Cabo Verde Hiking Odyssey: Santiago, Santo Antão & São Vicente
18 Days / 17 Nights Walking Adventure across 3 Islands
About this trip
Lace up your boots for an 18-day walking adventure across three of Cabo Verde's most spectacular hiking islands. This is a trip built for those who travel on foot — with guided mountain hikes, ridge trails and self-guided roadbook routes woven into nearly every day of the journey. You begin in the misty highlands of Santiago, hiking through Serra Malagueta Natural Park and along the Gon-Gon ridge before descending to the coast at Tarrafal. Then you cross the ocean to São Vicente, the archipelago's musical heart, and step into Santo Antão — Cabo Verde's undisputed hiking paradise, where trails plunge from cloud-wrapped ridges down into deep green valleys and coastal villages. From short town walks to full-day mountain crossings, you'll walk the land, meet its people, and feel the rhythm of island life with every step.
Itinerary
Day 1 — Arrival in Santiago / Into the Mountains
Transfer from Praia (RAI) Airport up to Strela Mountain Lodge, Serra Malagueta
Overnight at Strela Mountain Lodge
Day 2 — Serra Malagueta Natural Park
Guided hike through Serra Malagueta Natural Park (approx. 4–5 h) with a local guide
Overnight at Strela Mountain Lodge
Day 3 — Highland Freedom
Free day for self-guided trails around the lodge / optional excursion
Overnight at Strela Mountain Lodge
Day 4 — The Ridge Trail
Guided ridge hike Serra Malagueta – Gon-Gon / Principal (approx. 5–6 h)
Overnight at Strela Mountain Lodge
Day 5 — Mountain Air at Leisure
Free day for self-guided hiking or rest
Overnight at Strela Mountain Lodge
Day 6 — Down to the Coast: Tarrafal
Transfer Serra Malagueta → Tarrafal (Casa Strela)
Overnight at Casa Strela Guesthouse
Day 7 — Tarrafal Walking Tour
Walking tour: Concentration Camp Memorial (Campo do Tarrafal), town, market & Tabanka culture
Overnight at Casa Strela Guesthouse
Day 8 — Lagoa & the Farmer's Table
Guided hike to Lagoa with farmer-house lunch (approx. 4–5 h), transport from Tarrafal included
Overnight at Casa Strela Guesthouse
Day 9 — Santiago North Island Tour
Full-day Santiago North Island Tour with a driver-guide
Overnight at Casa Strela Guesthouse
Day 10 — Crossing to São Vicente
Transfer Tarrafal → Praia (RAI) Airport
Flight Santiago (RAI) → São Vicente (VXE) with (23 kg per checked bag)
Transfer VXE Airport → Mindelo
Overnight at Kira's B&B, Mindelo
Day 11 — Mindelo, the Harbour City
Self-guided city tour of Mindelo (harbour city, half day, with roadbook)
Overnight at Kira's B&B, Mindelo
Day 12 — Into Santo Antão: Descent to Caibros
Transfer to harbour; ferry São Vicente → Santo Antão
Self-guided hike Espongeiro – Caibros (Level 3, roadbook), incl. transfer to trailhead, lunchbags & luggage transfer
Overnight at Casa Zeca, Caibros (half-board)
Day 13 — The Valley of Caibros
Self-guided hike Caibros – Chã d'Igreja (Level 3, roadbook), incl. lunch & luggage transfer to Ponta do Sol
Overnight at Casa Mite, Chã d'Igreja (half-board, no luggage overnight)
Day 14 — Along the Coast
Self-guided hike Chã d'Igreja – Ponta do Sol (Level 3, roadbook), incl. lunchbags
Overnight at Guesthouse Casa Mar, Ponta do Sol
Day 15 — Leisure in Ponta do Sol
Day at leisure in Ponta do Sol
Optional: guided canyoning with lunch & transfers (115 EUR p.p. / 2 pax — book at time of booking)
Overnight at Guesthouse Casa Mar, Ponta do Sol
Day 16 — Discovering the Paul Valley
Self-guided hike through the lush Paul Valley (Level 2–3, roadbook), incl. transfer to Paul with luggage & lunch
Overnight at Guesthouse Aldeia Jerome, Paul
Day 17 — Back to São Vicente
Transfers to harbour; ferry Santo Antão → São Vicente
Self-guided island tour of São Vicente (roadbook, transfers included)
Overnight at Kira's B&B, Mindelo
Day 18 — Departure
Transfer to São Vicente (VXE) Airport for your international departure
Why Santiago, São Vicente & Santo Antão?
Each island tells a different story. Santiago carries Cabo Verde's deepest cultural roots — its music, its history, its Tabanka traditions. São Vicente is the archipelago's creative soul, forever tied to the harbour city of Mindelo and the sound of morna. And Santo Antão is pure, dramatic nature: ridges plunging into green valleys, trails winding past villages that time seems to have forgotten. Together, they offer the most complete portrait of Cabo Verde in a single journey.
Ready to walk the mountains, cross the ocean, and discover the real Cabo Verde?
Where you stay
Where you eat
Prices
The price per person depends on the group size — pick your group in the panel and the row highlights.
Prices per person in EUR; payment in CVE possible. Valid until April 30, 2027.
