Charms of nature 8D/7N full board

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  PARIS/SÃO VICENTE

  SAO VICENTE ISLAND Arrival at São Vicente airport. Transfer to your hotel. Dinner and overnight.

• day 2

  MINDELO / CITY TOUR / SANTO ANTÃO

  Breakfast. Discovery of the island of São Vicente: with an area of 227 km2, São Vicente is an island with very particular characteristics, inviting leisure and the famous Cape Verdean nights. The fact that the island was only populated at the end of the 18th century (1794-1850), three centuries after its discovery, did not prevent significant population growth. Panoramic tour of the city of Mindelo, fascinating for its universality, the friendliness of its inhabitants born from the meeting of several peoples, and its lively nightlife. Descent along the famous marginal avenue that runs along the sea, where you will see the statue of an eagle ready to take flight. Discovery of the replica of the Belém Tower of Lisbon. The fresh fish market of all kinds, the African market with African clothes and objects, the Pracinha de Igreja, the oldest square on the island, and the covered market for fruits and vegetables. Tasting of a typical drink. Lunch at the restaurant. Transfer to the port of São Vicente and ferry crossing to the island of Santo Antão. Arrival at Porto Novo. Island of Santo Antão. Change of scenery... it is a fantastic island, of incredible beauty, with imposing mountains and deep, green valleys. Transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.

• day 3

  Pico da Cruz / Paul Valley / Ribeira Grande / Ponta Sol

  Breakfast at the hotel. Drive towards Pico da Cruz, located between 1,300 and 1,600 m. At this altitude, you can discover a forest of pines and eucalyptus. You can also admire the beautiful Paul valley. Tasting of grogue, a Cape Verdean brandy made from crushed and distilled sugar cane, which originates here. Continue towards the famous Paul valley, the greenest on this island with its endless sugar cane fields, banana trees, coffee plants, and terraced crops. 2-hour walk in the heart of the valley, which will allow you to discover thatched cottages and cultivated terraces. There is a primitive village with rudimentary small stone houses: the harmonious development of human interaction with nature and the smiles of the village children will enchant you. Lunch with a local, at Mr. Costa's, who opens the doors of his house where several generations live together. You will taste the traditional and famous cachupa, a typical dish of the archipelago cooked with ingredients grown locally. Visit of his agricultural estate (sugar cane, tropical fruits, coffee, etc.), as well as the small hut where he roasts coffee. He will explain the coffee-making process to you, as he is himself a producer (depending on the time of year). Coffee tasting. You will have a pleasant time and enjoy the cuisine and friendliness of a Cape Verdean family. Continue to Ribeira Grande, a town nestled between mountains and facing a beach of rocks and pebbles. Visit the church built in 1595 and, in 1755, transformed into a cathedral by Bishop Jacinto do Rosario. Departure for Ponta do Sol, a charming fishing village with houses painted green, blue, and pink. Arrival at Ponta do Sol and discovery of these beautiful old houses with colonial architecture, which today constitute the island's historical heritage. Under the sun, with its pastel facades, the city really has a Cuban feel. It is one of the most beautiful towns on the island. Return to Porto Novo by the coastal road. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

• day 4

  Porto Novo/Lajedos/Tarrafal

  Breakfast at the hotel. Visit of the island by discovering Porto Novo on foot. We will go to see the fishermen hauling in nets full of tuna (subject to weather conditions and the arrival of the fishermen). Just a few meters away, women sell fresh fish. Passing by Amílcar Cabral Avenue where a statue in honor of Cape Verdean women is erected. Visit of the century-old church of St John the Baptist. Then continue to "Pousolana Oasis" and LAJEDOS. Visit of the BABILÓNIA property, a community project for the development of local agriculture, in order to reduce rural exodus. Possibility to buy jams, liqueurs, teas, coffee… Lunch at the Babilónia property where you will taste local specialties. Everything served to you during the meal is grown and raised on site… Departure by pick-ups to Tarrafal, a pristine site considered by many as a paradise on earth. Tarrafal is nestled at the foot of a mountain, facing the sea, which gives it an extra charm. The village is now inhabited by fishermen and farmers. Its calm and warm waters are favored by whales from January to March, turtles that come to lay eggs in autumn, and dolphins all year round. Check-in at Djo Azevedo's, who opens the doors of his house to you. You will get to know his large family, so welcoming and warm. They love to chat, meet and share with foreigners. Fish dinner on the beach. The fish-rich waters of Cape Verde guarantee quality catches. Cape Verdeans offer a wonderful journey to all those who take the time to establish real friendly relationships. A musician will perform traditional Cape Verdean music pieces on the guitar.

• day 5

  Tarrafal/Porto Novo

  Breakfast with the locals. Depending on the physical condition of the participants, your morning will be arranged accordingly. 1st OPTION HIKE of 05H00 (medium level, suitable shoes recommended) along the mountainside on a steep path to reach the village of MONTE TRIGO. You will discover deserted beaches, shepherds watching over herds scattered in the mountains. You will follow the traces of lava flows, signs of ancient eruptions, and observe the island's endemic vegetation, which has managed to survive the harsh conditions of the archipelago. Arrival at MONTE TRIGO Discovery of this fishing village which offers you an exceptional panorama of the highest peak of Santo Antão, Tope de Coroa, which rises to more than 1,900 m. Return to TARRAFAL by fishing boat (30 min) 2nd OPTION Discovery of TARRAFAL while enjoying a small coffee or a brandy with the fishermen. BOAT excursion (02h00). Ride on FISHERMEN'S boats during which you will discover deserted beaches at the foot of the mountain and unique landscapes. During your discovery, the fishermen will offer you the chance to fish on board the boat, swim in its turquoise waters, or stop in wild coves to taste the products of your catch. Return to TARRAFAL Lunch to savor a lobster prepared their way, or a typical dish. Cape Verde is the country of lobster. (Note, depending on the season, otherwise fish lunch) Return to Porto Novo. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

• day 6

  Cova/Lagoa/Espadana

  Breakfast at the hotel. Departure towards LAGOA via the panoramic Corde road. Here, Santo Antão reveals another side to us. The vast virgin expanses and ochre colors, mixed with the hospitality of the local population, will make this day exceptional. Stop at COVA One-hour hike from the COVA CRATER, located high up in the north-central part of the island. Continue towards LAGOA Arrival at LAGOA. Visit to a primary school. You will attend a class and have the opportunity to offer gifts such as pens, notebooks, etc. The schools are small compared to the increasing number of students, who attend school alternately for half a day. Continue towards ESPADANA. Walk for about an hour to reach the heart of an ancient crater (Espadana). You will climb a small hill to better appreciate the crater and the Garça valley. Lunch at the restaurant where you will taste roast suckling pig (subject to availability). Return to PORTO NOVO via the coastal road. The coastline is home to charming villages. Here, the welcome is warm and relationships remain authentic. Stop at SINAGOGA to discover the lynx-shaped rock. Continue towards PORTO NOVO Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.

• day 7

  PORTO NOVO/MINDELO

  Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the port of Porto Novo. Ferry crossing to Mindelo – S. Vicente. Departure to the NORTH OF THE ISLAND Road to Calhau. During the journey, you can see various oases where windmills are used to extract water from the ground. Continue to Baia das Gatas, a superb bay with its beach along a calm and crystal-clear sea, and its immense natural pool. It is here that, every year, a famous music festival takes place, bringing together people from all the islands and from different foreign countries. Lunch at the restaurant Return via Salamansa, a small fishing village. We invite you to meet them and learn about their way of life. Departure to Monte Verde, a promontory with a view of Mindelo and the beaches in the north of the island. Then, road to Mindelo, where we can appreciate Monte Cara, which is one of the attractions of São Vicente: it is nothing more than a mountain whose relief, seen from afar and in profile, has the shape of a face. Farewell dinner with live music Night at the hotel.

• day 8

  SÃO VICENTE / PARIS

  Breakfast. Transfer to the airport and flight to France. Indicative program and subject to change depending on flight and ferry schedules.