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Overview

The Best of Cape Verde – An Island Hopping Holiday

We’ve been travelling to Cape Verde for over twenty years. Using this experience, we’ve created an itinerary that includes all of our favourite highlights. This holiday takes you to five of Cape Verde’s islands, and we’ve included a variety of excursions on each one. You have three nights on each island, so you have plenty of time to explore.

Cidade Velha on Santiago, the oldest settlement of the archipelago. A lovely walk leads you to the town of Ribeira Granda. From here you can explore Cidade Velha, the historic centre. During the 18th century, the Portuguese used this as an outpost and many elements of this occupation remain, including the canons. On Fogo, you will drive to a volcano and walk on the crater floor at Cha das Caldeiras.

Explore the desert-like landscape of Sao Vicente by going off-road in a Jeep, and visit a grogue distillery on Santo Antao, where they make the popular sugar-cane based spirit. The Paul Valley is really popular with walkers, because it’s dramatic and green, charmingly rural and wonderfully tranquil. You pass through sugar cane, breadfruit, papaya and banana plantations and see the farmers at work.

Your private guided days are exclusively for you. This means you can travel and explore at your preferred pace.

We have included a visit to Sal at the end of our Best of Cape Verde holiday, so you have time to relax on the beautiful beaches. Sal is popular with windsurfers, divers, and kitesurfers. If you’re feeling energetic, why not book yourself in for some activities!

Jake and Max are our destination specialists for Cape Verde. Get in touch if you would like to talk through your options:

Call Us: 017687 21030

Email: team@archipelagochoice.com

Gallery

Itinerary

Day 1

Depart Heathrow and fly via Lisbon to Santiago in Cape Verde. On arrival transfer to the Hotel Oasis Praia Mar where you stay for 3 nights.

Day 2

After breakfast, you will be picked up by your English speaking guide and driven to the oldest settlement in Cape Verde - Cidade Velha. Here the guide will take you on a historical stroll to Rua Banana, the Nossa Senhora do Rosario church and the Pelourinho (pillory). You may also wish to visit the fort which overlooks the bay. On the way back, you will be shown the bustling city of Praia and it's colourful market of Sukopira. Lunch is included today.

Day 3

Another intoxicating day, as your guide takes you on an in-depth tour of the wider island. This includes visits to Assomada market and the Serra Malagueta Natural Park where you can take an optional short walk. You'll be taken to lunch in the northern coastal town and harbour of Tarrafal. Don't forget your swimming gear - as here you have the opportunity for a short swim in the ocean. Your return is via the east coast, with views to remote beaches and the deep eastern valleys. Lunch is included today.

Day 4

Transfer to the airport and fly to Fogo, on arrival transfer to the Colonial Guesthouse in Sao Filipe where you will stay for three nights. In the afternoon you could explore the pretty town with its pastel coloured houses and Sobrado (Portuguese colonial era) architecture, set amongst cobbled roads.

Day 5

Your guide will pick you up from your hotel and you'll be going on a full day tour to the dominating volcanic crater of Cha das Caldeiras. You can go for a short hike on the Bordeira (crater wall) with magnificent views of the crater below or you can go for a short walk in the crater along the lava fields. Your guide will bring lunch with you.

Day 6

After breakfast, you will be picked up by your guide for a full day tour of the rest of the island. You will visit Cova Figueira, Mosteiros and Salinas before you head back again to Sao Filipe. Lunch is included today.

Day 7

Transfer to the airport and fly via Santiago to Sao Vicente, where on arrival you will be transferred to Kira's boutique hotel where you stay for 3 nights. The hotel is within walking distance of many restaurants and the harbour. In the evening you could listen to live music in a nearby bar or restaurant.

Day 8

After breakfast, you will be picked up by your guide who will take you on a guided walk of Mindelo. During this three hour stroll, you'll visit the best sights in Mindelo like the fish market, the harbour, the old customs house, Estrela square with the permanent market stalls, the town hall and the presidential palace. Right at the end you will also visit a guitar making workshop. The rest of the day is free for you to explore.

Day 9

Be prepared for an exhilarating day. This included full day off-road jeep tour is a great way to see parts of the island you wouldn't be able to see in a normal car. You will be visiting Palha Carga, Calhau, Sandy Beach, Praia Grande, Baia Norte, Baia das Gatas and Monte Verde. Lunch is included today.

Day 10

After an early breakfast, transfer to the ferry port for your one hour ferry crossing to Santo Antao. On arrival, your guide will accompany you on a guided trip of the island. The mountain road is definitely one of the most spectacular on the archipelago and there will be plenty photo stops to document it. There is also the opportunity to go on a short walk to the picturesque village of Fontainhas, hanging above and amongst the northern cliffs. At the end of the tour, you will be dropped off at Pedracin Village, where you stay for 3 nights. Lunch is included today.

Day 11

Today, visit Paul Valley. The greenest valley of Cape Verde is surrounded by towering cliffs and here you'll walk on ancient mule tracks and cobbled roads along the stunning tropic vegetation consisting of sugar cane, mango and dragon trees. Depending on the time of the year, you will also visit a grogue distillery. Lunch is included today.

Day 12

This is a free day and return transfers to the seaside town of Ponta do Sol are included - so you can spend some time in this fishing town.

Day 13

Early morning transfer the ferry port for your crossing back to Sao Vicente. Depending on the flight to Sal, you may have some free time in Mindelo before it's time for your transfer to the airport. On arrival transfer to the Morabeza where you stay for two nights.

Day 14

You will be picked up from your hotel this morning for a half day sailing trip. Don't forget your swimming wear and you may spot some dolphins as well.

Day 15

Free time until it's time for your transfer to the airport. Fly home via Lisbon.

Guide price £3,600 per person on B&B basis

We can create a tailor-made holiday to suit your budget.

INCLUDED: International flights (guide price only), accommodation in twin share, en-suite rooms on a breakfast only basis throughout, dinner is included at Pedracin. Return airport transfers on Santiago, Fogo, São Vicente and Sal. Inter-island flights per person Santiago/Fogo/Santiago/São Vicente/Sal. 8 x guided excursions as detailed in the itinerary. Visas and support from our team in Cape Verde, and air ticket reconfirmation (if required). EXCLUDED: Meals not specified above and insurance. Additional excursions on free days.

Accommodation

The combination of accommodation we choose for your trip is part of the key to an unforgettable holiday. Throughout your trip you will be staying in some of the most amazing places. From a traditional sobrado style guest house to a family run boutique hotel and a hidden resort nestled in the mountains, each island has some great accommodation choices and the hotels on this trip have been specially selected for you. All the accommodation will be on B&B basis.

Kira’s Boutique Hotel Colonial Guesthouse
Hotel Oasis Atlantico Praiamar Hotel Morabeza

Activities

This Best of Cape Verde holiday includes a fantastic range of activities. Full-day guided tours on each island by car and walking tours on foot at Cidade Velha and Mindelo, all accompanied by an English speaking guide.

Driver-guided tours in Cape Verde If you are looking for the best way to explore Cape Verde…
Guided walking in Cape Verde Guided jeep tours in Cape Verde

Location

An in-depth trip, visiting five islands and offering the best sights each island has to offer.

Fogo island Cape Verde Dominated by the highest volcano of all the islands, Pico do Fogo…
Santiago island Cape Verde São Vicente island Cape Verde Santo Antao island Cape Verde Sal island Cape Verde

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