GAIA TOURISM » Island hopping Sao Vicente-Santiago-Fogo

ISLAND HOPPING:

São Vicente – Santiago – Fogo

During this 10 nights / 11 days adventure you will have the possibility to visit the Cultural centre of Cape Verde (São Vicente and its capital Mindelo) – where bare-feet diva Cesária Évora came from; where you can admire unique mixture of Portuguese and British colonial architecture….. THAN: The biggest and most Africa like island – Santiago and the capital of the country: City of Praia, where you will visit among all the World Heritage of UNESCO – Cidade Velha (the oldest town on archipelago)… AND: an Island with still active volcano FOGO (means: fire), which belongs to the jewel of the archipelago for its unique atmosphere, life style and history. (And we promise – besides all - you will have lunch in an ACTIVE volcano crater!)

The average temperature on these islands is 27 C all year long, only end of August there might be a bit of rain. That’s why we recommend as flip-flops, so sport shoes, sun cream, sun-hat, shorts and T-shirt. In the mountains of Santiago and volcano of Fogo could be a bit colder, so it would be good, if you take also 1 pullover or light jacket with you.

Please note, that on these islands you cannot pay with EUR or USD, but only with local currency Cape Verdean ESCUDOS (ECV).

You can use your VISA or MASTER-CARD » there are plenty of ATM’s and almost all shops are having VISA terminals.

Day 1: After arrival to the international airport of Cesária Évora in Mindelo, our car will be waiting for you and driving you to hotel AVENIDA *** (or MINDELO RESIDENTIAL ***) – depending on availability – where you do check-in together with our representative, which will make with you afterwards a short Welcome Meeting, in order to clarify and go through all your program. You can ask him all possible questions – he will be there to help you.
Day 2: OPTIONAL EXCURSION: at 09:00 pick up from the hotel for the Excursion MINDELO FROM THE OUTSIDE….TO THE INSIDE. From its historical quarter to the outside suburbs, using the local bus network will also bring us to the best view points over the bay – into the hidden places, visiting community projects and primary schools - donating them food, which we will buy together at local shops; Moving around using all 8 public bus-lines, and by foot (3 hours walking in total. Lunch included (without drinks). Back to the hotel at 16:30 » overnight at hotel.
Day 3: We pick you up from the hotel at 09:00 with our minibus / bus, together we will be heading to the house where Cesaria Évora (the bare-feet diva) was born. Her award winning voice made Cape Verde known worldwide, and enjoy her music as the tour travels around the city. Continue to discover this amazing island by following along the road to Madeiral. Continuing down the Ribeira de Calhau, where you will have the opportunity to watch the traditional way of life of the small farmers, where we will have a lunch and possibly to swim in the ocean. Take in the white sandy beaches of the fishing village of Calhau and the dunes of Praia Grande, these lovely locations will quickly fill-up the memory cards of your camera with their spectacular views. Next stop is planned at Baia das Gatas, famous for its mid-summer international music festival, accepting as many as 40,000 people a year to enjoy the music and for the calm waters of its lagoon. The last stop is on top of the highest mountain of São Vicente – Monte Verde (774m), from there you will be able to overlook the entire island and, if the weather permits, the islands of Santo Antão, Sao Nicolau and Santa Luzia.
Day 4: at ….. transfer to the airport and flight to Santiago Island. Once landing in Praia (the capital city of CV) our representative will bring you to the hotel Santa Maria *** being the very centre of the City » and we will do check-in. Depending on flight time as OPTIONAL EXCURSION we will do a CITY TOUR around Praia, a true sightseeing (Presidential Palace, “PLATÓ” » the main road and “heart” of the City, “SUCUPIRA” – local African market, where you can spend the entire day bay shopping; and many others). No lunch included.
Day 5: At 09:00 check-out from the hotel » transfer to BAIA DO CORAL *** (a unique ECO hotel in Cidade Velha), ca 30 minutes by bus. Our guide will lead you afterwards through the streets few year older before Christopher Columbus discovered America! You will visit – among all – the Fortress of São Filipe, build in order to protect the city before pirate’s attacks lead by sir Francis Drake. Cidade Velha was for over 200 years one of the main world trade point with slaves coming from Africa to America. Lunch included, after back to the hotel.
Day 6: We leave the hotel in the morning in our bus for a pleasant trip to the interior of the island, we arrived at São Domingos, the gateway to the interior of Santiago and one of the richest green valleys of the island. The landscape and the live style are totally different from the capital. We go through Órgãos and Picos where is located the Pico Antónia (the highest point of the island), stop for a degustation of Grogue (white rum made out of Sugar Cane). A little more 60 Km from Praia we arrive at Assomada, an important trading point, to visit his famous market filled with fruits and vegetables from the cultivated fields in the interior of the island and also fish too. Then we continue our journey in Serra Malagueta Natural Park where you can find beautiful forest with eucalyptus, different kinds of acacias and endemic plants of Cap Verde, with a breath taking view for the valley of Ribeira de Principal on the right, and on the left side Curral Afonso. Then we go down to Tarrafal, a fishing village, hosting a former concentration camp, now a museum, and a bay surrounded by palm trees which is the most picturesque beach of the Cape Verde Islands. Lunch at Tarrafal in a typical restaurant with a panoramic view for the ocean and in the same time that we are eating we can see the fisherman arriving. Lunch is grilled fish, tuna fillet, grouper or fish of the day with rice, vegetables, salad, water and cafe. Then you have 1 hour free for a swim at the beach of Tarrafal. Then we leave around 15h by the long road where the landscape is luxury. We can see small bays and groves, deserted beaches with black sands. Ribeira de Principal after Mangue de Sete Ribeiras and before arriving at Cha de Monte, is a rich land with an intense agricultural life. We arrive to Cidade Velha approximately 17:30 min. Overnight at BAIA DO CORAL ***.
Day 7: At….transfer from hotel and 20 minutes flight to neighbouring Island of Fogo – the time of the transfer depends flight schedule. Fogo is actually the highest point of the whole archipelago (2.829 m); we can say that the island IS the volcano. The crater belongs to one of the biggest active volcano craters on the world. From the airport we will drive to São Filipe (the capital of the island) laying by the foot of volcano, and make check-in at hotel SANTOS PINA***.
Day 8: Full day excursion to CHÃ DAS CALDEIRAS: Check-out from the hotel » at 09:00 transfer from hotel - Visiting the Fogo Natural Park means appreciating the greatest tourist attraction in Cape Verde and one of the most impressive landscapes in the world. Forno – A visit to one of the areas where the drop-by-drop irrigation method is used, a technique adopted by farmers on the island in order to minimize the effects of drought. Achada Furna – A chance to get to know the community where new homes were built for the population of Chã das Caldeiras after the 1995 eruption. Lunch at Casa Maria, offering both fish and meat dishes. Sampling traditional Chã das Caldeiras wine, better known as Manecon. A chance to purchase and sample Fogo coffee and cheese. Visit to the Museum and the Wine Cooperative. OPTIONAL: Trekking to Pico Pequeno – Hiking to the crater formed during the 2014 eruption. You can still find extremely hot spots, apart from the sulfur. A multi-colored landscape worth to visit! In the evening check-in at hotel CASA MARISA ** (being placed in the 8 km long volcano crater).
Day 9: Full day AROUND THE ISLAND & MOSTEIROS: Check out from the hotel at 09:00 we start by going round the island you can get an idea of the violence of the eruptions through the lava landscape which goes all the way to the sea. The tour starts with a visit to Salinas de São Jorge. Vila de Mosteiros – A chance to get to know the friendly, second biggest community on Fogo. Mosteiros council, established in 1991, is located on the northern side of the island and occupies a mountainous area with fertile land and several microclimates, where the island’s oldest and most exuberant forest, Floresta de Monte Velho, is a predominant feature. The terrain is also has volcanic lava, resulting from successive eruptions. It is mainly an agricultural municipality with a vast area dedicated to the cultivation of the famous Fogo coffee. The town of Mosteiros also has a small, attractive centre, wedged between the mountain and the sea, contrasting with the lava stone houses on the somber outskirts. Lunch in Mosteiros (no drinks included). Visit to the coffee plantations and then Drive through Cova Figueira » Espigão – Lookout place – Get a complete view of the volcano with its lava flow going all the way down to the sea. In the evening checking at hotel SANTOS PINA ***.
Day 10: OPTIONAL EXCURSION: SALT MINES AND THE NORTHERN AREA OF THE ISLAND. The tour begins with a visit to Salinas de S. Jorge and the natural lava harbor, where you can enjoy the freshness of the crystal clear waters off the black sandy beach. Ribeira Filipe – The second stop takes you to one of the highest spots in the area. Here you can appreciate the fascinating view and observe small coffee plantations and numerous fruit and vegetable gardens, which enrich the relief and give color to the landscape. Bao Bab – On this tour you will also have the chance to admire one of the island’s oldest trees. It is the approximately 200-year-old “Calabaceira” tree, the fruit of which is used to make the typical regional juice and ponche bearing the same name. São Lourenco Church – the last stop to get to know the island’s oldest church, whose original construction dates back to the second half of the 16^th century. Today the building is taken care of by Capuchinho priests, who have an important role in training the community’s youths. Next to the church there is a cemetery, bearing the same name, which was formerly used by the important landowners on the island. Check out from the hotel at …. Flight back to Santiago Island; & farewell dinner to say “Good Bye” to your Cape Verdean adventure » overnight at SANTA MARIA hotel ***.
Day 11: flight back home from PRAIA, airport of Nelson Mandela.

PRICE FROM: 1.087 EUR / person - based on 2 persons sharing 1 double room (all internal flights, hotels, transfers, non-optional excursions, handling fee, assistance – included)

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: 270 EUR

OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS (price per person, based on minimum of 2 participants):

MINDELO FROM THE OUTSIDE….TO THE INSIDE - FROM: 42 EUR
CITY TOUR in PRAIA (SANTIAGO) – FROM: 27 EUR
TREKKING TO THE VOLCANO (PICO DE FOGO) (4 hours of duration, for experienced only!) – FROM: 61 EUR
TREKKING SALT MINES AND THE NORTHEN AREA (Fogo; 4-5 hours of duration, medium level) – FROM: 54 EUR

TOURISTIC VISA – not included. (We can arrange them for 30 EUR / person)

Additional info

All inter-island transport are done with local airlines.

The schedule above might be changed or adapted depending on client’s arrival / departure to the country.

The price is calculated on base of minimum of 2 participants sharing double room at *** or **** hotels with Bed&Breakfast.

The price of the flight tickets might be different at the time of your booking (lower or higher).

All excursions are subjected to actual weather conditions and might be changed or moved to another date or canceller (with full refund to the client(s)).

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