In a nutshell

Lace up your shoes and get going: you're about to immerse yourself in the history of the island of Santiago. To the beat of your footsteps, discover the iconic places among the streets of Cidade Velha and the winding paths of the Calabaceira valley. Here, even the baobab trees have a story to tell: your guide will reveal all step after step, among the mango, banana and cassava plantations, as well as some friendly monkeys

Main stops

Hiking in the Calabaceira valley to Cidade Velha: guided tour of Rua Banana, Pelourinho, San Felipe fortress

The programme

Every glimpse of Santiago island's landscape holds centuries of history. Discover it in the footsteps of the pirates and explorers on an adventurous hike through the Calabaceira valley.
Among the ups and downs and the thick vegetation, there are those who know the history of each path and plant like the palm of their hand: your local guide is one such person.
For example, as you admire the magnificent centuries-old baobab trees, your guide will also tell you that these are the very same ones described by Darwin, the famous naturalist who studied the evolution of rare plant species right here.
Before entering the heart of Cidade Velha, climb up onto the walls of San Felipe fortress, an old look-out for pirate ships, so the story goes. From here, the panoramic view is just perfect, and the Cape Verdeans protecting themselves from invasion knew it only too well!
Then, it's just a few steps through the city streets to the Pelourinho: the symbol that reminds visitors of the island's enslaved history. Then, while you wander among the stone houses and craft shops on Rua Banana, you'll notice that time seems to have stood still.

Good to know

Wear hiking shoes and appropriate clothing for the route, and remember to bring a cap and sunscreen.
Minimum age: 14 years.