Cape Verde · MONTE VERDE TOURS
The high point of São Vicente, with the whole island and half of Santo Antão laid out from the top. These 4 compare the drives up, the walking routes and the island tours that include it, priced and timed.
Leave Mindelo with a local guide such as Sonia or Lino, then visit fishing villages, Calhau farms, Baía das Gatas, Praia Grande, and Monte Verde. Swim in a clear lagoon, taste local tea, and stop for a traditional lunch, not included in the $82 price.
“Very nice trip! Our guide Sonia ans the driver Albino were very kind ans excellent. The lunch at Calhau was vert good!”
Climb São Vicente’s highest point with a guide such as Yuran or Elody. Expect about three hours, mostly on a cobbled road, then a final trail to the summit. Enjoy volcanic views, endemic plants, and Cape Verdean tea, coffee, or grogue at the top.
Travel from Mindelo to Monte Verde, São Pedro, Salamansa, Baía das Gatas, and Calhau with a local guide. Enjoy mountain views, locally grown tea, fishing villages, beaches, volcanic coast, and a farming valley. Lunch is separate, and the small group has no more than 10 people.
“The island was beautiful-The Tea House(indoor visit) was great and the beaches were great. However, we did not have much time to swim (only 15 minutes) because we were the only ones who wanted to. Disappointed about that, as it was the reason we chose this tour. Instead Kalu took us to see turtles, which was wonderful. They took good care of us.”
From Mindelo, drive to Monte Verde and walk the island’s greenest mountain area with a guide such as Raquel. Follow an old donkey path past plants, farms, livestock, and abandoned homes, then stop at the summit tea house for local tea, coffee, or tea liquor. Expect wind, uneven ground, and changing views.
“Ich hatte eine unterhaltsame Wanderung mit Raquel. Einen Teil der Strecke sind wir einen steinigen, mäßig gesicherten Weg gelaufen, den Rest bis zum Gipfel dann die Straße mit Kopfsteinpflaster. Man sollte auf jeden Fall eine Windjacke mitnehmen, da es an manchen Stellen enorm windig und kalt sein kann. Leider war der Ausblick an dem Tag auch nicht gut. Dafür gab es oben einen kleinen Imbiss und Kaffee oder Tee zum Aufwärmen. Viele Touristen fahren einfach mit dem Auto zum Gipfel, es ist jedoch viel entspannter und bewusster, diesen Weg zu wandern.”
Pick an island, a boat or a dune.
