A road trip across two Atlantic islands, from the music of São Vicente to the volcanic valleys, cliff trails and wild coast of Santo Antão, finished with turtles in the ocean.
Cape Verde looks simple on the map: a handful of small islands somewhere in the middle of the Atlantic. Once you arrive, it becomes something completely different.
This journey takes us from the colourful streets and music of São Vicente to the dramatic mountains of Santo Antão, an island of deep volcanic valleys, tiny villages hidden between cliffs, old cobblestone roads and hiking trails suspended high above the Atlantic.
We cross the ocean by ferry, drive through the mountains, descend from an ancient volcanic crater into the green Paul Valley, hike one of the most spectacular coastlines in Cape Verde, reach remote villages and beaches, explore the wild west of Santo Antão by road and boat, taste local grogue and return to São Vicente to slow everything down, with beaches, island roads and swimming alongside sea turtles.
Mountain roads, volcanic valleys, cliff-edge trails and turtles in the Atlantic.
Drive the legendary cobblestone mountain road past high passes and Cova Crater.
Descend from an ancient volcanic crater into terraces, sugar cane and tropical vegetation.
A coastal cliff trail linking remote settlements once connected only by footpaths.
Snorkel alongside turtles in clear Atlantic water with local guides.
We start in Mindelo, cross to Santo Antão by ferry, travel the island by car and on foot, and return to São Vicente to finish. Open each day to see the plan.
The itinerary is approximate. Weather, road conditions and sea conditions can change it, and boat and snorkelling activities are adjusted if the Atlantic is rough.
Our journey begins on São Vicente, the cultural heart of Cape Verde and the perfect place to start discovering the islands. After arriving at Cesária Évora International Airport, we settle into our hotel in Mindelo and take the first part of the day at an easy pace, giving everyone time to arrive, unpack and get into the rhythm of the trip.
Later we explore the colourful streets and waterfront of Mindelo, a city known for music, local culture and its strong connection to the Atlantic. In the evening we have our first team dinner, try Cape Verdean food and, if the timing works, finish the night with live music. It is a deliberately relaxed beginning, because the next morning we head for the mountains of Santo Antão.
After breakfast we board the ferry from Mindelo across the Atlantic to Santo Antão. The crossing is short, but the change in scenery is dramatic: once we arrive in Porto Novo, the dry volcanic landscapes of São Vicente are replaced by the steep mountains and deep valleys of one of the wildest islands in Cape Verde.
We collect our rental cars and begin our first real road trip, choosing the slower and more spectacular route through the interior. We climb along the Estrada da Corda, the famous old cobblestone mountain road, stop at viewpoints high above the valleys and visit the enormous volcanic crater of Cova before continuing towards Pico da Cruz and the lush northern side of Santo Antão. By the time we descend into the Paul and Ribeira Grande region, the landscape has changed completely, with terraced mountains, sugar-cane plantations and small villages between the peaks.
Today we leave the cars behind and explore Santo Antão on foot. Our hike begins high in the mountains near Cova crater, where we take in the scale of the landscape before the long descent into Paul Valley. As the trail winds down, the scenery becomes greener and more tropical, past terraced farmland, banana trees, coffee plants, papaya, sugar cane and small local settlements hidden between the slopes.
Once we reach the lower valley, the pace relaxes. We have time for a local lunch and one of the most characteristic experiences of Santo Antão: visiting a traditional grogue producer, learning how the local sugar-cane rum is made and tasting it where it is produced. After a full day in the mountains, we return to our accommodation for dinner and a well-earned quiet evening.
Today we move from the green interior to the dramatic northern coastline and begin one of the most spectacular hikes of the journey. Starting near Ponta do Sol, the trail follows volcanic cliffs high above the Atlantic and connects small settlements that were historically linked by footpaths rather than roads. We pass Fontainhas, one of the island’s most striking villages, built into a steep mountainside, before continuing along the coast towards Cruzinha.
The scenery keeps changing between huge cliff walls, narrow paths, tiny villages and wide views across the ocean. Once we complete the route, local transport takes us back to the cars. We finish the day slowly, with time for seafood, sunset and an easy evening after one of the strongest hiking days of the trip.
Santo Antão still has a completely different side to show us. Today we move from the lush valleys towards the much drier and more remote western coast. We begin around Ribeira da Torre and Xôxô, where sharp volcanic peaks rise directly above agricultural valleys and small villages. Instead of another long hike, we explore more casually, with a shorter walk, viewpoints and local stops, before driving west.
As we cross the island, the landscape becomes harsher and emptier. Eventually we reach Tarrafal de Monte Trigo, a remote fishing village at the end of one of Santo Antão’s wildest roads. If sea conditions allow, we head out by boat along the western coastline and reach remote beaches that are easier to access from the ocean than by road. After swimming and snorkelling, we return to Tarrafal for sunset and spend the night beside the Atlantic, far from the busier parts of the island.
After several active days, we start this morning without rushing, with breakfast by the ocean, a swim or a short walk through Tarrafal. Then we pack the cars and begin our final drive across Santo Antão. The journey back to Porto Novo gives us one last chance to enjoy the changing volcanic landscapes before we return the rental cars and head to the harbour.
In the afternoon we board the ferry back to São Vicente and leave the mountains behind. Arriving in Mindelo after several days of hiking feels almost like returning to a completely different world, with more restaurants, music and city life around us. We check into our hotel and enjoy dinner at an easy pace.
After several days of mountains, hiking and long road trips, today is designed to slow everything down while still giving us a full day of experiences. We take our cars and explore São Vicente, driving from Mindelo towards Monte Verde, the highest point on the island, where the views reveal the dry volcanic landscape and neighbouring islands. We continue through Baía das Gatas and Salamansa to São Pedro.
The main experience of the day is snorkelling with sea turtles in their natural environment, entering the Atlantic with local guides and swimming alongside them in clear coastal waters. The rest of the day is deliberately flexible, with swimming, beach stops and a relaxed lunch. In the late afternoon we return to Mindelo for a farewell dinner, drinks and, if possible, one last evening of Cape Verdean music together.
We keep the final morning relaxed so the journey does not end with a rush. Depending on the flight schedule, we have time for breakfast in Mindelo, a last walk along the waterfront or a few quiet hours at Laginha Beach before heading to the airport.
Over the week we will have experienced two completely different islands, crossed the Atlantic by ferry, driven old mountain roads, descended from a volcanic crater into a tropical valley, walked dramatic coastal trails, reached remote villages, crossed Santo Antão from east to west, explored its wild coastline by boat and finished swimming alongside sea turtles. Cape Verde may look small on a map, but after a week like this, it feels anything but small.
Explorer trips are our first journeys to completely new VABO destinations. Before a route joins our regular calendar, we want to experience it the way our travellers do, not follow a ready-made tour made by someone else. We test roads, trails, local places and experiences, look for viewpoints that are not on every itinerary and try small restaurants.
The itinerary is carefully prepared and the key experiences are planned in advance, but an Explorer journey leaves a little more room for spontaneity. Maybe we find a hidden beach worth staying at longer. Maybe a local tells us about a road we did not plan to take. You join us with the right mindset: a little flexibility, curiosity and willingness to discover the destination together.
Because this is the first VABO edition of Cape Verde, it is offered at a special first-edition price. You get accommodation, transport, cars, ferries, hiking logistics, a boat adventure, turtle snorkelling, local experiences and full VABO organisation, for less than we would normally expect once the destination joins our regular calendar.
Welcome to Cape Verde. Welcome to VABO Explorer.
7–14 November 2026 · 8 days / 7 nights · twin rooms
Ask about your placeTalk directly with Vabo on Instagram. Ask about availability, flights and how to join.
Not included: international flights to and from São Vicente, food, travel insurance (required) and personal expenses.
Moderate. This is an active adventure trip rather than a physically extreme expedition. You do not need technical skills or trekking experience, but you should be comfortable with several active days in a row, mountain roads and longer hikes. The two most demanding days are Cova to Paul Valley and Ponta do Sol to Fontainhas to Cruzinha, each with several hours of walking on uneven paths, significant descents and some exposed sections. A reasonable basic level of fitness is recommended.
A large part of the Santo Antão adventure happens on the road, in rental cars or SUVs along paved roads, narrow mountain routes and cobblestone roads. Some sections are steep, winding and slow, and the drive is part of the experience. Participants may take turns driving if they wish and have enough experience. Driver participation and related details are discussed and agreed individually before booking.
Several hiking routes and viewpoints run high above valleys or the Atlantic. There are no technical climbing sections, but some trails are narrow and exposed, so anyone with a strong fear of heights should know that certain parts may feel challenging.
The trip includes ferry crossings, a boat experience along the western coast of Santo Antão and turtle snorkelling on São Vicente. The Atlantic can be rough, and boat or snorkelling activities may be adjusted to sea and weather conditions. You should be comfortable around water, although strong swimming skills are not required for every activity.
Unlike an expedition-style trip, we sleep every night in hotels, guesthouses or small locally owned accommodation, with proper beds, bathrooms and showers. Some stays on Santo Antão, especially around Tarrafal, may be simpler and more remote, but this is still a comfortable adventure rather than a camping trip.
November is a very good time to explore Cape Verde. Daytime temperatures are generally warm, while the mountains of Santo Antão can feel cooler, especially early in the morning, in the evening or when clouds and wind move through the valleys. Conditions can change quickly between the dry coast and higher mountain areas, so light layers and a waterproof shell are useful.
You do not need to be an athlete or an experienced hiker. You should enjoy being active, feel comfortable walking for several hours, be open to winding roads and changing plans, and appreciate that some of the best places on these islands take a little effort to reach. It is ideal for people who want more than a beach holiday: mountains, ocean, road trips, local culture and the feeling of discovering a destination rather than simply visiting it.
Message Vabo on Instagram. A €300 deposit reserves your place, €900 is due 45 days before the trip starts, and the remaining €600 is paid in cash when we meet before the trip begins.
Want to know more or have a few questions? Message Vabo on Instagram and let’s talk about your adventure.
Message us on Instagram@vabo_trips · Direct contact with the organiser