STAY
Type of stay :
Circuit
Island(s) :
Santiago
São Vicente
Santo Antão
São Vicente
Santiago
Localities visited :
Praia, Mindelo, Ponta do Sol, Paúl
Length : 8 days
This tour reveals the contrast between the Northern and Southern islands. It seems as if the archipelago was created for travellers: ten identical islands would have been a bit monotonous, don't you think?
Each island is a small country of its own, with its unique geography, traditions, rhythm and language. With this one-week tour, you will unwrap the diversity of Cape Verde, not only in the landscapes but also among the people themselves.
From the political and economic capital of Praia, to the mountains of Santo Antão almost entirely devoted to agriculture, to the bay city of Mindelo, influenced by foreign cultures such as of Great Britain, Brazil and the Mediterranean region.
INFO
Regions covered : click
Departure
Tour designed for passengers of TAP flight to Praia - Santiago.
Day 1
Arrival in Praia, the capital of Cape Verde. After a warm welcome at the airport, you'll be transferred to the city centre. From the historic district of Plateau, there is a beautiful view on the city of Praia. Our Cape Verde Now tip: it's better to take photos overlooking the Bay of Gamboa from the Plateau between 4 and 5 pm - the sunlight is simply gorgeous. Night in the District of Plateau, in Praia.
included services:
- Transfer airport - accomodation
- ON/DBL Praia Confort, Praia
- (-/-/-)
Day 2
We leave the political capital and head to the city of Mindelo, jealously guarding its status of cultural capital. Mindelo, its music, the Carnival, the sailors' taverns - and let's not forget about the view on the bay. As the famous barefoot diva Cesária Évora once sang: Quem ca ta conxê Mindelo, ca ta conché Cabo Verde: who does not know Mindelo, does not know Cape Verde. Transfer from the airport to your accommodation in the historic centre of Mindelo.
Included services:
- airport transfers in Santiago and São Vicente
- Domestic flight Santiago > São Vicente
- ON/DBL Casa Colonial, Mindelo
- (B/-/-)
Day 3
Ferry to Santo Antão, the green island. Be careful: the landscapes of this island are of breathtaking beauty. Upon your arrival, find a private taxi or take a public minibus (aluguer). The private taxi, more expensive, will lead you to your destination via the wonderful 'road of the Rope' (and it will stop if you want to take pictures), while most minibuses take the new coastal road, faster and more comfortable - also beautiful, but far less impressive than the road of the Rope.
You are free to decide where you want to spend your 3 nights in Santo Antão: may we suggest you stay in either Paúl or Ponta do Sol.
Included services:
- Transfer to airport
- ferry tickets São Vicente > Santo Antão
- ON/DBL Aldeia Jerome, Vila das Pombas
- (B/-/-)
Day 4
From Ribeira Grande, if you head East along the sea, you pass by Sinagoga, the ruins of a former leper colony, which will soon give way to a tourist complex. Later, Vila das Pombas unexpectedly emerges around a curve. This lovely and prosperous town is located at the quiet end of the Ribeira da Paúl, probably one of the most beautiful landscapes in Cape Verde: a superb agricultural valley filled with the scent of sugar cane, dotted with quaint colonial houses and countless trapiches (cane mills) that produce the local rum called grog.
Included services:
- ON/DBL Aldeia Jerome, Vila das Pombas
- (B/-/-)
Day 5
Using the city of Ribeira Grande as a point of reference, you can choose the route towards West, leading to Ponta do Sol: a small, pretty administrative municipality featured with a tiny fishing port, from which you can observe the hectic return of the fishermen. They must go through a rough and narrow channel, aptly named Boca da pistola (the mouth of the gun).
If you want to combine hiking with this stay, see our selection published on Cape Verde Now under the hiking section, there is something for everyone and for all levels.
Included services:
- ON/DBL Casa d'Mar, Ponta do Sol
- (B/-/-)
Day 6
Ferry to São Vicente/Mindelo. Our Cape Verde Now tip: climb to the first floor of the beautiful covered market on Rua de Lisboa. Or we can also just walk around in Mindelo: we'll probably come accross a live concert in the streets. It is a known fact that Cape Verdean music calms sodade (a feeling best described as homesickness). Night in the historic centre of Mindelo.
Included services:
- ferry tickets Santo Antão > São Vicente
- Transfer from the harbour to the hotel
- ON/DBL Casa Colonial, Mindelo
- (B/-/-)
Day 7
Flight to Praia and night in the neighbourhood called Plateau in Praia.
Included services:
- airport transfers in São Vicente and Santiago
- domestic flight São Vicente > Santiago
- ON/DBL Praia Confort, Praia
- (B/-/-)
Day 8
We are free to dive into the colourful markets of the Cape Verdean capital, have a coffee with milk (galão) on the terrace of the trendy Café Sophia, in the Plateau - where we could also enjoy a very fine tuna Carpaccio - and dine at the restaurant Quintal da Música before leaving to the airport. Transfer to the airport.
Included services:
- Dayuse/DBL Praia Confort, Praia
- airport transfer
- (B/-/-)
PRICES
Included
Round-trip inter-island flights Santiago - São Vicente in class T
Round-trip ferry tickets São Vicente - Santo Antão
All transfers Airport - Hotel - Airport
7 nights in guesthouses / hotels
Day-use room (Day 8)
Tourist tax
Price per person
666 € based on two people sharing a double room
662 € based on four people
The prices for inter-islands transport vary in certain periods of the year, we may sometimes be required to change the prices shown here : no last minute surprises, we will inform you as soon as our first message.
Extra charge (optional, price per person)
169 € for a single room (when available)