Adventure Hiking in Cape Verde

Touch down in Santiago, the largest island of the Cape Verde archipelago and home to Cape Verde’s capital, Praia. Meet your host at the airport to be whisked away to your hotel. If you arrive 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.

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 traversing plantations of banana, sugar cane, mango, tamarind and cashew, depending on the season. 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 on the way at the São Filipe Royal Fortress.

This morning you'll take a 4-hour ferry ride to Fogo Island. On arrival, you'll do your first hike to see Pico de Fogo (Cape Verde's highest point), visiting the crater formed by the 2014 eruption, on the flanks of the volcanic cone which you’ll be summiting tomorrow. Later in the day, settle in your unique, family-run guesthouse and enjoy a delicious dinner with your fellow adventurers.

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 to four hours of steady ascent will see you reach the summit (2829m), with sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean and the neighbouring islands of Brava, Santiago and Maio. Enjoy a well-deserved picnic break above the clouds by the vast summit caldera, before starting a fun descent down the ash-covered slopes. Toast your epic summit day back at the casa with local wines and a traditional Cape Verdean dinner.

This morning, head straight over to the impressive volcanic landscape of Chã das Caldeiras National Park, which offers breathtaking views of lava fields, traces of past eruptions and the imposing volcano. Continue along the trail hiking past banana, orange and coffee plantations and through the enchanted eucalyptus forest of Monte Verde, finishing the route in Mosteiros. In the afternoon your guide will take you for a tour of São Filipe, the main town on the western side of the island.

After breakfast, get ready for the return ferry journey to Santiago Island. Once back in Praia, you’ll stop at a local restaurant for lunch before transferring to Tarrafal on the northern tip of the island. Take the rest of the afternoon off and enjoy time at your own pace, perhaps taking a wander around the Tarrafal community or exploring the sandy beach with views of Monte Graciosa, before heading out for an evening meal (not included) in a local restaurant.

Time for a hike in Serra Malagueta Natural Park this morning, in an area packed with endemic plants, birds, monkeys, reptiles and butterflies. Following a picnic lunch in scenic surroundings, take an hour's drive inland until you reach one of the highlights of this 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 before heading back to Tarrafal for sunset on the beach and a farewell dinner with your fellow adventurers.

Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast. If you've book a flight departing later tonight, you are free to enjoy a full day at leisure on Tarrafal Beach before your host transfers you back to Nelson Mandela International Airport in time for your return flight home.