They stopped at trading ports along the way including Mombasa and Malindi. They then headed north up the coast of Africa. The expedition rounded the southern tip of Africa at the Cape of Good Hope on November 22. Route traveled by da Gama on his first voyage

He had 170 men and 4 ships: the Sao Gabriel, Sao Rafael, the Berrio, and a fourth ship unnamed and used for storage. Vasco da Gama left on his first voyage from Lisbon, Portugal on July 8, 1497. He was also told to find any other trading opportunities along the way. Vasco da Gama was given a fleet of ships by the king and told to find a trade route around Africa to India. However, many were skeptical and thought that the Indian Ocean did not connect with the Atlantic Ocean. It was thought that there may be a way around the Cape and to the northeast towards India. The King of Portugal figured if he could find a way to get to India by sailing on the ocean, he would become rich trading spices in Europe.Īn explorer by the name of Bartolomeu Dias had discovered the Cape of Good Hope at the tip of Africa. Spices from India were very popular in Europe, however, the only way to travel from Europe to India was over land.

He followed in his father's footsteps and soon commanded ships in the king's name. Vasco da Gama was born in a small coastal town in Portugal named Sines. He led the first expedition that traveled from Europe to India by sailing around Africa. Vasco da Gama (1460 - 1524) was a Portuguese explorer. Best known for: The first European to sail from Europe to India around Africa.

What sea did vasco da gama discover