Cape Verde: Best trails of Santiago and Fogo islands

Praia, Cidade Velha, Sao Domingos, Assomada, Tarrafal, Pedra Badejo, Fogo, Sao Filipe(8 days) Start and end in Praia Itinerary Start and end in Praia! With the Hiking & Trekking tour Cape Verde: Best trails of Santiago and Fogo islands, you have a 8 days tour package taking you through Praia, Cape Verde and 7 other destinations in Cape Verde. Cape Verde: Best trails of Santiago and Fogo islands includes accommodation, flights, an expert guide, meals, transport and more. Introduction Discover Santiago and Fogo Island's best hiking and trekking trails with a local guide. Go adventure through volcanoes, natural parks, green valleys, UNESCO Heritage Site and, visit a local rum distillary at the heart of an intact nature rich in local fauna and flora. Day 1 Arrival in Praia - Airport Transfer – Hotel Check in After disembarking, be welcomed by Your travel representative, who will be waiting for you at Nelson Mandela International Airport with a sign displaying your name, as informed by you. Then, enjoy a private and custom transfer from the airport to your accommodation. Our team will take you from door to door with complete security and professionalism, providing all relevant information about your stay. Overnight in Praia. Start point Custom and private arrival airport Transfer (Nelson Mandela International Airport - Hotel in Praia), Praia, Cape Verde Day 2 Santiago Island: Calabaceira Valley Trek & Visit to Cidade Velha After a delicious breakfast, be collected from your accommodation in Praia and depart toward the small village of Calabaceira. Follow a simple and accessible trail for any hiker and explore the green valley famous for both its baobab trees mentioned by Charles Darwin and its use as an escape route for slaves during slavery. Next, discover the local fauna and flora and experience the production of a local rum-making distillery. There, get in touch with local farmers and their agricultural fields of sugar cane, mango trees, cassava, banana, and more. Arrive in Cidade Velha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and visit the São Francisco Convent, the famous Banana Street, Nossa Senhora do Rosário church and Pilourinho. Have a break for lunch and savor local delights in a typical restaurant right on the seafront. After lunch, visit the ruins of the Sé Catedral, and the Royal Fortress of São Filipe. Overnight in Praia. DURATION Every day from 9 am to 3 pm (6 hours) ROUTE FILE Extension: 4500 meters Ascent/Descent: ~300 m Difficult degree: Easy Total Walking Duration: 2 hours Path quality: Mediun tilt, narrow at the beginning and safe. Day 3 Trekking in Serra Malagueta Natural Park + Assomada Market + Tarrafal Beach The day begins with pickup from your accommodation in Praia and heads inland to the traditional Assomada Market. Wander around the vibrant stalls and soak up the hustle and bustle of this island hub whilst watching the locals haggle for produce (on Wednesdays and Saturdays only). Drive to Serra Malgueta Natural Park next, where your trekking adventure awaits. Follow your guide as you head into the luscious landscapes of the Serra Malagueta Natural Park, which covers 774-hectacres. The park is home to the Serra Malagueta mountain range as well as over 124 species of plant, and 19 species of bird. Throughout the trek, listen to your guide share information about the local flora and fauna, many of which can only be found here in the park. Once you’ve worked up a bit of an appetite, find a scenic spot for a well-deserved rest and enjoy a picnic lunch in the middle of the forest. After the walk, drive to Tarrafal Beach where you can spend some free time chilling on the shore. Overnight in Praia. DURATION Every day from 8 am to 5 pm (9 hours) ROUTE FILE Extension: 4200 meters (1 way) Ascent/Descent: ~200 m Difficult degree: Easy Total Walking Duration: 3-4hours Path quality: Flat, wide and safe. Day 4 From Praia: Fogo island Tour Start your day with a delicious breakfast at your accommodation and then be picked up at your accommodation and transferred to Nelson Mandela International Airport for your 35-minute flight to Fogo Island. Upon arrival, depart toward São Filipe, the capital of the island. There, explore “Sobrados” and wander around this charming little town lined with colorful colonial houses. Next, head to the small Municipal Museum and appreciate the simplicity of the objects that portray the local history. Head inland to the small villages of Achada Furna and Cabeça Fundão. There, learn about the history of the residents who had their houses submerged by the lava from the recent volcanic eruption of 2014. Arrive at Chã das Caldeiras National Park and admire un interrupted views of the volcano and rugged surrounding landscape. Marvel with an amazing view from the foot of Cape Verde's highest mountain, the active volcano, one of the best attractions in the country. After that, take a break for the well-deserved lunch in a local atmosphere and buy or taste at your expense one of the best wines in the world. Overnight in Chã das Caldeiras. DURATION Every day from 8 am to 3 pm (7 hours) Day 5 From Chã das Caldeiras: Pico do Fogo Volcano Hiking Get picked up at your accommodation in Chã das Caldeiras and walk with your guide until reaching the foot of the Volcano. From there, marvel with the regular view of its active volcanic cone, where the last eruption occurred in 2014. The volcano's surroundings are deep black, composed of lava and a lush green vegetation. Start the climb and let your local guide adjust the rate of climbing according to your skills. After 3 hours, reach the highest peak in Cape Verde. From Pico do Fogo, the third highest mountain in the Atlantic Ocean, with 2829 meters of altitude, enjoy one of the most steep and spectacular volcanic cones in the world. After that, take a break for the well-deserved picnic, contemplating an unforgettable 360-degree panoramic view over the entire island of Fogo and start the fun part of the day. Feel the sensation of touching the sky above the clouds and start descending the steep descent of ash for half an hour, sinking your knee-high in Lapilli, a lifetime experience. Overnight in Chã das Caldeiras. DURATION Every day, from 6 am to 1 pm. ROUTE FILE Extension: 9 Km Total Walking Duration: 4 - 5hours Difficult degree: Difficult Ascent: ~2800 m Path quality: Tilted and Narrow. Ramping up steeply through ash and sliding Day 6 Hiking Chã das Caldeiras – Coffee Plantation – Mosteiros & Dip into a Natural Pool Get picked up at your hotel in Chã das Caldeiras and start your hiking adventure through the north's protected forest and some descent path. Cross the steep northeast side of the volcano and be amazed by the unique sea landscape with the sight of the neighboring Santiago Island. Stick the road and walk through small residences built on lava rock terraces, banana, orange and coffee plantations. Enjoy the local environment and an intact nature filled of the scents of oranges and the noise of children and roosters. After the locality of Pai António, arrive at the center of the Mosteiros and get to know the local vibe you will never forget, a predominantly agricultural municipality, whose dominant crops are: coffee, grape, cotton and purgueira. Most of the Mosteiros territory is covered with lavas resulting from a series of volcanic eruptions that happened over time. After the walk, enjoy a well-deserved lunch in a local environment and then be transferred to Salinas de São José, and if the weather allows, enjoy a dip into its beautiful natural pool, one of the best bathing spots on the island. Overnight in São Filipe. DURATION: Every day, from 8 am to 3 pm ROUTE FILE Extension: 10 Km Path quality: Steep descents through the hike. Navigationally easy. Difficult degree: Moderated Total Walking Duration: 4-5 hours Day 7 From Fogo: Praia City Tour & Praia By Night Start your last day with a delicious breakfast at your accommodation and then enjoy your free time according to the flight schedules. Check out from the accommodation in São Filipe and at agreed time be picked up and transferred to Fogo airport. Catch your flight back to Santiago and say goodbye to Fogo. Arrive at Praia Airport and be trasnfered to the City Center. Take a break for the lunch and then head to the historical center of Plateau. Start the walking discovery tour through the Jaime Mota Military Barracks, passing by the Presidential Palace and the Alexandre Albuquerque Square. In the Municipal Market (closed on Sundays), meet locals and find a diversity of local fruits and vegetables. At evening, be transferred to one of the most popular restaurant of Santiago Island. There, enjoy live local music band 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. The tour concludes with drop-off at your accommodation. DURATION Every day, from 9 am to 3 pm and 7:30 pm to 11 pm Day 8 Goodbye Cabo Verde Start your last day with a delicious breakfast at your accommodation and then enjoy your free time according to the flight schedules. Check out from the accommodation and at agreed time be picked up and transferred to Nelsom Mandela international airport. Take your international flight back home and say goodbye to "La Morabeza Crioula". What's Included - Accommodation Standard room category in double/twin sharing basis. 03 nights at Casa Sodade*** in Praia (Santiago Island) or similar 02 nights at Casa Mariza 2.0*** In Chã das Caldeiras (Fogo Island) or similar 01 night at Pipi's Guest House In São Filipe (Fogo Island) or similar 01 night at Casa Sodade*** in Praia (Santiago Island) or similar - Flights Domestic Flights (Praia/Fogo/Praia); - Guide Guiding Service (English, French, Portuguese, Italian and Spanish); For groups with less than 4 travelers, the bilingual driver himself may be the guide. - COVID-19 Health & Safety Measures Bu Country Tours guarantees that all of its excursion services are carried out in compliance with the health safety measures required by WHO. We have always been in the first line when it comes to the safety and protection of our guests. Here are some of the measures that will be taken during the materialization of the services: Social distancing enforced throughout experience; Face masks required for guides/staff and travelers in public areas and inside of the transportation; All our vehicles together with the equipment provided for the land excursions are sanitized between use; The number of participants are reduced by up to 50 %; Meals - Meals included are 7 Breakfast; 4 Picnics, 6 lunches and 1 diner; Vegetarian food option on request; We do not include all meals in the package to make your trip more flexible. Take this opportunity to choose between the restaurants near your accommodation and try Cape Verdean cuisine according to your preference. Your travel representative will be delighted to help if needed. This tour offers Vegetarian food option on request. Simply let BuCountry Tours know the food option that you prefer. - Additional Services Tours as mentioned in the program; Guiding Service (English, French, Portuguese and Spanish); Domestic Flights (Praia/Fogo/Praia); All entrance frees; Service charges and VAT; Others mentioned in the tour description; Local Assistance 24 hours a day. - Transport Custom and private arrival and departure airport Transfers; Luggage transfers; Hotel pick up and drop off for all tours; NOT INCLUDED X Insurance X Optional IMPORTANT INFORMATION / KNOW BEFORE YOU GO •This tour starts and ends in Praia (Santiago Island); •The rum production season runs from January 1 st to May 31st •Please bring passport, hiking shoes, sandals/flip flops, comfortable shoes, a towel, a hat, swimwear, water and sunscreen; •Lunch includes fish, meet or main dish + dessert + water. •Hotel check in starts from 14h00 / Hotel check-out time: 12h00 •Printed or electronic vouchers requested. •Not recommended for those who are afraid of heights •We reserve the right to alter the order of the itinerary or substitute a hotel of similar class if deemed necessary. The same will be informed to the traveler before departure. •We reserve the right to claim from the travelers, any additional expenses incurred due to delay or changes in the schedule of domestic flights or Ferry. X Additional Services Travel insurance; Visa or Airport Security Tax fees (TSA). We recommend checking with your local embassy whether you need a visa or TSA only (TSA: https://www.ease.gov.cv/ or pay upon arrival €32 per person); International Flights; Tourist tax (Paid locally: 2 Euros/Person/Night); Sevices not mentioned in the program; Personal expenses.