Adventure Hiking in Cape Verde
Hit the stunning trails of Santiago and Fogo Island and soak up the archipelago's inimitable African-Portuguese culture on the way
Adventure Hiking in Cape Verde
Hit the stunning trails of Santiago and Fogo Island and soak up the archipelago's inimitable African-Portuguese culture on the way
DURATION
LOCATION
ANNUAL LEAVE
SEASON
GROUP SIZE
MEETING POINT
ACCOMMODATION
Hotel · Guesthouse
DIFFICULTY
Most of the hikes are manageable by anyone with decent fitness, but days three & four are big ones to reach Cape Verde's highest point
Trek ash-covered slopes to the top of Pico do Fogo (2829m), an active stratovolcano and the highest point in Cape Verde
Hike the lush Calabaceira Valley and Serra Malagueta Natural Park, and wild swim in crystal clear pools sculpted by lava
Snorkel and swim in the waters around Tarrafal, tuck into beach barbecues and sample the islands' rich music and food scene
Day 1
Welcome to Santiago Island
Touch down in Santiago, the largest island of Cape Verde's archipelago and home to Cape Verde’s capital, Praia. Meet your host at the airport and be whisked away to your hotel in the heart of the vibrant and lively historic centre. If you arrived on one of the early flights, you'll have some downtime to explore Praia at your own pace, otherwise, for arrivals on the late flight, you can head straight to bed ready for your first proper glimpse of Cape Verde in the morning.
Day 2
Hike the Calabaceira Valley
Hiking
Fuel up on breakfast at the hotel then hop in the van for a drive over to the verdant volcanic valley of Calabaceira. You’ll follow a steady trail through the valley stopping to taste the mango, guava, cashew, tamarind and sugar cane that grow here. Cross a trail used by Charles Darwin during his passage through the island, passing giant baobab trees en route to Cidade Velha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you'll grab lunch right on the seafront. Head back to Praia with a stop off at the ruins of the Sé Catedral.
Day 3
Fogo Island
Hiking
After breakfast, you'll take a short 35-minute flight to Fogo Island. On landing, head straight over to Mosteiros and hit the trail, hiking uphill past banana, orange and coffee plantations and through the enchanted eucalyptus forest of Monte Verde. Tuck into a picnic lunch immersed in lush exotic greenery and continue on to the impressive volcanic landscape of Chã das Caldeiras National Park, offering breathtaking views of lava fields, traces of past eruptions and the imposing Pico de Fogo volcano, Cape Verde's highest point, which you’ll be summiting tomorrow. Settle in your unique family-run guesthouse and enjoy a delicious dinner with your fellow adventurers.
Day 4
Summit Cape Verde's highest point
Hiking
The big one. Rise early, tuck into breakfast and the famous local coffee, and set off at sunrise from the casa to the foot of Pico do Fogo. Three hours of steady ascent sees you at the summit at 2829m, with sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean and neighbouring islands Brava, Santiago and Maio. Enjoy a deserved picnic break above the clouds by the vast summit caldera, before starting a fun descent down ash-covered slopes. Toast your epic summit day back at the casa with local wines and a traditional Cape Verdean dinner.
Day 5
Back to Santiago Island
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast ready for the short hop back to Santiago Island. Back in Praia, you’ll stop at a local restaurant overlooking the ocean before heading back to your accommodation. Take the afternoon off and enjoy Praia at your own pace or take an optional trip to a nearby village to learn Cape Verdean cooking with a local family. In the evening, you may choose to head to one of Santiago Islands most popular restaurants to experience the national dish, Katxupa, washed down with local beer, wine and a live local band.
Day 6
Hike to Longueira and wild swim in natural pools
Hiking
Wild Swimming
Start today’s hike from the village of Rui Vaz, rambling past mango, cassava and banana trees with views over the verdant São Jorge Valley and Pico d’Antónia, the highest point on Santiago. Reaching the village of Longueira, pop into a local rum distillery, enjoy a cheeky sample before enjoying an hour's drive inland until you reach one of the highlights of the adventure - Cuba Pool. This is a wild natural pool sculpted by lava from previous eruptions of Ribeira das Pratas. Grab a swim in the clear waters while your host prepares a barbecue with fresh locally caught fish.
Day 7
Serra Malagueta Natural Park and Tarrafal Beach
Hiking
Snorkelling
One final hike this morning in Serra Malagueta Natural Park, in an area packed with endemic plants, birds, monkeys, reptiles and butterflies. Picnic in the forest and continue to the foot of the valley before heading back to Tarrafal for some beach time. Swim, snorkel and enjoy a short boat trip from Tarrafal beach before a few drinks and a farewell dinner.
Day 8
So long, Cape Verde
Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast. In case you book a flight departing later tonight, you are free to enjoy a full day at leisure in Tarrafal beach before your host transfers you back to Nelson Mandela International Airport in time for your return flight home.
Included
Guides
Expert, local English speaking guides
Accommodation
7 nights in local hotels and guesthouses
Meals
7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners
Transfers
All airport and ground transfers and flights between Santiago and Pico Island
Not Included
Flights to and from the meeting point
Travel insurance
Personal expenses
Tips for your guides
Some meals as described
Visas where required
Day 1
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 3 – Day 4
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 5 – Day 6
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 7
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 8
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What is the food like?
Breakfasts are continental style with cereals, bread, jam, meats and cheeses, tea and coffee. Picnic lunches will be sandwiches with local fruits, while barbecue lunches will be a real highlight, tucking into local fish and barbecued vegetables or the Cape Verdean dish Katxupa, a slow-cooked stew of corn, beans, cassava, sweet potato and fish or meat. You'll also have two dinner at the beautiful base Casa Marisa beneath Pico do Fogo. Some dinners have been left out of the itinerary, allowing you to explore Praia and Tarrafal’s selection of bars and restaurants and soak up Cape Verdean nightlife.
Vegetarians, vegans and other dietary requirements and allergies can be catered for although options may be limited - please just request on your passenger info form.
What is the accommodation like?
Santiago Island
In Santiago Island's capital city of Praia, you'll usually stay at the Hotel Santa Maria, a local hotel in a great location in the historic central part of town, close to the best restaurants for your dinnertime meanderings. Occasionally, depending on availability, you may also stay at the nearby Deluxe ApartHotel. You'll stay in twin-share rooms with an en-suite bathroom.
Fogo Island
On Fogo Island you'll stay at Casa Marisa in a phenomenal setting right beneath the active volcano of Pico do Fogo at an altitude of 1700m. You'll stay in twin-share rooms with en-suite facilities, either in the house itself or in one of the Funkus - a traditional circular African hut.
Upgrades
Tarrafal
Your final two nights will be spent in the charming fishing village and tranquil bay of Tarrafal. You'll stay in twin-share rooms either at Hotel Vista Mar or at Tarrafel Residence.
Upgrades
For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room can be booked for an extra charge, see Optional Extras for the price. Please request this at the time of booking (this is subject to availability).
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Praia Nelson Mandela International Airport (RAI)
Anytime on Day 1
Ends
Praia Nelson Mandela International Airport (RAI)
Anytime on Day 8
Transfers
Your host will meet you on arrival at Nelson Mandela International Airport to transfer you on the short drive to your accommodation in Praia. On Day 8 you'll be dropped back at the airport from your accommodation in Tarrafal in time for your onward flight home.
Please note: If your international flight departs in the early hours of day 8, you will need a private transfer from Tarrafal on day 7 at around 8:30pm as it takes approximately 1h 45 min to reach Praia Airport. Please enquire with your host if you would like help to arrange this.
Travel options
Tap Air Portugal is the carrier to use when getting to Santiago Island in Cape Verde. The shortest flight combinations from the UK connect to the evening departure from Lisbon, arriving either side of midnight at Nelson Mandela International Airport depending on your dates. There is also a morning departure from Lisbon, arriving late morning at Santiago Island which may suit travellers transiting in Lisbon from other parts of Europe and North America.
Please note: Check-in is from 2 pm so if arriving earlier than this in the middle of the night, you will want to include an extra night of accommodation.
Enjoy 12.5% Off Outdoor Gear
In need of a few more items? All bookings receive a 12.5% discount to use at Cotswold Outdoor, Snow + Rock and Runner's Need.
What's included?
- Snorkel
What do I need to bring?
BAGS
- Soft overnight duffel bag or rucksack
- Daypack (25+ litres)
- Waterproof liner for daypack
CLOTHES
- Lightweight waterproof jacket
- Buff or neckscarf
- Lightweight hiking trousers for the Pico do Fogo hike
- Lightweight trousers/shorts/skirts
- T-shirts
- Underwear & socks
- Swimwear
- Sunglasses
- Sunhat
- Something to sleep in
- Hiking boots (worn-in)
- Sandals
- Water shoes
OTHER
- Hiking poles (highly recommended for the volcano summit)
- Universal travel plug adapter
- Power bank or solar charger
- Passports (and visas)
- Travel Insurance documents
- Ear plugs
- Insect repellant
- Suncream
- Personal first-aid kit (inc. blister treatment)
- Personal items (biodegradable toiletries, sanitary wear etc)
- Quick-dry towel
- Alcohol hand-gel
- Reusable water bottle (x1 litre)
- Energy bars and snacks - read our article on Best Hiking Snacks
- Water purification tablets/treatment system (this is optional as purified water is available throughout)
Walking poles hire
Payable Before Departure
Walking poles hire
… Per Person
Double/twin room in Praia
Payable Before Departure
Double/twin room in Praia
… Per Night
Single room in Praia
Payable Before Departure
Single room in Praia
… Per Night
Double/Twin room in Tarrafal
Payable Before Departure
Double/Twin room in Tarrafal
… Per Night
Single room in Tarrafal
Payable Before Departure
Single room in Tarrafal
… Per Night
Optional Private Room Upgrade
Payable Before Departure
Optional Private Room Upgrade
…
Private departure transfer from Tarrafal to Praia
Payable Before Departure
Private departure transfer from Tarrafal to Praia
… Per Person
Well organised, great accommodation, local hosts were fantastic 10/10 Always a lottery when sharing a room - room mate this time was awful :(
As always with MBA, this trip did not disappoint. For anyone looking for some challenging hiking, great food, interesting wildlife and unique experiences, Cape Verde is the place to be. The trip to Fogo was definitely a once in a lifetime, the landscape and volcano hike were truly unforgettable. That being said, the hikes on Fogo proved to be more of a challenge than expected - mainly due to the heat and difficulty of the terrain. However anyone with a good level of fitness should still be able to enjoy it. Thank you so much to the hosts for making our time in Cape Verde so much fun :)
Cape Verde was superb, and a trip that I will never forget. Fogo island is best described as an "otherworldly experience". At times if felt like being on a desolate and lonely planet. Top tip for climbing Pico Do Fogo, make sure you bring a scarf for protection from the volcanic dust, and I would also recommend hiking trousers. The food throughout the trip was delicious, I ate like an "Emperor". You will be well looked after if you love seafood.
On top of this, the trip offered a variety of other experiences, such as a wild dip/swim in a lava pool, hiking through plantations and sampling fruit (that I have never seen before), and the chilled beach life in Tarrafal. An extra special mention goes out to our main man and guide Ailtom, who set the mood in our small group with his knowledge, enthusiasm, punctuality and entertainment!
This trip provided me with some core memories that will stay with me for a long time. It has so much variety, from hiking through plantations, to climbing a volcano and staying in a village on Fogo that felt like Mars, and finishing with some water activities and beach time in Tarrafal, it meant we had such a diverse trip. A word of advice, if you are travelling in a hotter month do not underestimate the challenge of the hiking on Fogo, it will test you! The guides were all wonderful, 5 stars to Ailtom who became a member of our group very quickly, we had such a laugh and with us a being a small group of 4 we were able to get to know each other very well and spend more time learning about the culture from the guides too. Would recommend this to anyone who wants to experience feeling like you've been on another planet for a week!
Amazing trip! The highlight was definitely Pico do Fogo and ‘skiing’ down the lava gravel mountain - epic experience! The hike up was definitely challenging. So many different experiences on this trip made it well rounded and we felt like we got a good glimpse into the culture & food. I highly recommend this trip.
What an fantastic trip. Fogo island and our accomodation there was gorgeous and unique. Pico de Fogo was an adventure, a difficult hike for me but our guide, Jason was amazing and made sure I made it up and down safely. The guide Ailtom, in Santiago was a lovely person to spend time with and had lots of information and surprises for us throughout the week. I reccommend this trip.
Beautiful experience and beautiful people, my highlights were Cha, climbing Pico do Fogo and Serra Malagueta ❤️
I thoroughly enjoyed the trip. Cape Verde is a beautiful collection of islands with warm weather over Christmas - what's not to like! Several of the hikes were stunning if a little shorter than advertised (and shorter than I'd have liked). The highlight was hiking up the volcano then running down the ash fields on the side of it - that was a blast. Both the hikes in Tarrafel were also very picturesque. The friendliness of random people we met also stood out. As seems to be the case on all MBA trips (this was my 3rd) the group was great. Fun to be around and generally up for it. The trip has only run 6 times so far I believe and there's a few wrinkles in the schedule to iron out. For example the first hike on Fogo has a 4km very steep uphill section without a view - we could have done a loop nearer the volcano instead. The final day on Fogo felt rather empty save for a beautiful drive to airport. The historical tour we did there was underwhelming and not very historical. The Tarrafel hikes could be double the length. The food was fairly samey and fairly bland (grilled meat/fish and chips is the staple). That felt like a missed opportunity. This trip is a great way to see the Islands of Fogo and Santiago islands in Cape Verde. So I'd certainly recommend it. Just be aware There's a few points where things are rough round the edges - a cold shower here and there or some food that could be better.
This is a great way to experience Cape Verde. Generally the hiking is easy, except for the 2 days on Fogo. Day one is a lot of climbing through the jungle, day two is climbing the volcano slopes (rocky and scree). Also Fogo gets cold at night, so pack accordingly. The local guides were excellent all through the trip, but particularly in adjusting our itinerary when our flight back from Fogo was cancelled, meaning we spent extra time in Fogo.
A great dive into Cape Verdean culture and geography. Ascending the Picos de Fogo volcano was a fun and fulfilling trek, but swimming in an ocean pool near Sao Fillipe was unforgettable. Our group meshed quickly, almost effortlessly. Our guide, Maria, worked very hard to give us the best experience possible. Very appreciative of her efforts. A friendly and progressive island paradise. There are big things in the future for Cape Verde, I'm fortunate to have experienced some of the best parts of this Atlantic archipelago!
We've crunched the numbers to work out the total carbon footprint of this trip, and plant enough trees to suck 2x as much back out the atmosphere.
What's the number?
It works out on average at 122kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.
The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal for 2023 to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.
But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:
- Driving 1000miles/1609km would be approx. 281kg of CO2 in an average car (or 140.5kg per person if there was 2 of you in it).
- A return economy class flight London - New York would be approx. 1,619kg (1.66 tonnes) per person.
- 10 trees in a temperate forest are estimated to remove approx. 250kg of CO2 from the air in a period of 5-10 years.
What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. For every person booked with us since 2016 we’re planting enough trees to suck at least 2x more carbon out the atmosphere than is emitted by their trips. All native trees, as part of amazing projects that are re-foresting degraded land, tackling the biodiversity crisis and supporting local communities at the same time. We go further than that too, also funding re-wilding projects worldwide to help protect important keystone species from extinction. See the reforestation and re-wilding schemes we support. See our carbon action plan.
Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.
This is a moderate hiking adventure with some relatively easy days, but also a couple of big all-day hikes with some sizeable elevation to get through in hot conditions on Fogo island. Days 3 and 4 are the biggest days of the trip, these hikes are achievable by anyone with decent fitness levels and easier alternative hikes are available if you don’t feel up to the summit on day 4. We highly recommend you bring hiking poles with you to assist with the elevation and volcanic terrain that you'll be encountering on Fogo Island.
Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
Yes, there is a ferry service operating between Santiago and Fogo Island, however Cape Verde is renowned for some rather choppy seas, and the ferry schedules are regularly disrupted for days on end due to adverse sea conditions. To avoid groups getting stuck on Fogo Island, we were forced into using a short domestic flight for this part of the trip. The flight is reflected in the figure stated under How Much Carbon is Used on this Trip and Much Better Adventures mitigate 2x the carbon emitted on each of our adventures. You can read more about our approach to this here
As two internal flights are required in order to access the remote island of Fogo featured on this trip, should external factors cause alterations to what is possible, then the ordering of the itinerary and/or the exact number of days spent in each location mentioned in the itinerary may have to change. The local host would endeavour to ensure that any replacement activities are of a similar style. Should the internal flights have to be replaced by a boat journey for reasons outside of our control, then this would result in some long sailing journeys.
Yes, a tourist tax of €2 per person per night is to be paid locally at each hotel.
Tips are not included in the trip cost. These are entirely at your discretion but there is an expectation to tip for good service. Your guide will help with advice, however, we suggest the below as a guideline per person:
$3-5 USD per day
Of course, you are free to tip more or less, and the amount should be reflective of your perception of service and quality - a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
Tap water is best avoided in Cape Verde as it is possible it will upset your stomach. Your host will provide you with fresh mineral water throughout the trip (usually provided in big 10L water containers), so we recommend you bring your own water bottle to refill and take out on your hikes.
Cape Verde benefits from average annual temperatures between 24°C/75°F and 30°C/86°F with long spells of uninterrupted sunshine and low humidity levels, making this a true year-round destination and a definite winter sun option. The islands tend to have higher winds between November and March.
The domestic round trip flight tickets to/from Fogo include a per person luggage allowance of one bag for the hold (maximum 23kg) and one carry on bag (maximum 6kg).
Yes, you can leave your luggage at your hotel base in Praia for the duration of the trip. You can take a smaller pack with you on the flight to Fogo Island with enough supplies for a couple of days if you prefer to travel lighter on that part of the trip.
We recommend checking out the country specific information here and also talking to a travel nurse.
Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine.
Travel insurance is compulsory for all of our adventures and you are required to provide your policy information before departing.
Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. We also strongly recommend it includes cancellation and curtailment insurance, should you be unable to join your trip for specific reasons such as illness.
We fully endorse Campbell Irvine as their insurance offers all of the above, so get in touch with them or call on 020 7938 1734 to get your insurance sorted. We suggest that you book travel insurance as soon as you book your adventure, just to cover you for any last-minute life changes. We know you’re an active lot and injuries do happen!
We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.
If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.
All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. Children can be accommodated on some private departures.
You're in good company. Our adventures are typically made up of a mix of solo travellers and small groups of two or three friends who simply love adventure, pushing themselves and meeting awesome like-minded people. See here for more info about our lovely bunch of Much Better Adventurers.
Want to book a private trip? Just tap ‘Private Group’ in the dates and prices tab.
Your trip is led by carefully curated local hosts and expert guides. See here for more info about the guides we work with.
Pay In Installments
You can choose to pay for this trip in as many installments as you like, with no interest or fees.
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