STAY
Type of stay :
Trek with guide
Island(s) :
Santiago
Localities visited :
Praia, Cidade Velha, São Domingos, Ribeira da Barca, Serra Malaguera, Tarrafal, Engenhos, Pico d'Antonia
Length : 8 days
(included 7 of walking)
Maximum difficulty : 3
It is an 8-day-immersion that we propose to you. Your guide will lead you through the valleys, villages and mountains of Santiago, the biggest of the Capeverdean islands.
Santiago is also the most populated island, the one that was populated first, the most productive. Moreover Santiago is the sum of spectacular places with a constant invitation for hikes, each and every valley is different, each plateau offers breathtaking panoramas - within a range of just some kilometres we are travelling from Africa to South America and back with fascinating stories and anecdotes in each village. The inhabitans are generous and very welcoming, always making sure that the hikers, coming from far away to visit their valley or village, are having a fantastic time.
INFO
Day 1
Arrival on the capeverdean islands. At the airport in Praia, the capital of the country, we are breathing our first puffs of capeverdean air. Santiago is the biggest of all the islands. The culture, the atmosphere and the lifestyle are more african than in other parts of the archipelago - this out of historical and geographical reasons. Overnight on the Plateau, the historical centre of Praia.
Included services:
- Transfer airport - accomodation
- ON Hotel Santa Maria, Praia
- (-/-/-)
Day 2 Hike 3 hours // Level 2
Transfer to Cidade Velha, the oldest settlement of Cape Verde.
We will first hike through a big canyon through wild vegetation that this valley is covered with - you will find many baobabs and mangotrees. The aroma of sugar cane gets stronger every minute - a clear sign of our approach towards a distillery that produces 'grog' (the local rum). But we do not let ourselves get carried away, we focus on the treetops and try to spot a 'passarinha'. We do not want to miss the sight of this little Kingfisher with its beautiful blue-feathered wings.
Included services:
- Transfer accomodation - starting point of the hike
- Guided hike from Calabaceira - Ribeira Grande
- lunchbag
- entrance to the old fortress (Cidade Velha)
- Transfer from the ending point of the hike to the accomodation
- ON Hotel Santa Maria, Praia
- (B/LB/-)
Day 3 Hike 5 hours // Level 3
Today will be stunning - we are heading for nice and green hike which begins in São Domingos. São Domingos is almost a jungle where the inhabitants of the area are producing fruits and vegetables to be sold all over the archipelago. Overnight in a mountain lodge.
Included services:
- Transfer accomodation - starting point of the hike
- guided hike in the area of Sao Domingos
- luggage transfer to the accomodation
- lunchbag and dinner
- ON Quinta da Montanha, Rui Vaz
- (B/LB/D)
Day 4 Hike 7, 5 hours // Level 3
Today's hike might be the prettiest that Santiago has to offer: it reveals secrets and beauties of the island. Most of the time we have very nice panoramic views on the surrounding mountaintops. The way is a bit longer today and goes up and down but we will put up with and have the guarantee to be walking off the beaten track. Finally we will reach Engenhos where the spoken crioule is different than in the other parts of the island. A group of slaves, that had fled from Cidade Velha settled in this part of the island. The influence on their language can be seen still today. Overnight in a host family. (in very simple conditions!)
Included services:
- guided hike Rui Vaz - Engenhos
- Transfer in aluguer from Engenhos to Fonte Lima
- Luggage Transfer
- lunchbag and Dinner
- ON/Host family (very simple conditions), Fonte Lima
- (B/LB/D)
Day 5 Hike 5, 5 hours // Level 2-3
Picos is a village in the countryside. Once the colonial governor Manuel António Martins was looking for shelter during a drought that occured in 1834. In other words: Picos is a very green region! And here we go on a hike near the Pico d'Antonia, Santiago's highest peak which - with a little bit of imagination - has the shape of a shark fin.
Included services:
- Transfer accomodation - start of the hike
- guided hike in the area of Picos
- lunchbag and dinner
- Transfer in aluguer from Picos to Fonte Lima
- ON/Host family (very simple conditions), Fonte Lima
- (B/LB/D)
Day 6 Hike 5, 5 hours // Level 2-3
Our hike leads us towards the ocean. Going eastwards down some green valleys, through small villages we will reach a small fishing village that was once of great importance for the island of Santiago. And seriously - the region always reminds me a little bit of Hawaii ... you too? Let us relax and our eyes wander over the endless vastness of the Atlantic.
Included services:
- Transfer accomodation - starting point of the hike
- guided hike from Achada Figueira Nova - Ribeira da Barca
- luggage transfer
- lunchbag and dinner
- ON/Host family (very simple conditions), Ribeira da Barca
- (B/LB/D)
Day 7 Hike 5 hours // Level 3
Starting at the ocean we will first hike up a green valley past an abandoned before reaching an oasis of mangotrees. Could there be a nicer place for our picknick? Climbing up another 'Achada' gives us the chance to admire the northern region of Assomada. Maybe we will spot a monkey or two that are hiding on the trees. We definitely deserve a reward in the end: how about a swim in the ocean or a nap under palmtrees? - the white sandy beach is definitely inviting.
Included services:
- guided hike from Ribeira da Barca to Ribeira da Prata
- luggage transfer
- Transfer ending point of the hike - accomodation
- lunchbag and dinner
- ON Hotel Casa Strela, Tarrafal
- (B/LB/D)
Day 8 Hike 4, 5 hours // Level 2-3
Today another splendid hike is awaiting us - this time through the eastern part of the mountain range called 'Serra Malagueta'. We pass through green valleys and small villages where we will meet friendly people and sneak some peeks on the surrounding landscapes. The Serra Malagueta is declared natural preserve since 2003 and the home of 26 endemic plants. 14 of those are unfortunately threatened with extinction and therefore should not be taken home as a souvenir. After the hike transfer along the eastcoast back to Praia.
Included services:
- Transfer accomodation - starting point of the hike
- guided hike through the national park of Serra Malagueta
- Transfer from the ending point of the hike to accomodation
- luggage transfer
- lunchpaket and dinner
- ON Hotel Santa Maria, Praia
- (B/LB/D)
Day
And now it is time to say 'Goodbye'...
Included services:
- transfer accomodation - airport
- (B/-/-)
Details
PRICES
Included
Included services:
8 overnights with breakfast, incl. overnight tax
Further meals: 7x lunchbag, 6x dinner
Program as described: 7x hike with guide
All airport-, harbour- and other transfers as per travel description
Our 24/7 emergency number
Not included services:
Visa Cape Verde (25 EUR)
Travel insurance
Non-mentioned meals and all beverages
Tips
All not mentioned services
Included meals are mentioned as follows:
B= breakfast; LB= lunchbag; CB= coffee break; L= lunch; D= dinner
Extra charge (optional, price per person)
111 € for a single room (when available)
The price of this program varies depending on the season, we will give it by email.
A week discovering three different islands: Santiago the African, São Vicente the elegant and Santo Antão the tropical, breadbasket of the Northern part ...
