Green Escapes Of Cape Verde - Santiago, Fogo, São Vicente & Santo Antão Islands 11 Day Tours

SHORT PACKAGE DESCRIPTION

Discover Santiago, Fogo, São Vicente, and Santo Antão Islands with a local guide. Go hiking through volcanoes, and natural parks and discover Cape Verde`s best hiking trails.

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

Be welcomed by our professional driver and a licensed guide at Nelson Mandela Airport. Enjoy a high-quality private transfer to your accommodation in Praia, including free waiting time. Our team will also take you from door to door with complete security and professionalism, providing all relevant information about your stay.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Check-in starts at 2 p.m.

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

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 1st to May 31st). There, get in touch with local farmers and their agricultural fields of sugar cane, mango trees, cassava, banana, and more.

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. 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 of the whole old town and find out about the system of defense used against pirates. The tour concludes with a drop-off at your accommodation in Praia.

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

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. Drive to Serra Malagueta 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 hectares.

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. After lunch, continue the walk to the end of the trail, then drive to Tarrafal Beach where you can spend some free time chilling on the shore. At the end of an unforgettable day, sit back and relax on the return journey to Praia.

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

ROUTE FILE:

Extension: 4200 meters (1 way) Ascent/Descent: ~200 m Difficult degree: Easy

Total Walking Duration: 3-4 hours Path Quality: Flat, wide, and safe.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Please bring decent footwear, a swimsuit, a bath towel, a hat, sunscreen, and water.

Please note that the visit to Assomada Market is only on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Day 4: Check out – Transfer Out – Flight (Praia - Fogo) – Check in São Filipe

The day begins with pickup from your accommodation in Praia and departs towards Nelson Mandela Airport for your 35-minute flight to Fogo Island. The island was named after the imposing volcano that resides on it, which is still active today although the last eruption was in 2014. Upon arrival, visit the capital of the island, São Filipe, and wander around this charming little town lined with colorful colonial houses.

Continue the tour to Salinas, a small pebble beach where you can learn about the island’s geology and watch fishermen returning to shore with the day’s catch. Drive northwards to the village of Mosteiros and then across the eastern coast to reach the village of Cova Figueira.

Enjoy a photo stop at the scenic Achada Furna and Cabeça Fundão along the way. Arrive at Chã das Caldeiras National Park and admire uninterrupted views of the volcano and rugged surrounding landscape. From there, visit a local coffee plantation to taste some of the best coffee and wine in the world.

Enjoy a break for lunch, and then head off into Monte Velha Forest, an area of fertile mountains and microclimates. Take a break for a delicious lunch and head to the hotel in Chã das Caldeiras.

EXCLUSIONS: Wine or coffee tasting

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Printed vouchers are requested.

Due to the early pickup, the hotel in Praia will provide a lunch box instead of a breakfast.

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

Get picked up at your accommodation in Chã das Caldeiras and walk with your guide until you reach the foot of the Volcano. From there, marvel at the regular view of its active volcanic cone, where the last eruption occurred in 2014. The volcano's surroundings are deep black, composed of lava and lush green vegetation. Follow the tour through figs, vines, apple and pear trees, as well as mustard plants. 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 steepest and most spectacular volcanic cones in the world.

After that, take a break for a well-deserved picnic, contemplate 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.

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

DURATION Every day, from 6 am to 12 pm

ROUTE FILE:

Extension: 9 Km Ascent: ~2800 m Difficult Degree: Difficult

Total Walking Duration: 4 - 5 hours Path Quality: Tilted and Narrow. Ramping up steeply through ash and sliding

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Please bring hiking shoes, a swimsuit, a bath towel, a hat, sunscreen, and water.

Beginner/medium hikers can also do this hike

Day 6: Check out – Transfer out – Flight (Fogo – São Vicente) – Check in Mindelo

14h00 - Private Transfer from Chã das Caldeiras to Fogo Airport

17h15 - Departure (Fogo – São Vicente)

19h00 - Arrival in Cesária Évora International Airport

19h00 - Private Transfer from the Airport to Mindelo

Mindelo by Night: Traditional dinner + Live music

20h00 - Private Transfer from Hotel in Mindelo to a local restaurant

Get picked up at your accommodation and depart toward one of the most popular restaurants in Mindelo. There, enjoy live music 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.

22h00 - Private Transfer from a local restaurant to a Hotel in Mindelo.

Day 7: Free day in Mindelo

Day off to explore by yourself. 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 crystal-clear waters.

Day 8: Santo Antão: Hiking Cova de Paúl Volcano Crater - Ribeira de Paúl

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 its stunning guardian rock erupting from the harbor.

Arrive in Porto Novo and depart toward the Cova Natural Park. From the starting point, enjoy a privileged view of the volcano crater, and see locals in their agricultural fields.

Start your 4-hour hike from 1,100 meters above sea level, with an oasis of vast vegetation emerging in the interior of the Volcano Crater. Then, reach the crater’s edge and have the best and the most breathtaking view ever: standing on the edge of the crater, look out over the impressively green valley of Paul that lies in the depth before you plus the beautiful ocean view that is 10 kilometers away.

After that, start the zigzagging part of the hike, going down via a stone path for 3 hours. During the descent, explore Cape Verde’s greenest valley, see and learn about native flora and fauna, soak up scenic views of the island's landscapes, and have the opportunity to see abandoned vineyards, sugar cane, and banana plantations; mango, avocados, and coconut trees.

Next, experience the production of a local rum-making distillery and taste the famous “Grogue” (The Rum production season runs from January 1st to May 31st). The tour concludes with a drop-off at your accommodation.

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.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Please bring, a hat, sunscreen, and water.

Not recommended for those who are afraid of heights

Day 9: Santo Antão: Hike Ponta do Sol - Fontainhas - Cruzinha

Start your walk from Ponta do Sol, a waterfront fishing 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. Then, head through a small and sinuous road sculpted on the top of a mountain and surrounded by 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 Geographic.

Follow a steep descent and a pedestrian path, crossing Corvo, Formiguinhas, and some dazzling heights to the Aranhas valley. Next, arrive at a beautiful black sand beach, Praia das Aranhas, a place for turtles 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. At the end of an unforgettable day, sit back and relax on the return transfer to your accommodation.

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.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Please bring, a hat, sunscreen, and water. Not recommended for those who are afraid of heights

Day 10: From Santo Antão: Full-day São Vicente Experience

The day begins with pickup from your accommodation in Ponta do Sol and heads toward São Vicente. Upon arrival, explore the island´s capital, Mindelo, a historic and culturally rich city bursting with character. Continue the tour along Avenida Marginal to Praia da Bote and to the 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 Salamanca with a “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 other Cape Verde Islands. The tour concludes with a drop-off at your accommodation in Mindelo.

DURATION: Every day, from 7 am to 4 pm

Day 11: Check-out, Transfer out, and Goodbye Cabo Verde

Get picked up at your accommodation in Mindelo and depart toward Cesária Évora International Airport. Take your international flight back and say goodbye longing for "La Morabeza Crioula"!!!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Check-out time: 12h00

INCLUSIONS:

Accommodation (10 Nights);

Meals included are 10 Breakfast; 5 Picnics, 6 lunches, and 1 dinner; Vegetarian food option on request;

Tours as mentioned in the program;

Guiding Service (English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish);

Domestic Flights (Praia/Fogo/São Vicente);

Round-trip Ferry ticket (São Vicente – Santo Antão – São Vicente);

Hotel pick up and drop off for all the tours

Custom and private airport Transfers;

All entrance fees;

Service charges and VAT;

Others are mentioned in the tour description.

EXCLUSIONS:

Travel insurance;

Single supplement fee;

Visa (We recommend checking with your local embassy whether you need a visa or not);

International Flights;

Airport Security Tax fees (TSA);

Pre and post-tour accommodation;

Tourist tax (Paid locally: Per Person/Night);

Services not mentioned in the program;

Personal expenses.

HOTEL ACCOMMODATION DETAILS:

Standard room category on a double/twin sharing basis.

03 nights at Hotel Santa Maria in Praia (Santiago Island) or similar

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

02 nights at Hotel Terra Lodge in Mindelo (São Vicente Island) or similar

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

01 night at Hotel Terra Lodge in Mindelo (São Vicente Island) or similar