and contemporary dance styles, including Batuque, Funaná, Kizomba, and Afrobeat.

Whether you are an experienced dancer or a complete beginner, this welcoming activity invites you to connect with Cape Verdean culture through rhythm, movement, and shared enjoyment.

Duration: Approximately 1.5 hours.

Return to your hotel after a day filled with culinary discoveries, music, and cultural encounters.

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Lunch

Lunch included.
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Dinner

Dinner included.
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Ouril Hôtel

Accommodation (hotel): Ouril Hôtel.

Day 8 - End of Your Cape Verde Adventure

Day 8 - End of Your Cape Verde Adventure image

Departure from Mindelo and End of Stay

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Transfer to the airport according to your flight schedule and flight home.

Transfer to the airport according to your flight schedule and flight home.
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Breakfast

Breakfast included.