Discovery of Cap-Vert in 3 islands

We begin this day with a walking tour in the historic center of Praia, on the Plateau. You discover this cross-shaped neighborhood, the square, the church, the municipal market as well as the art street of Ponta Belém, before descending through the Sukupira market.

You then take the bus towards Cidade Velha, located about twenty minutes from the capital. The first city built by the Portuguese in Africa, it is considered the cradle of Cap-Vert.

The historic center of Ribeira Grande, renamed Cidade Velha at the end of the 18th century, was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2009. The site preserves much of its historic remains, its ruins and its typical architecture, between stone walls and thatched roofs.

You then visit the Fort of São Filipe, located 100 meters above sea level. It was built to protect the city from pirate attacks that multiplied between the 16th and 17th centuries, among them Francis Drake and Jacques Cassard.

Upon your arrival at Cidade Velha, you set out to discover the monuments and ruins of the site, including the old cathedral, the Convent of São Francisco, the Church of Nossa Senhora do Rosário, Banana Street as well as the old slave market and its pillory.

This excursion takes you to the north of Santiago Island, to Tarrafal, crossing varied landscapes.

Along the way, you observe the contrasts of the island between high mountains, plains and lush valleys, in a setting very different from that of Praia.

The first stop is at São Domingos, with a visit to the Eco Centro.

You then continue through different villages, passing by Antónia Peak, the highest point on the island.

About 60 kilometers from Praia, you reach Assomada, an important commercial center, where you visit the traditional market when the excursion takes place on Wednesday or Saturday.

The tour then continues in the region of Serra Malagueta, marked by its eucalyptus forest, its various types of acacias and its endemic plants.

You finally arrive at Tarrafal, a fishing village, where you discover the former concentration camp, now transformed into a museum, before heading to the bay and its pleasant sea, lined with palm trees.

Located on the island of São Vicente, The City of Mindelo is considered the cultural capital of Cap-Vert. Dominated by the Monte Verde, the city stands out for its lively atmosphere, its cafés, bars and restaurants.

Mindelo's musical heritage is felt in its streets, carried by the sounds of traditional music. The city is also known for being the birthplace of Cesaria Evora, nicknamed the "barefoot diva".

Along the Porto Grande port, colorful colonial houses compose a setting marked by the presence of steep volcanic mountains.

Among the places to discover are the fresh fish market, the Fortim d'El Rei, an old fort built on a hill overlooking Mindelo's port, as well as the Torre de Belém de Mindelo with three stories, inspired by the one in Lisbon.

This day invites you to discover the landscapes of São Vicente, between beaches and extinct volcanoes.

You start with a walking tour of The City of Mindelo, a cosmopolitan city and capital of the island, before heading to Monte Verde to enjoy its panoramic view.

The itinerary continues towards Salamansa and its beach known for kitesurfing, then towards Baía das Gatas, known for its music festival and natural pool, with free time for swimming.

The return to the city center is finally done via the Madeiral road.

From the beach of São Pedro, near the airport, you experience snorkeling in the waters of São Vicente.

You board a fishing boat directly from the beach. Just a few meters from the sand, you can swim with adult sea turtles, feed them and enjoy the seabed thanks to snorkeling equipment.

Located in the northeast of Santo Antão, the Paul region, with Ribeira Grande, covers a large part of the island and stands out for its landscapes conducive to discovery.

Between sugar cane terraces, agricultural land, grasslands, shrubland, forests and mountain reliefs, this part of the island reveals a greener side of Cap-Vert.

During this day, you discover the landscapes of Santo Antao by taking the mythical Corda road, known for its panoramas and viewpoints located at over 1,600 meters altitude, with a photo stop along the way.

You then have the opportunity to take an easy short hike of about an hour around the Cova Crater, before continuing in the natural park.

The discovery continues in the Ribeira de Torre valley, known for its banana plantations and its lush landscapes, in a setting representative of the island's natural wealth.

During this day, you set off to discover Paul and Janela, in a setting marked by Paul's valley, renowned for being the greenest and most lush in Cap-Vert.

In the company of your English-speaking local guide, you explore what is presented as the garden of Cap-Vert, in the heart of a valley where the trail passes from cottage to cottage.

The walk crosses both vegetable crops such as cabbage, tomato or salads, and tropical crops such as banana, guava, sugar cane or yam. This discovery combines encounters with local inhabitants, agriculture and botany.

This day is also an opportunity to experience rural life, by taking the mule paths built by man, at the foot of the levadas, the irrigation canals, and terraced crops.

You also visit a traditional trapiche, rum distillery, with a tasting of rum and liqueur.

The discovery continues finally at Janela, an intimate village living mainly from agriculture.

This hiking day in Santo Antão begins at Fontainhas, where there are several plantations, before reaching Selada de Corvo, with a panoramic view of Ponta do Sol and Corvos.

You then continue with a descent to Ribeira, where water sources can be found year-round, then heading towards Formiguinhas, a small village overlooking the sea.

The route continues to the abandoned village of Aranhas, before reaching Ribeira Seca beach, characterized by a mixture of white and black sand. The caves formed by lava offer spaces suitable for picnics.

You then pass by Motcho beach before arriving at the picturesque village of Cruzinha.

Distance: 13 km
Estimated duration: 5 to 6 hours
Level: 2
Ascent: 1,078 m
Descent: 1,014 m