Private Tour
Best of Santo Antão: 3 days hiking tour
Overview
Available languages
3 days
Mobile ticket
Explore the natural beauty and authentic culture of Santo Antão on this 3-day guided hiking adventure. Starting in Porto Novo, you’ll traverse dramatic volcanic landscapes, fertile valleys, and iconic cliffside villages.
Day 1: Hike from the scenic Cova Crater down into the lush Paúl Valley, filled with tropical fruit plantations and coffee fields. Savor a picnic or family-style lunch and stay overnight in Paúl.
Day 2: Walk along the famous coastal trail from Cruzinha to Ponta do Sol, passing Fontainhas, one of Cape Verde’s most photogenic villages. Overnight stay in Ponta do Sol.
Day 3: Hike through the peaceful agricultural fields of Cha de Pedras to Coculi, followed by lunch with a local family. After a final 1-hour trek to Coculi, transfer back to Porto Novo for your ferry.
This tour includes local guides, all transfers, luggage transport, and delicious family-style meals, giving you the perfect mix of adventure, culture, and comfort.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Cova Crater to Paúl Valley (5–6 hrs hiking)
Accommodations
Tienne del Mar (4 star hotel)
Food and Drinks
LUNCH
Lunch
Porto Novo
08:00 – Pick-up in Porto Novo Scenic drive along the old mountain road to Cova Crater, a volcano crater with breathtaking views.
Paul
10:00 – Start Hike (Cova → Paúl Valley) Walk through forests of endemic plants and descend along cobblestone paths into Paúl Valley, the island’s greenest and most fertile region. Pass sugar cane fields, coffee plantations, and fruit orchards filled with mango, papaya, and guava. 13:00 – Picnic or Lunch with a Local Family Enjoy local dishes and fresh tropical fruit. Afternoon – Continue hike and explore Paúl
Paul
Optional tour of the alcohol and melasse making and tasting. Overnight: 4 star hotel in Paúl. (Tienne Del Mar or similar)
Coastal Hike: Cruzinha to Ponta do Sol (6–7 hrs hiking)
Food and Drinks
LUNCH
Lunch
Ribeira Grande
08:00 – Transfer to Cruzinha Begin at the peaceful fishing village, known for its turtle conservation efforts. 09:00 – Start Coastal Hike (Cruzinha → Ponta do Sol) Follow dramatic coastal trails with panoramic sea views and impressive zigzag paths. On our way, we stop in a local family to have lunch.
Monte Fontainhas
Pass the iconic village of Fontainhas, famous for its colorful houses perched on cliffs. Arrive in Ponta do Sol, a lively fishing town with a charming old harbor. 14:00 – Arrive in Ponta do Sol Overnight: Guesthouse in Ponta do Sol.
Cha de Pedras to Coculi (3–4 hrs hiking)
Food and Drinks
LUNCH
Lunch
Coculi
Cha de Pedras to Coculi (3–4 hrs hiking) 08:30 – Transfer to Cha de Pedras Start the day with peaceful valley views. 09:00 – Hike Cha de Pedras → Coculi (Part 1) Walk through sugar cane fields, banana plantations, and mango orchards while enjoying tranquil surroundings. 12:00 – Lunch with a Local Family Experience Cape Verdean hospitality and taste local specialties. 13:00 – Extra Hike to Coculi (Part 2) A final 1-hour trek through farmland and traditional stone paths leads you to Coculi village. Afternoon: Transfer to accommodation or Porto Novo for the afternoon ferry to Mindelo (São Vicente).
What‘s Included
Luggage transport during hikes
2 nights guesthouse accommodation (with breakfast)
Professional local hiking guide
between Porto Novo, trails and accommodation
Transportation towards the starting point of tour
Ferry tickets between Mindelo and Porto Novo
Dinners and personal expenses
Travel insurance
Drinks
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Private Tour
Tienne del Mar, Green Place,: 2 person deluxe suite
Private Tour
Pickup included
Reviews
4 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Unforgettable 3-day hike. Breathtaking nature and real local connection
119rudic,Nov 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This 3-day hiking tour on Santo Antão was a fantastic experience. Every day we walked through a completely different landscape. From lush green valleys to dramatic mountain ridges and small remote villages. The nature here is truly unique and endlessly impressive. Our guide, Stephenn, made the trip even more special. It felt like he knew everyone on the island. Thanks to him, we had spontaneous stops and warm encounters with locals that added real depth to the experience. The people here are incredibly friendly and welcoming. Because the agency is a family-run business, everything felt personal and authentic. On the last day, we even had lunch at the home of our guide’s mother. A real local meal. No staged tourism. Just genuine daily life. If you love breathtaking landscapes, authentic atmosphere, and meaningful interactions with local people, this tour is an absolute must. Truly unforgettable.
An amazing experience with CapeVerdeTours! / An amazing experience with CapeVerdeTours!
H5554AObeatrizf,Oct 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We can't be happier that we chose CapeVerdeTours. Our guide Stephan was simply great: super professional, friendly and with impressive knowledge of Santo Antão, its history, nature and culture. It made us feel at home from the first minute, always attentive to everything we needed (and much more!). Also, he speaks Spanish, English and French, so communication was very easy and very pleasant. Thanks to him we knew the island in an authentic and different way, enjoying every corner with total confidence. We definitely recommend this agency 100% and we will come back just for them. Thank you Stephan for your warmth and for making us live Santo Antão in the best way! —————- We couldn’t be happier with our choice to travel with CapeVerdeTours. Our guide Stephan was absolutely fantastic — super professional, friendly, and incredibly knowledgeable about Santo Antão, its history, nature, and culture. He made us feel right at home from the very first moment, always taking care of everything we needed (and even more!). He speaks Spanish, English, and French, so communication was easy and fun throughout the trip. Thanks to him, we got to experience the island in a truly authentic and unique way. We highly recommend this agency and will definitely come back just for them. Thank you, Stephan, for your warmth and for making us fall in love with Santo Antão!
A incredible Hiking experience
Carlos Sonderblohm,Feb 20, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00These 4 days I have walked through places that I never imagined, visit remote villages across ribeira grande and surrounding areas. The geography of Santo Antão is incredible, its places, its people, its way of life, a true living museum. If I had not hired such a professional hiking guide as Natcha (Capeverdetours) I would never have had this fantastic experience. This company it is managed by a true local guide and nature lover!
High quality
mikesO1634NR,Jun 21, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Unique tour. Everything was well organized and the guide was knowledgeable and had a lot of knowledge.
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Operated by CapeVerdeTours