Combined 4 islands: Santiago, Fogo, São Vicente and Santo Antão

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Day 1: Arrival in Praia - Santiago Island

  

  Arrival in Praia on the island of Santiago, welcome at the airport and transfer to Praia for two nights in guest house. Type of accommodation: charming guest house.

• day 2

  D2 Full day: Island tour Praia - Tarrafal

  

  Departure in the morning at 9:00 from the hotel. After a tour on the plateau, the historic center of Praia, head north to Tarrafal via the mountain road, and return by the coastal road, giving you an overall view of the island in one day. Stop at Sao Jorge dos Orgaos, visit the botanical garden. Continue to Assomada, visit the Tabanka museum and the center (market, square). Arrival in Tarrafal at the end of the morning, visit the former political prisoners' camp of Tarrafal, the town center, the beach, and the museum. Return to Praia by the coastal road, stopping at Calheta Sao Miguel and Pedra Badejo. Arrival in Praia at your accommodation at the end of the afternoon. This day is offered with a French-speaking private driver who will accompany you throughout the day. Type of accommodation: charming guest house.

• day 3

  J3 Heading for Fogo - Little Pico (volcano)

  

  You leave for the airport and take a flight to Fogo. You are dropped off in the heart of the crater, at Cha das Caldeiras. Accommodation for two nights in a family guesthouse. Depending on the time of arrival, you can climb the Petit Pico (site of the last volcanic eruption in 2014, whose traces are still clearly visible). Walking time: about 2h30 of walking. Type of accommodation: guesthouse.

• day 4

  Day 4: the ascent of Pico de Fogo (with guide)

  

  Exploration of the crater on foot. Ascent of the Fogo volcano (2800 m), with a guide. The ascent of Pico is a very beautiful and spectacular hike. The ascent of the volcano is done with a local guide: 1000 meters of positive elevation gain on the slopes of the volcano to reach the summit. Allow 3 hours of uphill walking at a relaxed pace, but with continuous effort. The descent is done on the scree slopes and is much faster and more fun. Walking hours: 6 hours 30 Elevation gain +: 1100 meters Elevation loss -: 1100 meters Type of accommodation: guesthouse

• day 5

  J5 Descent Mosteiros - São Filipe

  

  Descent from the volcano to the sea, eucalyptus and mimosa forests, orange groves and coffee plantations. From Mosteiros, transfer by the coastal road to São Filipe and your accommodation. Your luggage is transferred directly from Bangadeira to São Filipe. Overnight in a guest house in São Filipe. Walking hours: 6 hours of walking, Elevation gain + 100 meters Elevation loss - 1200 meters Type of accommodation: hotel

• day 6

  J6 São Vicente Island - Mindelo

  

  You are dropped off at the airport, according to the flight schedule for São Vicente. Arrival at Sao Pedro airport. Welcome and transfer to Mindelo, then check-in for the night. Free visit of the city to be adapted to the arrival time. The colonial architecture and the colorful cobbled streets all around the bay give Mindelo an overseas charm, enhanced by the vegetable and fish markets, as well as the small Laginha beach. For an arrival on Sunday, the city is sleepy and the activity is concentrated around the beach and in the villages of São Pedro, Salamansa, Calhau, and Baia. Type of accommodation: charming guest house

• day 7

  J7 Santo Antão Island - Boat Crossing - Forquinha Pass

  

  After breakfast, transfer to the port and boat crossing (1h) to reach the island of Santo Antão. From Porto Novo, transfers to the heart of the island, in the eastern valleys up to Alto Mira. The road first follows the seashore, crossing old lava flows and small black sand dunes, before reaching the veins of white pozzolana that cover part of the island. Hike to discover the semi-arid landscapes of Ribeira das Patas, between cultivated oases, basalt blades, and farming villages. You will stay two nights with locals in Ribeira das Patas, at Chã de Morte. • Walking hours: 3h30 • Ascent: 250m • Descent: 500m Type of accommodation: guesthouse

• day 8

  J8 Norte Plateau - Ribeira das Patas

  

  Transfer to Cirio. Ascent to the Norte plateau. The view stretches far, on one side, to the arid volcanic summit, on the other, towards the bottom of the valley where the captured springs allow the multiplication of green oases: lemon and sugar cane being the main crops of this part of the island. Descent on an impressive paved cliff path, in the midst of jagged volcanic terrain. You walk down to your accommodation for a second night. • Walking hours: between 5h and 5h30 • Ascent: 720 m • Descent: 910 m Type of accommodation: guesthouse

• day 9

  J9 Penedo Valley and Janela - Vila das Pombas

  

  Transfer by the coastal road to Ribeira de Janela, at the eastern tip of the island. The hike begins in this agricultural valley, where the sugar cane fields slope down towards the seashore. Never losing sight of the ocean, the trail winds between crops and hamlets. Afternoon transfer to Vila das Pombas, where you will spend two nights in a guesthouse by the sea. • Walking time: between 4h30 and 5h • Elevation gain: 580m • Elevation loss: 580m Type of accommodation: homestay

• day 10

  J10 Paul Valley - Cabo de Ribeira - Figueral - Vila das Pombas

  

  From your accommodation, a short transfer to go up the Paul valley, reputed to be the greenest and most cultivated in the archipelago. Terraces planted with coffee, banana trees, guava trees, sugar cane, orange trees, and all kinds of vegetables. The end of the walk is by the sea, at your accommodation. • Walking hours: 2 to 5 h of walking depending on the chosen option • Elevation gain: from 200 to 550 m • Elevation loss: from 400 to 750 m Type of accommodation: homestay

• day 11

  J11 Coastal trail - Cruzinha - Fontainhas - Ponta de Sol

  

  In the morning, you head to the coastal village of Cruzinha, through the mountainous landscapes of the Ribeira Grande and Garça valleys. Hike along an impressive paved path overlooking the ocean. In the afternoon, the path passes through the peaceful and green Corvo valley, then through Fontainhas, a perched village famous for its colorful houses, before reaching Ponta do Sol, the island's former thriving port, where a languorous "overseas" atmosphere prevails, for the night. • Walking hours: between 5h and 5h30 • Elevation gain: 620 m • Elevation loss: 620 m Type of accommodation: guesthouse

• day 12

  J12 Ribeira da Torre (loop) - Return to São Vicente (boat)

  

  Ribeira da Torre, a deep volcanic valley surrounded by cliffs and dotted with peaks, where we spend the day discovering rural life and crops. The path and irrigation canals lead us to the village of Rabo Curto. Descent through fields of sugar cane and yams. At the end of the day, your driver will pick you up to take you to Porto Novo, via the "road of the rope." It is a monumental paved work that cuts through the mountain from north to south. Superb views over the valleys of Ribeira Grande and Ribeira da Torre, which the road overlooks. In Porto Novo, boat to Mindelo. Upon your return to Mindelo, a short transfer to your accommodation on the heights of the city center for a final night. • Walking time: 4h30 • Elevation gain: 520 m • Elevation loss: 520 m Type of accommodation:

• day 13

  J13 End of stay - Departure from Sao Vicente

  

  Transfer to the airport according to the schedule of your international flight.