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New Year's Eve in Cape Verde
HAPPY MINDELO 2026
SANTO ANTÃO ISLAND 3 CLASSIC WALKS




8 DAYS | 7 NIGHTS | 3 WALKS
Local Expert | Hikes | Accommodation | Transfer | Meals
OVERVIEW
For those who like to mix festivities, lively emotions and walks in nature, a trip to the islands this festive season will be an excellent start for the whole of 2026.
Do not miss if you are in Cape Verde, São Vicente island on the night of the 31st.! There is no cost to the celebration along the boulevard Avenida Marginal. By the time evening arrives the marginal is pulsating with people, and by midnight a great firework ringing announces the New Year that goes on with a amazing music show throughout the night. People jump and dance, in a peaceful and fun way.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
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Spending the holidays in a subtropical climate is more relaxing;
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The 3 classic walking trails on Santo Antao island;
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Watch fireworks on the boulevard and party all night during New Year in Sao Vicente island;
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Meeting with a warm and captivating population;
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Try the traditional Cape Verde drinks: Grogue and Pontche;
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Delight in the Cape Verde gastronomy through a good fresh fish dish.
DAY 1: Saturday, December 27, 2025
SAO VICENTE AIRPORT (Arrival)
You will be welcomed by our driver in the airport Cesaria Évora in São Vicente and take you to your hotel in Mindelo. The First night in the hotel. Accommodation: Hotel | Meals: Dinner
DAY 2: Sunday, December 28, 2025
SAO VICENTE - SANTO ANTAO
At 07:15 A.M. we pick you up in your hotel (Mindelo) and drive you to São Vicente port. The ferry will take one hour to reach the island of Santo Antão.
Walk: COVA VOLCANO CRATER - PAUL VALLEY
At 09:00 a.m. our driver will welcome you at Porto Novo port and in less than 20 minutes you will be in Cova, volcano crater at 1522 meters altitude, where you start the descent to the majestic valley Paul accompanied by a local guide to tell the history of the beauty surrounding you. You have a picnic that you can enjoy en route. Transfers to Ponta do Sol to spend the night.
Walking time: 5hrs | Distance: 12,5 Km | Elevation: + 300 m / - 1320 m
Type of accommodation: Guesthouse | Meals: Breakfast, Picnic and Dinner.
DAY 3: Monday, December 29, 2025
Walk: RIBEIRA DA TORRE VALLEY
Today we can look forward to some fantastic relaxing walking after the ups and downs of the previous stretch. We head down to Ribeira da Torre valley and we will stop in Xôxo for the picnic under the trees. In the late afternoon we return to Ponta do Sol. Dinner at restaurant.
Walking Time: 3h30 | Distance: 8 Km | Elevation: + 560 m / - 710 m
Type of accommodation: Guesthouse | Meals: Breakfast, Picnic and Dinner.
DAY 4: Tuesday, December 30, 2025
Walk: CRUZINHA - FONTAINHAS - PONTA DO SOL
After breakfast, transfer to the starting point of the hike in Cruzinha. Superb ride along the fantastic coast, passing through rugged cliffs and wonderful small rural villages; Cruzinha, Corvo and Fontaínhas (named by the National Geography Magazine, the 2nd best located location in the world). You have a picnic that you can enjoy en route. After a brief visit to the village, we resumed our walk to the city of Ponta do Sol, to spend the night.
Walking time: 4h30 | Distance: 11 Km | Elevation: +690 m / - 710 m
Accommodation: Guesthouse | Meals: Breakfast, Picnic and Dinner.
DAY 5: Wednesday, December 31, 2025
SANTO ANTAO - SAO VICENTE
After breakfast, head back to Porto Novo harbor via newly built island coastal road.
At 09:00 a.m. the ferry will get you back to São Vicente Island.
At 10:00 a.m. SAO VICENTE DAY TOUR
In a day trip you see the best the Island of Sao Vicente has to offer. We visit the historical sites of the city of Mindelo and offer a spectacular tour around the island, taking in spectacular sights such as Verde and the beautiful Baía das Gatas, beach where annually runs the most famous music festival of the country. To enjoy an appetizing lunch of fresh fish we visit Calhau, a charming fishing village. You will be accompanied by one of our highly knowledgeable drivers on your journey who will provide the information and history on the area.
HAPPY MINDELO 2026: New Year's Eve (free)
The Municipality of São Vicente organizes in the center of the city of Mindelo a great firework, which normally lasts for at least 15 minutes along the boulevard Avenida Marginal and an amazing music show, throughout the night.
Accommodation: Hotel | Meals: Breakfast and Lunch (dinner: free).
DAY 6: Thursday, January 1, 2026
MINDELO: FREE
New Years Day for the year 2024 is celebrated on Sunday, January 1. The day is national holiday, public services, schools and many businesses closed. The majority of the population will take the day to reflect on their achievements of the past year and set new goals for the New Year, but we believe that many will still be recovering from the eve's festivities. We have deliberately reserved this day as a free.
Accommodation: Hotel | Meals: Breakfast (lunch and dinner: free).
DAY 7: Friday, January 2, 2026
MINDELO: FREE
You are free to discover Mindelo, to relax, to gather strengths, swimming on "Laginha" a beautiful white sand beach and why not buy souvenirs in this small city considered the Cultural Capital of Cape Verde.
Accommodation: Hotel | Meals: Breakfast | Lunch and Dinner: free).
DAY 8: Saturday, January 3, 2026
SAO VICENTE AIRPORT (Departure)
Our guide will pick you up at your hotel and transfer you to the Airport Cesaria Évora, wishing you a nice flight home. Meals: Breakfast
End of Stay
This program depends on weather conditions and may be modified by us on site for your safety.
NOTE
You might be able to make some modifications to the current tourist package based upon your personal preferences (including arrival and departure day).
