Cape Verde: Best trails of Santiago and Fogo islands
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About This Experience in Ilha do Fogo
Why Visit Ilha do Fogo?
Ilha do Fogo, Cape Verde offers a wealth of attractions, cultural experiences, and activities for visitors. From historic landmarks to modern attractions, Ilha do Fogo provides an unforgettable travel experience with something to discover around every corner. Explore local cuisine, discover unique culture, and create lasting memories in this remarkable destination.
Getting to Ilha do Fogo
You can reach Ilha do Fogo, Cape Verde by air, train, or road depending on your starting location. The city offers various transportation options including taxis, public transit, and private transfers to help you reach your destination. Many hotels can arrange airport transfers, and local transportation options vary by location.
What's Included
- All entrance fees
- Local Assistance 24 hours a day.
- Custom and private Arrival and departure airport Transfers; Luggage Transfers;
- All Fees and Taxes
- Dinner
- Hotel pick up and drop off for all the tours;
- Tours as mentioned in the program;
- Domestic Flights (Praia/Fogo/Praia);
What's Not Included
- International Flights;
- Tourist tax (Paid locally: 2 Euros/Person/Night);
- Travel insurance;
- Visa or Airport Security Tax fees (TSA).
- Sevices not mentioned in the program and Personal expenses.
Cancellation Policy
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
Additional Information
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
- • 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, confortable shoes, a towel, a hat, swimwear, and sunscreen;
- • Lunch and diner includes fish, meet or main dish + dessert + water. Vegetariam food available upon 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;
- • Copy of traveler's passport is mandatory for the issue of the flight/Ferry ticket;
- • For domestic flights, each traveler is entitled to take a suitcase of up to 23 kg and a backpack of up to 5 kg.
- • We reserve the right to claim from the travelers, any additional expenses incurred due to delay or changes in the schedule of domestic flights.
- • 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.
- • A date change fee, as applicable will be levied on passengers who change their date of travel.
- • Not recommended for those who are afraid of heights
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Meeting and Pickup
Pickup Information
Pickup Option: Pickup available for all travelers
Pickup Time: 10 minutes before departure
Custom pickup locations may be available. Please contact the supplier for details.
Itinerary
Arrival in Praia (Santiago Island) – Airport Transfer – Hotel Check in
After disembarking, be welcomed by Your travel representative,... 15 minutes
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 in Praia. Our team will take you from door to door with complete security and professionalism, providing all relevant information about your stay. Overnight in Praia.
Santiago Island: Calabaceira Valley Trek & Visit to Cidade Velha
After a delicious breakfast, be collected from your... 30 minutes
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... 2 hours 30 minutes
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... 30 minutes
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.
Stop 1 hour
. Have a break for lunch and savor local delights in a typical restaurant right on the seafront.
Get to know the history of the slave market, Pilourinho 15 minutes
Get to know the history of the slave market, Pilourinho.
After lunch, visit the ruins of the Sé... 15 minutes
After lunch, visit the ruins of the Sé Catedral, and the Royal Fortress of São Filipe.
Know the system of differences against attacks by pirates 30 minutes
Know the system of differences against attacks by pirates.
Hotel drop-off 5 minutes
Hotel drop-off. 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.
Trekking in Serra Malagueta Natural Park + Assomada Market + Tarrafal Beach
The day begins with pickup from your accommodation... 1 hour 30 minutes
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 30 minutes
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.
Once you’ve worked up a bit of an... 3 hours
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... 2 hours
After the walk, drive to Tarrafal Beach where you can spend some free time chilling on the shore.
Hotel drop-off 5 minutes
Hotel drop-off. 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.
From Praia: Fogo island Tour to Volcano
Start your day with a delicious breakfast at... 1 hour
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 10 minutes
Upon arrival, depart toward São Filipe, the capital of the island.
Here, explore “Sobrados” and wander around this charming... 30 minutes
Here, explore “Sobrados” and wander around this charming little town lined with colorful colonial houses.
Next, head to the Municipal Museum and appreciate... 15 minutes
Next, head to the Municipal Museum and appreciate the simplicity of the objects that portray the local history.
Visit to a local Church 15 minutes
Head inland to the small villages of Achada Furna and Cabeça Fundão 30 minutes
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... 1 hour
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... 30 minutes
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.
From Chã das Caldeiras: Pico do Fogo Volcano Hiking
Get picked up at your accommodation in Chã... 20 minutes
Get picked up at your accommodation in Chã das Caldeiras and walk with your guide until reaching the foot of the Volcano.
Start the climb and let your local guide... 3 hours
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, where the last eruption occurred in 2014.
After that, take a break for the well-deserved... 1 hour
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.
Hotel drop-off 10 minutes
Hotel drop-off. 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
Hiking Chã das Caldeiras – Coffee Plantation – Mosteiros & Dip into a Natural Pool
Get picked up at your hotel in Chã... 3 hours
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... 1 hour
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... 1 hour
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.
Hotel drop-off 20 minutes
Hotel drop-off. 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
From Fogo: Praia City Tour & Praia By Night
Start your last day with a delicious breakfast... 15 minutes
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 35 minutes
Catch your flight back to Santiago and say goodbye to Fogo.
Arrive at Praia Airport and be trasnfered to the City Center 20 minutes
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 1 hour
Take a break for the lunch and then head to the historical center of Plateau.
Start the walking discovery tour through the Jaime... 20 minutes
Start the walking discovery tour through the Jaime Mota Military Barracks, passing by the Presidential Palace and the Alexandre Albuquerque Square.
The statue of the official discoverer of Santiago Island 10 minutes
The statue of the official discoverer of Santiago Island.
Guided visit t the main square 15 minutes
Guided visit t the main square.
In the Municipal Market (closed on Sundays), meet... 15 minutes
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... 2 hours
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
Goodbye Cabo Verde
Start your last day with a delicious breakfast... 15 minutes
Start your last day with a delicious breakfast at your accommodation in Praia 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". Hotel check-out time: 12h00
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cancellation policy?
If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure…
How do I book this tour?
Click the "Book Now" button on this page to complete your reservation through Viator's secure booking platform. You'll receive instant confirmation via email.
Is this tour suitable for all ages?
Please check the age requirements and physical fitness level requirements listed in the tour details above. Some tours may have age restrictions or require a certain level of physical fitness.
