Day 1. ARRIVAL CAPE VERDE – PRAIA CITY – SANTIAGO ISLAND
Arrival and transfer to accommodation in Hotel Pestana Tropico. Arrival time for most may be 0005 or later on the 24th.
Day 2. ROUTE 1 - HIKE CIDADE VELHA TO RUI VAZ WITH LUNCH INCLUDED
Briefing at 1130, then start the walk afterwards.
Start your hike in the historic centre of Cidade Velha, at sea level, exploring landmarks such as the Fortress of São Filipe and Banana Street. Ascend towards Rui Vaz, passing through the lush Calabaceira Valley and picturesque Santa Ana, where you can enjoy panoramic views and rich local biodiversity. The journey combines history, culture, and nature, culminating in the tranquil landscapes of Rui Vaz, where you will enjoy a well-deserved lunch in the mountains.
Trail Distance: +/- 15 km. +/- 5-6 hours. Elevation: +/- 900 m/280m, max altitude +/- 900 m. Trail type: One Way
At the end of the route, the transport will drive you back to your accommodation in ****Hotel Pestana Tropico. Dinner in the hotel.
Day 3. ROUTE 2 - SANTIAGO TOUR – MONTE TCHOTA NATURAL PARK TO PICO D’ANTÓNIA & LONGUEIRA
Your day starts with a short drive from your accommodation in Praia to the Monte Tchota Natural Park, located at an altitude of 1000 meters above sea level, where your hiking adventure starts. Start the hike through the unspoilt Natural Park, see and learn about the endemic plants and birds, and hike +/-5kms to the summit of Pico D'Antónia. With an elevation of 1394 meters, this is the highest point of Santiago Island. Stop for a picnic, enjoy stunning views, and, weather permitting, be surprised by the nearby Fogo Island, its volcano lost on the horizon. Afterwards, descend the steep rocks and hike through the agricultural fields of corn, mango, coffee, and tomato, depending on the season. Next, walk among the local houses carved into the Longueira's mountain, visit a local family, and experience their daily life. Finally, drive back to Praia.
Trail Distance: +/- 9 km. +/-5hrs. +/-660m/1280m, max altitude +/-1400m Trail type: One Way - steep and narrow.
Breakfast & accommodation & dinner in Hotel Pestana Tropico. Picnic not included.
Day 4. ROUTE 3 - SERRA MALAGUETA NATURAL PARK AND HIKE TO GOMGON, LUNCH WITH LOCALS
This is an exciting hike on one of Santiago’s most beautiful trails. The first stop is Serra Malagueta Natural Park, with an elevation of around 1,000 meters above sea level, hike among the park’s endemic plants and enrich your knowledge of the local fauna and flora while enjoying breathtaking views of jagged hills and unforgettable landscape. While descending through deserted villages, noting the wildlife like the grey-headed kingfisher. See how locals live in the islands' remote mountain areas. Stop for lunch with a local family. Continue towards the east coast and cross the Gongon to the magnificent Hortelã valley, where your tour ends.
Trail Distance: +/- 12.5 km. +/-5hrs. +/-580m/1100m, max altitude+/-1035m Trail type: One Way – steep going downhill.
Breakfast, dinner in a local restaurant are NOT included, lunch with a local family is included. Accommodation in Hotel Pestana Tropico.
Day 5. TRANSFER FROM SANTIAGO ISLAND TO FOGO ISLAND
After breakfast, you have the morning at your disposal. You need to pack and have everything ready for the flight to Fogo Island in the afternoon.
Meet in the lobby, ready to depart with all your luggage at 1400 – airport transfer. The flight departs from Santiago Island airport at about 1550. The flight to Fogo Island is approximately 30 minutes. Note: flight schedules are subject to change.
The local guide and transport will meet you at Fogo Island Airport upon arrival and transfer you to the accommodation, Homestead Casa Marisa in Cha das Caldeiras. Here you stay for 3 nights.
Breakfast each morning is included. Lunch and picnic items are available for purchase on the homestead. Dinner at Casa Marisa is included. Inter-island flight cost included.
Day 6. FOGO ISLAND – PICO DO FOGO VOLCANO SUMMIT HIKE (FROM CHÃ DAS CALDEIRAS)
A spectacular route today up Pico do Fogo, the highest mountain in Cape Verde. Admire the volcanic landscape with its ongoing volcanic activity. Take in breathtaking views. Note the start point is Chã das Caldeiras, altitude of 1730m. Walk through fig, vines, apple and pear trees, as the guide shares the local geology and history of the recent eruption that has left the entire city covered with lava. After 3 - 4 hours, reach the summit, Cape Verde's highest peak at 2829m. From the top of the volcano, the third-highest mountain in the Atlantic Ocean, take in the unforgettable 360-degree panoramic views of Fogo Island, with the potential to see the other islands if the visibility is good. A picnic break, then the descent scrambling/skiing down the lava ash toward Chã das Caldeiras, an exhilarating experience.
Trail distance: +/-9 Km, +/- 1050m/1050m, +/-5hrs Trail type: Steep, narrow in place & ash/sliding on descent.
Breakfast and dinner in Casa Marisa lodge with local wine tasting included.
Day 7. CHÃ DAS CALDEIRAS TO 2014 CRATER – LUNCH WITH LOCALS
Go on an adventure day in Fogo Natural Park and learn about local history from your expert. Enjoy the hike to the 2014 crater, caves, and meet a local family for a wine tasting and lunch. Start in Chã das Caldeiras, an easy hike to the 2014 crater. Leave the village of Portela, passing through sporadically planted vineyards, and cross the lapilli to reach the steaming, colourful crater. Then, turn on the lights and venture into the volcanic cave before meeting a local family for a brief sampling of Cape Verdean delicacies, including homemade wine and lunch.
Trail distance: +/- 9 km. +/- 4 hrs. +/- 330 m/330m, max elevation +/- 2050m. Trail type: Loop, flat lapilli path
Alternative option for those preferring a challenge. Offer of Via Ferrata Bordeira available for a minimum of 4 at an extra cost of €30p/p
Day 8. ISLAND TRANSFERS – FLIGHT & FERRY
Morning Free. Pack up the gear “ready to go” at 1300; transport pickup time at Casa Marisa; transfer to the airport; ETA 1400.
Arrival in Sao Vicente + transfer to accommodation - check-in Hotel Oasis Porto Grande & Hotel Luna Boutique
Breakfast. Lunch & dinner NOT included on this day.
Day 9. HIKE SANTO ANTAO'S BEST TRAIL
Start your adventure with a pick-up from Hotel Oasis Porto Grande in São Vicente followed by a transfer to the port for a 1-hour ferry ride to Santo Antão. On arrival, drive through the mountains to Cape Verde's largest volcanic crater, Cova de Paúl, an extinct volcano where locals farm vegetables. From around there starts one of the favourite trails in Santo Antão. An oasis of dense vegetation emerges from the crater at 1,100m above sea level. Head to its edge and enjoy the most breathtaking view ever, the impressive green valley of Paul that lies in the depths in front of you, in addition to the beautiful view of the ocean 10 km away. After that, begin the zigzagging section of the hike and learn about the native flora and fauna as you cross beautiful plantations of sugarcane, banana, mango, avocado, coconut, and more. Finally, experience the production of a local rum in a traditional distillery and taste the famous “Grogue”.
Trail distance: +/-12kms, +/-5hrs, +249m/-1329m, moderate walk. Trail type: narrow, long descent.
Alternative route option for the non- “groguers” – Ribeira do Cruz via Alto Mira – 23kms, +1735/-1353m, 7/8hrs – minimum 4. Extra cost €70
Breakfast, accommodation & dinner in Hotel Tiduca & Hotel Luz da Lua included.
Day 10. SANTO ANTÃO – PONTA DO SOL – FONTAINHAS – CRUZINHA
Take in breathtaking views of lush nature, volcanic rocks, and ocean scenery on this guided road trip to Ponta do Sol, Fontainhas, and Cruzinha. Have a picnic on the black-sand beach of Praia das Aranhas and join a 2.5-hour hiking adventure.
Explore Ponta do Sol, a waterfront fishing village with colourful houses. Follow a scenic road along rocky cliffs overlooking the ocean for unforgettable views. Then, head through a winding road sculpted on the top of a mountain and surrounded by deep valleys to the picturesque village of Fontainhas, 1 of the 10 villages with the best views in the world according to National Geographic. Following a steep descent and a pedestrian path, cross Corvo, Formiguinhas, and some dazzling sights to the Aranhas valley. Next, arrive at Praia das Aranhas, a beautiful black-sand beach where you can spot nesting turtles and swim, depending on sea conditions. There, find a scenic spot on the shore for a well-deserved rest and picnic (food and drinks not included). After recharging, start your 2.5-hour hike between volcanic rocks and the ocean, offering stunning views until you reach Cruzinha, a small fishing village with more memorable views of the coast. At the end of your unforgettable day, sit back and relax on the return transfer to your Hotel Tiduca +Luz da Lua.
Trail distance: +/-15kms, +/-710m/700m, +/-6hrs. Trail type: Narrow paths in good condition with continuous ups, downs, and flats. Not recommended for those suffering from vertigo.
Breakfast. Lunch NOT included. Dinner in Hotel Tiduca is included.
Day 11. SANTO ANTÃO: HIKING RIBEIRA GRANDE - COCULI - BOCA DAS AMBAS - CHÃ DE IGREJA
This spectacular walk begins at the Vila de Ribeira Grande riverbed, passing through scattered houses, banana plantations and a large windmill that helps residents collect water. After 1 hour of walking, arrive at Coculi Village with its prominent Santo Crucifixo parish church and then reach the second Ribeira Grande (at the mouth of two Ribeiras). Learn about the local fauna and flora, and walk between the sugarcane plantations to a slender aqueduct built by the Portuguese in 1956 that still carries water today. Half an hour later, find the small village of Boca das Ambas Ribeiras or “Mouth of Both Valleys ‘', where you will enjoy a wonderful view of the valley floor, far below. After that, take a zigzagging cobbled path that leads to the tiny settlement of Selada do Mocha and the Ribeira Garça. Finally, catch a glimpse of Chã da Igreja, meet locals and finish the walk in the village´s promontory. Then drop off at your accommodation in Hotel Tiduca+Luz da Lua(3).
Trail distance: 12kms, +/-850m, +/-5hrs. Trail type: Curves steeply with a hard descent.
Breakfast. Lunch & dinner NOT included
Day 12. SANTO ANTÃO: HIKE ÁGUA DAS CALDEIRAS - RIBEIRA DE TORRE - RIBEIRA GRANDE
After picking up the trail, it starts near Faja de Cima, also called Água das Caldeiras, at an altitude of 1,480m, and follows the trail up the slopes to Rabo Curto. Continue through cultivated agricultural terraces and small houses to the village of Lombo de Pedra, where you'll find small paths that seem to disappear between rocks and clouds. Then, cross the hills and head to Ribeira de Torre, the most beautiful valley of Santo Antão, where the population is dedicated to the cultivation of sugarcane, fruit trees and small commerce. After two-and-a-half hours from the beginning, arrive at Xôxô village, and draw a breath as you see a fantastic view of the valley of Ribeira Grande. Next, pass close to a gorgeous waterfall and if the weather permits, enjoy a dip into the natural swimming pool nearby. The descent to Ribeira Grande passes through banana and coffee plantations. Return to Hotel Tiduca+Luz da Lua.
Trail distance: 10kms, +/-249 m, +/-6hrs. Trail type: Navigation is easy, but the path is steep.
Breakfast. Lunch not included. Dinner in Hotel Tiduca is included.
Day 13. TRANSFER BY BUS AND FERRY FROM SANTO ANTÃO ISLAND TO SÃO VICENTE ISLAND & ACCOMMODATION IN HOTEL LUNA BOUTIQUE – MINDELO.
After breakfast, time off to relax, pack your gear to be “ready to go” at 1400, pick you up at your Hotel Tiduca + Luz da Lua, transfer to Harbour & ferry to São Vicente Island.
Ferry to São Vicente – Note ferry times may change
Arrival + transfer from the port to accommodation in Hotel Oasis Porto Grande+Luna Boutique.
Dinner in a local restaurant is included
Day 14. FLIGHT FROM SÃO VICENTE ISLAND TO SANTIAGO ISLAND
Accommodation pickup and transfer to the airport for those flying back on the 5th Feb from Praia.
You are responsible for making/paying for the extra days/nights reservation directly.
Flight to Santiago for those not remaining in São Vicente. Transfer to Praia centre.
We recommend reserving accommodation in Praia if your flight is on 6th Feb from Praia.
