Cape Verde: Best trails of Santiago and Fogo islands

Ziua 1 · Arrival in Praia (Santiago Island) – Airport Transfer – Hotel Check in

1. 1

   Oprirea 1

   15 min Intrarea inclusă

   After disembarking, be welcomed by Your travel representative, who will be waiting for you at Nelson Mandela International Airport with a sign displaying your name, as informed by you. Then, enjoy a private and custom transfer from the airport to your accommodation in Praia. Our team will take you from door to door with complete security and professionalism, providing all relevant information about your stay. Overnight in Praia.

Casa Sodade in Praia (Santiago Island) or similar; Check-in starts at 2pm.

Ziua 2 · Santiago Island: Calabaceira Valley Trek & Visit to Cidade Velha

1. 1

   Praia

   30 min

   After a delicious breakfast, be collected from your accommodation in Praia and depart toward the small village of Calabaceira.

2. 2

   Oprirea 2

   2 h 30 min

   Follow a simple and accessible trail for any hiker and explore the green valley famous for both its baobab trees mentioned by Charles Darwin and its use as an escape route for slaves during slavery. Next, discover the local fauna and flora and experience the production of a local rum-making distillery. There, get in touch with local farmers and their agricultural fields of sugar cane, mango trees, cassava, banana, and more.

3. 3

   Cidade Velha of Ribeira Grande - World Heritage Site

   30 min Intrarea inclusă

   Arrive in Cidade Velha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and visit the São Francisco Convent, the famous Banana Street, Nossa Senhora do Rosário church and Pilourinho.

4. 4

   Cidade Velha, Historic Centre of Ribeira Grande

   o oră Intrarea inclusă

   . Have a break for lunch and savor local delights in a typical restaurant right on the seafront.

5. 5

   Oprirea 5

   15 min

   Get to know the history of the slave market, Pilourinho.

6. 6

   Oprirea 6

   15 min

   After lunch, visit the ruins of the Sé Catedral, and the Royal Fortress of São Filipe.

7. 7

   Fortaleza Real de San Felipe

   30 min Intrarea inclusă

   Know the system of differences against attacks by pirates.

8. 8

   Praia

   5 min

   Hotel drop-off. Overnight in Praia.

   DURATION Every day from 9 am to 3 pm (6 hours)

   ROUTE FILE:

   Extension: 4500 meters

   Ascent/Descent: ~300 m

   Difficult degree: Easy

   Total Walking Duration: 2 hours

   Path quality: Mediun tilt, narrow at the beginning and safe.

Casa Sodade in Praia (Santiago Island) or similar;

Ziua 3 · Trekking in Serra Malagueta Natural Park + Assomada Market + Tarrafal Beach

1. 1

   Assomada Market

   1 h 30 min

   The day begins with pickup from your accommodation in Praia and heads inland to the traditional Assomada Market. Wander around the vibrant stalls and soak up the hustle and bustle of this island hub whilst watching the locals haggle for produce (on Wednesdays and Saturdays only).

2. 2

   Serra de Malagueta

   30 min Intrarea inclusă

   Drive to Serra Malgueta Natural Park next, where your trekking adventure awaits. Follow your guide as you head into the luscious landscapes of the Serra Malagueta Natural Park, which covers 774-hectacres. The park is home to the Serra Malagueta mountain range as well as over 124 species of plant, and 19 species of bird. Throughout the trek, listen to your guide share information about the local flora and fauna, many of which can only be found here in the park. Once you’ve worked up a bit of an appetite, find a scenic spot for a well-deserved rest and enjoy a picnic lunch in the middle of the forest.

3. 3

   Oprirea 3

   3 ore Intrarea inclusă

   Once you’ve worked up a bit of an appetite, find a scenic spot for a well-deserved rest and enjoy a picnic lunch in the middle of the forest.

4. 4

   Tarrafal Beach

   2 ore

   After the walk, drive to Tarrafal Beach where you can spend some free time chilling on the shore.

5. 5

   Praia

   5 min

   Hotel drop-off. Overnight in Praia.

   DURATION: Every day from 8 am to 5 pm (9 hours)

   ROUTE FILE:

   Extension: 4200 meters (1 way)

   Ascent/Descent: ~200 m

   Difficult degree: Easy

   Total Walking Duration: 3-4hours

   Path quality: Flat, wide and safe.

Casa Sodade in Praia (Santiago Island) or similar;

Ziua 4 · From Praia: Fogo island Tour to Volcano

1. 1

   Oprirea 1

   o oră

   Start your day with a delicious breakfast at your accommodation and then be picked up at your accommodation and transferred to Nelson Mandela International Airport for your 35-minute flight to Fogo Island.

2. 2

   Oprirea 2

   10 min Intrarea inclusă

   Upon arrival, depart toward São Filipe, the capital of the island.

3. 3

   Sao Filipe

   30 min

   Here, explore “Sobrados” and wander around this charming little town lined with colorful colonial houses.

4. 4

   Municipal Museum

   15 min Intrarea inclusă

   Next, head to the Municipal Museum and appreciate the simplicity of the objects that portray the local history.

5. 5

   Our Lady of the Conception Church Saint Philip

   15 min

   Visit to a local Church

6. 6

   Oprirea 6

   30 min

   Head inland to the small villages of Achada Furna and Cabeça Fundão. There, learn about the history of the residents who had their houses submerged by the lava from the recent volcanic eruption of 2014.

7. 7

   Parque Natural do Fogo

   o oră

   Arrive at Chã das Caldeiras National Park and admire un interrupted views of the volcano and rugged surrounding landscape. Marvel with an amazing view from the foot of Cape Verde's highest mountain, the active volcano, one of the best attractions in the country.

8. 8

   Cha das Caldeiras

   30 min

   After that, take a break for the well-deserved lunch in a local atmosphere and buy or taste at your expense one of the best wines in the world. Overnight in Chã das Caldeiras.

Casa Mariza 2.0 In Chã das Caldeiras (Fogo Island) or similar

Ziua 5 · From Chã das Caldeiras: Pico do Fogo Volcano Hiking

1. 1

   Oprirea 1

   20 min Intrarea inclusă

   Get picked up at your accommodation in Chã das Caldeiras and walk with your guide until reaching the foot of the Volcano.

2. 2

   Pico Do Fogo

   3 ore

   Start the climb and let your local guide adjust the rate of climbing according to your skills. After 3 hours, reach the highest peak in Cape Verde. From Pico do Fogo, the third highest mountain in the Atlantic Ocean, with 2829 meters of altitude, enjoy one of the most steep and spectacular volcanic cones in the world, where the last eruption occurred in 2014.

3. 3

   Parque Natural do Fogo

   o oră

   After that, take a break for the well-deserved picnic, contemplating an unforgettable 360-degree panoramic view over the entire island of Fogo and start the fun part of the day. Feel the sensation of touching the sky above the clouds and start descending the steep descent of ash for half an hour, sinking your knee-high in Lapilli, a lifetime experience.

4. 4

   Cha das Caldeiras

   10 min

   Hotel drop-off. Overnight in Chã das Caldeiras.

   DURATION: Every day, from 6 am to 1 pm.

   ROUTE FILE:

   Extension: 9 Km

   Total Walking Duration: 4 - 5hours

   Difficult degree: Difficult

   Ascent: ~2800 m

   Path quality: Tilted and Narrow. Ramping up steeply through ash and sliding

Casa Mariza 2.0 In Chã das Caldeiras (Fogo Island) or similar

Ziua 6 · Hiking Chã das Caldeiras – Coffee Plantation – Mosteiros & Dip into a Natural Pool

1. 1

   Oprirea 1

   3 ore

   Get picked up at your hotel in Chã das Caldeiras and start your hiking adventure through the north's protected forest and some descent path. Cross the steep northeast side of the volcano and be amazed by the unique sea landscape with the sight of the neighboring Santiago Island. Stick the road and walk through small residences built on lava rock terraces, banana, orange and coffee plantations. Enjoy the local environment and an intact nature filled of the scents of oranges and the noise of children and roosters.

2. 2

   Mosteiros

   o oră

   After the locality of Pai António, arrive at the center of the Mosteiros and get to know the local vibe you will never forget, a predominantly agricultural municipality, whose dominant crops are: coffee, grape, cotton and purgueira. Most of the Mosteiros territory is covered with lavas resulting from a series of volcanic eruptions that happened over time.

3. 3

   Oprirea 3

   o oră

   After the walk, enjoy a well-deserved lunch in a local environment and then be transferred to Salinas de São José, and if the weather allows, enjoy a dip into its beautiful natural pool, one of the best bathing spots on the island.

4. 4

   Sao Filipe

   20 min

   Hotel drop-off. Overnight in São Filipe.

   DURATION: Every day, from 8 am to 3 pm

   ROUTE FILE:

   Extension: 10 Km

   Path quality: Steep descents through the hike. Navigationally easy.

   Difficult degree: Moderated

   Total Walking Duration: 4-5 hours

Pipi's Guest House In São Filipe (Fogo Island) or similar

Ziua 7 · From Fogo: Praia City Tour & Praia By Night

1. 1

   Oprirea 1

   15 min

   Start your last day with a delicious breakfast at your accommodation and then enjoy your free time according to the flight schedules. Check out from the accommodation in São Filipe and at agreed time be picked up and transferred to Fogo airport.

2. 2

   Oprirea 2

   35 min

   Catch your flight back to Santiago and say goodbye to Fogo.

3. 3

   Oprirea 3

   20 min

   Arrive at Praia Airport and be trasnfered to the City Center.

4. 4

   Praia City Hall

   o oră

   Take a break for the lunch and then head to the historical center of Plateau.

5. 5

   Quartel Jaime Mota

   20 min

   Start the walking discovery tour through the Jaime Mota Military Barracks, passing by the Presidential Palace and the Alexandre Albuquerque Square.

6. 6

   Monumento de Diogo Gomes

   10 min

   The statue of the official discoverer of Santiago Island.

7. 7

   Praca Alexandre Albuquerque

   15 min

   Guided visit t the main square.

8. 8

   Mercado Municipal di Praia

   15 min

   In the Municipal Market (closed on Sundays), meet locals and find a diversity of local fruits and vegetables.

9. 9

   Oprirea 9

   2 ore Intrarea inclusă

   At evening, be transferred to one of the most popular restaurant of Santiago Island. There, enjoy live local music band and relish the most famous dish ever made in Cape Verde, Katxupa, a slow cooked stew of corn, beans, cassava, sweet potato, fish or meat and more. The tour concludes with drop-off at your accommodation.

   DURATION: Every day, from 9 am to 3 pm and 7:30 pm to 11 pm

Casa Sodade in Praia (Santiago Island) or similar;

Ziua 8 · Goodbye Cabo Verde

1. 1

   Praia

   15 min

   Start your last day with a delicious breakfast at your accommodation in Praia and then enjoy your free time according to the flight schedules. Check out from the accommodation and at agreed time be picked up and transferred to Nelsom Mandela international airport. Take your international flight back home and say goodbye to "La Morabeza Crioula".

   Hotel check-out time: 12h00