Only 840€ per week!
Island Hop
Tarrafal - Cape Verde
Explore tranquill and pictureque islands of Cape Verde on an unforgettable island hopping trip.
Cape Verde defines perfect tropical air and water temperatures throughout the year. It boasts sandy unspoilt beaches away from the hustle and bustle of tourists. Join us in this adventure to experience the exotic beaches, flora and fauna, volcanic mountains. Get a chance to see innumerable doplhins, whales and other sea creature along your boat rides from one island to another.
Program
Living
Tarrafal
Cape Verde
Program Description
Cape Verde defines perfect tropical air and water temperatures throughout the year. Sandy unspoilt beaches, away from the hustle and bustle of tourists.
A week-long Island Hopping trip is the best in its purest form. This is a country with crystal clear waters with a variety of species (dolphins, whales, tuna etc…) and extremely friendly locals with a lust for life. Cape Verdean traditional food and music is also a must try.
The Cape Verde Islands are the perfect destination if you are looking for authenticity, traditional food, and excellent island weather.
The Islands are divided into 2 groups: the northern Islands "Barlavento" and the southern Islands "Sotavento".
On the Island hopping tour we take you to the Island of Fogo. Visiting the 2.728m high volcano is a Must Do for everyone visiting this country and not only for people who like hiking. Only approximately 10 sea miles away from Fogo, you can visit the Island Brava. Brava is completely the opposite and is also known as the flower island.
Your visit also includes the white sandy beaches of Maio. A tour around Maio defines that the locals make a great effort in the afforestation of trees, plants and vegetables otherwise unknown to them. Local homemade cheese is also a local delicacy. Overall, visiting the island of Maio means enjoying peace and tranquility while exploring its unique cultural elements.
Aims & Objectives
Explore the best of Cape Verdean islands and spend a week full of adventure.
Schedule
Sunday
Embark your journey on a beautiful drive through the winding narrow roads through the mountains to reach Praia.
Towards the evening, we hop on to a boat journey to the island named Maio. After a couple of hours of sailing, we reach Maio Island and check into a beautiful seaside guest house to spend the night.
Monday
Maio Island
The island of Maio was discovered four years after the discovery of Boavista island. In the beginning, the island was only used for cattle, donkeys, and goats. At a later point of time, salt mining brought some share of wealth into the island. On the island of Maio, it hardly ever rains due to the fact that the trade wind clouds cannot discharge due to the small altitude.
A tour around Maio defines that the locals make a great effort in the afforestation of trees, plants and vegetables otherwise unknown to them. Local homemade cheese is also a local delicacy. Overall, visiting the island of Maio means enjoying peace and tranquility while exploring its unique cultural elements.
Today we walk around the island to absorb its tranquillity, walk through the beautiful tiny town, visit the beaches, and breath in the calmness of the almosphere.
Tuesday
Fogo Island
Today, we hop on to another island named Fogo. In the morning, we take a boat to reach Fogo island. We will arrive in late evening and then we check into a guest house for the night.
Wednesday
Fogo Island
Fogo, the volcanic island, is the highest island of Cape Verde with its volcano Pico de Fogo. Rising from 4,000 m below sea level, the almost symmetrical cone is another 2,829m above sea level. At the bottom of this huge volcano, there is a caldera (Cha das Caldeiras), about 8 kilometres in diameter. In 1995, a small volcano erupted in this caldera (Pico Pequeno).
We set out on an early morning hike on the volcanic island and towards the evening we camp by the fire.
Thursday
Brava Island
We take a boat in the afternoon to an Island named Brava also known as Flower island.
Brava is the smallest inhabited island of Cape Verde. As the island has tall mountains, there are trade wind clouds always hanging around the sky. Due to its moist and fertile climate, the most beautiful plants such as hibiscus and oleander thrive well here,.
Today, we will go on a cool drive to the village of Nova Sintra. You can then walk down via the streets or along an old hiking trail. Today we stay at an authentic guesthouse for the night with a barbeque.
Friday
Praia
Today we depart early in the morning to Praia. Arrive in Praia in the afternoon and we further make our way to Tarrafal to spend the night at the centre.
Saturday
Departure or continue on your project the following week.
Note: This schedule can be changed and/or amended depending on weather conditions, local conditions and unforeseen circumstances.
Participant Criteria & Requirements
Standard Requirements
Minimum age: –
Maximum age: –
Minimum English level: Basic
CRB required: On Signup
Passport copy required: On Signup
Resume copy required: No
Required qualification: None
Additional Requirements
Yellow fever vaccination is a mandatory requirement for all participants arriving in Cape Verde.
For participants below 18, parental consent is required and for participants above 65, medical clearance is required.
Additional Equipment
Hiking shoes
Sun protection
Refillable water bottle
Location
The city is named after the indigenous plant Tarrafe, (Tamarix senegalensis). Also called Mangui or Mangue, it is situated on the northern part of the island of Santiago. A fishing port situated on the northwestern coast and also is a municipality.
About the Accommodation
You can expect to share a room on single gender basis. The bathroom is shared and western toilets are available.
Food Arrangements
The meals will contain a mix of local and various types of Western food.
Facilities
There are ATMs, mini marts, some shops and restaurants available in the city center.
Activities & Events
No scheduled activities outside the program.
Sights & Surroundings
- Tarrafal beach
Transportation
From this location we do not provide free transport to other locations.
Quick Facts
Name: Republic of Cabo Verde
Population: 532,913 (2016)
Capital: Praia
Language: Portuguese, Cape Verdean Creole
Currency: Cape Verdean Escudo (CVE)
Time zone: CVT (UTC-1)
Country Information
The beautiful islands of the Cape Verde were initially uninhabited until it was discovered by the Portuguese in the 15th century. The country flourished during the 16th and the 17th centuries due to the Atlantic slave trade. But with the decline of the slave trade in the 19th century, the country experienced an economic crisis. Yet the location of the island made it survive as it became a significant commercial center in the 19th century as the location was perfect for re-supply of the ships. In the present day context, the economy of the country is mostly relying on the services provided by the country targeting the growing tourism industry.
Climate
Cape Verde has a mild climate compared to the mainland of Africa with an average high temperature of about 26 °C during February and 31 °C in September. The country has an irregular rain pattern in the months between August and October and it is in September that the country experiences its maximum rainfall. The country can boast about the rich vegetation and the forests that provides a rainforest habitat although the close proximity to the Sahara is makes most islands with no mountains mostly dry. The islands as initially were isolated, the existence of a number of endemic species mostly the birds and reptiles can be seen although the existence is threatened by the human developments.
Culture
As the country was discovered by the Portuguese, the culture is immensely influenced by them as the rural Portuguese practices are displayed in the social and cultural patterns of the country. The closeness to the church activities and the football games act as way of interaction between the locals for entertainment.
Transportation
By bus
For travelling within the islands, the most famous transportation is the minibuses which are known as “Yasi” which can accommodate around 12 to 14 passengers. In addition, the modified pickup truck and the cabs which are sometimes covered provide the transport facilities for shorter distances and in rural areas.
By Taxi
Taxis can mostly be found in the cities of Praia and Assomada, and they have unique colored taxis in these two cities, where taxis painted in beige are based in Praia and the taxis painted in white are based in Assomada. The taxis sometimes have a meter fixed to it although they hardly use it as the rates which are usually accepted are cheaper than the ones the metered taxis would count.
