• Flight touches down in Abidjan.
• The driver will be waiting with open arms to welcome you to Ivory Coast.
• The hotel is in the capital Abidjan and the travelling distance will depend on which category of hotel chosen but will be within an hour’s drive.
• On arrival at the hotel, check in and brief on the following days’ activities.
• The remainder of the day is free time to relax and enjoy the first night in West Africa.

Accommodation – Hotel Detente or similar

• The journey begins after breakfast, departing eastwards to Abenguru.
• Prior to leaving the capital, pass by St Pauls Cathedral one of the main churches and the largest in Abidjan.
• The journey takes approximately 4 hours and on arrival in Abenguru, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
• After lunch, visit the Royal Museum and meet with the Anyi monarchy, from the Akan large ethnical lineage group and learn about the history of the region.
• From here, pass by the Primitive Museum which houses a fine collection of art from the region before visiting a local community of Komians on the outskirts of town to attend the divinatory GHOST dance, which will be a highlight of the time here.

Accommodation – Hotel Royaume or similar

• After breakfast, set off to On arrival after lunch, visit the Biax Foundation which hosts government meetings, houses artifacts explaining the history of Ivory Coast’s founding president and his family.
• A short distance from the foundation, find the impressive Basilica of the Virgin of Peace that can be seen from miles around and dominates the skyline.
• From here, pass by the former presidential palace and see the crocodiles that lurk in the surrounding lakes.
• The evening is free time to relax.

Accommodation – Hotel Royal or similar

• Today, set off to Bouake and enter the territory of the Baule people, known for their intricate handicrafts.
• A short distance from Yamoussoukro, visit a local community famous for its skilled weavers and see firsthand the skilled craftsman carving beautiful sculptures.
• A short distance, also find the local dye painters using natural materials to create their amazing art.
• During time here attend the dancing masks of the Guro People, known as Zaouli.
• After lunch, head to a community to experience the dance of the Goli masks, performers wear a round-shaped ‘lunar’ Goli mask supporting two horns.
• After a spectacular day, head to the hotel to relax.

Accommodation – Hotel Mon Afrik or similar

• After a short tour around the city and its colourful market, drive north towards Korogo which is approximately a 4-hour drive.
• On arrival, check into the hotel and enjoy lunch before setting off to the artisan community seeing, in our opinion the best examples of traditional carvings anywhere in Ivory Coast.
• The perfect location to purchase fine examples, don’t forget to barter.
• From here, visit a local shea butter cooperative to meet local women producing organic shea butter and continue to the Museum of Gbon that houses ancient artifacts and tells the history of King Gbon.
• The evening meal will be at a local restaurant before relaxing at the hotel.

Accommodation – Hotel Korogo or similar

• After breakfast, drive to a remote village to witness the old technique of iron melting carried out by local blacksmiths, a very rare example of traditional iron metallurgy in Africa.
• After lunch, visit a local village and meet traditional clay bead makers who produce beautiful beads using natural materials and ancient techniques.
• During time here, participate in a workshop to create a single large clay bead learning the ancient process, a great souvenir
• A wide selection of stunning beads is on sale in the small market and priced very reasonably.
• A short distance from here, visit the traditional weavers at the Waralenye Weaving Centre to experience the skilled process of weaving traditional smocks and clothing.
• This is a wonderful cooperative benefitting locals and close by, witness women from the community sewing the garments and there is a wide selection of beautiful cloth, dresses, shirts, and many other items for sale.
• After a wonderful experience, head to a community close to Korogo to witness the Boloy Leopard Dance which is an acrobatic dance performed by initiated young men in the community.
• From here, return to the hotel to relax before heading into town for an evening meal.

Accommodation – Hotel Korogo or similar

• Set off to a remote community to find the Niofoin Diby Shrine, these sacred buildings are where we find the fetish Diby known as the black fetish that protects the communities of Diby and Kalegbin.
• After a wonderful morning, set off to Boundiali on arrival, continue to a nearby village to witness the N’goro Dance which is part of the Senoufo women’s ritual a spectacular display accompanied by fire, whipping, drumming, and traditional xylophone music.
• Continue into the bush in search of local Fulani nomads, find a community and learn about their nomadic life, culture, and visit some of their local homesteads.
• The journey continues to Odienne arriving in the early evening, check into the hotel to relax.

Accommodation – Hotel Les Frontieres, or similar

• This morning. travel to meet the Malinke ethnic group, and more specifically the initiated hunters, Dozo.
• Dressed in their traditional costume and with their weapons covered with good luck charms, the hunters will accompany us on the excursion on foot into the savannah to give us a brief introduction to the power of plants.
• They will also join visiting a Malinke village where to the rhythm of the drums they will dance and demonstrate their resistance to fire and knives.
• After lunch, set off to the ancient Mosque of Samatiguila to meet the Iman and receive prayers of blessings.
• During time here, learn the history of the infamous slave raiders before leaving back to the accommodation.

Accommodation – Hotel Les Frontieres, or similar

• This morning, set off south to Man one of the most beautiful locations in Ivory Coast.
• Prior to leaving this región, dedicate quality time meeting the Yacuba community also known as Dan people.
• Visiting local villages constructed on hillsides with traditional thatched roofs makes for a beautiful experience.
• Settle into one of the communities, and enjoy the spectacular traditional mask dance and learn the history behind it.
• The journey continues, approaching Man the stunning mountainous landscape almost seems to hug the community and offers a beautiful backdrop.
• On arrival, check into the hotel which is situated on a hilltop with stunning views across the town and mountains.
• The afternoon is spent visiting the local waterfalls, walking the surrounding forests in search of the Lowes Mona and Campbells Monkeys that live here.
• A short hike to see experience the best view across the town and mingle with the local weavers before returning to the hotel to relax.

Accommodation – Hotel Les Cascades, or similar

• Set off to a remote community to see the living Liana Bridges.
• During time here, meet locals and experience their daily life.
• On return to Man, enjoy the facilities of the hotel and pool that offers wonderful views.
• There would be an optional afternoon hike to one of the mountain peaks, alternatively remain at the hotel to relax.

Accommodation – Hotel Les Cascades, or similar

• Enjoy a relaxed breakfast before heading to a local village in preparation to experience the Gboni Stilt Dance.
• Lunch is taken back at the hotel before checking out and head towards Abidjan.
• Due to the distance and road conditions, decide to overnight stay in Yamoussoukro to visit the local market on arrival before settling into the hotel for the evening.

Accommodation – Hotel Royal or similar

• This morning, return towards Abidjan having lunch on arrival.
• A city tour is on the agenda after lunch setting off through the modern economic capital visiting Plateau district with its modern buildings and skyscrapers and visit the busy bustling market at Treichville.
• Prior to leaving the capital, visit the National Museum for an informative look at the history of this region before heading to the coastal town of Grand Bassam and checking into the beach front hotel.
• The remainder of the day is free time to relax.

Accommodation – Hotel Etoile du Sud or similar

• A morning of relaxation recharging batteries after the exertions of the previous 12 days travelling the length and breadth of Ivory Coast.
• Choose to relax around the poolside or dive into the warm waters and rest on the beautiful beachfront.
• After lunch, explore Grand Bassam and its crumbling French colonial buildings and head to the local costume museum.
• Located in the former governor’s palace there is a large collection of tribal costumes, artifacts and ethnographic pictures telling the history and culture of this wonderful country.
• Return to the hotel to arrange bags before setting off to Abidjan at 18.00pm.
• On arrival in Abidjan, enjoy an early evening meal reflecting on a wonderful tour of Ivory Coast.
• From here, transfer you to the airport for the international flight home.

Departure