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An early hotel pickup from Praia puts you at Rui Vaz for a moderate downhill toward Longueira. Highland views, a small tasting and a picnic sit in the four-hour walk. The same hotel is the drop-off when the path ends.
The inland drive from Praia means the walk can start at Rui Vaz, about 800 metres up. Local farmers growing sugar cane, mango, cassava and banana are part of that greeting, and the view crosses the Valley of São Jorge toward Pico D'Antónia, the highest point on Santiago at 1394 metres. On a clear day Maio Island may show on the horizon before the path begins to lose height.
Uneven hills drop toward houses carved into Longueira's mountainside, with a welcome from a local family on the lower path. A mini tasting of Cape Verdean food and fruit, plus a picnic stop, punctuates the walk. When rum production runs from 1 January to 31 May you can see the village distillery at work. After about four hours the vehicle takes you back to Praia.
Rui Vaz sits in the highlands of Santiago. The start at about 800 metres gives a wide view before the path loses height through uneven hills, and cooler air at the top is useful before the warmer descent. Pico D'Antónia stands across the Valley of São Jorge.
Longueira clings to the mountainside, with homes set into the slope and plots of cane and fruit around the village. On some winter and spring dates rum is being made in the local distillery. The walk stays away from the capital, so the half day feels far from Praia even though collection and return are from there.
Closed-toe shoes with grip help on this moderate downhill, which runs for several hours on uneven ground. Children aged 6 and over can join when they can manage the same. The group stays small, between one and eight guests, which keeps the pace conversational.
Previous trekking experience is not required. Bring a hat, sunscreen and water. The tasting and picnic are a light sample, so eat a proper breakfast before pickup. Shared group rates list adults from 12 and children from 6 to 11 at checkout.
Crew from Santiago lead this descent regularly and know the farmers at Rui Vaz, the family in Longueira and the seasonal rhythm of the rum stills. Collection from Praia means you start the walk at height instead of spending the morning arranging a transfer.
The tasting and picnic are built into the four hours, so you meet people along the path rather than rushing a viewpoint and leaving. Drop-off is at your Praia hotel when the walk ends.
An early collection from your accommodation in Praia is included, and we drive you up to Rui Vaz so the walk can start at about 800 metres. At the end of the descent we return you to the same hotel.
Give us your hotel name when you book so the driver can plan the round. Stays outside the usual Praia pickup zone need a quick check before the day. Flights and inter-island travel to reach Praia stay your responsibility.
This is a moderate descent. You begin at the village of Rui Vaz and lose height through uneven hills toward Longueira, with time to stop for views, a tasting and a picnic. The walk lasts about four hours including those pauses.
Downhill work can still tire knees and ankles, so decent footwear matters. Children aged 6 and over can join when they are used to walking on rough paths and happy to stay on their feet for the half day.
A mini sampling of Cape Verdean food and fruit is part of the trek, and there is a small picnic stop during the four hours. You also visit a local rum-making distillery in Longueira when production is running.
Rum production is seasonal and runs from 1 January to 31 May. Outside those months you still walk through Longueira and meet a local family, but the stills may be quiet. The tasting is a sample on the trail, not a full restaurant lunch.
From Rui Vaz you look across the Valley of São Jorge toward Pico D'Antónia, the highest point on Santiago at 1394 metres. That summit is a view from the start, not a climb on this itinerary. On a clear day you may also pick out Maio Island from the heights.
The path then drops toward Longueira rather than heading up the peak. If you want a summit day, look at a Pico D'Antónia hike instead of this valley descent.
Decent footwear, a hat, sunscreen and water are the essentials for this walk. The start at 800 metres can feel cooler than Praia, then the descent warms up, so a light layer you can stow is useful.
Eat breakfast before pickup, because the tasting and picnic are small. Leave bulky luggage at the hotel. We collect you and return you to Praia, so you only need a day pack.
The minimum age is 6. Shared rates list adults from 12 to 99 and children from 6 to 11, so check the calendar for the child price on your date. The trail is moderate rather than easy, so younger walkers need to be confident on uneven downhill paths.
Groups stay between one and eight guests, which helps us match the pace to mixed ages. Tell us your children's walking experience when you book if you are unsure.
This departure is a shared group tour with a maximum of eight guests and a minimum of one. That cap keeps the descent quieter than a coach outing and leaves space to talk with farmers and the family in Longueira.
If your own party already fills several seats, you may have the path largely to yourselves on that date. The booking calendar shows remaining places for the morning you choose.
The rum-making season in Longueira runs from 1 January to 31 May. During those months you can see production as part of the village visit. Outside that window the walk and tasting still run, but the stills may not be working.
Ask us before you book if seeing the distillery in action is your main reason for choosing this date. We will be honest about whether production is likely that week.
Highland cloud and a light shower are common on Santiago and usually only slow the walk. The path can become slippery on the descent, so shoes with grip help you stay on your feet.
We will contact you if rain or wind makes the trail unsafe. Everyday Atlantic weather is treated as mildly affecting the day rather than cancelling it by default.
A 100% cancellation fee applies if you cancel 2 days or less before the Rui Vaz descent. Cancel 6 days or less before and the fee is 50%. Cancel up to 1000 days before the event and the fee is 0%.
Tell us as soon as plans change so we can update the highland pickup and check another morning from Praia.
About the centre
Praia
We run guided outdoor adventures across the Cape Verde archipelago, from volcanic ridge walks and valley hikes to boat trips, snorkelling, and off-road tours on sand and lava trails. Local guides lead each trip with knowledge of island paths, Atlantic conditions, and the rhythms of each community you visit.
Whether you join a morning snorkel, a full-day hike on Santo Antão, or an off-road run to a shipwreck on Boa Vista, you get small-group attention and a clear briefing before you set out. Book the dates and islands that fit your trip, and we keep you informed about meeting times and what to bring.
Operated by Bu Country Turismo SU, Lda, a partner of adventuro.
