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Overview

Why go all the way to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, if you can go to the Cape Verde Carnival on Sao Vicente, the Archipelago’s most colourful event of the year.

During the Mindelo carnival a colourful spectacle of music, dance and colourful street processions, is also known as the Creole festival. The streets come alive with colourful dance troops and spectacular floats, each competing to win the coveted carnival prize for being the best.

The celebrations start in January with colourful parades held every Sunday. The week leading up to Shrove Tuesday (in 2020 from the 22nd to the 26th of February) is crammed with parties and other events, which you too can join, eventually culminating in the main parade, which runs late into the night and shouldn’t be missed.

After the Cape Verde Carnival, we’ll give you a flavour of another island, by flying you to Santiago, Cape Verde’s biggest island.

Just like the Carnival preparations which start as soon as it has finished, you need to book this trip well in advance to avoid any disappointment.

Gallery

Itinerary

Day 1

Depart Heathrow and fly to Lisbon, where you stay overnight at the Tryp airport hotel. Let us know if you are interested in Fado Music and we can arrange a table for you in a restaurant where they also perform live the traditional Portuguese Fado music.

Day 2

After an early breakfast you make your own way back to the airport and fly to Sao Vicente where on arrival you will be met by your guide. The Terra lodge where you will be staying for five nights is a residential area, but within walking distance of the town centre. Depending on the day that you arrive, you can join one of the many carnival parties or if you are there on a Sunday, see the colourful Mandinga parade.

Day 3

One of our local English-speaking guide will pick you up from your hotel and will proudly show you all the popular sites of his town. Of course this is also the perfect opportunity to ask him about all the Carnival festivities that are going on in Mindelo. At the end of your three hour stroll you end up at guitar-making workshop, where you may be treated to an impromptu musical session. The rest of the day and evening is free.

Day 4

We have left today free for you to join in the festivities or you can relax by the pool of your hotel.

Day 5

Our full day off-road Jeep tour is a great and different way to see parts of the island you otherwise wouldn't see, like deserted beaches and volcanoes. Our guide will remind you before you depart that you shouldn't forget to bring your swimwear and towel. There plenty of opportunities for a refreshing dip when you visit the black sandy beaches, or at Baias das Gatas. In the evening you can join the carnival festivities again.

Day 6

It would be a shame not to visit neighbouring island Santo Antao, which is why you will be catching the ferry across. Here another one our knowledgeable local guides will already be waiting for you to take you on a tour of this beautiful island with its jagged peaks and steep green valleys. After lunch in the fishing town of Ponta do Sol, you can stretch your legs a bit and wander to Fontainhas village. In the late afternoon you catch the ferry back to Sao Vicente again. Tonight is your last chance to join carnival festivities.

Day 7

After the carnival on Sao Vicente you fly to the island of Santiago, where you will be met by another guide, who will accompany you on a stroll of Cidade Velha - Cape Verde's oldest settlement - before taking you to the coastal town of Tarrafal where you stay for another four nights.

Day 8 - 10

Free days to relax on the sandy beach, explore the surrounding coves and watch the fishermen and their latest catch. If you are interested in stretching your legs, then we could organise an interesting walk for you in the nearby Serra Malagueta Natural Park.

Day 11

After an early breakfast you will be driven back to the airport for your flight back to the UK, via Lisbon.

From £2196 per person

We can create a tailor-made holiday to suit your budget.

INCLUDED: International flights (guide price only), accommodation in twin share, en-suite rooms on a breakfast only basis throughout. Return airport transfers on Sao Vicente and Santiago. Inter-island flights per person Sao Vicente/Santiago. 4 x guided excursions as detailed in the itinerary. Visas and support from our team in Cape Verde, and air ticket reconfirmation (if required). EXCLUDED: Meals not specified above and insurance. Additional excursions on free days.

Accommodation

After one night in Lisbon, you will be staying for 5 nights at the Terra Lodge in Mindelo and 4 nights at Villa Strela in Tarrafal.

Villa Strela A small luxurious B&B in the quiet north coast of the island
Terra Lodge A superb Eco-Hotel with stunning panoramic views

Activities

We have included four activities accompanied by an English speaking guide and more can be added. If however you prefer to go to the Carnival activities instead then we can always change the itinerary

Driver guided tours in Cape Verde If you are looking for the best way to explore Cape Verde…
Guided jeep tours in Cape Verde Guided walking in Cape Verde

Location

On this trip you will be visiting two Cape Verdean islands. Sao Vicente in the north and Santiago in the south.

Santiago in Cape Verde The most African of all the islands, Santiago is a melting pot…
São Vicente in Cape Verde Mindelo is the beating heart of São Vicente. Nestled at the foot…

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