Hiking in Cape Verde: Santiago, Fogo, São Vicente and Santo Antão

After being picked up from your accommodation in Praia, head towards the small village of Calabaceira. Begin your 3-hour hike from the top of the valley, where a lush oasis of vegetation emerges. Follow an easy trail suitable for all hikers and explore the green valley, famous both for its baobab trees, mentioned by Charles Darwin, and for its use as an escape route for slaves during the era of slavery.

Next, explore the local flora and fauna and discover the production process at a local rum distillery (the rum production season runs from January 1st to May 31st). There, connect with local farmers and their fields of sugarcane, mango trees, cassava, banana trees, and much more.

Arrive in Cidade Velha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and visit the Convent of São Francisco, the famous Banana Street, and the Church of Nossa Senhora do Rosário. Take a lunch break and savor local delicacies in a typical restaurant right by the sea.

After lunch, visit the former slave market, the ruins of Sé Cathedral, and the Royal Fortress of São Filipe. From the top, enjoy a magnificent view of the entire old town and discover the defense system used against pirates. Overnight in Praia.

DURATION: Every day from 9am to 3pm (6 hours)

ROAD FILE

Distance: 4500 meters Elevation Gain/Loss: ~300 m Difficulty Level: Easy

Durable and safe.

The day begins with pick-up from your accommodation in Praia and a drive inland to the traditional market of Assomada . Browse the lively stalls and soak up the bustle of this island hub while watching locals haggle over goods (Wednesdays and Saturdays only).

Next, head to Serra Malgueta Natural Park , where your trekking adventure awaits. Follow your guide as you make your way through the lush landscapes of Serra Malagueta Natural Park, which covers 774 hectares. The park is home to the Serra Malagueta mountain range , as well as over 124 plant species and 19 bird species. Throughout the hike, listen as your guide shares information about the local flora and fauna, many of which can only be found here in the park. There's also the chance to spot wildlife, including playful monkeys, a variety of reptiles, and colorful butterflies.

Once you've worked up an appetite, find a picturesque spot to rest and enjoy a picnic in the heart of the forest. After lunch, continue your walk to the end of the trail, then drive to Tarrafal Beach where you can spend some free time relaxing on the shore. At the end of an unforgettable day, settle in and relax on the drive back to Praia . Overnight in Praia .

Start your day with a delicious breakfast at your accommodation, then be picked up and transferred to Nelson Mandela International Airport for your 35-minute flight to Fogo Island. Upon arrival, head to São Filipe, the island's capital. There, explore Sobrados and stroll through this charming little town lined with colorful colonial houses.

Next, visit the small municipal museum and appreciate the simplicity of the objects that tell the story of local history. Head inland to the small villages of Achada Furna and Cabeça Fundão. There, discover the stories of the inhabitants whose homes were engulfed by lava during the recent volcanic eruption of 2014.

Arrive at Chã das Caldeiras National Park and admire uninterrupted views of the volcano and the surrounding rugged landscape. Marvel at the incredible view from the foot of Cape Verde's highest mountain, the active volcano, one of the country's most beautiful attractions. Afterward, take a break for a well-deserved lunch in a local atmosphere and purchase or sample, at your own expense, one of the world's finest wines.

One night in Chã das Caldeiras, Fogo.

DURATION Every day from 8am to 3pm (7 hours)

We'll pick you up from your accommodation in Chã das Caldeiras and walk with your guide to the base of the volcano. Begin the ascent and let your local guide adjust the pace to your fitness level. After 3 hours, you'll reach the highest peak in Cape Verde.

From Pico do Fogo, the third highest mountain in the Atlantic Ocean, at 2829 meters high, lies one of the world's most rugged and spectacular volcanic cones, the last eruption having taken place in 2014. Then, take a break for a well-deserved picnic, contemplate an unforgettable 360-degree panoramic view of the whole of Fogo Island and begin the fun part of the day.

Take a walk inside the crater and feel as if you're touching the sky above the clouds. Then, begin the steep ash descent, which takes about half an hour, plunging your knees into lapilli—a once-in-a-lifetime experience. After enjoying one of the best activities in Cape Verde, the tour concludes with a return to your accommodation in Chã das Caldeiras. Overnight in Fogo.

DURATION: Every day, from 6am to 1pm.

ROAD FILE

Length: 9 km Spillway: ~2800 m Difficulty level: Difficult

Total hike time: 4 to 5 hours. Trail quality: steep and narrow. Steep climb through ash and slippery sections.

Start your day with a delicious breakfast at your accommodation and get ready to discover your next destination, the island of São Vicente . Enjoy a private transfer from Chã das Caldeiras to Fogo Airport , then take your flight to São Vicente .

Land at Cesária Évora International Airport and be transferred to your hotel in Mindelo . Enjoy the tranquil atmosphere of the afternoon and savor a local dish at a local restaurant.

In the evening, you will be picked up from your accommodation and taken to one of Mindelo 's most popular restaurants . There, enjoy live music and savor local delicacies. The tour concludes with an evening transfer back to your accommodation. Overnight in Mindelo.

Be picked up in São Vicente and transferred to the port of Mindelo. Take a one-hour ferry ride to Porto Novo on Santo Antão and, upon arrival, meet your professional guide who will be waiting with a sign displaying your name. Then, be transferred to Cova Natural Park, an extinct volcano, and begin one of Santo Antão's most popular hikes . Marvel at a vast oasis of vegetation emerging from the crater at 1,100 meters above sea level, where local people cultivate their fields. Approach its rim and enjoy the most breathtaking view you've ever seen: the impressive green Paul Valley stretching out before you, along with the magnificent ocean view 10 kilometers away. Then, begin the zigzagging portion of the hike; discover native flora and fauna while passing through beautiful plantations of sugarcane, bananas, mangoes, avocados, coconuts, and more. Finally, discover the production of local rum in a traditional distillery and taste the famous "Grogue". Overnight in Ponta do Sol .

DURATION: Every day from 6am to 2pm (5 to 6 hours)

ROAD FILE

Distance: ~7 km Elevation gain: ~249 m / Descent: ~1329 m Difficulty level: Moderate

Total walking time: 2-3 hours Trail quality: Good, narrow at the beginning and safe.

Start your day with a delicious breakfast at your accommodation, then begin your walk from Ponta do Sol , a seaside fishing village with colorful houses. Follow a breathtaking road along rocky cliffs overlooking the ocean and enjoy the stunning backdrop of the sea. Next, take a small, winding road carved into the mountaintop and surrounded by deep valleys that will lead you to the picturesque village of Fontainhas , one of the 10 villages with the best views in the world according to National Geographic. Follow a steep descent and a footpath, passing through Corvo , Formiguinhas , and some dazzling heights to the Aranhas Valley. Then, arrive at a magnificent black sand beach, Praia das Aranhas , a nesting site for turtles where swimming is possible depending on sea conditions. There, find a picturesque spot for a well-deserved rest and enjoy a picnic on the shore. Next, begin your 2.5-hour hike between volcanic rocks and the ocean, offering breathtaking views all the way to Cruzinha , a small fishing village with stunning views of the coast and the ocean. Overnight in Ponta do Sol .

DURATION: Every day from 9am to 4pm (7 hours)

ROAD FILE:

Distance: 15 km Ascent/Descent: ~249 m Difficulty: Moderate

Total walking time: 5-6 hours. Trail quality: very long, narrow at the beginning and safe.

The day begins with pickup from your accommodation in Ponta do Sol , followed by a drive to São Vicente . Upon arrival, explore the island's capital, Mindelo , a historic and culturally rich city teeming with character. Continue your tour along the Avenida Marginal to Praia da Bote and the island's first popular African market, where the first community was established. Stroll through the colorful stalls, soak up the diverse landscapes and aromas, and mingle with the locals going about their daily lives. From there, drive to the eastern part of the island, where you can see native animals, endemic plants, and rolling farmland along the lush Calhau Valley .

Finally, enjoy a well-deserved lunch in Salamansa with "No Stress Vibe." Afterward, head to the village of Baía das Gatas and stroll along the white sand dunes that border the sea. Later, visit the Monte Vert Natural Park to admire breathtaking views of the entire island and the other Cape Verde islands. Overnight in São Pedro .

DURATION: Every day, from 7am to 4pm

Start your day with a delicious breakfast at your accommodation, then explore Mindelo on your own. You might enjoy relaxing on the white sands of the island's most picturesque and beautiful beach, Laginha Beach, renowned for its white sand and turquoise waters. Overnight in São Pedro.

Begin your final day with a delicious breakfast at your accommodation, then enjoy your free time according to your flight schedule. Check in from your Mindelo accommodation and, at the agreed time, be picked up and transferred to Cesária Évora International Airport. Take your international flight home and bid farewell to "La Morabeza Créoula".