Most popular excursions in the Cha Das Caldeiras after the recent vulcanic eruption of November 2014

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1 in cooperation with Most popular excursions in the Cha Das Caldeiras after the recent vulcanic eruption of November 2014 The recent eruption in the Caldeiras of the island Fogo destroyed almost the entire villages in the crater. Many of the most popular excursions - the hike on the Pico Do Fogo for example - were not possible for several months. After extensive work of the mountain guide association these excursions are possible again and gained some more alternatives and interest because of a very fresh eruption. Here presented some if the most interesting ones.

2 Dear friends, All excursions start and end in Sao Filipe, as long as the rebuilding of the Villages with an infrastructure for turism has not finished (The new Casa Marisa is planning to open doors in October of 2015). That explains the relatively high prices for it is neccesary to book a offroad capable vehicel with a driver for the whole day. I will make a short description and give the prices in Euro. The price is up to 4 person and includes all transfers, guide and the breefing of the clients before start. As the president of the guide association I will organize the excursions and stay available for any neccesary help action in case, or make sure somebody competent does. All these escursions described here include the visit of the mainly destroyed village - exept the last described hike to the south Peak of the Bordeira (E) - also the new lavafields and various stops at points of interest on the driving parts. Important: Visiting and monitoring the destroyed houses is ethically no problem because we take care that the drivers and guides are all from the caldeiras and are happy benefit directly from the visit. That will help them directly with rebuilding after loosing most or all of their goods.

3 A) Sightseeing tour through the Caldeiras until the Villages and a small walk around the Villages over the new lava fields with stop at a slightly higher wievpoint. Duration total: 6 hours Duration walk: max 1 hour Long.: 2 km Level meters: Less than 100 up and down. Difficulty: Very easy Price Package (1-4 pax): 120 Description: Conforming statisticts there is a vulcanic eruption all 20 years in average in and/or at the Caldeiras of Fogo. The recent eruption starting 23rd of November 2014 and lasting 2 months destroyed first time in recorded history almoust all the buildings (about 220) in the Caldeiras. This excursion brings us very close to the still cooling new lava fields and guarranties a very close contact to the couragous population of the Chã, that is in the middle of reconstruction. Further a saatisfaying impression of the Flora and agriculture like the unique wine production is sure. The eye opening wiev at the Pico Do Fogo and the giant Bordeira will give a spectacular backround to the experinence.

4 B) Walk over the Pico 2014 (new eruptions small mountain) and visit of the new crater. Starting at the entrance of the Caldeiras and reaching the Villages of Portela and Bangaeira. Duration total: 8 hours Duration walk: 3 hours Long.: 5 km Level meters: 300 up and down. Difficulty: Easy Price Package (1-4 pax): 150 Description: Same as (A) but includes also a 3 hours easy hike on the top of the new eruption crater with spectacular colors. The beautiful and quite huge new craters are colored in different shades from white over yellow to red by the sulfer and oe other minerals of the recent eruption.

5 C.) Climb up to the top of the Pico do Fogo (2829 m) and down to the new eruption of Duration total: 10 hours Duration walk: 6 hours Long.: 11 km Level meters: 1100 up and down. Difficulty: Moderate but requires high stability and good level of fitness Price Package (1-4 pax): 180 Alternative: Downclimb over the normal way without the visit of the Pico 2014, 160, 1h less Description: Includes the experince of A and B further it is a challenge on the without doubt most unique natural structure on the capeverdian islands. The Pico is a perfectly symetric conic vulcano with a beautifuly perfect round crater at the top (500m in diameter). Amzing wiev from tha top into the Caldeiras and also down to the see over the noth side with the only existing forest of the islands.

6 D.) Walk over the new eruption of 2014 and down througt the lavafields, the unique forest of Cape Verde and the coffe plantations ending in Pai Antonio (Mosteiros). Duration total: hours Duration walk: 7-8 hours Long.: 18 km Level meters: 300 up and 1700 down. Difficulty: Moderate but requires and good level of fitness - the long walk down is quite tiring for the knees! Price Package (1-4 pax): 220 Alternative 1: Skipping the climb up the new Eruption and driving through until the village. Duation total: 9 hours, Duration walk: 5 hours Long.: 15 km Level meters: 0 up and 1300 down. Difficulty: Moderate but requires and good level of fitness - the long walk down is still a bit tiring for the knees! Price Package (1-4 pax): 200 Alternative 2: Walking to the Campana Cima through the forest: Duration total: 12 hours, Duration walk: 9 hours Long.: 22 km Level meters: 300 up and 900 down. Difficulty: Easy but requires and good level of fitness, very long walk, but no steep long walk down. Price Package (1-4 pax): 220

7 Description: Including the experiece of A and B. Through the Low-Lue-effect of the very high and steep island at its north side Fogo has the only one bigger forest of the archipel with more than a dozen tree types including such beauties like the Jacaranda tree and various other rich plants. This walk not disturbed by any crossing streets or urbanisation is a pure nature experience at it's best. Arriving in Pai Antonio, one very authentic capeverdian village. The north side is rich of fruits of the south and coffee plants too. reaching the Mosteiros from Pai Antonio and driving back over the north side of the island back to Sao Filipe gives the opportunitiy to make a short visit of Salinas which is recommended in every guide book about the island and is one of the best highlights of a usual island tour - like Pai Antonio is. This excursion, or one of its alternatives is the most complete tour of the island possible. A must if you have only one day and are ready to make a long walk. Actual info (May 2015): During the end of April and the first days of May 2015 the fores of Fogo suffered huge forest fires - a huge part of the forest is lost for now. But the walk is still a very impressing one. Fortunately the main part of the brand did burn the low growing surface plants and did not take over to the trees.

8 E.) Hike to the south peak of the Bordeira wall Punto Alto Du Sul (2540m) and down climb to the village Cabessa Fundao. Duration total: 8 hours Duration walk: 6 hours Long.: 15 km Level meters: 900 up and 1300 down. Difficulty: Easy/Moderate but requires a good level of fitness because of the 900 level meters up. Price Package (1-4 pax): 160 Description: The Bordeira is a very impressive structure, almost 30 km long and up to 1000m high with very steep walls over the Caldeira of Fogo. The southern part of Bordeira - starting at the entrance of the Natural Park- is in contrast to the more alpine west and north the gentle and simple hand part. But this does not detract from the experience value. The double Panorama: On one side a wide look over the whole Caldeira, on the other hand the view of the south side of the island down to the sea and the neighboring island of Brava. The trail leads almost exclusively on easy terrain and goes over the broad crest of the Bordeira wall. The destination point Punto Alto Sul offers a real peak feeling because it is the most outstanding peak of the whole wall. From the peak point of the Punto Alto Do Sul it is again about 20 min back the same way. The descent to Cabessa Fundao follows not really a recognizable way. Oblique speckled by lapilli fields with the specific fauna with many endemic plants of Bordeira, one glides rather than he walks down and arrive after 2 hours and after 1300 level meters at the school of Cabessa Fundao. With a little luck you can enjoy there a cold beer and fresh goat cheese before it goes down to Sao Flipe.

9 F.) Hike over the complete Bordeira wall rim. Duration total: ca. 36 hours Duration walk: ca. 20 hours Long.: 30 km Level meters: 3200 up, 3000 down. Difficulty: hard and suistained with a overnight in the mountains. Speciality: 1460m in total equiped as via ferrata. Higest point: 2760 m over the sea. Price Package (1-4 pax): 440, including safety material and lunchbags for two days & dinner for the first night. Extra strictly recommended material: Sun protection (high mountain level), sleeping bags (down to 0 C comfort), Wind protecting jacket and a set of warm clothes. Description: The Bordeira is a extraordinary impressive structure, almost 30 km long and up to 1000m high with very steep walls over the Caldeira of Fogo. This is for sure the King Line of all excursions on the Cape Verde islands and as far as I know unique in the whole world in terms of experience-offer combined with accessibility abd friendly weather conditions during a 10 month time window in a year. Without doubt it is a challenging undertaking but also an unforgetable experience. The double Panorama: On one side a wide look over the whole Caldeira, on the other hand the view of the slopes of the island down to the sea and the neighboring island of Santaigo and at the second day Brava. The trail leads almost exclusively on the rim of the huge Bordeira wall. Besides the awesome view the bordeira is the richest are on the islands with endemic plants - even some Bordeira endemic species. The safety system installed with us in 2007 is one of the most modern in the world and as you will see it looks brand new thanks to the molybdan-stainless-steel material. It is important to know that the parts which are secured are not indicating the most tecnical dificult parts but rather parts where a fall would be fatal. The trek starts usually at the north side of the bordeira out of the forest and so requires first a drive trough the whole caldeiras. Better is a first night in the Caldeiras with a smaller acclimatisation walk (Excursion B recommended).

10 BORDEIRA CHÁ DAS CALDEIRAS - FOGO - CV

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