© Gaia Tourism 2018
© GAIA - CABO VERDE TOURISM
Blaise Menuet - Managing Director
Contacts:
Telephone office: (+238) 993 99 20
Telephone operations: (+238) 999 44 55
E-mail: office@gaiatourism.cv
The Trekking Tour
1st day (WED) – Wecome to Sao Vicente
Flight to Sao Vicente, the small, volcanic island which is home to the second largest city of Cape Verde, Mindelo. “Soncent” as called by the locals is definitely the cultural center of the archipelago influenced by Cuban, Brazilian, French, and English and Portuguese roots. Check-in to the central located hotel. Welcome dinner in town.
Meal: |-|-|Dinner
2ND day (THU) – Discover Mindelo
During our classical half-day tour, you visit the highlights of Mindelo such as Praca Nova, harbor, fish market. Mindelo is the culture capital of Cape Verde, it has an enormously thriving music scene that has produced international artists such as Cesaria Evora, Lura and Tito Paris. After lunch in a typical Cape Verdean restaurant we take the ferry to Santo Antão, the greenest island of the archipelago. Check-in to our accommodation by the ocean.
Meal: Breakfast|Lunch
3rd day (FRI) – Trek from, “Cha das Pedras” to “Caibros”
Transfer via the famous strada velha da Corda to Coculi, lunch at an eco-farm. The trek starts at „Cha das Pedras”, a wide valley famous for its grogue distilleries to end at Caibros. The paved track will lead among yellow stones to the village of Riberao and then more up to the path of the narrow valley of Caibros with yearlong running water. Dinner and overnight at Casa Zeca.
Meal: Breakfast|Lunch
4th day (SAT) – Trek from “Caibros” to Cha da Igreja”
At the end of the Ribeira Grande’s valley the path will climb up the steep slope till the pass to the valley of Mocho. From there one can discover the wonderful panorama on the valley of Garca. Lunch will be served in a private house. From there the way down towards the ocean will end up in the charming village of Cha de Igreja surrounded by agricultural fields. Accommodation and dinner in a small pension.
Meal: Breakfast|Lunch
5th day (SUN) – Trek “Cha da Igreja” to ” Ponta do Sol”
Enjoy one of the most incredible walk on the island of Santo Antao. This path caved on the cliff above the ocean is a master peace of ancient engineering. After passing the abandoned village of Aranhas, lunch will be waiting at the primary school of Formiginhas. The encounter with the schoolchildren will inform us about the education system. Passing the village of Corvo the trail will climb the last wall allowing to reach Fontainhas, the most colorful village hanged on a steep mountain. Accommodation in Ponta do Sol in a pension.
Meal: Breakfast|Lunch
6th day (mon) – Discovery of “Paul Valley”
The Paul valley is known to be the greenest of the archipelago. It’s like a dive into the lush-green vegetal world. All day long the path will find its way between sugarcane fields, fruit tree plantations, coffee, banana, guava, and mango. Lunch is planned in an old coffee factory. At the end of the track visit to a grogue distillery and tasting. Overnight in Ponta do Sol.
Meal: Breakfast|Lunch
7th day (tue) – Trek “Janela” to “Pico da Cruz”
This trek is one of the most demanding as it starts at sea level and ends at 1.500 m into the forest beneath Pico de Cruz. Breathtaking views of the north-east coast and after reaching the top of the steep wall the south part of the island will offer its great sceneries. The lunch pause will be appreciated under the shade of mimosa trees. It will take about one hour to drive down to Porto Novo. Overnight at a resort by the ocean.
Meal: Breakfast|Lunch
8th day (WED) – Trek “Ribeira da Cruz” to “Alto Mira”
Time for the wild west of the Ilha das montanhas. At the pass of Alto Mira the paved road will drop down to the ocean steeply in to the Ribeira da Cruz. The agriculture fields covering the lowest part of the mountains make an incredible contrast with the ocean front horizon. The trek up to Alto Mira will pass through a few abandoned villages. Overnight and dinner at Casa Amadeu.
Meal: Breakfast|Lunch Bag|Dinner
9th day (THU) – Trekking “Alto Mira” to “Cha de Morte”
Zigzagging between blade shape rocks up to reach the viewpoint over Ribeira das Patas, the largest and most impressive valley of Santo Antao. The path will lead us to the other side of the canyon until Cha de Morte. Time for lunch in a guesthouse with an amazing panorama looking east. The visit to the local primary school will delight us with the true smiles of the children. Free time and relax in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight.
Meal: Breakfast|Lunch|Dinner
10th day (FRI) – Trekking “Cha de morte” to “Norte”
The first part of the hike is up, up, and more up. It is a 600 meter vertical wall to conquer before entering a moon like world, wow. Crossing the altiplano beneath the Tope the Coroa our minds will wonder and try to understand how people can live in such a dramatic surrounding. That long walking day will be rewarded by the hospitality found at the house of Dona Isabella. Dinner and overnight
Meal: Breakfast|Lunch|Dinner
11h day (SAT) – Trekking to the “Tope de Coroa”
Let’s go meet the “High One” with its surrounding crown. The way almost invisible between rocks and beautiful bushes slowly gets us for lunch-bags at the top of the island. (1979 m), between the fantasy of colorful slopes and panoramic views over the entire island. From there Sao Vicente seems to be flying over the endless ocean. After taking the picture requested to get your diploma it’s time to go down to catch the ferry back to Mindelo. Accommodation in city center and farewell dinner with live music.
Meal: Breakfast|Lunch Bag|Dinner
12th day (SUN) – “Goodbye Cabo Verde”
Morning free time to enjoy the city beach of Laginha. Early afternoon transfer to the airport and fly back to Europe.
Meal: Breakfast|
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11h day (SAT) – Tarrafal
After trekking down the Tope de Coroa it’s time to reach the ocean driving a 4×4 to the most beautiful beach of the island in Tarrafal de Monte Trigo. The fishing village is located on a volcanic sandy beach with calm waters protected by the bay. Accommodation at the hotel Vista Tarrafal. Overnight.
Meal: Breakfast|Lunch Bag
12th + 13th day (SUN + MON) – Relax in Tarrafal
50 years ago water-tank boats use to anchor daily at Tarrafal in order to get the drinking water for the people of Sao Vicente. Since then the huge spring has almost dried and its water barely feeds the need of the local agriculture. Enjoy your stay between the fishermen at work, the children playing, relax on the wide beach which volcanic sand is medical.
Meal: Breakfast|
14th day (TUE) – Back To Mindelo
Private transfer to Porto Novo. Ferry to Sao Vicente and check-in to the accommodation in the city center. Farewell dinner in Mindelo.
Meal: Breakfast|-|Dinner
15th day (WED) – Goodbye Cabo Verde
Morning free time to enjoy the city beach of Laginha or do some shopping in Mindelo. Early afternoon transfer to the airport and fly back to Europe.
Meal:Breakfast|
PRICES 12 days or 15 days
Base 2 pax => 1.580 EUR/pax or 1.680 EUR/pax
Base 4 pax => 1.090 EUR/pax or 1.190 EUR/pax
Single suppl. => 230 EUR or 290 EUR
Children under age 12 are not accepted
Visa => 30 EUR/pax (not included)
Group size => 8 to 14 pax
Prices include:
2 o/n on BB at Avenida / Residencial Mindelo / Don Paco
2 o/n on BB at Santonton Art Resort
2 o/n on BB at Residencial Ponta do Sol
Overnight on HB at Caibros / Cha de Igreja / Alto Mira / Cha de Morte / Norte
3 o/n on BB at Vista Tarrafal (extention)
Transfers APT/HTL/APT + HTL/pier/HTL and English-speaking guide APT/APT
Ferry tickets Mindelo/Porto Novo/Mindelo
2 dinners in Mindelo (1 with live music – except extension)
7 lunches and 3 lunch-bags (only water is included during meals)
VAT