The 10 islands of Cape Verde are distinctly different from each other. Whilst some people may be content just to enjoy the superb beaches of Boa Vista and Sal, the most rewarding experience is to visit three or more islands. The islands of Fogo and Santo Antao are particularly stunning.

The featured itinerary “Sand and Fire” is one of the most frequently followed although many other combinations are possible, including two-centre holidays. Please call us for an individual quotation. Due to heavy demand for local flights and accommodation, island hopping itineraries are not available for stays between 18th December and 7th January inclusive.

All accommodation referred to in the “Sand and Fire” itinerary is in locally rated four star hotels which have easy downtown access, air-conditioned bedrooms, twin and double bedded rooms, international satellite TV, at least one restaurant and a swimming pool. A full description of each hotel and our recommended hotels on other islands is shown in the ‘Accommodation’ section of this website.


“SAND AND FIRE” A JOURNEY TO THE MOST REMARKABLE OF THE ISLANDS OF CAPE VERDE

Day 1 On arrival in Praia, the capital of the Republic of Cape Verde, you are met by your representative and transferred by private vehicle to the Hotel Pestana Tropico for two nights room and breakfast.
This hotel has 44 rooms and is located on a small cliff overlooking the ocean in the exclusive embassy and diplomatic suburb of Praia.
(Arrival can also be to the islands of Sal, Boa Vista or Sao Vicente, all of which have international airports. In such a case arrangements and cost would be adjusted to include onward internal air travel to Santiago).

Day 2 Full day tour of Santiago, which is the largest island and includes the seat of Government and the various diplomatic missions. The day commences with a tour of the capital city of Praia (population 120,000), which is distinctly African, vibrant and pulsating with a thriving market.. We then head out of the city into the mountainous and agricultural hinterland with views of other islands in the distance. A stop is made at a ceramic and curio art shop before reaching the lively mountain city of Assomada, whose heritage belongs to a large group of slaves who escaped into the mountains in the 18th century and set up a safe refuge here. We then descend to the northern fishing resort of Tarrafal for a fish lunch overlooking the white sand beach. Tarrafal was an important base for the allies in World War Two. After lunch follow the rugged coast road south to Santiago’s main attraction. The town of Ribeiro Grande, renamed Cidada Velha in the late 18th century, was acclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009. It was the first European colonial outpost in the tropics and was the Cape Verde capital until 1770. The well-preserved remains include some of the original street layout, two ancient churches, an impressive royal fortress and Pillory Square, with its ornate 16th century marble pillar - now a monument in memory of the slaves who were chained to it awaiting transportation. Ribeiro Grande was the centre of maritime routes between Europe and Brazil, the Caribbean and other parts of Africa. It is inhabited today by fishermen distinctly proud of
their heritage.

Day 3 After breakfast take a 30 minutes scheduled flight to the island of Fogo. There is normally an impressive view of the awesome volcano from the air. You are met on arrival and transferred by private vehicle to the Hotel Xaguate for two nights room and breakfast.

Day 4 A full day guided tour of the island of Fogo and a special visit into the villages in the crater of the volcano.
In Creole ‘fogo’ means ‘fire’ and indeed the island is dominated by the volcanic cone of Pico de Fogo, which at 2829m is the highest point in the republic, and whose last eruption was in 1995. It is an awesome island with ever-changing scenery. There are verdant terraces of coffee and vines and plantations of bananas and oranges, which contrast with bleak lunar plains and black sand beaches. The pretty main town of São Filipe is reminiscent of colonial days with a distinctly French influence. The two villages in the crater are an amazing phenomenon and probably unique. An excellent lunch is provided at the Pousada Pedra Brabu in a stunning location in the centre of the crater.
Many of the village inhabitants are dark skinned, blue-eyed and with blond hair and go by the family name of Montran - the name of the Frenchman who settled and introduced the famous Fogo wine. As well as driving in the crater the tour includes visits to a coffee plantation and a winery and other villages and plantations. Quite a day!

Day 5 Take an 85 minutes scheduled flight to the island of Sao Vicente via Santiago and stay for 2 nights room and breakfast at the Hotel Foya Branca, a resort hotel located directly on San Pedro sandy beach. There is a frequent courtesy bus service to the city centre.
During the afternoon there will be a half day guided tour of the island.
Sao Vicente is an interesting island with a distinctly European flavour, which has attracted the bohemian set with musicians, intellectuals and artists mingling with the tourists. Mindelo (population 80,000), the main city, is relatively lively, yet reputedly more refined than Praia, its larger neighbour on the island of Santiago. It has the distinguished air of the Portuguese and Brazilian provinces, yet it was for a long time occupied by the British. Many of the family names of the island residents are British.


Day 6 After breakfast you are transferred to the harbourside for the 08.00 hours ferry journey (50 minutes) to the island of Santo Antao. Due to ferry schedules, this tour is not normally available on Wednesdays. Should Cape Verde arrival and departure days make this inevitable, then we shall switch the stays on Santiago and Sao Vicente to overcome this problem.

Santo Antao is the second largest island and probably one of the most beautiful and the greenest with stunning mountain scenery, extinct craters, deep valleys and ravines and agriculture ranging from wild strawberries to plantations of tropical and temperate fruit and vegetables. Much of the scenery is reminiscent of the Peruvian Andes. Village life is simple and many houses are still thatched. As it can only be reached by ferry, the lack of an airport probably accounts for its special appeal. Taking the mountain road from the ferry port of Porto Novo across the island to Ribeiro Grande may be one of the world’s most amazing journeys!
On reaching the north there is a visit to a typical thatched village and a grogue (local rum) distillery, where oxen are still employed to push the millstones which crush the sugar cane. A fish lunch is taken overlooking the fishing village of Ponto do Sol, where the Atlantic pounds the shores at this, the most northerly point of Cape Verde.
During the afternoon you are transferred to Porto Novo for the 1700 hours ferry back to Mindelo, Sao Vicente, for a further night at the Hotel Foya Branca

Day 7 Free day on Sao Vicente until you are transferred to the airport for the 55 minutes scheduled service flight to the island of Santiago. Transfer on arrival for one night room and breakfast at the Hotel Pestana Tropico.

Day 8 At leisure on Santiago until you are transferred to the airport for your homeward flight, or continue with extended arrangements in Cape Verde.



COST APPROXIMATELY €1200 PER PERSON SHARING INCLUDES

• Visa
• 4 internal scheduled service flights
• 7 nights room & breakfast
• 3 lunches
• 3 full day guided tours
• 1half day guided tour
• 5 airport meet and greet services
• 8 private vehicle transfers
• Services of the local DM Africa office and representatives
• Local service charge and taxes

The costing shown is average for the year. Some small variations may occur according to the date chosen. A detailed quotation which will reflect your exact needs will be offered on application by our consultants.