Cape Verde Highlights

Hiking in the most beautiful places of the Cape Verde Islands:

Come to know the Cape Verde highlights by hiking in the magnificent mountain landscape of Santo Antão, in the ancient Valley of the Slaves on Santiago, and on the island of Fogo, where you climb the volcano giant “Pico de Fogo”. This journey will be flavoured with the colonial flair of the little harbour town of Mindelo on São Vicente, Cape Verdean music and a taste of Cape Verdean way of life and “Morabeza”. You will round off your holiday in Santa Maria on the island of Sal, with its kilometers of white, sandy beach.

Travel Program Cape Verde Highlights Hiking-Roundtrip over 5 Cabo Verde Islands – fascinating nature, hiking, beach and culture

Day 1, Sat: Via Sal (SID) or Lisbon (LIS) to Sao Vicente (VXE). Arrival at the island of Sao Vicente, transfer to hotel and overnight in the harbor town Mindelo.

Day 2, Sun: Island Tour in Sao Vicente. Enjoy the view from Monte Verde, the island’s highest elevation and have a refreshing swim in a sheltered bay.
Overnight in Mindelo.

Day 3, Mon: Ferry to Santo Antao and transfer up into the mountains. Hike through the Cova Crater and down into the Paul Valley (- 700 m, + 150 m, 3.5 h).
Dinner / B & B in a private pension in Paul.

Day 4, Tue: Hike through the tropical green Valley of Paul. (+ / – 450 m, 4 hours walking time, can be extended to 6 hours). Dinner/breakfast in Paul Valley.

Day 5: Wed: Hike on an old donkey path from Ponta do Sol to Cruzinha, along the cliffs of the north coast. (+ / – 800 m, 5 h)

Day 6, Thu: Day off in Ponta do Sol. Watch the local fishermen when they bring in their catch, or enjoy a relaxing massage.

Day 7, Fri: Scenic mountain climb from the Ribeira to the Highlands. You will enjoy many spectacular views and walk in diverse landscapes (+1300 m, 5 h).
Dinner / BB Local Hotel in Porto Novo.

Day 8, Sat: Ferry to Mindelo and guided tour around the charming colonial style town. Learn about its interesting history, visit the market and the fish market and enjoy some coffee in a unique local bar. City Hotel in Mindelo.

Day 9, Sun: Flight to the island of Santiago. Today you hike through the former slave valley of Ribeira Grande. Your destination is the small coastal town of Cidade Velha, UNESCO World Heritage Site and the ancient capital of the Cape Verde Islands. The small coastal town has been a center of Portuguese slavery for centuries. (- 250 m, 2.5 h). B & B in a nice hotel with pool in Cidade Velha.

Day 10, Mon: Visit to the capital Praia, plateau and African market. BB in Cidade Velha

Day 11, Tue: Flight to the island of Fogo, transfer to Cha das Caldeiras and hike over the new volcano crater of the Pico Pequenho, which broke out in 2014. (+/- 280 m, 3.5h). Dinner/ B&B in private accommodation in the National Park at the foot of “Pico de Fogo”.

Day 12, Wed: Early morning ascent to the volcano “Pico de Fogo” (2.829m a.s.l.). As from a huge dune, we glide back down through the volcanic ashes. Lunch and dinner included. (+/- 1,100 m, 6 hours walking time).

Day 13, Thu: Descent to Mosteiros on the north cost of Fogo. We cross acacia woodland, sisal agaves, orange and coffee plantations. Interesting ride along the coast, past lava flows, to Sao Filipe. BB guesthouse in Sao Filipe.

Day 14, Fri: Flight to Sal, overnight at Santa Maria.

Day 15, Sat: Time to relax or take a hike along the beautiful, long sandy beach of Santa Maria. You may use your room until departure. Late in the evening,  transfer to the airport (Feel like a beach extension…?)

Day 16, Sun: Arrival at home

Services included in “Cape Verde Highlights”

The tour package of this 2-week hiking roundtrip includes the following services:

Domestic flights: São Vicente – Praia – Fogo – Praia – Sal
Ferry: São Vicente – Santo Antão – São Vicente

Overnight stays:
A total of 14 nights/breakfast in double room as described:
12 x in guesthouse or hotel, with private shower/toilette, 2 of them with swimming pool
2 x  with local families and shared bathroom (days 11 & 12, Fogo National Park )

Meals:
1 x picnic/lunch
6 x dinner (water included, other drinks extra)

Further services:

• 8 guided hikes, island tour Sao Vicente, city tour Mindelo and Praia
• All transfers and baggage transfers resulting from the program
• Tourist tax
• English speaking guide during all the hikes and guided activities (Other languages on request)

Not included:
– International flight to Cape Verde and back
– Visa fees
– Single room supplement
– Drinks
– Tips
– any further services not listed here