Cape Verde: Wonders of Santiago Island - 7 Days 6 Nights
Cape Verde: Wonders of Santiago Island - 7 Days 6 Nights
Relish a traditional breakfast of tasty cuscuz and fidjós with a local family. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Cidade Velha and discover the birthplace of Cape Verdean nation and culture. Visit the religious community of Rabelados, the only community preserves Cape Verde's oldest customs and beliefs.
Finally, relax on the white sand of the most picturesque beach on Santiago Island, Tarrafal Beach.
Book This ExperienceA glimpse of the journey
Your Itinerary
A curated journey through the experience
Nelson Mandela-Praia International Airport (RAI)
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.
15 minutesPraia
Day 2: From Praia: Praia City Tour + Highlights of Cidade Velha
15 minutesFarol de D. Maria Pia
Startwith pickup from your accommodation in Praia, and first visit the Dona Maria Pia Lighthouse. Take stunning pictures from the top of the Lighthouse surrounded by the large cannons installed to protect the island from the attack of pirates such as Francis Drake and Jacques Cassard.
20 minutesPraia City Hall
Make your way to the historical center of Plateau.
30 minutesQuartel Jaime Mota
Take a walking tour through the Jaime Mota Military Barracks, and learn about the history of Cape Verdean independency..
20 minutesPresidential Palace
Pass by the Presidential Palace and Alexandre Albuquerque Square.
Mercado de Sucupira
. In the Municipal Market, meet locals and find a diverse range of fresh local fruits and vegetables. Next, explore the largest souvenir market to be found in Cape Verde, the Sucupira Market.
30 minutesFortaleza Real de San Felipe
Explore Cidade Velha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site to see all its highlights of the old city.
1 hourCidade Velha
Visit the ruins of the first sub-Saharan African Cathedral, the fishermen bay, the former slave market in Pelourinho, the famous Banana Street with its traditional houses, the Nossa Senhora do Rosário church, and finally the Convent of São Francisco.
1 hourPelourinho
Day 3: Santiago Island: Scenic Tour to Banana Plantation, Natural Park and Run Distillery
1 hourSanta Cruz
Travel for approximately 45 minutes and arrive at the largest banana and coconut plantation in the country. Take a walk inside the agricultural fields while the local guide explains the varieties of fruits and dozens of plants that exist along the route.
2 hoursSão Jorge dos Órgãos
Continue inland until you reach São Jorge dos Orgãos. Then, head to the foot of the highest mountain on the island, visit the local rum distillery (The Rum production season runs from January 1 st to May 31st) and Lemba Lemba Eco Bar in Longueira village.
2 hoursRui Vaz
Next, head between rocks and valleys to the village of Rui Vaz at an altitude of 800 meters and have lunch at a mountaintop restaurant.
1 hourEstação de Monte Tchota
After lunch, visit the Monte Txota Natural Park and start an easy 15-minute walk to a must-see viewpoint. Get fantastic panoramic views of the volcano on the nearby Fogo Island and get to know the highest peak of the island.
30 minutesPraia
Day 4: From Praia: Tarrafal Discovery Tour & Visit to Chão Bom Concentration Camp
30 minutesPraia
Get picked up at your hotel in Praia, then depart toward the interior of the island.
1 hourSão Lourenço dos Órgãos
Make your first stop at Mrs. Luisa's house. There, sample cuscuz (a traditional cake made from corn flour) and fidjós (fried banana mixed with wheat), the typical breakfast for Cape Verdean families.
1 hourAssomada Market
After breakfast, continue to the city of Assomada. Visit its famous market and admire the vibrant colors of the local fruits and vegetables.
1 hourSerra de Malagueta
Move on to the Serra Malagueta natural park and marvel at the incredible views from 1000 meters (3,280 feet) above sea level.
30 minutesTarrafal Beach
Next, discover Santiago's most beautiful beach at Tarrafal, known for its white sand and crystal-clear waters.
1 hourTarrafal camp
Take a break for lunch, and then visit the concentration Camp of Chão Bom, current resistance museum, used to imprison political prisoners who fought against the dictatorship.
30 minutesTarrafal
Day 5: Free day in Tarrafal
10 minutesTarrafal
Day 6: From Tarrafal: Visit to Rabelados Community + Praia by Night
1 dayTarrafal
Get picked up at your accommodation and then return on the island's east coast.
45 minutesCalheta de Sao Miguel
Make your first stop in Espinho Branco and visit the religious community of Rabelados, the only community that still lives in thatched houses and preserves Cape Verde's oldest customs and beliefs. There, see the local handicraft production and have the opportunity to buy handmade paintings from local artisans.
2 minutesSanta Cruz
Take a break for the lunch and then head between rocks and valleys to your hotel in Praia.
1 hour 30 minutesQuintal da Música
Get picked up at your accommodation at night, and depart toward 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.
4 hoursPraia
Day 7: Goodbye Santiago Island
10 minutesPraia
Get picked up at your accommodation in Praia and depart toward Nelsom Mandela international airport.
15 minutesNelson Mandela-Praia International Airport (RAI)
No accommodation included on this day.
10 minutesIncluded
- Accommodation (6 Nights);
- Custom and private roundtrip airport Transfers; Luggage Transfers;
- Hotel pick-up and drop-oof for all tours;
- Tours as mentioned in the program;
- All entrance fees;
- Local Assiatance 24 hours a day
- All Fees and Taxes
- 6x Breakfast
- 5x Lunch
- Accommodation included: 6 nights
- Entry/Admission - Nelson Mandela-Praia International Airport (RAI)
- Entry/Admission - Pelourinho
- Entry/Admission - Fortaleza Real de San Felipe
- Entry/Admission - Tarrafal camp
- Entry/Admission - Cidade Velha, Historic Centre of Ribeira Grande
Not Included
- Travel insurance;
- Visa or Airport Security Tax fees (TSA).
- International Flights;
- Tourist tax (Paid locally: 2 Euros/Person/Night);
- Sevices not mentioned in the program; Personal expenses.
Good to Know
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- The rum production season runs from January 1 st to May 31st
- Please bring passport, sandals/flip flops, confortable shoes, a towel, a hat, swimwear, and sunscreen;
- Lunch and diner includes fish, meet or main dish + dessert + water.
- Vegetariam food available upon request.
- We do not include all meals in the package to make your trip more flexible. Take this opportunity to choose between the restaurants near your accommodation and try Cape Verdean cuisine according to your preference. Your travel representative will be delighted to help if needed.
- For groups with less than 4 travelers, the bilingual driver himself may be the guide.
- We reserve the right to alter the order of the itinerary or substitute a hotel of similar class if deemed necessary. The same will be informed to the traveler before departure.
- Social distancing enforced throughout experience
- Gear/equipment sanitized between use
- Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 6 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Tickets & Cancellation
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
If you cancel at least 7 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is no cancellation fee.If you cancel between 3 and 6 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is a 50 percent cancellation fee.If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 percent cancellation fee.