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Cape Verde: Green Escape to Santiago - Nature & Beach 9 Days Pack
By Bu Country Tours
10/10
10 out of 10Free cancellation available
per adult*
*Get a lower price by selecting multiple adult tickets
Features
- Free cancellation available
- 9d
- Mobile voucher
- Instant confirmation
- Selective hotel pickup
- Multiple languages
Overview
Come and discover the wonders of Santiago islan and let yourself be enchanted by beautiful beaches, mountains and valleys still intact. Get to know the way of life of the locals and try the local gastronomy and don't forget to bring your swimming costume to dive into a cave, followed by a BBQ on the black sand beach.
Activity location
- Nelson Mandela Praia International Airport
- Praia, Praia, Cabo Verde
Meeting/Redemption Point
- Nelson Mandela Praia International Airport
- Praia, Praia, Cabo Verde
Check availability
Cape Verde: Green Escape to Santiago - Nature & Beach 9 Days Pack
- 9d
- English
Pickup included
Starting time: 9:00 am
Price details
AU$2,935.81 x 1 AdultAU$2,935.81
Total
* Select 4 adult tickets to get our lowest price of AU$1,467.91 per adult
Until Sun, 17 Nov
What's included, what's not
- Custom and private arrival and departure airport transfers; Luggage Transfers;
- Service charges and VAT;
- Local Assistance 24 hours a day.
- All entrance fees;
- Hotel pick up and drop off for all the tours;
- Tours as mentioned in the programme;
- Accommodation (8 Nights);
- International Flights;
- Tourist tax (Paid locally: 2,5 Euros/Person/Night);
- Travel insurance;
- Visa or Airport Security Tax fees (TSA).
- Personal expenses.
Know before you book
- Public transport options are available nearby
- Travellers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Lunch and diner includes fish, meet or main dish + dessert + water.
- The rum production season runs from January 1 st to May 31st
- Please bring passport, sandals/flip flops, Hiking shoes, confortable shoes, a towel, a hat, swimwear, and sun cream;
- 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 traveller before departure.
Activity itinerary
Day 1: Arrival - Airport Transfer (Praia Airport to Hotel in Praia) – Check in
- 2 stops
- Meals: Not included
- Accommodation: Hotel Santa Maria *** or similar Check in starts from 2 pm.
Nelson Mandela Praia International Airport
- 15m
- Admission ticket included
Be welcomed by our professional driver and a licensed guide at Nelson Mandela Airport. Enjoy a high quality private transfer to your accommodation in Praia, including free waiting time.
Praia
- 15m
Our team will also take you from door to door with complete security and professionalism, providing all relevant information about your stay.
Day 2: Santiago Island: Calabaceira Valley Trek & Visit to Cidade Velha
- 6 stops
- Meals: lunch, breakfast
- Accommodation: Hotel Santa Maria *** or similar
Praia
- 20m
After being collected from your accommodation in Praia, depart towards the small village of Calabaceira.
Ribeira Calabaceira Cidade
- 3h
Start your 3-hour hike from the top of the valley, with an oasis of vast vegetation emerging in its interior. 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 (The Rum production season runs from January 1 st to May 31st). There, get in touch with local farmers and their agricultural fields of sugar cane, mango trees, cassava, banana, and more.
Cidade Velha, Historic Centre of Ribeira Grande
- 2h
- Admission ticket included
Arrive in Cidade Velha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and visit the São Francisco Convent, the famous Banana Street and Nossa Senhora do Rosário church. Have a break for lunch and savour local delights in a typical restaurant right on the seafront.
Pelourinho
- 30m
- Admission ticket included
After lunch, visit the former slave market, the ruins of the Sé Catedral, and the Royal Fortress of São Filipe.
Fortaleza Real de San Felipe
- 30m
- Admission ticket included
From the top, enjoy a beautiful view over the whole old town and find out about the system of defence used against pirates.
Praia
- 20m
The tour concludes with drop-off at your accommodation in Praia.
Day 3: Santiago Island: Scenic Tour to Banana Plantation, Workshop of Cuscuz and Rui Vaz Tour
- 4 stops
- Meals: breakfast, lunch
- Accommodation: Hotel Santa Maria *** or similar
Praia
- 30m
Get picked up at your hotel in Praia, then depart towards the interior of the island.
Santa Cruz
- 2h
Travel for approximately 45 minutes and arrive at the largest banana and coconut plantation in the country. Take a walk inside the agricultural fields while the local guide explains the varieties of fruits and dozens of plants that exist along the route.
São Jorge dos Órgãos
- 2h
Continue inland until you reach São Jorge dos Orgãos. There, learn how to make cuscuz (a traditional cake made from corn flour) and fidjós (fried banana mixed with wheat) with a local family. Then, head to the foot of the highest mountain on the island, visit the traditional local rum distillery (The Rum production season runs from January 1 st to May 31st) and Lemba Lemba Eco Bar.
Rui Vaz
- 1h
Next, head between rocks and valleys to the village of Rui Vaz at an altitude of 800 metres and have lunch at a mountaintop restaurant. The tour conclude with drop-off at your hotel in Rui Vaz.
Day 4: Trekking: Natural Park of Monte Tchota to Pico D’Antónia (the highest mountain on the island)
- 3 stops
- Meals: breakfast, lunch
- Accommodation: Quinta da Montanha *** or similar
Monte Tchota
- 30m
Your day begins with a scenic drive to Rui Vaz, followed by the climb through the Natural Park of Monte Txota. Located at an altitude of 800 metres and with its own microclimate, this is one of the coolest places on the island with lots of biodiversity.
Pico de Antonia
- 4m
Then, continue towards the Pico D'Antónia. With an elevation of 1394 metres, this is the highest point of Santiago Island. When you get close to the top you will enjoy panoramic views of the São Jorge Valley, and possibly Maio Island and Fogo Island Volcano, with the weather permitting. Your trek will take about 4 hours, with a stop for a small picnic and views of beautiful landscapes along the way.
Route File:
Extension: 3000 metres
Descent: ~400 m//Ascent: 672 m
Difficulty degree: Difficult
Total Walking Duration: 4 - 5 hours
Path quality: Mediun tilt, narrow and safe.
Rui Vaz
- 10m
The route will end with the return to the Monte Txota Natural Park and the ride back to your hotel in Rui Vaz, Quinta da Montanha.
Day 5: Santiago Island: Ribeira da Barca + Boat trip to the Cave and BBQ on the beach
- 2 stops
- Meals: breakfast, lunch
- Accommodation: Hotel Vista Mar*** or similar
Ribeira da Barca
- 7h
Get picked up at your accommodation and head towards Ribeira da Barca Village. On the way, enjoy photo stops at the lovely towns of Picos and Assomada, before arriving at the small bay of Ribeira da Barca. Next, enjoy a 25-minute trip on board a traditional fishing boat and take stunning photos of the crust formed by the volcanic eruption during the formation of the island. Arrive at Pilon de Achada Leite and admire one of the island's 7 Wonders, the spectacular rare rocks surrounded by small crabs. Next, head to Àguas Belas (which means "beautiful waters") and if the sea is not too rough, go swimming and snorkelling inside its caves. Get to know the local marinee life while our staff prepares a delicious barbecue on the beach. Relax on the black-sand beach as you enjoy your special meal. After lunch, head back to Ribeira da Barca and conclude your tour with drop-off at your hotel in Tarrafal.
Tarrafal
- 45m
After lunch, head back to Ribeira da Barca and conclude your tour with drop-off at your hotel in Tarrafal.
Day 6: Full Trekking in Serra Malagueta Natural Park + Visit to Assomada Market
- 3 stops
- Meals: breakfast, lunch
- Accommodation: Hotel Vista Mar*** or similar
Assomada Market
- 1h
The day begins with pickup from your accommodation in Tarrafal 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.
Serra de Malagueta
- 3h
- Admission ticket included
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. There’s also the opportunity to see wildlife, including playful monkeys, a variety of reptiles, and colourful butterflies. 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.
ROUTE FILE
Extension: 4200 metres (1 way)
Ascent/Descent: ~200 m
Difficult degree: Easy
Total Walking Duration: 3-4hours
Path quality: Flat, wide and safe.
Tarrafal Beach
- 1h
After lunch, continue the walk to the end of the trail, then drive to Tarrafal Beach where you can spend some free time chilling on the shore. The tour concludes with drop-off at your accommodation in Tarrafal.
Day 7: Free Day in Tarrafal
- 1 stop
- Meals: breakfast
- Accommodation: Hotel Vista Mar*** or similar
Tarrafal Beach
- 1d
Day off to explore by your self. You may like to relax on the white sand of the most picturesque and beautiful beach on Santiago Island, Tarrafal Beach, known for its white sand and crystal-clear waters.
Day 8: From Tarrafal: Visit to Rabelados Community + Praia City Tour
- 4 stops
- Meals: breakfast, lunch
- Accommodation: Hotel Santa Maria *** or similar
Calheta de Sao Miguel
- 2h
Get picked up at your accommodation and then return on the island's east coast. Make your first stop in Espinho Branco and visit the religious community of Rabelados, the only community that still lives in thatched houses and preserves Cape Verde's oldest customs and beliefs. There, see the local handicraft production and have the opportunity to buy handmade paintings from local artisans.
Santa Cruz
- 1h
Travel for approximately 45 minutes and arrive at the largest banana and coconut plantation in the country. Take a small walk inside the agricultural fields while the local guide explains the varieties of fruits and dozens of plants that exist along the route.
Praca Alexandre Albuquerque
- 1h
Next, forward to the historical centre of Plateau and there start the walking tour through the Jaime Mota Military Barracks, passing by the Presidential Palace and the Alexandre Albuquerque Square.
Plateau
- 30m
In the Municipal Market (closed on Sundays), meet locals, find a diversity of local fruits and vegetables. There, find a little of everything and experience the daily life of the Cape Verdian family. Finish the tour with special touch of the local gastronomy at Casa Katxupa. Relish the real country’s nacional dish, Katxupa. The tour concludes with drop-off at your accommodation in Praia.
Day 9: Goodbye Santiago Island
- 2 stops
- Meals: breakfast
- Accommodation: Not included
Praia
- 15m
Enjoy your free time according to the flight schedules and then be picked up in Praia and depart towards Nelsom Mandela international airport.
Nelson Mandela Praia International Airport
Take your international flight back and say goodbye to "La Morabeza Crioula" !!!
Location
Activity location
- Nelson Mandela Praia International Airport
- Praia, Praia, Cabo Verde
Meeting/Redemption Point
- Nelson Mandela Praia International Airport
- Praia, Praia, Cabo Verde
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