Cape Verde's Northern Islands - Privately Guided
Cape Verde's Northern Islands - Privately Guided
Cape Verde's Northern Islands - Privately Guided
8 Days Starting and ending in Sao Vicente
Visiting: Sao Vicente, Santo Antão, Ribeira, Ribeira Grande, Vila do Corvo, Fontaínhas, Restaurante O Tarrafal, Barrage Ribeira da Torre, Monte Trigo, Rua do Tarrafal, Mindelo
Tour Overview
You'll spend time with local families, sampling their fresh homegrown produce, all the while appreciating the unmatched beauty of these stunning islands. You'll also have the support of an English-speaking guide and driver throughout, private to your party.
We've chosen the most unique yet impressive island locations on Sao Vicente and Santo Antao, where you'll have the chance to explore the Janela and Penede valleys, hike through beautiful mountain villages, and gaze at vibrant-coloured fishing boats. You'll observe the splendour of the Ribeira Grande and Garca valleys, walking along an impressive paved path with spectacular ocean views. As you continue on this path, you'll encounter the peaceful green valley of Corvo, a serene and idyllic spot to enjoy lunch. This path will also take you through the hilltop village of Fontainhas, a green mountainous location famous for its colourful houses and spectacular sea views.
If you are more enthused by volcanic landscapes, prepare to be entralled by the Ribeira da Torre area located on the island of Santo Antao. Here, in the middle of the island, you'll encounter a large volcanic peak, adorned with cane fields and cultivated terraces. As you proceed on your coastal walk, you'll confront a volcanic peak almost 2,000 metres high, plunging directly into the ocean.
Whilst on the island of Santo Antao, you'll also have the opportunity to explore Monte Trigo, a small fishing village with around 6,000 habitants that is only accessible on foot or by boat. A cabotage trip with local fishermen from Monte Trigo back to Tarrafal will undoubtedly be an unforgettable experience to end your Cape Verdean adventure!
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive On Sao Vicente
Location: Sao Vicente
You'll be met at Sao Vicente airport and transferred to your first accommodation in Mindelo (approx. 15mins); here you'll receive your briefing from your private guide.
Spend your evening exploring the colourful cobbled streets and colonial architecture of this charming fishing village before watching a beautiful sunset over the beach.
Overnight Terra Lodge, Mindelo.
Day 2 : Travel To Santo Antao & Onto Ribeira De Janela
Location: Santo Antão
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Travel by boat from Mindelo (Sao Vicente) to Porto Novo on Santo Antao Island (1hr - included) and transfer to the start of your walk (30mins) at Ribeira de Janela. Your guide will lead you from the seafront, climbing across the Penede valley and crossing over a high balcony to join the Janela.
Here you begin your descent, passing coffee farms and mountain villages, but never losing sight of the blue ocean below bobbing with colourful fishing boats. In the afternoon, you will be transferred from the end of your walk to Vila das Pombas where you'll spend the next two nights.
Overnight Hotel Paul Mar, Vila das Pombas.
Day 3 : Paul, Cabo De Ribeira & Figueriral
Location: Ribeira
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A short transfer will bring you to the lush valley of Paul. Follow the small paths from hamlet to hamlet, passing through cultivated terraces in the area of Cabo de Ribeira. Here, the locals harvest coffee, oranges, guavas, and vegetables, depending on the season; this is also where the delicious rum is distilled!
Enjoy a special lunch in the small valley of Figuerial where you'll be welcomed by a local family to sample their homegrown produce. After lunch, your walk returns you to the spectacular coastline of the Atlantic Ocean.
Overnight Hotel Paul Mar, Vila das Pombas.
Day 4 : Ribeira Grande, Corvo & Fontainhas
Location: Ribeira Grande, Vila do Corvo, Fontaínhas
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A morning transfer takes you through the mountainous valleys of Ribeira Grande and Garca to the coastal village of Cruzinha. Here your walk begins along an impressive path overlooking the shimmering ocean. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the peaceful green valley of Corvo before continuing to Fontainhas, a hilltop village famous for its colourful houses. Your day ends in Ponta do Sol, the northernmost city on the island of Santo Antao.
Overnight Tiduca Hotel, Ponta do Sol.
Day 5 : Ribeira Da Torre & Tarrafal
Location: Restaurante O Tarrafal, Barrage Ribeira da Torre
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Your day begins with a short transfer to Ribeira da Torre, one of the greenest and most spectacular areas of the island, home to an imposing volcanic peak. Take some time to discover this incredible landscape before beginning your walk. Lunch is hosted by a local family before continuing your walk through cane fields, following irrigation canals towards the bottom of the valley. You will be transferred to Tarrafal on the western shore of Santo Antao, where you'll discover the summit of the North Plateau before descending to the coast and onto your seaside accommodation.
Overnight Kasa Baobab, Tarrafal.
Day 6 : Monte Trigo
Location: Monte Trigo
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today you'll walk along the coast in the shadow of the islands summit, a volcano almost 2,000m high that plunges into the ocean, before arriving in Monte Trigo, the westernmost settlement of Santo Antao. This small fishing village is completely isolated from the world, only accessible on foot or by boat. Its sweeping black sand beach and spectacular views over the Cape Verde Islands are well worth the effort of reaching this hidden gem. Return to Tarrafal by cabotage with the fishermen (40mins) - a unique experience in itself!
Overnight Kasa Baobab, Tarrafal.
Day 7 : Tarrafal Valley
Location: Rua do Tarrafal
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Enjoy a short morning walk through the fields of Tarrafal Valley, marvelling at the local farmers as they compete in ingenuity to build their terraces and irrigation channels. In the afternoon, you'll be transferred back to Porto Novo for your return boat to Mindelo (1hr - included) where you'll spend your final night on Sao Vicente - hopefully with fond memories of the unforgettable Cape Verdean islands!
Overnight Terra Lodge, Mindelo.
Day 8 : Depart Mindelo
Location: Mindelo
You'll be collected from your accommodation and transferred to Sao Vicente airport (approx.15mins) for your flight home.
What's Included
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7 nights hotel-to-hotel accommodation in a mix of 3H accommodations
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All breakfasts, six lunches & five dinners
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Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent
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Services of an experienced walking guide
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Return ferries between Sao Vicente & Santo Antao
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Car transfers as per itinerary
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Luggage transfers between hotelsÂ
What's Not Included
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Travel insurance
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Single accommodation (available on request - compulsory supplement)
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Solo travellers (available on request - compulsory supplement)
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Visas or vaccinations
Food
Accommodation
With breath-taking views of the bay of Mindelo and surrounding colourful houses, Terra Lodge has just 12 rooms. Combining contemporary comfort with the charm of historical heritage, guests can enjoy the peaceful gardens and swimming pool whilst watching the fantastic sunsets. There is also a bar located on the panoramic terrace serving cocktails, juices, and snacks. Breakfast is made from local products such as homemade pastries, cold cuts and jams from Santo Antao, and Fogo coffee roasted and ground on site.
Check out our Q&As
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.