Arrival and overnight in Praia (Santiago Island)

The site of Cidade Velha was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009. It is the first colonial city built by Europeans in the tropics. The site is located about 12 km from Praia, on the west coast. The magnificent site of Cidade Velha is dominated by a citadel built in 1587 after the attack of the famous privateer Sir Francis Drake. A visit to Fort Real will give you an insight into its history. From the top of the fort, visitors can enjoy a splendid view of the bay. The visit continues on foot with a tour of the village of Cidade Velha: its typical square, its port, the ruins of its cathedral, the church of Nossa Senhora do Rosario, the Franciscan monastery, the Pilori square. Duration: about 4 hours. Return transport included from Praia.

Tour of the island. From Praia to Tarrafal, go through the interior of the island and return via the east coast. Departure in the direction of the mountain road. Passage to Sao Domingos, then visit of the botanical garden. We then head towards Assomada with a stop at its famous market. This lively ride then continues through the Serra Malagueta and its natural park to reach the former penitentiary of Chào Bom (visit of the site planned). After a swim and lunch in Tarrafal, return to Praia along the east coast, passing through the villages of Rabelados and Pedra Badejo. Duration: about 7 hours. Meals: Lunch included. Return transport included from Praia (about 160km traveled)

welcome by our guide at the airport and departure for the excursion "Cha Das Caldeiras". The plateau of Cha das Caldeiras is the main attraction of the island of Fogo. All visitors are amazed by the lunar landscape and the imposing size of the still-active volcano (the last eruption was on 23/11/2014). The natural elements intersect with lava mantles and fertile plantations of different crops. The excursion takes place as follows: departure by car from São Filipe. You will reach the area of Cha das Caldeiras after about 1.5 hours of driving. Arriving in the caldera, a guide will accompany you for a short trek of about 2h30 / 3h00 to climb Pico Pequenho and see the crater of the last eruption dating back to 2014, and then reach the village of Portela. Lunch will be taken in Portela. After lunch, we will visit the villages of Portela and Bangeira (covered by lava in 2014).

Climbing the famous Pico Grande 2,829m above sea level. At the top is a crater 500m in diameter and 180m deep. This volcano is still active, the last eruption was in 2014. The departure from Portela is early (around 06h30) in order to have good visibility at the top of the volcano and to avoid the heat. This is a difficult climb and therefore only suitable for experienced hikers. Duration: between 4 and 6 hours. Elevation gain: +1100/-1100. Lunch is included at the end of the trek, in Portela. For the less athletic, the trek of "Pico Pequenho" or the "walk at the foot of Bordeira" are alternatives accessible to all. In the afternoon, transfer to Sao Filipe (1h30 drive) and check-in at your accommodation.

Guided tour of the charming little town of Sao Filipe. Passage to the market, tasting of Fogo coffee, of the Sao Filipe museum and/or the house of memory, the historical centre with its "sobrados"... Duration: about 3h30 + lunch. Transport: the excursion is done on foot. Possibility of providing a vehicle if necessary. Lunch in a local restaurant

Flights Fogo / Santiago / Sao Vicente. It takes 30' to reach Santiago, then 50' to reach Sao Vicente. Welcome to the airport and installation in Mindelo (Sao Vicente island).

"Integral" excursion. To discover all the facets of Sao Vicente in one day. Morning dedicated to the visit of Mindelo on foot (buildings, market...). Then a tour by vehicle in the suburbs of the city. After lunch, departure for a tour of the island. In order, visit Sao Pedro, Ribeira de Julião, Ribeira do Calhau, Calhau. Access to Praia Grande and Praia do Norte and continuation to the famous beach of Baia das Gatas. Stop at the top of Monte Verde, the highest point of the island to admire, if the weather allows it, the superb view of the bay of Mindelo. Duration: about 7 hours. Return transport included from Mindelo. Lunch included.

The ferry connection to Santo Antao and excursion "la Traversée". On arrival in Porto Novo, our guide will be waiting for you to show you the mythical Corda road ("estrada da corda"). This road climbs to 1300 meters and then plunges down the other side of the island. If the weather allows it, stop at the mirador of Pico da Cruz to admire the exceptional view of the Paul Valley. Then stop at the Cova crater where a walk of about 1 hour will be proposed. Return to the village of Espongeiro for a tasting of local products (goat cheese and puntche). Lunch will be taken in the village of Corda, which gave its name to this mythical route. Finally, we finish the descent by vehicle, with several photos stops in Cha de Mato, Delgadin.... To arrive on the north coast of the island in the early afternoon. Duration: about 5h30. Private transport included from Porto Novo to Ponta do Sol. Lunch included.

Day trip to the Ribeira de Torre and the famous tropical valley of Paul, probably one of the most beautiful in Cape Verde. Our guide and his driver will accompany you to the Ribeira da Torre where a walk of about 1 hour is planned. Then we take the coastal road to the village of Vila das Pombas to take the road up the Paul valley to the village of Cabo de Ribeira. A short walk is also planned in the Paul Valley. Visit of a "trapiche" in the village of Eito (in activity from January to July), tasting and possibility to buy "grogue" and "ponche". Lunch will be taken in the village of "Vila das Pombas". Return to your accommodation by public transport. Duration: about 7 hours, including about 2 hours of easy walking. Transport included from Ponta do Sol (private on the way out, collective on the way back). Lunch included.

Discovery of the Ribeira Grande and its various adjoining valleys, up to the steep Garça valley, which descends to the small fishing village of Cruzinha, located on the seashore. On the way, a stop in the pretty village of Cha d'Igreja. On the way back, we will have lunch at the Pires family farm, near Coculi, where we will enjoy a good meal, learn about farming methods and see the diversity of the products grown. Arrive at Ponta do Sol in the early afternoon. On arrival, a walk will be proposed to go and overlook the small village of Fontainhas, one of the most beautiful on the island, perched above the void. Duration: about 6h30. Return transport included from Ponta do Sol. Lunch included

Ferry boat back to Sao Vicente, overnight in Mindelo.

Flight Sao Vicente / Sal (50' flight), installation in the pretty seaside resort of Santa Maria

Island tour excursion. Onboard a 4x4 pick-up, our guide accompanies you to discover the main points of interest of the island. First, stop in Palmeira. Stroll through this authentic town with its colorful houses and port. Then we go to the Buracona site, a strange natural cavity of volcanic origin. A pleasure for the eyes! Direction Terra Boa, in the north of the island, where you can see mirages and mini-tornadoes when the wind is strong. We'll go to the "Mirador" of Espargos, which gives us a panoramic view of the city and the island. We will then head for the Pedra Lume salt pans: located on the eastern side of the island, in the crater, where seawater evaporates in a natural salt pan. Possibility of bathing. On the way back, we will stop at Murdeira, to enjoy a beautiful view of Monte Leao and we will finish with a stop at Ponta Preta, the world-famous windsurfing spot. Duration: 4 hours. Entrance fees to the different sites included. Transport by private pickup from Santa Maria included. Or if you prefer, you can go out on a catamaran and sail around the bay of Santa Maria. If you are lucky you may see some whales.

Free day. Many activities are possible: snorkeling, surfing, diving, quad biking....

Return flight from Sal, flights to Lisbon usually depart around 1 am.