Join this brand-new 15-day itinerary showcasing far-flung islands and exotic ports of call. Discover Cape Verde’s charming Portuguese villages, dramatic scenery, lush botanical gardens, and endemic birds. Hike through the volcanic landscapes of the Canary Islands, including Timanfaya National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Explore magical Marrakech, famous for its intact medieval architecture and bustling souks, packed with vendors touting everything from fresh produce to high-quality leather goods. Experience the undulating Sahara Desert with opportunities to watch for migratory birds, visit with nomadic tribespeople, and hike along the dunes. Conclude your explorations with a two-night stay at a hotel in Marrakech.
Highlights
Tour Cidade Velha, Cape Verde's former capital and a World Heritage Site
Hike through the spectacular laurel forest of Garajonay National Park
Explore magical Marrakech, famous for its medieval architecture and markets
Venture into shifting sand dunes to visit with the nomadic Sahraoui people
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arrive on São Tiago, the largest of the Cape Verde Islands, crowned by Antonia Peak which rises 4,500 feet above fertile farmlands. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, then join a guided walk through Cidade Velha, the former capital and a World Heritage Site. After a traditional Batuco performance, return to Praia and embark the Island Sky this evening.
Crowned by a massive volcano, which erupted as recently as 2014, Fogo (fire in Portuguese) is a fitting name for this dramatically beautiful island. Begin your explorations in colonial São Filipe and visit a wealthy merchant’s house that has been converted into a museum. Then take a drive through a phenomenal volcanic landscape to the small town of Cha das Caldeiras, situated within the massive crater of Pico do Fogo. Enjoy a traditional lunch, sample local wines, and take an unforgettable walk over the lava fields created by the most recent eruption.
Cape Verde’s “wild” island of Brava earns its moniker with an abundance of verdant hills and valleys, laced with colorful oleander, hibiscus, and bougainvillea. Take a drive inland, passing plantations of coconut palms and lush meadows dotted with herds of goats. Located high in the mountains, the town of Nova Sintra boasts a lovely historic center with well-preserved colonial architecture and a fantastic viewpoint overlooking the island. Continue to Faja d’Agua for a short hike, a picnic lunch, and the opportunity take a dip in a natural pool.
Cape Verde’s greenest island boasts a spectacular array of landscapes, from stark volcanic flats to lush green peaks and tropical valleys. Disembark in Puerto Novo for a scenic drive along the coast, and into the mountains to visit the Cova Crater to learn about local agriculture. Enjoy more spectacular views en route to Fontainhas, a picturesque village which clings to a rocky slope overlooking the beautiful coastline. After lunch in the small fishing village of Ponta do Sol, visit a distillery for a tasting of Grogue, the local spirit made from sugarcane. Continue through the lush Paul Valley, visiting small agricultural communities along the way.
Join naturalists on deck to search for pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins, while lectures recap your experiences in the Cape Verde Islands and prepare you for what’s ahead.
This morning, birders search for a wealth of migrant shorebirds at Laguna of Dakhla. Species commonly found here include greater flamingos, broad-billed sandpipers, pelicans, terns, and oystercatchers. Or, venture into the shifting sand dunes to visit with the nomadic Sahraoui people. Participate in a traditional tea ceremony and trek to the top of White Dune for fantastic views over the desert. Return to the ship in time for lunch and set sail for El Marsa.
Disembark in El Marsa this afternoon and board 4x4 vehicles for a ride through the Sahara Desert. Make a stop en route for Moroccan tea and amazing vistas of the undulating dunes. In Laayoune, visit the busy dromedary souk; the Place El Mechouar, a large public square; the Moulay Abdelaziz Mosque; and browse a collection of artisanal workshops where you can find fine silver jewelry and local art. Take a walk through the old town for a look at the Spanish cathedral, then drive to a scenic viewpoint overlooking the dam on the Saquia El Hamra River, before returning to the ship in El Marsa.
Take a hike through the spectacular laurel forest of Garajonay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Often shrouded in a magical mist, this area is known locally as “the witch’s forest.” Keep an eye out for the endemic white-tailed and dark-tailed laurel pigeons as you stroll through the lush vegetation. After lunch at a local restaurant, drive through the Valle Gran Rey and discover terraced farms and tiny towns clinging to the steep walls of the valley.
Venture high into the hills for a hike through La Caldera de Taburiente, a national park whose centerpiece is a five-mile-wide crater caused by erosion. Enjoy stunning, top-of-the-world scenery and take a walk through stands of indigenous Canary pine trees. After working up a good appetite, stop for a snack of cheese and macaroons, accompanied by local wines. Or, choose to explore Los Tilos, an enchanting subtropical rainforest that is home to hundreds of plant species, many unique to the Canary Islands. Cool off at Charco Azul (Blue Pool), a natural seaside pool created by ancient lava flows. Then make a stop at a rum distillery to learn about the production of this beloved liquor, with a chance to sample the delightful results.
Explore Timanfaya National Park and its stunning volcanic landscape, a legacy of the 1824 eruption. Search for some of the 177 species of rare plants, many of them unique to the Canaries, while birders keep a keen eye out for houbara bustards, Berthelot’s pipits, and other species. On the nearby coast, view natural geologic formations where water rushes dramatically into a sea-eroded volcanic cave at Los Hervideros. Then soak in fantastic views as you drive along the rugged coast to Mirador del Rio, the island’s most famous viewpoint. Then immerse yourself in the world of famed local artist César Manrique, with a stroll through the unique Cactus Garden, which displays over 1,000 species of cactus from all over the world, and the Jameos del Agua, a spectacular lava-tube cave transformed into a delightful series of pools, gardens, and a natural amphitheater.
The lecture series continues during a relaxing day at sea.
Day 13: Casablanca, Morocco | Disembark | Marrakech
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
This morning, disembark in lovely Casablanca. Begin your exploration with an excursion to the colorful Central Market, followed by a stop at the Hassan II Mosque, the second largest religious structure in the world after Mecca. Its 700-foot-high minaret is visible for miles. Continuing on, pass through the elegant Corniche district which spreads along the Atlantic coast; the Anfa Quarters, where Roosevelt met with Churchill during World War II; the impressive Law Courts; and the Habbous Quarters, built by the French in the early 20th century. Then depart overland to magical Marrakech; this romantic rose-red city perches on the edge of the pre-Saharan Plains along ancient Berber trade routes. Explore sites such as the opulent 19th-century Bahia Palace, the medina—a World Heritage Site—the Koutoubia Mosque, the imperial Saadian tombs, and Djemaa El Fna Square. Check in to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 14: Marrakech
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Today explore the Majorelle Gardens; the Palmeraie, a vast area of date palms; and the bustling souk. Or join a full-day birding excursion in the Atlas Mountains. Winding up into the mountains, make several stops to search for a variety of birds including the scarce and localized Barbary falcon, black wheatear, Atlas chaffinch, and flocks of aerobatic red-billed chough. With a great deal of luck, you may also encounter one of the great raptors of the world, the massive lammergeier. Tonight, enjoy a special farewell dinner.
Day 15: Marrakech
1 Breakfast
Transfer to the airport for your independent homeward flight.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$13,980
Select a Date
Category 1
Magellan Deck. 230 square feet and feature beds that are configurable into two twins or one queen, a sitting area, en suite bathroom, and four portholes.
Select a Date
Category 2
Columbus Deck. 240 square feet and feature beds that are configurable into two twins or one queen, a sitting area, en suite bathroom, and a large picture window.
Select a Date
Category 3
Marco Polo Deck. 225 square feet and feature beds that are configurable into two twins or one queen, a sitting area, en suite bathroom, and a large picture window.
Select a Date
Category 4
Marco Polo Deck. 240 square feet and feature beds that are configurable into two twins or one queen, a sitting area, en suite bathroom, and a large picture window.
Select a Date
Category 5
Erikson Deck. 270 square feet and feature beds that are configurable into two twins or one queen, a sitting area, en suite bathroom, and patio doors which lead to a private balcony.
Select a Date
Category 6
Explorer Deck. 325 square feet and feature beds that are configurable into two twins or one queen, a sitting area, en suite bathroom, and patio doors which lead to a private balcony.
Notes
- Rates are per person based on double occupancy.
- Singles may be available at 1.6 times the share rate.
Initial deposit is 25%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen
TrustScore 4.8 | 174 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 174 reviews on
1 day ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
