Day 1: City of origin – Praia

Arrival in Praia, visa formalities and transfer to the hotel in Praia. Start of the Sotavento Trekking trip. Rest of the day at leisure.

Meeting with Berta, our mountain guide and geologist who will accompany us throughout the trip (-/-/-).

*Recommended flight Lisbon – Praia: TP1541 09h – 11:20h

Day 2: Praia – São Filipe – Cha das Caldeiras.
WALK THROUGH THE LAVA STONES
Breakfast. At the scheduled time, transfer to the airport to take an internal flight to São Filipe, the capital of the island of Fogo.
We are talking about the imposing volcano, still active, which gives its name to the island of Fogo. Despite this situation, this theoretically hostile land is home to the third largest capital of Cape Verde, Sao Filipe. Among the last eruptions, the one in November 2014 stands out, when a violent eruption wiped off the map two small villages in the crater of Cha das Caldeiras, fortunately there were no casualties. The inhabitants of Fogo Island have always shown a more than positive attitude to survive in this threatening land, since, despite the inclemencies and the government’s recommendations to evacuate the villages, they have always chosen to stay and live in Cha with their families.
Arrival in Sao Filipe and transfer to Cha das Caldeiras, at the foot of Fogo volcano at almost 2000 meters altitude, and walk through the lava flows that flow from different eruptive mouths. A unique opportunity to get to know first hand this spectacular and unique environment. Dinner and overnight.
(D/-/C)

Day 3. Cha das Caldeiras TREKKING PICO DO FOGO
Early breakfast (06h). Day dedicated to the ascent to the summit of the volcano Pico Grande do Fogo. We will start the excursion with approximately one hour by flat volcanic terrain to the foot of the peak where the most demanding part begins.
The ascent is done by volcanic tartar slopes looking for the most stable and rocky terrain to advance. After 4/5 hours from the beginning of the ascent, we will reach the summit, where we will enjoy a 360 degree panoramic view over the island of Fogo. Stop to drink, eat and enjoy the views. The descent will be made by the slope of Small Peak where we will contemplate the trace of the last eruption of 2014. Arrival at Cha where a good lunch awaits us to regain strength. Rest of the afternoon free. Lodging.
(D/A/C)

Day 4. Cha das Caldeiras – Mosteiros – São Filipe.
TREKKING MONTE VELHA
Breakfast. In the morning we will do the Monte Velha trekking, which will take us from Cha das Caldeiras to the shores of the Atlantic in the village of Pai Antonio, near Mosteiros. The route has about 10 km and 1300 meters of negative elevation gain, so it is a bit demanding, although for us it is 100% recommended. The trail has two very different parts. The first part is on a comfortable cobblestone and dirt track that takes us away from Chã in a northerly direction, crossing the village of Bangaleira and entering the forest of the Monte Velha forest reserve. The second part begins; an intense mist takes over the atmosphere and the road becomes a narrow and steep path that runs down the forest in the most direct way. Here the landscape forgets the great volcano and gives way to the more intense green of eucalyptus, mango, papaya, banana and coffee plantations that cover the views until the arrival at the village of Pai Antonio, where we find the road to Mosteiros and have a good lunch. Transfer to Sao Filipe. Dinner and hotel accommodation.
(D/A/C)

Day 5. São Filipe TREKKING CAMPANAS DA CIMA – SALINAS
Breakfast. Day dedicated to a trekking different from the previous ones and that will offer us a privileged view of the Bordeira wall and the entire north of the island. From the small village of Campanas da Cima we will descend to the sea in the Salinas, where natural pools in the rock and a black sand beach await us. Picnic included.
In the afternoon return to Sao Filipe and rest of the afternoon at leisure.
(B/L/D/C)

Day 6. São Filipe – Praia – Rui Vaz TREKKING CALABACEIRA – CIDADE VELHA
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning at the scheduled time transfer to the airport for flight back to Praia. Arrival and transfer to the village of Calabaceira, where we will make a gentle downhill trekking through cultivated areas. The hike ends in Cidade Velha, the first colonial settlement of the island and a UNESCO heritage site. We will visit the remains of the fortress and the cathedral. Lunch included. At the end, transfer to Rui Vaz, in the interior of the island of Santiago, a perfect and authentic sample of the rural life of the island. Staying in a local guesthouse, we will enjoy the terraces and a pleasant sunset. Accommodation and dinner.
(D/A/C)

Day 7. Rui Vaz. ANTONIA PEAK TREKKING
Breakfast at the hotel. Day dedicated to trekking Pico Antonia, the highest peak of the island, with guide, transfers and picnic included. A short transfer by road takes us to the summit of Monte Chota, where there is a small military base with communication antennas and weather radars. Here begins the trail that will take us, after 1 hour crossing hills, to the base of the summit ridge of Pico de Antonia. A steep summit with 360 degree panoramic views. Return to Rui Vaz. Overnight and dinner in lodging.
(D/P/C)

Day 8. Rui Vaz – Sierra Malagueta – Tarrafal.
Breakfast. Early transfer to the Sierra Malagueta National Park to enjoy a trekking with spectacular views. We will walk through the Gom Gom valley to appreciate the flora and the ravines that surround the valley and see first hand the rural life of the small communities that live there. Lunch included. Return to the hotel in Tarrafal. Farewell dinner in Tarrafal and overnight.
(D/A/C)

Day 9. Tarrafal
Breakfast at the hotel. Free day in Tarrafal to discover this beautiful fishing enclave. We recommend going to the beach to see the arrival of the fishermen and the boats to distribute it among the different families; a postcard that gives us this trip of Sotavento to the fullest. Possibility to relax on the beach and/or do water sports such as snorkeling, paddle surfing or kayaking.
2 kilometers from Tarrafal, in the village of Chao Bom, you can visit the old concentration camp, from the times of the military dictatorship of Salazar. The camp was a place of reclusion of political prisoners and activists from Cape Verde, Portugal, Guinea Bissau, Angola and Guinea Conakry.
At the agreed time transfer to the airport to take the return flight with stopover in Lisbon.
End of the trip and of our services.
(D/-/-)