Cruising the Cape Verde Islands
from $3540
Duration: 8 Days
Neither Senegal nor Portugal, the Cape Verde Islands march to the beat of their own drum. This incredible archipelago might just be the ultimate adventure cruise destination, a land whose particular brand of exotic defies classification. Set off from Praia to San Tiago and discover the history of the old Portugese capital of Cidade Velha, from the slave trade to the shipwrecks. Head north to Fogo to walk through lava landscapes and scale its volcanic peak. Move on the rich green of San Antao’s valleys and peaks, a land of sugarcane and heady ‘grogue’, before a rendezvous in the cultural capital of Mindelo. With all shore activities optional, you have the flexibility and freedom of making this Cape Verde getaway as leisurely or as active as you please.
  • Gaze in awe at landscapes like that of Fogo, aka the ‘Island of Fire’, and Santo Antao, the cape’s crown jewel of lush valleys, gorges and craters
  • Be charmed by the well preserved colonial towns of Cidade Velha and, San Felipe
  • There’s no place quite like Mindelo. As well as galleries and restaurants, this cobblestoned heartthrob of a town is abuzz with music, especially ‘morna’, the style unique to the cape
  • Sample the aptly named ‘grogue’, the potent national drink of Cape Verde
Day 1 Location: Embarkation in Palmeira, Sal
Embarkation will take place at 4.00pm at the port of Palmeira, Sal. After a safety briefing and welcome dinner, you will set sail for Boa Vista Island. Overnight at sea.
Day 2 Location: Sal Rei, Boa Vista Island
Arrive early in the morning to Sal Rei on the island of Boa Vista. Boa Vista offers the most beautiful beaches of the archipelago with amazing landscapes, both on its coasts and in the heart of the island. Relax on the beach or enjoy an all-day optional excursion to discover the most authentic aspects of the island including its villages with colorful facades, its artisans of ceramics, and its agriculture. Lunch will be at a local restaurant, before you return to the Harmony G to sail towards Santiago island. Overnight at sea.
Day 3 Location: Praia, Santiago Island
You will awake at Praia, Santiago, the largest of the islands of the archipelago. After a morning of leisure and lunch on board, you can join the optional excursion to Cidade Velha, the first colonial city built in the tropics and classified by UNESCO. The fort and the nearby settlements were once a thriving slave trade centre. Return to the ship and perhaps enjoy a sunset drink before dinner. Late in the evening you will sail north towards Fogo, the island of fire. Overnight at sea.
Day 4 Location: Sao Felipe, Fogo Island
Early morning arrival into Fogo, with its dominating sight of the Fogo Volcano which rises 3,000 meters over the sea level. Today you have the option to join a full day excursion bringing you to the top of the volcano, right to the crater edge. You will walk through a landscape of lava so make sure you bring some shoes with a good grip. Stop for lunch at the crater's village before visiting Sao Filipe, a city with a characteristic colonial charm. Late in the evening sail towards Sao Vicente. Overnight at sea.
Day 5 Location: Mindelo, San Vincente Island
Once a vibrant commercial island, San Vincente has evolved into a cultural center and Mindelo is one of the most well -preserved colonial cities in Cape Verde. Join an optional walking tour to visit some of the cities highlights. The city is known for its many galleries, restaurants and musical events which give Mindelo its label of the Cultural Center of the Cape Verde. It is no surprise that the National Museum of Handicrafts is located in Mindelo. Overnight in port.
Day 6 Location: Porto Nova, Santo Antao Island
Early in the morning depart for a short sail towards the island of Santo Antao, the greenest of all Cape Verde Islands with landscapes of verdant plantations of sugarcane alternating with old craters. Today you can join an optional full day excursion to Valley Paul which is known for its sugarcane plantations and where you can taste the "grogue" the national drink of the Archipelago. You will also reach the Valley of Ribeira das Patas and discover rock formations coming from lava formations. Tonight, dinner will be on board and overnight in port.
Day 7 Location: Porto Nova, Santo Antao Island
This morning enjoy an optional half day excursion to discover the south-western part of the island a safari through volcanic landscapes, porcelain fields, and isolated villages with interesting agriculture and many different kinds of plantations. Return to the ship in the afternoon and set sail towards Sal. Overnight at sea.
Day 8 Location: Disembark in Palmeira, Sal Island
Early morning arrival at Palmeira port, Sal. Disembarkation at 9:00 am after breakfast.
Dates
Prices
Availability
Departure Date:
05NOV2021
Return Date:
12NOV2021
3540NZD
available
Departure Date:
05NOV2021
Return Date:
12NOV2021
6270NZD
available
Departure Date:
05NOV2021
Return Date:
12NOV2021
4945NZD
available
Departure Date:
05NOV2021
Return Date:
12NOV2021
5255NZD
available
Departure Date:
05NOV2021
Return Date:
12NOV2021
4160NZD
available
Departure Date:
05NOV2021
Return Date:
12NOV2021
4445NZD
available
Departure Date:
05NOV2021
Return Date:
12NOV2021
7565NZD
available
Departure Date:
05NOV2021
Return Date:
12NOV2021
5940NZD
available
Departure Date:
20NOV2021
Return Date:
27NOV2021
3540NZD
available
Departure Date:
20NOV2021
Return Date:
27NOV2021
6270NZD
available
Last modified (date)

28 Aug 2021

Trip title

Cruising the Cape Verde Islands

Trip code

PFIV

Validity

Validity: 01 Nov 2021 to 31 Mar 2022

Introduction

Neither Senegal nor Portugal, the Cape Verde Islands march to the beat of their own drum. This incredible archipelago might just be the ultimate adventure cruise destination, a land whose particular brand of exotic defies classification. Set off from Praia to San Tiago and discover the history of the old Portugese capital of Cidade Velha, from the slave trade to the shipwrecks. Head north to Fogo to walk through lava landscapes and scale its volcanic peak. Move on the rich green of San Antao’s valleys and peaks, a land of sugarcane and heady ‘grogue’, before a rendezvous in the cultural capital of Mindelo. With all shore activities optional, you have the flexibility and freedom of making this Cape Verde getaway as leisurely or as active as you please.

Style

Peregrine

Themes

Adventure Cruising

Transport

Small Cruise Ship

Physical Rating

2

Physical preparation

No particular level of physical fitness is required for our adventure cruises, although you should have a good level of mobility and enjoy good health. We do ask that you read through the trip notes to ensure that this trip is right for you. Please keep in mind that there are a number of shore excursions offered on your voyage. Some are walking tours and may involve a reasonable amount of walking over varied terrain. We recommend you bring a good pair of walking shoes or boots, carry a water bottle and don’t forget the sunscreen and hat. Depending on the excursion, disembarking the ship may be by zodiac, tender or onto a dock. Very occasionally, it will be a beach landing where you may need to wade through shallow water a short distance to reach the shore. This will be highlighted in the trip notes. Snorkelling and fishing equipment is provided on board all of our vessels. To snorkel, we request that you consider your fitness level and your confidence in the water before taking part.

Joining point

Port of Palmeira

Palmeria

Palmeira

CAPE VERDE

Finish point

Port of Palmeira

Palmeria

Palmeira

CAPE VERDE

Important information

IMPORTANT NOTES Your voyage is operated by our partner company, Variety Cruises. SHORE EXCURSIONS Shore Excursions are not included in the cost of the cruise and are payable on board the ship in Euros. A description of the excursion on offer is included in the day to day itinerary. The prices are subject to change and require a minimum number to operate. DAY TWO OPTIONAL EXCURSION Boa Vista, The Dry North day tour - this optional excursion needs to be prebooked at least 15 days prior to embarkation, please let your sales consultant know if you would like to prebook this service. This excursion requires a minimum participation of 10 customers, for it to operate. SINGLE TRAVELLERS It is not possible to share with a stranger on a Variety Cruises voyage and single travellers must pay the Single Occupancy rate. MINIMUM AGE Children from the age of 7 can be accommodated on these voyages. Each boat has one cabin category that will accommodate a 3rd person allowing for triple sharing. Any child under the age of 18 must share with an adult.

Safety

Many national governments provide a regularly updated advice service on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all areas your itinerary covers. Please refer to our website's safety page for links to major travel advisories and updates on safety issues affecting our trip. We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe-keeping of your passport, air tickets, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Your cabin has a safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables whilst on board. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage.

Communications

Wifi is available on all ships at EUR15 for 200MB or EUR20 for 250MB. The coverage can be very intermittent and unreliable. On shore in most countries, you should find fast, free wifi available in cafes or restaurants. Internet connections in Cuba are very unreliable.

Visas

PASSPORT You will need a valid passport to travel internationally. As a general rule, most countries require that your passport has a minimum of 6 months validity remaining. Your passport details are required to complete your booking. Please ensure the name on your passport matches the name on your booking and airline tickets exactly and contact us immediately if there are any errors. We recommend taking copies of the main passport pages and other important documents with you as well as leave copies at home with family or friends. VISAS Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveller. Entry requirements can change at any time. It is important that you check your government's foreign travel advisories along with the consular website of the country or countries you are travelling to for the most up to date information specific to your nationality and circumstances. Please be aware that not all visa information found online from other sources may be valid while COVID-19 restrictions are in place. Visas can take several weeks to process, so make sure you research the requirements as soon as you have booked your trip to allow for obtaining any necessary documents as well as the application and processing time. Your booking consultant can advise on a visa processing service or you can apply yourself directly through a consulate. COVID-19 Entry and Exit Requirements Below you will find general visa advice about the destinations on your trip. Due to constantly evolving COVID-19 requirements and restrictions, please refer to your government's foreign travel advice for the most up to date information.You may also refer to our travel alert page for more info https://www.intrepidtravel.com/en/travel-alerts Make sure you are familiar with the current border measures and entry requirements as these are quite complex and changing frequently without notice. Please also ensure you have a travel insurance policy that covers your travels as well as medical or COVID-19 related expenses within the country. RETURN TRAVEL Please ensure you stay up to date with any current testing or quarantine requirements for returning to your home country or transiting through other destinations after the completion of your tour. We are able to help facilitate taking a COVID-19 test while on trip. Please ensure you have funds available to cover the cost of this test which will be payable directly to the testing site. Your Intrepid Tour Leader will provide more details at the group meeting as well as assist with booking appointments for all travellers who need to be tested. As a general rule most countries expect that your passport has a minimum of 6 months validity remaining. Please ensure the name on your passport matches the name on your booking and airline tickets. Your passport details are required to complete your booking. Your consultant will contact you when this is required. Take a copy of the main passport pages and other important documents with you, and leave another copy at home with family or friends. All nationalities will require a visa for Cape Verde which can be purchased on arrival. You will require a copy of your ongoing flights, a copy of you passport photo page and EUR55 in cash to purchase the visa.

Why we love it

Gaze in awe at landscapes like that of Fogo, aka the ‘Island of Fire’, and Santo Antao, the cape’s crown jewel of lush valleys, gorges and craters

Be charmed by the well preserved colonial towns of Cidade Velha and, San Felipe

There’s no place quite like Mindelo. As well as galleries and restaurants, this cobblestoned heartthrob of a town is abuzz with music, especially ‘morna’, the style unique to the cape

Sample the aptly named ‘grogue’, the potent national drink of Cape Verde

Is this trip right for you

This trip is operated by our partners at Variety Cruises and is best suited to independent travellers who want flexibility from their itinerary. On Variety Cruises, all shore excursions are optional, so you don’t have to pay for an activity you’re not interested in. Trips operated by Variety begin at port, do not include tips and require solo travellers to pay a mandatory single supplement. This is a small ship adventure cruise, which means you’ll be sailing on a yacht with 30–50 other people. The boat is spacious and comfortable, but it focuses more on the destination than on-board activities. Instead of a pool, we have the sea itself. Instead of a casino, we’ve got board games and a good book. There’s also no formal dress code to worry about. Wi-Fi is available for a small charge. Our ship moves under engine power, rather than sailing, so all cabins will experience light engine noise when the ship is moving (and occasionally when we drop anchor). It’s probably worth packing earplugs if you’re a light sleeper. Onshore activities and excursions will involve a bit of walking. You may be visiting ancient sites and historical places, and at times you may have to cross cobbled streets and uneven ground, sometimes in hot conditions. If you have any concerns, please speak to your group leader before taking part. If you’re concerned about seasickness, there are seasickness tablets on-board. The ship will experience some roll and pitch in choppy conditions, however all of our ships come equipped with stabilisers to minimise movement. Most of our departures run in peak season, when the seas are calmer. Your crew will do all they can to minimise any discomfort. There are no lifts (elevators) on-board our ships, so you’ll have to navigate a few steep flights of stairs. Handrails are always available.

Health

There is no doctor on board for this voyage. In case of an emergency, some crew members are trained to offer basic first aid. Medical care is available in all ports we visit and our voyages are mostly cruising around coastal waters meaning we are never far from a port. As we are mostly cruising in coastal waters, we should not regularly encounter rough waters. However, if you know you are prone to sea sickness, please ensure you bring with you appropriate medication. You must also bring with you any general medicines you may need such as pain relief along with any prescribed medications you take. A general first aid kit is also a good idea. If you are feeling unwell, please let a member of the crew know. Travelling on a boat means that everyone is sharing the same common areas and illness can spread very quickly to your fellow travellers. GENERAL HEALTH All travellers need to be in good physical health in order to participate fully on this trip. When selecting your trip please make sure you have read through the itinerary carefully and assess your ability to manage and enjoy our style of travel. Please note that if in the opinion of our group leader or local guide any traveller is unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group, we reserve the right to exclude them from all or part of a trip without refund. You should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information or for any necessary vaccinations before departure. We recommend that you carry a first aid kit as well as any personal medical requirements as they may not easily be obtained while travelling. COVID-19 The safety and wellbeing of our travellers, leaders, crew, staff, and suppliers continues to remain our highest priority as we travel. You can read more about how we will keep you safe on our trips, including our COVID-19 Health & Safety Guidelines here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/safe-travels HEALTH SCREENING If you are unwell prior to travelling, please stay at home and contact us to make alternative arrangements. At the group meeting, you will be asked to complete a self-screening health form and report any COVID-19 symptoms as well as any close contact with someone who has suspected or confirmed COVID-19. If you are displaying any symptoms or have any health concerns at this time, we will follow the advice of local health authorities to determine whether medical assistance, isolation or further action is required. We ask all travellers to continue to monitor their health throughout their travels and report any relevant symptoms to their tour leader. TESTING & VACCINATION POLICY From 1st May 2021 we introduced new safety measures that apply on all of our trips, except for tours in Australia and New Zealand. On trips departing before 1st September 2021, you will need to show one of the below to your leader at the Group Meeting on Day 1 of your trip: - Proof of COVID-19 vaccination, or - Proof of negative COVID-19 test conducted no more than 72 hours before day 1 of your trip, or - Proof of recovery documentation In addition, if you’re aged 70+ or have an existing health condition that puts you at a higher risk of serious COVID-19 disease, you are also required to provide proof of vaccination before you can join a trip. MANDATORY VACCINATION POLICY From 1st of September 2021 we have introduced enhanced safety measures that apply on all of our trips, except for tours in Australia, New Zealand, and the Cook Islands. You will need to show your leader at the Group Meeting on Day 1 of your trip: - Proof of COVID-19 vaccination This policy is in addition to any specific testing or vaccination requirements for entry or exit to a destination or required by your airline. For more information, including a detailed FAQ about this policy, please visit https://www.intrepidtravel.com/covid19

Food and dietary requirements

We are able to cater for most special dietary requirements. Please advise any special dietary needs at least 4 weeks in advance of travel.

Money matters

When it comes to money matters on the trip, every traveller is a little different. You know your spending habits better than we do, so please budget a sensible amount for things like meals not included, drinks, shopping, optional activities, tipping and laundry. It’s always better to bring a little more than you think you’ll need. Also make sure you’ve read your trip details thoroughly so you know what’s included in the trip price and what isn’t. This should make budgeting a little easier. You’ll find this info in the Inclusions section of your Essential Trip Information (that’s this document). The EURO is the standard currency on board. Visa, Mastercard and American Express are all accepted for settling your ship board account. An account will be opened for your cabin for purchases aboard ship. This will include bar, laundry, communication charges and any optional activities you take part in. It is wise to travel with sufficient cash (in local currency) to pay for incidentals on your last day such as shipboard items, airports taxes and taxis. For most of our voyages, all meals on board the ship are included as well as coffee, tea and mineral water. However, a handful of voyages are Half Board and some meals will need to be purchased ashore. Please ensure you have read the Essential Trip Information carefully and have budgeted for any meals not included. TIPPING The voyage fare does not include the customary, optional gratuity which is divided between the ships' crew and hospitality staff. If you are happy with the services received, we suggest EUR10-14 per person, per day is an appropriate amount. While it may not be customary to you, it is of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many Peregrine destinations. The currency of Cape Verde is the Escudo de Cabo Verde (ECV). There is fixed exchange rate from Euros to ECV of EUR1 = ECV110. There are exchange counters at international airports and banks are open from 8am to 3pm Monday to Friday. Most shops, taxis and hotels will accept Euros but the change will be given in Escudos at a less favourable exchange rate. Credit cards issued by Visa or Mastercard are accepted at major hotels and banks, but may not be readily usable elsewhere (although this is changing rapidly). EMERGENCY FUNDS: We try to plan for every eventuality, but there are still some things beyond our control. Please make sure you bring an extra USD500 for emergencies (e.g. natural disasters or civil unrest). Sometimes these things necessitate last minute changes to our itineraries, and we can’t guarantee there won’t be some extra costs involved.

What to take

Please travel as lightly as possible so as not to restrict space in your cabin. Soft bags are more practical than hard suitcases. The dress code on board ship is casual. You may want to bring something slightly dressier for the Captain's dinner or a theme night but as a rule, neat casual will suffice. Swimming will be offered on most days so swimwear is essential. Below is a suggested general packing list. Daypack (a smaller back pack that you can take with you on shore excursions) Comfortable clothing for warmer temperatures [shorts, t-shirts, light long sleeved tops and pants] A sweater or jacket for the cooler evenings or early mornings A light rain coat or poncho Comfortable walking shoes for shore excursions Sandals or thongs/flip flops/jandals Sunscreen [bio degradable and waterproof if available] and lip balm [to combat the effects of wind burn] Sunglasses Sunhat [that can be secured as it can get windy out on the water] Swimming costume Water bottle [filtered water is available on board the boat] Bio-degradable shampoo, conditioner and soap Pegs [so you can hang your swimming costume or towel out to dry] Insect repellent European adaptor/electrical plug Camera *** Beach towels and snorkelling equipment are provided on board ***

Feedback

After your travels, we want to hear from you! We realise that our partner company may ask you to complete paper or online feedback following your trip, however we would also like to know what you thought and encourage you to submit your feedback to us too. We rely on your feedback. We read it carefully. Feedback helps us understand what we and our partners are doing well and what could be done better. It allows us to suggest improvements for future travellers. https://bookings.intrepidtravel.com/bookings/en_AU/feedback/

Emergency contact

In case of a genuine crisis or emergency, you can reach our local office on the number below: Variety Cruises: +30 6973440611

Responsible travel

Travelling responsibly is all about making good choices. It's about ensuring you have an incredible trip while also having a positive impact on the local environment, community and economy you're travelling in . How can you be a Responsible Traveller? See our tips below: * Choose to travel with a responsible travel company like us! We've already offset the main carbon emissions of your trip, so your footprint is already lighter. * Consider offsetting your flights too. * Bring a refillable water bottle and some water purification tablets (or a Steripen) to cut down on plastic bottle waste. * Be an animal-friendly traveller. Only go to venues that respect animals by allowing them to live normally in their natural environment. Steer clear of venues that use animals for entertainment or abnormal activities and/or keep animals in poor and unnatural conditions. * Eat at local restaurants, buy from regional artists and support social enterprises so you can contribute directly to locals and their economy. * Always be respectful of local customs and ask permission if you want to take a photo of someone. * Learn a few words of the local language and engage with the people around you. * Carry a cloth or re-usable bag so you can avoid plastic bags. * Give back by making a donation to a local project via The Intrepid Foundation. Share your thoughts with us by completing your feedback form after your trip. This helps us to continue to improve our commitment to responsible travel.

The Intrepid Foundation

The Intrepid Foundation is a not-for-profit foundation set up to enable our travellers to support some amazing grassroots projects and partner charities in the places we travel. We support a range of initiatives – from wildlife protection and environmental conservation to supporting vocational training for underprivileged individuals – all with the aim of helping to improve lives across the world. All donations to The Intrepid Foundation are matched dollar for dollar (yes – your donation is doubled!), and administration costs are covered by us so that 100 per cent of your donation is guaranteed to reach your chosen project. To learn more about the projects we support, ask your trip leader for more information about projects in the region you are travelling in or visit.

Accommodation notes

All cabins on the M/Y Harmony G are air-conditioned and have an ensuite with basic amenities such as a hairdryer. They also have a satellite television, internal phone and a safe box. Wi-Fi is available for a small charge although the signal can be weak at times and sometimes unavailable depending on the location. There is a fully equipped laundry service. Cruise: Wifi is available on all ships at EUR15 for 200MB or EUR20 for 250MB. The coverage can be very intermittent and unreliable. On shore in most countries, you should find fast, free wifi available in cafes or restaurants. Internet connections in Cuba are very unreliable.

Travel insurance

Travel insurance is compulsory for all our trips. We require that, at a minimum, you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects and covers all countries visited on your itinerary.

Your fellow travellers

As you travel on a group trip you will be exposed to all the pleasures and maybe some of the frustrations of travelling in a group. Your fellow travellers will probably come from all corners of the world and likely a range of age groups too. We ask you to be understanding of the various needs and preferences of your group - patience with your fellow travellers is sometimes required for the benefit of everyone's travel experience. Remember too that you have responsibilities to the group. If you are requested to be at a place at a certain time, ensure that you don't keep the rest of the group waiting. We have found time and time again that the very best trips we operate are those where the dynamics within the group work well - this takes just a little effort on your part. Due to privacy reasons, we are unable to provide you with contact details and any personal information about your fellow travellers booked on your trip prior to departure. SINGLE TRAVELLERS Variety Cruises don't provide the option to share with a stranger on their voyages. Therefore single travellers will be charged the Single cabin price which includes a single occupancy surcharge.

Itinerary disclaimer

Travelling by sea is a fantastic way to explore, but it brings some challenges when weather conditions are not ideal. The itinerary may be subject to change, based on winds and sea conditions which may render anchorage and landing at some stops difficult. We reserve the right to change the itinerary for the safety of passengers and the ship. Shore excursions are subject to shore and weather conditions and are based on a minimum participation. Each days' schedule will be posted by the cruise co-ordinator listing necessary information such as arrival/departure times, meal times, days activities and other information. This is given as a guideline and is subject to change. The optional activities noted in the itinerary require a minimum number of passengers wanting to take place.  The mimnimum number can vary depending on the activity.  They are also subject to changes due to site restorations, weather, heavy traffic or other conditions.  Should sites or museums be closed on our visiting days, alternativ visits will be offered.  The tours can be quite active and require good physical conditions.  We recommendwearing comfortable shoes and taking sunscreen, a hat and water.

Accommodation

Small Cruise Ship,7 nights

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