Cape Verde: Wonders of Santiago Island - 7 Days 6 Nights

Relish a traditional breakfast of tasty cuscuz and fidjós with a local family. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Cidade Velha and discover the birthplace of Cape Verdean nation and culture. Visit the religious community of Rabelados, the only community preserves Cape Verde's oldest customs and beliefs. Finally, relax on the white sand of the most picturesque beach on Santiago Island, Tarrafal Beach.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival - Airport Transfer (Praia Airport to Hotel in Praia) – Check in

Stop At: Nelson Mandela-Praia International Airport, Cidade da Praia - Ilha de Santiago - Caixa Postal nº 265, Praia, Cabo Verde
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.
Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Praia, Praia, Santiago
Our team will also take you from door to door with complete security and professionalism, providing all relevant information about your stay.
Duration: 15 minutes

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Casa Sodade in Praia (Santiago Island) or similar;
Check in starts from 2 pm.

Day 2: From Praia: Praia City Tour + Highlights of Cidade Velha

Stop At: Farol de D. Maria Pia, Ponta Termosa, Praia, Santiago Cape Verde
Startwith pickup from your accommodation in Praia, and first visit the Dona Maria Pia Lighthouse. Take stunning pictures from the top of the Lighthouse surrounded by the large cannons installed to protect the island from the attack of pirates such as Francis Drake and Jacques Cassard.
Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Praia City Hall, R. Serpa Pinto Praca Alexandre Albuquerque, Praia, Santiago Cape Verde
Make your way to the historical center of Plateau.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Quartel Jaime Mota, Av. Andrade Corvo, Praia, Santiago Cape Verde
Take a walking tour through the Jaime Mota Military Barracks, and learn about the history of Cape Verdean independency..
Duration: 20 minutes

Pass By: Presidential Palace, R. Pedro Alvares Cabral, Praia, Santiago Cape Verde
Pass by the Presidential Palace and Alexandre Albuquerque Square.

Stop At: Mercado de Sucupira, Im Viertel Varzea, Praia, Santiago Cape Verde
. In the Municipal Market, meet locals and find a diverse range of fresh local fruits and vegetables. Next, explore the largest souvenir market to be found in Cape Verde, the Sucupira Market.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Fortaleza Real de San Felipe, Rua de Forteleza, Cidade Velha, Santiago 7629 Cape Verde
Explore Cidade Velha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site to see all its highlights of the old city.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Cidade Velha, Historic Centre of Ribeira Grande, Igreja de Nossa Sra. do Rosario, Cidade Velha, Santiago 1110 Cape Verde
Visit the ruins of the first sub-Saharan African Cathedral, the fishermen bay, the former slave market in Pelourinho, the famous Banana Street with its traditional houses, the Nossa Senhora do Rosário church, and finally the Convent of São Francisco.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Pelourinho, Hauptplatz, Cidade Velha, Santiago 7629 Cape Verde
At lunch, enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the city, and taste local delights in a typical restaurant right on the seafront. The tour concludes with drop-off at your hotel in Praia.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
•
•
Accommodation included: Casa Sodade in Praia (Santiago Island) or similar

Day 3: Santiago Island: Scenic Tour to Banana Plantation, Natural Park and Run Distillery

Stop At: Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz
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.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: São Jorge dos Órgãos, Cabo Verde
Continue inland until you reach São Jorge dos Orgãos. Then, head to the foot of the highest mountain on the island, visit the local rum distillery (The Rum production season runs from January 1 st to May 31st) and Lemba Lemba Eco Bar in Longueira village.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Rui Vaz, Cabo Verde
Next, head between rocks and valleys to the village of Rui Vaz at an altitude of 800 meters and have lunch at a mountaintop restaurant.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Estação de Monte Tchota, 29PG+QQQ, São Jorge dos Órgãos, Cabo Verde
After lunch, visit the Monte Txota Natural Park and start an easy 15-minute walk to a must-see viewpoint. Get fantastic panoramic views of the volcano on the nearby Fogo Island and get to know the highest peak of the island.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Praia, Praia, Santiago
Afterwards, be returned to your hotel in Praia.


Duration: 30 minutes

Meals included:
•
• Lunch: Fish or meat + water, coffee and dessert
Accommodation included: Casa Sodade in Praia (Santiago Island) or similar

Day 4: From Praia: Tarrafal Discovery Tour & Visit to Chão Bom Concentration Camp

Stop At: Praia, Praia, Santiago
Get picked up at your hotel in Praia, then depart toward the interior of the island.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: São Lourenço dos Órgãos, Cabo Verde
Make your first stop at Mrs. Luisa's house. There, sample cuscuz (a traditional cake made from corn flour) and fidjós (fried banana mixed with wheat), the typical breakfast for Cape Verdean families.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Assomada Market, Durchzugstrassevon Praia nach Tarrafal, Assomada, Santiago 7310 Cape Verde
After breakfast, continue to the city of Assomada. Visit its famous market and admire the vibrant colors of the local fruits and vegetables.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Serra de Malagueta, Hauptstrasse von Praia nach Tarrrafal, Santiago Cape Verde
Move on to the Serra Malagueta natural park and marvel at the incredible views from 1000 meters (3, 280 feet) above sea level.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Tarrafal Beach, Strand von Tarrafal, Tarrafal, Santiago 7110 Cape Verde
Next, discover Santiago's most beautiful beach at Tarrafal, known for its white sand and crystal-clear waters.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Tarrafal camp, Chao Bom, Santiago 7110 Cape Verde
Take a break for lunch, and then visit the concentration Camp of Chão Bom, current resistance museum, used to imprison political prisoners who fought against the dictatorship.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Tarrafal, Tarrafal, Santiago
The tour concludes with drop-off at your accommodation in Tarrafal.
Duration: 10 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Hotel Breakfast and Cuscuz with a local family
• Lunch: Fish or meat + water, coffee and dessert
Accommodation included: Hotel Vista Mar *** or similar

Day 5: Free day in Tarrafal

Stop At: Tarrafal, Tarrafal, Santiago
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.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
•
• Lunch: Fish or meat + water, coffee and dessert
Accommodation included: Hotel Vista Mar *** or similar

Day 6: From Tarrafal: Visit to Rabelados Community + Praia by Night

Stop At: Tarrafal, Tarrafal, Santiago
Get picked up at your accommodation and then return on the island's east coast.
Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: Calheta de Sao Miguel, Calheta de Sao Miguel, Santiago
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.
Duration: 2 minutes

Stop At: Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz
Take a break for the lunch and then head between rocks and valleys to your hotel in Praia.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Quintal da Música, Av Amlicar Cabral, Av Amilcar Cabral, Praia 7600, Cabo Verde
Get picked up at your accommodation at night, and depart toward 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.
Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Praia, Praia, Santiago
The tour concludes with the evening transfer back to your accommodation in Praia.
Duration: 10 minutes

Meals included:
•
•
Accommodation included: Casa Sodade in Praia (Santiago Island) or similar

Day 7: Goodbye Santiago Island

Stop At: Praia, Praia, Santiago
Get picked up at your accommodation in Praia and depart toward Nelsom Mandela international airport.
Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Nelson Mandela-Praia International Airport, Cidade da Praia - Ilha de Santiago - Caixa Postal nº 265, Praia, Cabo Verde
Take your international flight back and say goodbye longing for "La Morabeza Crioula"!!!
Duration: 10 minutes

Meals included:
•
No accommodation included on this day.

You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.

If you cancel at least 7 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is no cancellation fee.
If you cancel between 3 and 6 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is a 50 percent cancellation fee.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 percent cancellation fee.