Cape Verde - Santiago, Fogo, São Vicente & Santo Antão Islands 11 Days

Day 1 · Arrival - Airport Transfer (Praia Airport to Hotel in Praia) – Check in

1. 1

   Stop 1

   15 min Admission included

   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. Our team will take you from door to door with complete security and professionalism, providing all relevant information about your stay.

2. 2

   Stop 2

   5 min

   Overnight in Praia.

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

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

1. 1

   Cidade Velha

   3 hours

   After being collected from your accommodation in Praia, depart toward the small village of Calabaceira. Start your 3-hour hike from the top of the valley, with an oasis of vast vegetation emerging in its interior. 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 (The Rum production season runs from January 1 st to May 31st). There, get in touch with local farmers and their agricultural fields of sugar cane, mango trees, cassava, banana, and more.

2. 2

   Cidade Velha, Historic Centre of Ribeira Grande

   30 min Admission included

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

3. 3

   Stop 3

   one hour

   Have a break for lunch and savor local delights in a typical restaurant right on the seafront. After lunch, visit the former slave market, the ruins of the Sé Catedral, and the Royal Fortress of São Filipe. From the top, enjoy a beautiful view over the whole old town and find out about the system of defense used against pirates.

4. 4

   Cape Verde

   20 min

   The tour concludes with drop-off at your accommodation 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

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

1. 1

   Praia

   1 h 30 min

   The day begins with pickup from your accommodation in Praia and heads inland to the traditional Assomada Market.

2. 2

   Serra de Malagueta

   2 hours Admission included

   Wander around the vibrant stalls and soak up the hustle and bustle of this island hub whilst watching the locals haggle for produce. 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. There’s also the opportunity to see wildlife, including playful monkeys, a variety of reptiles, and colorful butterflies. 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

   Tarrafal Beach

   2 hours

   After lunch, continue the walk to the end of the trail, then drive to Tarrafal and chill out on the most beautiful beach on the island.

4. 4

   Stop 4

   1 h 30 min

   At the end of an unforgettable day, sit back and relax on the return journey to Praia.

5. 5

   Stop 5

   10 min

   Overnight in Praia.

Casa Sodade*** in Praia (Santiago Island) or similar

Day 4 · From Praia: Full-day Fogo island Tour

1. 1

   Stop 1

   one hour

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

2. 2

   Stop 2

   2 hours

   Upon arrival, depart toward São Filipe, the capital of the island. There, explore “Sobrados” and wander around this charming little town lined with colorful colonial houses. Next, head to the small Municipal Museum and appreciate the simplicity of the objects that portray the local history.

3. 3

   Parque Natural do Fogo

   1 h 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. 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.

4. 4

   Cha das Caldeiras

   one hour

   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.

5. 5

   Stop 5

   10 min

   Overnight in Chã das Caldeiras, Fogo.

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

Day 5 · Fogo Island: Full Volcano Hiking from Chã das Caldeiras

1. 1

   Parque Natural do Fogo

   30 min

   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

   4 hours

   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, the last eruption occurred in 2014.. 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. Take a walk through the crater and feel the sensation of touching the sky above the clouds. Then, start descending the steep descent of ash for half an hour, sinking your knee-high in Lapilli, a lifetime experience.

3. 3

   Stop 3

   30 min

   After doing one of the best things to do in Cape Verde, the tour ends by returning to your accommodation in Chã das Caldeiras. Overnight in Fogo.

   DURATION Every day, from 6 am to 1 pm.

   ROUTE FILE

   Extension: 9 Km

   Ascent: ~2800 m

   Difficult degree: Difficult

   Total Walking Duration: 4 - 5hours

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

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

Day 6 · Transfer out – Flight (Fogo – São Vicente) – Mindelo by Night

1. 1

   Stop 1

   2 hours

   Start your day with a delicious breakfast at your accommodation and get prepared to discover your next destination, São Vicente Island. Enjoy a private transfer from Chã das Caldeiras to Fogo Airport and then, catch your flight São Vicente.

2. 2

   Stop 2

   20 min

   Land at Cesária Évora International Airport and be transfered to your hotel in Mindelo. Enjoy the quiet afternoon time vibe and relish a local dish at a local restaurant.

3. 3

   Stop 3

   3 hours

   In the evening, be picked up at your accommodation and depart toward one of the most popular restaurant of Mindelo. There, enjoy live music and relish local delights. The tour concludes with the evening transfer back to your accommodation. Overnight in Mindelo.

Solar Windelo in Mindelo (São Vicente Island) or similar

Day 7 · Santo Antão: Hiking Cova de Paúl Volcano Crater - Ribeira de Paúl

1. 1

   Mindelo

   1 h 30 min

   Starting from your hotel in the city of Mindelo, head straight to the harbor. Then, embark on a beautiful one-hour ferry trip to Santo Antão and enjoy the forbidding behind Mindelo, and it stunning guardian rock erupting from the harbour.

2. 2

   Porto Novo

   40 min

   Arrive in Porto Novo and be transferred to the Cova Natural Park, an extinct volcano, where we start one of the hikers' favorite hike in Santo Antão.

3. 3

   Cova - Krater

   30 min

   Marvel with an oasis of vast vegetation emerging within the crater, from 1,100 meters above sea level, where the locals have their agricultural fields. Head to its edge and enjoy the most breathtaking view ever, the impressive green valley of Paul that lies on the depths in front of you, in addition to the beautiful view of the ocean that lies 10 kilometers away.

4. 4

   Paul Tal

   3 hours

   After that, start the zigzagging part of the hike; learn about the native flora and fauna, while crossing beautiful plantations of sugarcane, banana, mango, avocado, coconut and others. Finally, experience the production of a local rum in a traditional distillery and taste the famous “Grogue”.

5. 5

   Stop 5

   30 min

   The tour concludes with drop-off at your accommodation.

6. 6

   Stop 6

   30 min

   Overnight in Ponta do Sol.

   DURATION Every day from 6 am to 2 pm (5 - 6 hours)

   ROUTE FILE

   Extension: ~12 Km

   Ascent: ~249 /Descent: ~1329 m

   Difficult Level: Moderate

   Total Walking Duration: 4 - 5 hours

   Path quality: Good, narrow at the beginning and safe.

Hotel Tiduca in Ponta do Sol (Santo Antão Island) or similar

Day 8 · Santo Antão: Hike Ponta do Sol - Fontainhas - Cruzinha - Chã de Igreja

1. 1

   Ponta Do Sol

   one hour

   Start your walk from Ponta do Sol, a waterfront fishing and village with colorful houses, follow a breathtaking road up along rocky cliffs that hover over the ocean and enjoy a background decoration overlooking the sea.

2. 2

   Monte Fontainhas

   2 hours

   Follow a breathtaking road up along rocky cliffs that hover over the ocean and enjoy a background decoration overlooking the sea. Then, head through a small and sinuous road sculpted on the top of a mountain and surrounded with deep valleys that will lead you to the picturesque village of Fontainhas, one of the 10 villages with the best view in the world according to National Geografic.

3. 3

   Stop 3

   30 min

   Follow a steep descent and a pedestrian path, crossing Corvo, Formiguinhas and some dazzling heights to the Aranhas valley.

4. 4

   Stop 4

   2 hours

   Next, arrive at a beautiful black sand’s beach, Praia das Aranhas, a place for turtle’s nesting where you can swim depending on the sea conditions. There, find a scenic spot for a well-deserved rest and enjoy a picnic on the shore. After that, start your 2.5-hour hike between volcanic rocks and the ocean, offering stunning views until you reach Cruzinha, a small fishing village with breathtaking views of the coast and the ocean.

5. 5

   Ponta Do Sol

   20 min

   At the end of an unforgettable day, sit back and relax on the return transfer to your accommodation. Overnight in Ponta do Sol.

   DURATION Every day from 9 am to 4 pm (7 hours)

   ROUTE FILE

   Extension: 15 Km

   Ascent/Descent: ~249 m

   Difficult Level: Medium

   Total Walking Duration: 5 - 6 hours

   Path quality: Very Long, narrow at the beginning and safe.

Hotel Tiduca in Ponta do Sol (Santo Antão Island) or similar

Day 9 · From Santo Antão: Full-day São Vicente Experience

1. 1

   Stop 1

   2 hours

   The days begins with pickup from your accommodation in Ponta do Sol and heads towards São Vicente.

2. 2

   Mindelo

   6 hours

   Upon arrival, explores the island´s capital, MIndelo, a historic and culturally-rich city bursting with charater. Continue the tour along Avenida Marginal to Praia da Bote and to island´s first popular African market where the first community was established. Stroll through the colorful stalls, soak up the array of sights and scents, and mingle with the locals going about their day. From here, drive to the eastern part of the island where native animals, endemic plants, and rolling farmland can be seen along the luscious Calhau Valley. Finally, enjoy a well-deserved lunch in Salamansa with “No Stress Vibe”. After that, head to the village of Baía das Gatas and take a stroll along the white sand dunes that line the sea. Later, drive to Monte Verde Natural Park to admire a stunning view of the entire island as well as the o ther Cape Verde Islands. The tour concludes with drop-off at your accommodation in Mindelo.

Aquiles Eco-Hotel in São Pedro (São Vicente Island) or similar

Day 10 · Free day in São Vicente

1. 1

   Stop 1

   15 min

   Start your day with a delicious breakfast at your accommodation and then explore São Vicente on your own. You may like to relax on the white sand of the most picturesque and beautiful beach on the Island, Laginha Beach, known for its white sand and turquoise waters. Overnight in São Pedro.

Aquiles Eco-Hotel in São Pedro (São Vicente Island) or similar

Day 11 · Goodbye Cape Verde

1. 1

   Stop 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 Mindelo and at agreed time be picked up and transferred to Cesária Évora international airport.

2. 2

   Stop 2

   5 min

   Catch your international flight back home and say goodbye to "La Morabeza Crioula".

   Hotel check-out time: 12h00