Roundtrip São Tomé and Principe

Before long, we catch our first glimpse of the spectacular rock formation known as Pico Cão Grande, one of São Tomé’s most iconic natural landmarks. This slender, needle-shaped volcanic spire rises dramatically above the dense rainforest, appearing to soar almost vertically from the surrounding landscape. Standing approximately 370 metres above the forest floor and reaching an elevation of about 663 metres above sea level, it is an unmistakable feature of the island’s lush interior. Pico Cão Grande is a volcanic plug—a solid core of magma that remained inside the volcano’s conduit after volcanic activity ceased millions of years ago. Over the millennia, wind, rain, and other erosional forces gradually wore away the softer surrounding rock, leaving the hardened volcanic core exposed. The result is this remarkable stone pillar, which stands today as one of the world's most striking geological monuments.