Cape Verde’s local flavors: Santiago, Maio & Fogo Islands – 10 days

Be welcomed by our professional driver and a licensed guide at Nelson Mandela Airport. Enjoy a high quality private transfer to your accommodation in Praia, including free waiting time. Our team will also take you from door to door with complete security and professionalism, providing all relevant information about your stay.

INCLUSIONS: Private Transfer from Nelson Mandela Airport to Hotel in Praia (Customizable according to flight arrival time)
Accommodation: Hotel VipPraia **** or similar (2 Nights, Check in starts from 2 pm) and Welcome meeting / Briefing

Startwith pickup from your accommodation in Praia, and first visit the Dona Maria Pia Lighthouse. Take stunning pictures from the top of the Lighthouse surrounded by the large cannons installed to protect the island from the attack of pirates such as Francis Drake and Jacques Cassard. Make your way to the historical center of Plateau. Take a walking tour through the Jaime Mota Military Barracks, passing by the Presidential Palace and Alexandre Albuquerque Square. In the Municipal Market, meet locals and find a diverse range of fresh local fruits and vegetables. Next, explore the largest souvenir market to be found in Cape Verde, the Sucupira Market. Explore Cidade Velha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site to see all its highlights such as the Royal Fortress of São Filipe, the ruins of the first sub-Saharan African Cathedral, the fishermen bay, the former slave market in Pelourinho, the famous Banana Street with its traditional houses, the Nossa Senhora do Rosário church, and finally the Convent of São Francisco. At lunch, enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the city, and taste local delights in a typical restaurant right on the seafront. The tour concludes with drop-off at your hotel in Praia.

INCLUSIONS: Private Transportation, Hotel pick up and drop off , All entrance fees , Guiding service and Lunch

Starting from your hotel in the city of Praia, head straight to the harbor. The ferry will depart at 7:00 AM for a two-hour trip to Maio. The island of Maio is 103 square miles and is the flattest island on Cape Verde. There, start your discover from the Eco-Museum, and learn about the history of the colonization of the island, rooted in the exploitation of salt, which was exported to several countries. After, visit the Salinas wetland of Porto Inglês and have a chance to see the locals producing Salt. Next, head to Morro village and have a typical breakfast with a local family. Your tour progresses to the locality of Calheta, where a visit to its handcraft center gives you the opportunity to buy some souvenirs. Then, continue towards the agricultural and fishing areas until the Morrinho dunes. There, have an easy walk throughout the white sand dunes that were brought by the wind from the Sahara desert. Take a break for lunch at Pedro Vaz village, the first village to be inhabited. Then, drive back to the capital of the island and visit São José Fortress, built in the 18th century to protect the island from pirate attacks.

INCLUSIONS: Private Transportation, Hotel pick up and drop off, Ferry ticket (Praia – Maio), Guiding Service, Lunch and Accommodation: Casa Evora*** or similar (2 Nights)

After a delicious breackfast, have a short walk and reach the shore. It is a day off to enjoy the most beautiful beach on the island, Bitchirotcha Beach.

Start you day with a delicious breakfast at your accommodation and get prepared to discover your next destination, Fogo Island.

INCLUSIONS: Private Transfer out (Casa Evora – Maio Airport), Domestic Flight (Maio – Praia – Fogo), Private Transfer in (Fogo Airport – Hotel in São Filipe), Accommodation: Pipi’s Guest House *** or similar (2 Nights).

Fogo Island was named after the imposing volcano that resides on it, which is still active today although the last eruption was in 2014. Get picked up at your accommodation and depart toward São Filipe. There wander around this charming little town lined with colorful houses. Continue the tour to Salinas, a small pebble beach where you can learn about the island’s geology and watch fishermen returning to shore with the day’s catch. Drive northwards to the village of Mosteiros and then across the eastern coast to reach the village of Cova Figueira. Enjoy a photo stop at the scenic Achada Furna and Cabeça Fundão along the way. Arrive at Chã das Caldeiras National Park and admire uninterrupted views of the volcano and rugged surrounding landscape. From there, visit a local coffee plantation to taste some of the best coffee and wine in the world. Enjoy a break for lunch, and then head off into Monte Velha Forest, an area of fertile mountains and microclimates.

INCLUSIONS: Private Transportation, Hotel pick up and drop off, Guiding Service and Lunch
EXCLUSIONS: Wine or coffe tasting

Say goodbye to Fogo Island and head to the airport for your flight back to Santiago Island. Upon arrival, be picked up at Nelson Mandela Airport and then head towards the interior of the island. Make your first stop at Mrs. Luisa’s house. There, sample cuscuz (a traditional cake made from corn flour) and fidjós (fried banana), the typical breakfast for Cape Verdean families. After breakfast, continue to the city of Assomada. Visit its famous market and admire the vibrant colors of the local fruits and vegetables. After that head to Boa Entrada, a small agricultural-village, where locals earn their daily bread through agriculture. There, see sugar cane plantation, coconut and mango trees, and get to know the oldest and largest tree of Cape Verde, a giant Kapok with 500 years of history. Move on to the Serra Malagueta natural park and marvel at the incredible views from 1000 meters (3,280 feet) above sea level. Next, visit the Concentration Camp of Chão Bom, a prison used to imprison European and African politicians who fought against the Salazar regime. Take a break for a delicious lunch, and then the tour concludes with drop-off at your accommodation in Tarrafal.

INCLUSIONS:
Private Transfer out (São Filipe – Fogo Airport), Domestic Flight (Fogo – Praia), Private Transportation, Guiding Service , All entrance fees, Workshop of Cuscuz, Lunch, Hotel drop off and Accommodation: Hotel Vista Mar *** or similar (2 Nights).

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Please bring sandals/flip flops, a towel, a hat, swimwear, and sunscreen
Please note that the visit to Assomada Market is only on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Day off to explore by your self. You may like to relax on the white sand of the most picturesque and beautiful beach on Santiago Island, Tarrafal Beach, known for its white sand and crystal-clear waters.

Get picked up at your accommodation and then return on the island’s east coast. Make your first stop in Espinho Branco and visit the religious community of Rabelados, the only community that still lives in thatched houses and preserves Cape Verde’s oldest customs and beliefs. There, see the local handicraft production and have the opportunity to buy handmade paintings from local artisans. Travel for approximately 45 minutes and arrive at the largest banana and coconut plantation in the country. Take a small walk inside the agricultural fields while the local guide explains the varieties of fruits and dozens of plants that exist along the route. Then, head to the foot of the highest mountain on the island, where you will visit the traditional local distillery and taste the famous local rum called “grogue”. Take a break the lunch and then head between rocks and valleys to your hotel in Praia.

19h30 – Private Transfer from Hotel in Praia to Quintal da Música
Get picked up at your accommodation and depart toward one of the most popular restaurant of Santiago Island. There, enjoy live music and relish the most famous dish ever made in Cape Verde, Katxupa, a slow cooked stew of corn, beans, cassava, sweet potato, fish or meat and more.
23h00 – Private Transfer from Quintal da Música to Hotel.

INCLUSIONS: Private Transportation, Hotel pick up and drop off, Guiding Service, All entrance fees
Lunch, Diner and Accommodation: Hotel VipPraia **** or similar (1 Night).

Get picked up at your accommodation in Praia and depart toward Nelsom Mandela international airport. Take your international flight back and say goodbye longing for “La Morabeza Crioula”!!!

INCLUSIONS: Private transfer out from Hotel in Praia to Nelson Mandela Airport (Customizable according to flight departure time)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Check-out time : 12h00