INFO

Day 1
Arrival on the Cape Verde Islands. At the airport in Praia we will breathe our first capeverdean air. Santiago is the biggest of the islands. The culture, the atmosphere and the lifestyle are more african than in other parts of the archipelago - this has geographical and historical reasons. Night on the 'Plateau', the historical centre of Praia.

Included services:
- transfer airport - accommodation
- ON/DBL Hotel Santa Maria, Praia
- (-/-/-)

Day 2
Transfer to Cidade Velha, the oldest settlement of Cape Verde.
We will first hike through a big canyon that is filled with abundant vegetation. We are walking in the riverbed where we will see several Baobabs and mango trees. The smell of sugar cane is getting stronger and stronger any minute we are walking - a very sure hint that we are approaching a destillery that produces the famous 'Grogue' (local rum). But we do not let ourselves get distracted, we concentrate on the trees in order to maybe spot a 'Passarinha'. Looking at this little Kingfisher with his beautiful blue wings definitely puts a smile in our faces.

Included services:
- transfer accommodation - starting point of the hike
- guided hike Calabaceira - Ribeira Grande
- lunchbag
- entrance fees for the visit of the fort (Cidade Velha)
- transfer ending point of the hike - accommodation
- ON/DBL Hotel Santa Maria, Praia
- (B/LB/-)

Day 3
Today is easy to explain: we will make a roundtrip in the green. The hike starts in the cultivated area of São Domingos - a real jungle where the farmers of the region are producing fruits and vegetable that are sold to all 4 corners of Cape Verde. We will spend the night in a mountain lodge.

Included services:
- transfer accommodation - starting point of the hike
- guided hike around São Domingos
- transfer ending point of the hike - accommodation
- lunchbag and dinner
- ON/DBL Quinta da Montanha, Rui Vaz
- (B/LB/D)

Day 4
Today's hike is probably one of the most beautiful that Santiago has to offer: it reveals some secrets and the beauty that the island has to offer. For most of the time we have stunning views over the peaks of the mountains. The hike is a bit long today - but definitely worth it and the price to pay for walking off the beaten tracks. Finally we will reach Engenhos where the criole is a bit different than on the rest of the island. A group of slaves that fleed from Cidade Velha, settled here in the interior of the island. The influences in the language can still be recognized today. Overnight in very simple conditions at the house of the president of the pottery association.

Included services:
- guided hike Rui Vaz - Engenhos
- transfer in public transportation from Engenhos to Fonte Lima
- luggage transfer
- lunchbag and dinner
- ON/host family (very simple conditions), Fonte Lima
- (B/LB/D)

Day 5
Picos is a village in the countryside. This is where once the colonial governor was searching for shelter during a period of drought that afflicted the island in 1834. In other words: Picos is very green! Here we go on a track around the highest point of the island, the Pico d'Antonia, that looks like a shark fin.

Included services:
- transfer accommodation - starting point of the hike
- guided hike around Picos
- lunchbag and dinner
- transfer in public transportation Picos - Fonte Lima
- ON/host family (very simple conditions), Fonte Lima
- (B/LB/D)

Day 6 Hike 5, 5 hours // Level 2-3 // -50m / +100m
Our hike leads us down to the ocean. Crossing some green valleys and small villages in the east we will reach a small fishing village that was of great meaning in the past. And seriously - the region always reminds us a bit of Hawaii. We will relax by looking over the wide ocean that is right in front of us.

Included services:
- transfer accommodation - starting point of the hike
- guided hike Achada Figueira Nova - Ribeira da Barca
- luggage transfer
- lunchbag & dinner
- ON/DBL in local disco (very simple conditions), Ribeira da Barca
- (B/LB/D)

Day 7 Hike 6 hours // Level 3 // +850m / -600m
Leaving the oceanside we will first walk through a green valley and then through an abandoned village before we reach an oasis of mango trees. Could there be a more beautiful spot to have our picknick? The climbing of one more Achada rewards us with a breathtaking view over the area of Assomada. Maybe we can even spot some monkeys in the trees. After the hike we definitely deserve a reward: how about a swim in the ocean or a nap under palm trees?

Included services:
- guided hike Ribeira da Barca - Ribeira da Prata
- luggage transfer
- transfer ending point of the hike - accommodation
- lunchbag and dinner
- ON/DBL Casa Strela, Tarrafal
- (B/LB/D)

Day 8 Hike 4, 5 hours // Level 2-3 // +250m / -950m
Today another beautiful hike is waiting for us. This time through the eastern part of the Serra Malagueta. We will pass some green areas and small villages where we will meet really friendly people and enjoy spectacular panorama views over the typical landscape of Santiago. Serra Malagueta is declared as a natural park since 2003 and it is the home of 26 endemic plants. 14 of them are threatened with extinction and therefore should really not be taken with us as a souvenir. After the hike transfer along the east coast to Praia.

Included services:
- transfer accommodation - starting point of the hike
- guided hike through the national park Serra Malagueta
- transfer ending point of the hike - accommodation
- luggage transfer
- lunchbag and dinner
- ON/DBL Hotel Santa Maria, Praia
- (B/LB/D)

Day 9
Now it is time to say 'goodbye' to Santiago - we are leaving for the airport: Santo Antão is already waiting to be discovered by us. This will be done but not without paying a visit to the cultural capital Mindelo. Right behind the town's landmark - the Monte Cara - Santo Antão is waiting patiently.

Included services:
- transfer accommodation - airport
- domestic flight Santiago - São Vicente
- transfer airport - accommodation
- ON/DBL Aparthotel Avenida, Mindelo
- (B/-/-)

Day 10
Let's start by driving up the old road that goes through the island, the one with the amazing panoramas - we'll pass by an ancient crater and a pine tree forest. It's wonderful - and it's only the beginning of the journey! We start our wanderings through two beautiful valleys. Learning some words of Cape Verdean creole allows us to exchange more than smiles with the local farmers we encounter. Once we've reached the village, we head towards our family-run guesthouse for tonight, and enjoy a delicious homemade dinner. Simple, human, typically Cape Verdean.

Included services:
- transfer accommodation - harbour
- ferry from São Vicente - Santo Antão
- transfer harbour - starting point of the hike
- guided hike Boca das Ambas as Ribeiras - Cha d'Igreja
- luggage transfer
- lunchbag and dinner
- ON/DBL in family accomodation, Cha d'Igreja
- (B/LB/D)

07: 20 - Transfer from the Hotel to the harbour. The ferry leaves at 08: 00. Wear your hiking clothes, since you'll start the hike upon arrival. You will meet your guide in Porto Novo with a sign "CapeVerdeTrekking". Before you go, you can stop to buy water. After a nice transfer on the Old Road, you start your hike. No lunchbags, you will eat on the way. You will sleep in Cha de Igreja in a familly-run guesthouse, in one DBL room and the guide in one SGL (B/LB/D).

Day 11
Today we'll test our own strength during this beautiful, yet slightly challenging hike that few lucky people know. Early in the morning, we walk along the coast and our smart guide teaches us the famous rule of the 7 waves. Once on the other side, we start going up, then down, then up again. Our destination is a valley that is only reachable by foot, where we'll sleep in the elementary school. The amenities are more than simple, but the place and the people are so friendly that we'll feel like kings (night without luggage).

Included services:
- guided hike Cha d'Igreja - Figueiras
- luggage transfer to accommodation of day 4
- lunchbag and dinner
- ON in an elementary school (very simple conditions), Figueiras
- (B/LB/D)

Day 12
This trek we do for fun - others do out of necessity. Let's keep this in mind as we hike this beautiful and easier path. We walk along the coast until we reach a cliff: perhaps the nicest place to enjoy our picnics and rest for a bit, before going the other side. In a beautiful rural region, we spend the night in the wonderful holiday house of a local family, living in Mindelo. The family living in the village will take good care of us, so good we'll probably want to stay longer (night without luggage).

Included services:
- guided hike Figueiras - Ribeira da Cruz
- lunchbag and dinner
- ON/DBL in family accomodation, Ribeira da Cruz
- (B/LB/D)

Day 13
At first, the hike is a bit disappointing, the landscape has nothing special - did the guide fool us? But against all odds, after a curve, we stand before a beautiful green and lush valley (and suddenly, our guide is our BFF again). The state of the path shows how little it is used: we definitely are far away from mass tourism. Few tourists reach this part of the island. On a high plateau, we finally enjoy a view upon all the valleys we crossed. The few goats we encounter here and there are unmistakable signs that we are getting closer to our next stop. Night in the rustic home of a family.

Included services:
- guided hike Ribeira da Cruz - Norte
- lunchbag and dinner
- ON/DBL in family accommodation (very simple conditions), Norte
- (B/LB/D)

Day 14
After a nice cup of tea at dawn, we start to climb the highest mountain of the island: Tope de Coroa (literally: the top of the crown), which peaks at 1979 metres (6493 feet) - the second highest point after Fogo's Pico Grande. On our way, we realise
having a guide wasn't a bad idea after all, since there are many little paths to reach the summit... He will not fail to bring us safely to our kind host family.

Included services:
- guided hike Tope de Coroa
- lunchbag and dinner
- ON/DBL in family accommodation (very simple conditions), Norte
- (B/LB/D)

Day 15
...because we give an early start to one of the longest and loneliest hike the island can offer. But the landscapes, the silence and the peaceful atmosphere are worth the trouble... We enjoy our dinner at Osvaldo's house and a room at his place will be our shelter for tonight.

Included services:
- guided hike Norte - Monte Trigo
- lunchbag and dinner
- ON/elementary school in very simple conditions, Monte Trigo
- (B/LB/D)

Day 16
Back to what is called civilisation. Another early start allows us to enjoy the beautiful landscapes illuminated by the morning sun, as we drive through a somewhat rough road back to the harbour. We bid our guide farewell and board the ferry back to Mindelo.

Included services:
- guided hike Monte Trigo - Tarrafal
- lunch and dinner
- ON/DBLl Mar Tranquilidade, Tarrafal
- (B/L/D)

Day 17
Back to the so-called civilisation. Another early start to get to the harbour - but what a a company! The rising sun over the moonlike landscape that we cross is just one of the best moments of the travel. At the harbour of Porto Novo we will say 'goodbye' to our guide.

Included services:
- transfer accommodation - harbour
- ferry from Santo Antão - São Vicente
- transfer to the airport / to the accommodation in São Vicente
- (B/-/-)

PRICES

Included
Included services:
Ferry tickets São Vicente > Santo Antão > São Vicente
Domestic flights Santiago > São Vicente incl. taxes
16 overnights with breakfast, incl. overnight tax
Included meals: 12x lunchbag, 2x lunch, 13x dinner
Program as described: 14x hike with englishspeaking guide
All airport-, harbour- and other transfers mentioned in the program
Our 24/7 emergency service

Not included services:
Visa for Cape Verde (25 EUR)
Travel insurance
Not mentioned meals and all drinks
Tips
All services that are not mentioned

Included meals are mentioned as follows:
B= breakfast; LB= Lunchbag; CB=coffeebreak; L= lunch; D= dinner

Price per person

2113 € per person, based on two people

1577 € per person, based on four people

Extra charge (optional, price per person)

148 € for a single room (when available)