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Colorful African pirogue canoes on the beach

Volcanic Cultures of Africa's Atlantic Islands

Cape Verde & Canary Islands - Example 9 Day Cruise aboard SH Vega
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Island hop around Spain and Portugal’s Atlantic islands and discover idyllic beaches and dramatic volcanic landscapes. Board the boutique expedition ship in exotic Dakar, Senegal on this 8-night Atlantic Islands - Cape Verde & Canary Islands and take the opportunity to explore the impressive scenery of the verdant islands with craggy cliffs, moonlike deserts and green valleys thick with pine, laurisilva and laurel forests. Once stepping stones for Spanish and Portuguese merchants heading to the New World, these archipelagos with their subtropical climate became outposts for early sugarcane and coffee production. Voyage with us and visit islands with unspoilt scenery and rich cultural history before ending your cruise in the capital of Tenerife, Santa Cruz.
Turquoise waters along the shore near Dakar, SenegalPanoramic photo of beach in SenegalBeaches of Cape Verde IslandsColorful African pirogue canoes on the beach
Highlights
  • Hike to the summit of Fogo Volcano, an active caldera on Fogo Island
  • Drink a glass of grogue, the nation's signature beverage made of sugar cane
  • Explore the rarely visited Canary Island of El Hierro
  • Hike among one of the world’s largest laurel woods in Gomera
Activities
Places Visited
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Senegal

Arrive in Senegal, relax, and spend the overnight in Radisson Blu Hotel Dakar or similar.

Day 2: Dakar, Senegal | Embark

With fabulous museums, a thriving art scene and elegant seaside dining, the capital city showcases a rich Senegalese culture and a forward-looking spirit. Discover the city’s traditional side in Medina, a bustling quarter of mosques, tea shops, and street markets. French influences remain in many aspects of city life, from architecture to food. Local mbalax music dominates a vibrant nightlife scene. Traditional crafts like wood carvings and glass paintings are easily found at the Soumbédioune market – the best place to shop for souvenirs.

Day 3: At sea

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
You can spend your day at sea enjoying the many facilities available. Head to the sauna, get in a workout in the state-of-the-art gym or relax in the jacuzzi whilst taking in incredible views along the way. If you prefer to learn a little more about your surroundings, listen to an informative talk or have a chat with one of the knowledgeable on-board experts.

Day 4: Sao Filipe | Fogo Island | Cape Verde

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
The old colonial town of Sao Filipe is the capital of idyllic Fogo Island. Known as the island of fire, the highlight is Fogo Volcano, the highest mountain in Cape Verde. Visit the island’s smattering of charming rural villages and then hike up to the summit of the volcano taking in the view from the Chã das Caldeiras National Parkand. The best way to wrap things up is with a visit to a coffee plantation or a delicious local wine and cheese tasting.

Day 5: Porto Novo | Santo Antao Island | Cape Verde

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
The small town of Porto Novo, with traditional colorful houses, is a good base to explore further afield. The relatively untouched island of Santo Antao arguably offers Cape Verde’s best hiking, where green peaks meet fertile craters, gorges and precarious-looking cliff-hanging towns. Experience the true wonder of this island paradise with a tour of the sugar cane plantations, caves, grogue distilleries (Cape Verde’s national drink, a type of sugar cane rum) and typical villages in their rugged mountain setting.

Day 6-7: At sea

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to the library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of the on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from the onboard professional photographers.

Day 8: Santa Cruz de la Palma

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Wander the historic streets of this breathtakingly beautiful Santa Cruz de la Palma, located on La Palma; this is one of the prettiest settlements in the Canary Islands. Steeped in history, this island capital is home to palaces, colonial-style houses, traditional architecture and the Shrine of Virgen de las Nieves – the oldest religious statue in the Canary Islands. Santa Cruz de la Palma is equally picturesque during the day as at night when the city comes

Day 9: San Sebastian De La Gomera | La Gomera Island | Canary Islands

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
The Canary Islands’ second smallest island, La Gomera is a volcanic paradise crisscrossed with hiking trails. Hike your way through the Garajonay National Park and the vast rainforest of El Cedro to discover one of the world’s largest laurel woods, past ferns and moss-decked trees. In the west, near the picturesque village of the same name, the mighty Valle Gran Rey canyon leads past the whitewashed cliffside village of La Calera and ends at black-sand Atlantic beaches.

Day 10: Santa Cruz | Tenerife Island | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
Discover the island that beguiled Agatha Christie when she arrived in 1927 and wander the old town of Santa Cruz, Tenerife’s capital. Head inland and visit the world’s third largest volcano, the other-worldly 3,700 m Mount Teide, surrounded by desert with a wild beauty. The volcanic slopes make excellent terroir for quality wines. Visit the spot where Nelson lost his arm in 1797 in the world’s first city laid out in a grid, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, with charming 16th-century pastel mansions and wooden balconies.

Ship/Hotel

SH Vega

SH Vega
SH Vega Club Lounge
SH Vega Club Lounge

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$6,953
SH Vega Suite OceanViewOceanview
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Oceanview D4
19 m2, Oceanview staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom and living room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.
SH Vega Suite OceanViewOceanview
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Oceanview M4
19 m2, Oceanview staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom and living room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.
Balcony
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Balcony D5
28 m2, Located at the forward and aft of the ship, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or double bed bedrooms with a living room area, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6m2 balcony
Balcony
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Balcony M5
28 m2, Located at the center of the ship, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or double bed bedrooms with a living room area, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6m2 balcony
Balcony
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Balcony D6
28 m2, Located on deck six, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or double bed bedroom with living room area, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6m2 balcony
SH Vega SuitePremium suitePremium Suite
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Suite
44 m2, Our Suites features a super king bed and separate living room with and a soothing flame-effect fireplace a luxurious ensuite bathroom, and a 12 sq.m. private balcony.
SH Vega Suite PremiumSH Vega Suite PremiumPremium suitePremium Suite
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Premium Suite
49 m2, Our grandest suites feature a super king bed and separate living room with and a soothing flame-effect fireplace a luxurious ensuite bathroom, a spacious walk-in wardrobe, and a 12 sq.m private balcony.
Included
  • 9 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches, 8 Dinners
  • 9 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Room Service 
  • Wifi
  • Coffee, tea, soft drinks and selected alcoholic beverages available 24-hours per day
  • Lecture programs by our experienced expedition team and guest speakers
  • Onboard gratuities & port taxes
  • Branded Swan Hellenic expedition parka and use of rubber boots in Polar Regions.
  • Group return transfers from the airport to the cruise port (via our included accommodation where applicable)
  • One night pre-cruise accommodation with breakfast in a 4/5-star hotel or onboard
  • One selected shore excursion/expedition activities per port of call (Kayak not included, bookable for a fee on board)
Excluded
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Passport and Applicable Visa Expenses
  • We recommend every traveler to take out a travel cancellation insurance, travel interruption insurance and a travel health insurance policy with an assumption of the return transport costs of repatriation

Map

When to Go

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.

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This was my first experience with Adventure Life - and I couldn't have been more pleased with the trip. The guides and local staff in both Buenos Aires and Uruguay were terrific - extremely helpful and accommodating. I really enjoyed meeting the friendly staff in Buenos Aires in person (I left my bags with them for the afternoon).
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