Your holiday begins the moment you step out of the airport on Sao Vicente island, where a private transfer will be waiting for you to take you to your hotel in the heart of Mindelo. Depending on your time of arrival, you may have time to explore the city to discover its characterful colonial architecture and colourful cobbled streets. The iconic pink Palacio do Povo, once a government building, today hosts cultural activities and exhibitions including a long-running dedication to the singer Cesaria Evora, for whom the airport on Sao Vicente is named and whose image is featured on the 2000 escudos note. The fortress-like Torre de Belem in the harbour is a nod to the famous 16th century landmark of the same name in Lisbon; it now houses the Museu do Mar, featuring exhibits on the history and culture of Cape Verde. The unassuming Mercado Municipal, a restored two-storey food market from 1784 where smiling vendors hawk their fresh produce, is a great place to experience the beating heart of a city. Vibrant vegetable and fish markets and the golden sands of Laginha beach add to Mindelo's tropical charm. If you arrive on a Sunday, the city will be asleep and the hustle and bustle will be found around the beach and in the villages of Sao Pedro, Salamansa, Calhau and Baia.

SAO VICENTE CARNIVAL: The streets of Mindelo come alive each year for the Carnival, inspired by the carnivals of Brazil and blended with their shared history of Portuguese flavours. Celebrations begin the week leading up to Shrove Tuesday, with colourful parades of large floats and processions of costumed dancers and packed with events open to all, culminating in the vibrant main parade which starts in the morning and parties on late into the night.

If you did not have the chance to explore the city the day before, you will have the opportunity to experience its charm this morning. Today you will be able to discover more of Sao Vicente island with your driver, travelling from the north of the island along the golden sand beach of Praia Grande, and through the agricultural oasis of the island interior at Madeiral. You have the option of two lengths of walks on your tour today, which offers you the opportunity to enjoy the beaches and coves you discover and maybe have a swim.

Both walks start from the same point and takes you around the oasis of Santa Luzia de Terra. Facing the neighbouring island of the same name, this is a small valley of colourful rocks where a freshwater spring provides life to a collection of trees emerging from the barren ground. From this surprising haven of greenery, you walk toward the coast and past secluded bays to reach the popular surf spot of Boca de Lapa. Here a few caves provide some welcome shelter from the sun, before you continue your walk to Saragarca where your driver is waiting, to return you to the comfort of your base in Mindelo.
8km / 150m ascent / 170m descent / 3-4 hours walking

If you wish to have a longer walk today, the second option is an extension of the route from Saragarca. You will continue your walk inland to discover the volcanic crater of Viana, before continuing your journey toward Calhau where you will meet your driver to return to Mindelo.
13km / 200m ascent / 220m descent / 5-6 hours walking

This morning you will take the ferry to Santo Antao island, the greenest of the Cape Verde islands and boasting numerous excellent hiking trails. The ferry crossing takes around 1 hour to Porto Novo, where you will be met on your arrival and be taken to Ribeira das Patas, in the western mountains of this verdant island. The landscape is spectacular and otherworldly, made up dramatic jagged peaks and bright green cultivated oases. You have an option of two walks here today.

The first option takes you from the Alto Mira to weave between the "Dykes", famous basalt pinnacles unique to this valley. Crossing over the Forquinha pass, your path takes you through fields of sugar cane in Cha de Morte before reaching your lovely guesthouse accommodation for the night.
8km / 200m ascent / 400m descent / 3-4 hours walking

The second walk option takes you along a spectacular balcony path with an astounding vista over the valley, down to Porto Novo and over the sea to Sao Vicente. From the trailhead you have a steady climb on the path clinging to the edge of the mountain, to reach the summit plateau from where you can enjoy views of Tope de Coroa, the highest peak on Santo Antao, and beyond. Your descent follows an incredible cobbled path zig zagging down the steep cliff to reach your guesthouse in Cha de Morte.
13km / 690m ascent / 950m descent / 5-6 hours walking

Today you have the option of two walks to discover Alto Mira, a dramatic canyon descending from the mountains in a northerly direction to the sea. The upper part of the valley is accessible by road, while only footpaths connect the settlements and villages further down the valley. The landscape has been shaped by agriculture, formed of irrigated terraces carved into the steep sided slopes.

A short transfer from your guesthouse will take you to the Alto Mira pass for your first hike option, which follows the trail through oases of cultivated land. Reaching the hamlet of Pau Bonito, you have a short climb to reach a crest before descending to the remote village of Faial. From the valley head you will have a vantage point over the Alto Mira as it carves its way to the expanse of the Atlantic Ocean. From Faial it is a steady climb back to the top of the valley to meet your driver and be transferred back to Cha de Morte for your second night in the cirque of Ribiera das Patas.
6km / 380m ascent / 720m descent / 3-4 hours walking

Your second option today is to complete the full descent of the Alto Mira from valley head to the sea. You will be transferred via a spectacular road that ends at Cha d'Orguiero, where the trailhead at the top of the valley begins. The descent path follows the river from which the valley takes its name, passing through the secluded village of Dominguinhas before reaching the sea. Your driver will be waiting here to return you to your guesthouse in Cha de Morte for your second night.
11km / 200m ascent / 800m descent / 4-5 hours walking

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast this morning and drink in your spectacular surroundings before you transfer to your next destination, Paul, to explore the lush valleys in the eastern region of Santo Antao. Paul is considered to be the greenest valley in the whole of the Cape Verde archipelago; you might liken it to the vegetable garden of the country. The vibrant landscape is a pleasing contrast to your first few days on Santo Antao. Here you can discover small paths connecting hamlets in the agricultural corrie of Cabo da Ribeira, where depending on the season produce such as coffee, oranges, guavas, vegetables and tubers are harvested, and rum distilled from the sugar cane grown here. Taking the coastal road to Paul, your driver will drop you off at the end of the road at the head of the Paul valley for an option of two walks in these fertile lands.

The first option is a short loop at the heart of the corrie, taking you through cultivated fields and undulating terrain back to the road at Pe d'Eukalip, from where you can take the public bus to the coast and your seafront accommodation for the night. Alternatively if you prefer to finish your journey on foot, you can continue the leisurely descent through the valley to the coast and your accommodation for the night.
4km / 150m ascent / 350m descent / 2-3 hours walking

Your second option takes the path descending through the verdant dell of Figueiral and its small communities, passing crops of fruit and vegetables and farmers working their fields. The steep mountains and jagged peaks make for a breathtaking backdrop to the beautiful green terraces you walk through. When you reach the road at Eito you can continue the rest of the short way on foot to reach your seaside accommodation for the night.
9km / 450m ascent / 850m descent / 4-5 hours

Wake to the sounds of the sea this morning. After breakfast, your driver will take you on a magnificent scenic journey, travelling through Ribeira Grande's mountain landscape and down the valley of Garca to reach the northern shore of Santo Antao and the coastal village of Cruzinha. From here you will walk the spectacular coastal path and marvel at the awesome views over the ocean to your left and the dramatically steep mountains to your right. The cobbled path takes you through the village of Fontainhas, famous for its colourful houses perched on the cliffs. The ingenuity of the terraces carved precipitously into the mountainside can't fail to take your breath away. Reaching Ponta do Sol, the northernmost town of Santo Antao and of the whole Cape Verde archipelago, this is one of the oldest settlements and used to be a flourishing port during the colonial era. Today it is still a fishing hub with many restaurants locally offering the freshest catch of the day. You can settle into your hotel here for the next two nights, explore the town and perhaps enjoy a cold beer or locally-distilled rum while you watch the sun set over the ocean.

Again you will have the option of a shorter walk or a longer walk today, to explore the Ribeira Grande region on foot which you will have driven through yesterday. This valley is made up of many fertile dells and is one of the main areas for the production of rum.

The shorter walk option begins from Ribeirao, from where you will hike on a panoramic path taking you through the glades of Ribeirao and Cha de Pedras. The route travels through fields of sugar cane, the ubiquitous cultivated terraces and small Creole hamlets, and sometimes alongside the irrigation channels created to facilitate the area's harvest. Arriving at Joao Alfonso, your driver will be waiting to return you to Ponta do Sol.
5km / 300m ascent / 500m descent / 2-3 hours

The longer walk option takes you on a loop around the gorge at Cha de Pedras, ascending on a cobbled path into the mountains to the secluded village of Aguada, positioned in a stunning corrie overlooking the deep canyon. Contouring around the interior rim, your route climbs to exit the basin and continue through a number of small farming hamlets, this time with the canyon to your left. Crossing through a few larger settlements, your track descends to Joao Alfonso from where you will be transferred back to your hotel in Ponta do Sol.
8km / 890m ascent / 890m descent / 5-6 hours

Today you can enjoy a final short hike among the volcanic cliffs and canyons of the Ribeira Grande before you travel on to the west coast of the island. A short transfer this morning takes you to Ribeira da Torre from where you can enjoy a tranquil loop walk among the trails snaking through the rural landscape. Following the paths and irrigation canals, you will reach the village of small farming village of Rabo Curto, before descending through fields of sugar cane and yam back to meet your driver. Your journey will take the scenic road through Corda and the mountainous interior of the island, to reach Tarrafal de Monte Trigo on the west coast on Santo Antao where stunning sunsets are pretty much guaranteed!

Tarrafal is a hidden gem where you can enjoy the solitude and peace of being in a remote fishing village untarnished by mass tourism, with the expanse of the ocean ahead of you and vertical cliffs behind. The name Tarrafal comes from the shrubby tamarisk tree known as "Tarrafe" in Cape Verde, which can survive on sea water and in harsh coastal conditions. Here the volcanic black sand beach is the longest stretch of beach in Santo Antao. Fisherman go about their business in their colourful boats and a relaxed pace of life feels like bliss. Settle into your family-run beachfront guesthouse, sip on a sundowner and bask in the glow of the magical sunset over the bay.

Waking up and feeling refreshed today, your day is free for you to enjoy as you wish. You can simply enjoy some chilled out time on the beach, perhaps with a spot of snorkelling or scuba diving or even a fishing trip. If you're still feeling energetic, you may like to undertake an optional walk along the coast to the secluded village of Monte Trigo, taking a scenic journey on a fisherman's boat back to Tarrafal, a great opportunity to see the island from a new perspective.
Optional walk: 10km / 500m ascent / 500m descent / 4 hours

Feeling relaxed and rested, you can enjoy a leisurely morning in Tarrafal and take a stroll on the black sand beach or have a final swim in the sea. In the afternoon you will be transferred back to Porto Novo for your return ferry to Mindelo where you can have a final evening in this vibrant city and raise a glass to celebrate a wonderful holiday.

Depending on the time of your departure, you may have time to enjoy a relaxed breakfast and a final stroll around Mindelo to pick up some souvenirs (perhaps a bottle of rum to take home!) before your private transfer collects you to take you to the airport.