Day 1: Arrival Day
Arrival at Santiago!
Transfer to your hotel and welcoming.
Day 2: Santiago History And Nature
With this discovery we will enjoy an unforgettable trip to the north of the island where we will contemplate the unique landscapes of the island of Santiago. High mountains, plains and green valleys...
The first stop is at São Domingos, where we will visit the Eco Centro. We will see different villages, passing by the Antonia Peak, the highest point of the island. 60km from Praia we will find the town of Assomada, an important point of commerce, where we will visit the traditional market (just on Wednesdays and Saturdays).
The walk continues through Serra da Malagueta Natural Park, with its eucalyptus forest, several types of acacias and other endemic plants.
We will finally arrive at Tarrafal, a fishing village where we can visit the old concentration camp, now transformed into a museum, and then go to the incredible bay, with a very pleasant sea, surrounded by palm trees - considered to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the country.
Lunch by the sea and free time to swim into the turquoise water.
Next, we will stop at the village of the "rabelados" at Espinho Branco - a religious community, which rebelled against society and the church, during colonial times and that maintains its unique traditions. Here we will see and be able to buy handicrafts, paintings, and learn more about this culture.
Before returning to Praia, we will see the small bays, caves and black sand beaches of the coastline of the island, stopping in the beautiful area of Pedra Badejo.
Day 3: Discovery Of Praia And Cidade Velha
We will start with a walk in the historic center of the city of Praia - the “Plateau”, where we will see the cross quarter, the square, the church and the municipal market, street of art of Ponta Belém , going down through the Sukupira market.
After, we will take the bus to Cidade Velha, located 20 minutes from the capital, the first city built by the Portuguese in Africa and considered the cradle of Cape Verde.
The historic center of “Cidade Velha” named as World Heritage of Humanity (UNESCO) in 2009 reveals more about the unique history of the country.
We will visit the Fort of São Filipe, 100 meters above sea level. It was built to protect the city from the pirates who constantly attacked the city between the 16th and 17th centuries - among them Francis Drake and Jacques Cassard.
Upon arrival at Cidade Velha, we will visit each monuments and ruins, including the old cathedral, the Convent of São Franciso, the Church of Nossa Senhora do Rosário (the first church built in the ancient settlements), the street of Banana and the old slave market, with its pillory.
Day 4: Change Of Destination
Today you will be taken to the airport to fly to a new destination - São Vicente Island.
Arrival at São Vicente!
Transfer to your hotel and welcoming.
Day 5: S. Vicente Beaches And Volcanos
Discovery of all the landscapes of São Vicente with its beautiful beaches and extinct volcanoes.
We start with a walking tour at the cosmopolitan city of Mindelo, the capital.
Then, we head to Monte Verde, to enjoy its panoramic view; Salamansa and its beach known for the practice of Kite Surfing; Baía das Gatas, known for its music festival and its natural swimming pool (Free time for swimming).
We will also pass by Praia Grande, a beautiful white sand beach and Calhau with its extinct volcanoes overlooking the island of Santa Luzia.
Return to the city centre towards the Madeiral road.
Day 6: S. Vicente Cultural Mindelo
Discovery on foot of Mindelo, the city of culture and music.
Mindelo is the result of two major influences: Portuguese and British, testified all over the city by the well preserved colonial buildings.
Ideal walk to know and understand better how people from Mindelo and know all the secrets of their history.
Visit of the different markets and tasting of local products, visit to the Cesaria museum at the governor's palace, the church square from which the first houses were built and the first streets were laid out, Praça Nova, Avenida Marginal - with the replica of the Belém tower in Lisbon, the bay and the Alfândega Velha - today the cultural center of Mindelo and workshops of painters.
Day 7: Santo Antão The Discovery
Morning transfer to Mindelo port to take the ferry to your new destination - Santo Antão.
Circuit to discover the main sites of the island, passing by the famous Corda road, Aguas das Caldeiras, Ribeira Grande and Ponta do Sol. A fabulous contrast between an arid southern region, an altitude forest and fabulous vegetation in the north.
Day 8: Hike Paul Valley
Today on the way to the exotic, we walk through the garden of Cape Verde, in the heart of Paul Valley, considered the greenest and most luxuriant in the country. The path goes from cottage to cottage, crossing vegetable crops (cabbage, tomatoes, salads….) And tropical ones (bananas, guava, sugar cane, yams…), combining meeting with the locals, agriculture and botany. This is an opportunity to discover rural life: taking the mule tracks, built by man at the foot of "levadas" (irrigation canals) and terraced crops.
Difficulty level 2
7 km, estimated 4h, Ascent 550m, Descent 700m
Day 9: Santo Antão Southwest
Discovery of the southwestern part of the island, through volcanic landscapes, fields of Pozolana where you will see beautiful isolated villages ... Discovery of extraordinary landscapes as well as Lagedos known for its sustainable tourism.
Amazing landscapes to agricultural fields planted in terraces and embedded in the black rock, typical of this region.
After lunch, transfer to the port of Santo Antão to take the ferry back to São Vicente.
Day 10: Departure Day
End of our journey of discovery of the history, culture and nature of Cape Verde.
Transfer to Cesária Évora International Airport.
