Itinerary
- Day 1
Lisbon to Mindelo
You'll fly through Lisbon and land in Mindelo on São Vicente island, Cape Verde's cultural heart. After settling in, an off-road vehicle takes you around the island to see the volcanic crater at Topim, which offers views out to uninhabited islands nearby. Later you'll head to Calhau beach where colorful fishing boats line the white sand shore.
Included Activities
- Off-road vehicle exploration of São Vicente island
- Visit to volcanic crater Topim
- Visit to Calhau beach
Landmarks Topim Santa Luzia Raso Branco Calhau Praia Grande 
- Day 2
Mindelo to Santo Antão
The morning ferry to Santo Antão takes about 50 minutes from here. Once you arrive, there are three short hikes waiting along the old trade route between Porto Novo and the north, with rugged cliffs and tropical valleys surrounding you the whole way. You'll reach your accommodation in Ponta do Sol by afternoon.
Included Activities
- Ferry crossing from Mindelo to Santo Antão
- Guided hikes along old trade route
- Exploration of mountain villages and old sugar cane plantations
Landmarks Santo Antão Porto Novo Ponta do Sol 
- Day 3
Santo Antão
Starting from the mountain village of Fontainhas, you'll hike one of Cape Verde's most striking trails. The cobblestone paths run along dramatic cliffs all the way to Cruzinha, and the entire route gives you constant views of the rugged coastline and Atlantic waves below.
Included Activities
- Guided hike from Fontainhas to Cruzinha along cliffs
Landmarks Fontainhas Cruzinha - Day 4
Santo Antão
You're heading into the Paúl Valley, Santo Antão's lushest region. Walking through sugar cane plantations and mango trees, you'll pass through charming villages to see how rural life works here. Lunch is traditional Cachupa stew, and then there's a visit to a local distillery to try grogue, the local sugar cane schnapps.
- Meals
- Lunch (Traditional Cachupa stew made from beans and corn)
Included Activities
- Exploration of Paúl Valley
- Visit to traditional villages
- Visit to local grogue distillery with tasting
- Lunch featuring traditional Cachupa stew
Landmarks Paúl Valley - Day 5
Santo Antão to Mindelo
This round trip takes you through southwestern Santo Antão, where the landscape turns barren and strange. You'll find bizarre mountain formations, plateaus and gorges that look almost lunar. After lunch in a local village, the afternoon ferry from Porto Novo takes about 50 minutes back to Mindelo.
- Meals
- Lunch (Cape Verdean delicacy in local village)
Included Activities
- Round trip exploration of southwest Santo Antão
- Lunch in local village
- Ferry crossing from Santo Antão to Mindelo
Landmarks Porto Novo - Day 6
Mindelo
Spend the day in Mindelo exploring its music and culture. Walking through colonial alleyways and along Praça Nova, you'll check out the Mercado Municipal and exhibitions about Cesária Évora. A guitar workshop is on the agenda, and come evening you can sit in street cafés listening to traditional morna or coladeira music.
Included Activities
- Guided exploration of Mindelo's colonial alleyways
- Visit to Praça Nova
- Visit to Mercado Municipal
- Exhibition visits related to Cesária Évora
- Visit to guitar workshop
Optional Activities
- Evening entertainment: morna or coladeira music in street cafés
Landmarks Praça Nova Mercado Municipal - Day 7
Mindelo to Fogo
A flight takes you over Santiago island to Fogo, which is defined by its volcanic nature. In São Filipe, the island's capital, you'll see the historic colonial ensemble and Sobrado manor houses. Tonight you're staying in a traditional Sobrado guesthouse.
Included Activities
- Exploration of São Filipe and its colonial architecture
Landmarks São Filipe 
- Day 8
Fogo
After breakfast, the drive up the serpentine route to Pico do Fogo volcano climbs to 1,700 m altitude. You'll walk among lava formations from eruptions in 1951, 1995, and 2014, looking at fumaroles and sulphur deposits. There are also delicate vines growing in the black volcanic soil, followed by a wine tasting of local Fogo wine.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Drive to Pico do Fogo volcano at 1,700 m
- Walk through lava formations
- Fogo wine tasting
Landmarks Pico do Fogo - Day 9
Fogo to Praia
Flying to Praia on Santiago, Cape Verde's largest and most diverse island, you'll settle into accommodation in the heart of the city. Then it's off to Cidade Velha, the first Portuguese settlement founded back in 1462. You'll see Fortaleza de São Filipe, Convento de São Francisco, and the former pillory while learning about discovery voyages and transatlantic slave trade history.
Included Activities
- Visit to Cidade Velha
- Visit to Fortaleza de São Filipe
- Visit to Convento de São Francisco
- Visit to Pelourinho (former pillory)
Landmarks Cidade Velha Fortaleza de São Filipe Convento de São Francisco Pelourinho - Day 10
Praia to Tarrafal
A guided walk through Praia's historic Platô district covers Alexandre Albuquerque main square and the fruit and vegetable market. The Amilcar Cabral Foundation is on the route, and after that you'll browse the Sucupira all-purpose African market. Later, driving through the island's interior brings you to Tarrafal in northern Santiago.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Guided walk through Praia's historic district Platô
- Visit to Alexandre Albuquerque square
- Fruit and vegetable market visit
- Visit to Amilcar Cabral Foundation
- Visit to Sucupira African market
- Drive through island interior to Tarrafal
Landmarks Platô Alexandre Albuquerque square Amilcar Cabral Foundation Sucupira market - Day 11
Tarrafal
The Serra Malagueta hike starts from Mato Brasil and passes through agave-lined mountain slopes, then lava plains with sweet potato plantations into the mountain region. You'll have magnificent views of northern Santiago throughout, and the route ends with a refreshing swim back at the sea.
Included Activities
- Guided hike in Serra Malagueta from Mato Brasil
- Swimming in the sea
Landmarks Serra Malagueta Mato Brasil - Day 12
Tarrafal
Tarrafal beach is yours to do with as you like today. Relaxing and reflecting on everything you've seen so far works well here, and you can explore the area on your own schedule.
Optional Activities
- Beach relaxation at Tarrafal
- Independent exploration and discovery
Landmarks Tarrafal beach - Day 13
Tarrafal to Praia
You'll spend time at the day room hotel before an afternoon transfer back to Praia. This gives you a moment to prepare for departure as you take home Cape Verdean rhythms and the taste of tamarind pontche with you.
Included Activities
- Day room at hotel
- Transfer to Praia
- Day 14
Praia to Frankfurt
Landing in Germany in the morning brings your Cape Verde adventure to an end.
