Cape Verde - Santiago, Fogo, São Vicente & Santo Antão Islands 11 Days
Cape Verde - Santiago, Fogo, São Vicente & Santo Antão Islands 11 Days
With Cape Verde Islands-hopping tour you will discover Santiago, Fogo, São Vicente and Santa Antão Island's best hiking and trekking trails with a local guide. Go adventure through volcanoes, natural parks, stunning green valleys, UNESCO Heritage Site and, discover the culture, history, music, beaches and gastronomy of the locals.
Book This ExperienceA glimpse of the journey
Your Itinerary
A curated journey through the experience
Nelson Mandela-Praia International Airport (RAI)
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.
15 minutesSantiago
Day 2: Santiago Island: Calabaceira Valley Trek & Visit to Cidade Velha
5 minutesCidade 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 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.
3 hoursCidade Velha
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.
30 minutesCidade Velha
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.
1 hourCape Verde
Day 3: Full Trekking in Serra Malagueta Natural Park + Assomada Market + Tarrafal Beach
20 minutesPraia
The day begins with pickup from your accommodation in Praia and heads inland to the traditional Assomada Market.
1 hour 30 minutesSerra de Malagueta
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.
2 hoursTarrafal Beach
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.
2 hoursTarrafal
At the end of an unforgettable day, sit back and relax on the return journey to Praia.
1 hour 30 minutesPraia
Day 4: From Praia: Full-day Fogo island Tour
10 minutesSantiago
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.
1 hourSao Filipe
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.
2 hoursParque Natural do Fogo
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.
1 hour 30 minutesCha das Caldeiras
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.
1 hourFogo
Day 5: Fogo Island: Full Volcano Hiking from Chã das Caldeiras
10 minutesParque Natural do Fogo
Get picked up at your accommodation in Chã das Caldeiras and walk with your guide until reaching the foot of the Volcano.
30 minutesPico Do Fogo
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.
4 hoursChã das Caldeiras
Day 6: Transfer out – Flight (Fogo – São Vicente) – Mindelo by Night
30 minutesFogo
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 hoursSão Vicente
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.
20 minutesMindelo
Day 7: Santo Antão: Hiking Cova de Paúl Volcano Crater - Ribeira de Paúl
3 hoursMindelo
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.
1 hour 30 minutesPorto Novo
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.
40 minutesCova - Krater
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.
30 minutesStrasse ins Paul Tal Vila das Pombas
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”.
3 hoursRibeira Grande
The tour concludes with drop-off at your accommodation.
30 minutesPonta do Sol
Day 8: Santo Antão: Hike Ponta do Sol - Fontainhas - Cruzinha - Chã de Igreja
30 minutesPonta Do Sol
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.
1 hourMonte Fontainhas
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.
2 hoursFormiguinhas
Follow a steep descent and a pedestrian path, crossing Corvo, Formiguinhas and some dazzling heights to the Aranhas valley.
30 minutesCruzinha
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.
2 hoursPonta Do Sol
Day 9: From Santo Antão: Full-day São Vicente Experience
20 minutesPorto Novo
The days begins with pickup from your accommodation in Ponta do Sol and heads towards São Vicente.
2 hoursMindelo
Day 10: Free day in São Vicente
6 hoursSão Vicente
Day 11: Goodbye Cape Verde
15 minutesMindelo
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.
15 minutesCesária Évora International Airport
No accommodation included on this day.
5 minutesIncluded
- Accommodation (10 Nights);
- Custom and private Arrival and departure airport/port Transfers; Luggage Transfers;
- Hotel pick up and drop off for all the tours;
- Round-trip Ferry ticket (São Vicente – Santo Antão – São Vicente);
- Domestic Flights (Praia/Fogo/São Vicente);
- Tours as mentioned in the program;
- All entrance frees;
- Service charges and VAT;
- Local assistance 24 hours a day.
- 10x Breakfast
- 8x Lunch
- Accommodation included: 10 nights
- 1x Dinner
- Entry/Admission - Nelson Mandela-Praia International Airport (RAI)
- Entry/Admission - Serra de Malagueta
- Entry/Admission - Cidade Velha, Historic Centre of Ribeira Grande
Not Included
- International Flights;
- Tourist tax (Paid locally: 2 Euros/Person/Night);
- Travel insurance;
- Visa or Airport Security Tax fees (TSA).
- Sevices not mentioned in the program; Personal expenses.
Good to Know
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Standard room category in double/twin sharing basis.
- This tour starts in Praia (Santiago Island) and ends in Mindelo (São Vicente Island);
- The rum production season runs from January 1 st to May 31st
- Please bring passport, hiking shoes, sandals/flip flops, confortable shoes, a towel, a hat, swimwear, and sunscreen;
- Copy of travelers' passport is mandatory for the issue of the flight/Ferry ticket;
- For domestic flights, each traveler is entitled to take a suitcase of up to 23 kg and a backpack of up to 5 kg.
- We reserve the right to claim from the travelers, any additional expenses incurred due to delay or changes in the schedule of domestic flights.
- 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.
- A date change fee, as applicable will be levied on passengers who change their date of travel.
- For groups with less than 4 travelers, the bilingual driver himself may be the guide.
- Lunch and diner includes fish, meet or main dish + dessert + water. Vegetariam food available upon request.
- Due to the early pick up on the Day 4, the hotel in Praia will provide a lunch box instead of a breakfast.
- 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.
- Not recommended for those who are afraid of heights
- Gear/equipment sanitized between use
- Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
- A current valid passport is required on the day of travel
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 6 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 7 days of travel. In this case confirmation will be received within 48 hours, subject to availability
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.