NEW TRIP
An Active Cultural Exploration across Four Islands
Hiking Cape Verde
Overview
If island-hopping, pristine hiking trails, and a welcoming culture of music and storytelling sound intriguing to you, join our adventure to far-flung Cape Verde. On this stunning 10-island archipelago off Africa’s West Coast, topped by the 9,280-foot Pico do Fogo volcano, we’ll hike volcanic landscapes, explore seaside villages, meet local artists, and hear the islands’ unique forms of music, including the haunting melodies of morna, sung in Cape Verdean Creole. This active journey takes us to the islands of Santo Antão, São Vicente, Fogo, and Santiago.
Arrive: São Vicente, Cape Verde
Depart: Praia, Cape Verde
Highlights
- Hike and explore four volcanic islands, each with its own atmosphere and landscape
- Hear Cape Verde's soulful traditional music, sung in Cape Verdean Creole
- On São Vicente Island, the music capital of Cape Verde, visit the home of the late singer Cesária Évora
- Climb Pico do Fogo, the highest mountain in Cape Verde
- Take a “cachupa” cooking class with a local family in a private home
Itinerary
Arrive in Cape Verde and ferry to scenic Santo Antão, an island of rugged canyons, green valleys, and small villages. We'll hike across the lush crater of the extinct Cova volcano, along a coastal trail to rural hamlets, and visit a historic Jewish cemetery and synagogue.
On São Vicente Island, recognized as the music capital of Cape Verde, our hikes bring us along some of the island’s coasts and beaches, including spectacular Baía das Gatas beach, and we’ll explore the lively port city of Mindelo, where our visit includes the home of the late Cesária Évora, who reached worldwide fame as a singer of morna, the traditional Cape Verde music genre.
On Fogo Island, known for its striking volcanic landscape, we'll hike in the crater of towering Pico do Fogo (or to the summit, for those up to the challenge), then head to our guesthouse on São Filipe, the island's laid-back town, set on a high cliff above a black-lava beach. We'll visit one of Fogo's wineries as well as a cheesemaker.
Tour a coffee farm, then head to a private home for a hands-on “cachupa” cooking class with a family. Cachupa (a slow-cooked stew of meat, corn, beans, and other vegetables) is not only a traditional dish but also a traditional process, which includes pounding maize using a mortar and pestle. Fly to Praia on Day 9, depart Day 10.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
This trip is rated a Level 3+, Moderate to Strenuous, according to our trip grading system. You will need to be comfortable hiking 3-5 miles a day, being on your feet for up to 7 hours a day, and hiking on uneven surfaces. The trails can often be rocky with sections that are quite steep. Trail conditions, weather, and the group’s level of fitness can affect hiking times and pacing.
Average Hiking Day
Review Trip Level Details
Average Hiking Day
- 4-6 miles
- 3-4 hours
- 1,500' ascent/descent
- Day 7: 5 hours, 6-7 miles, 3,800' ascent/descent (easier alternatives available)
Our hikes are in a rugged volcanic landscape and many of the trails are on rocky and uneven ground, so it is important that your footwear is comfortable and has a good hiking sole. Occasionally there are steeper paths and steps on the coastal walks, and the ground can be uneven, with some sharp rocky areas. Hiking distances are normally measured in hours, not miles, since many maps aren't really accurate enough to assess how far we walk up and down volcano trails.
Hiking poles: if you prefer using poles on rocky and uneven surfaces, please bring your own from home. They are not available for purchase in Cape Verde.
Hiking poles: if you prefer using poles on rocky and uneven surfaces, please bring your own from home. They are not available for purchase in Cape Verde.
We strongly urge you to train for your trip, as your enjoyment will be highly dependent on your level of fitness. The best training for a hike is to hike, especially over hills or rough terrain. Next best are running, swimming, bicycling, or other cardiovascular exercises. Stair-climbing machines are excellent preparation for hiking uphill. Your feet should also be well prepared—make sure your hiking boots are sturdy, comfortable, and thoroughly broken-in. Altitude is generally not a problem on this trip. However, some people still experience a few problems when they first reach high altitude. Slight headache and sleeplessness are the most common symptoms.
Cape Verde has a subtropical and dry climate, cooled by the trade winds. There is good weather year-round, with a fairly constant temperature between islands, averaging between 86°F and 77°F. Cape Verde is part of Africa's Sahelian arid belt and there is rain between August and October, usually in brief downpours.
Our accommodations have been chosen as much as possible for their ambiance and history and are delightful for the local color and dining that they offer. These rustic and well-located hotels are clean and comfortable, but since they are often in historic buildings, the rooms are not always of uniform or international size. Our leaders do their best to assign rooms in a fair way so that all participants experience an equal advantage throughout the trip as a whole. Single rooms can be requested but are not always available, due to the limited space in the hotels. If you prefer a single room, please make your request as early as possible.
Cape Verdean cuisine is influenced by West African, western European, and Portuguese foods. Staple ingredients include corn, beans, rice, cassava, fried potatoes, and vegetables such as carrots, squash, and kale. Fish are a mainstay on the islands, including fish stews such as caldo de peixe, grilled fish dishes, plus fish specialties such as buzio (conch stew). Pork and chicken dishes are also popular, as are pastas and seafood soups.
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Book your trip today
Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!
Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.