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Tribe Cultural Tradition in West Africa
   TRAVCOA> AFRICA
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         GREAT EMPIRES OF WEST AFRICA
GREAT EMPIRES OF WEST AFRICA ITINERARY:

Days 1 - 4, Wednesday - Saturday - Depart for Bamako & Timbuktu, Mali
Depart from home on Wednesday.
Travel among desert warriors, and explore ancient mosques, distinctive mud dwellings and teeming markets in Bamako and Timbuktu. Trek through the Sahara Desert by camel to meet the Tuareg tribe who welcomes you with colorful dances.

Days 5 - 7, Sunday - Tuesday - Mopti, Djenne & Bandiagara
Fly to Mopti to find a bustling fish and salt port at the confluence of the Niger and Bani rivers. Then visit Dogon cliff villages to discover their unique architecture. Their superstitious culture is famous for their animist beliefs and strange death rituals. Back in Bamako, walk the Maison des Artisans, one of the largest markets in West Africa, and find a treasure to accompany your golden memories of these great empires.

Day 8, Wednesday - Abidjan, Ivory Coast
The modern and beautiful city of Abidjan is the pearl of the African Riviera. Drive to the Abidjan Plateau, the Cocody residential quarters and visit one of the largest cathedrals in Africa.

Days 9 - 13, Thursday - Monday - Accra, Kumasi & Cape Coast, Ghana
Visit the Manhyia Palace with time to explore the vibrant Kumasi central market. Experience Durbar, the climax of the Akwasidee Festival, where a procession of chiefs, resplendent in their gold ornaments, drum and dance. In Accra, we will enjoy an authentic dinner in a private Ghanaian home.

Days 14 & 15, Tuesday & Wednesday - Ouidah, Lome, Togo
Travel along the Bight of Benin and the Slave Coast of Togo where fishing villages dot the scenic coastline. For over a century, in the trading towns of Porto Novo and Ouidah, the Portuguese bartered slaves for guns—mainly to the Caribbean and particularly Haiti. Haitians imported their practice of voodoo from the slaves. In Ouidah, see the Sacred Python Temple, where fetish rituals are performed, and visit a voodoo cemetery.

Days 16 - 18, Thursday - Saturday - Cotonou & Ganvie, Benin
Benin excites everybody’s love for the mysterious and unfamiliar with its title, “the cradle of voodoo.” Shop the unique fetish market in Cotonou. In Ganvie, cruise to bamboo huts built on stilts above the lagoon. The natives of this African version of Venice tend their fishing traps and move about in pirogues (dugout canoes).

 

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Overrun by sands of time, the great civilizations of West Africa await for you to rediscover them. Explore the fabled desert city of Timbuktu, which guards its secrets as the sands of the Sahara come ever closer. Travel off the beaten path to a voodoo market in Benin, where witch doctors buy and sell exotic fetishes and potions. Journey deep into the interior to witness a great procession of tribal kings, adorned in jewels and their best robes. This modern-day exploration of remote West Africa calls to the adventurous and curious traveler who wants to go where few have gone before.
 
                       DATES & RATES

Meeting Point:

Bamako, Mali

Departure Point:

Cotonou, Benin

Duration:  18 Days

Departure Dates:
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Wednesday, November 04, 2009

Price From:  $8,695

Single Supplement:
  Please call for rates
 

                      ACCOMMODATIONS
On this adventure journey, hotels will not be up to Travcoa’s usual deluxe standards of accommodations. The best available accommodations will be provided in all areas.

Bamako, Mali, Sofitel Amitie Hotel:  Your hotel is in the city center of Bamako. Located alongside the Niger River in the Embassy district, it is walking distance to the Market and the Craftsmen House, and next to the National Museum of Mali. Designed in contemporary style, the hotel features three restaurants, two bars and a nightclub. Additionally, it offers a fitness center, massages, an outdoor swimming pool, 9-hole golf course, clay tennis court and boulodrome/petanque. Your room enjoys a view of the river.

Bamako, Mali, Salam Hotel: Hotel Salam is situated on the left bank of Niger river, adjacent to the congress center, and has a fine, international quality level of service. You will notice the touareg-influenced style in both the outside architecture and indoor decoration.

Timbuktu, Mali, Hendrina Khan Hotel:  This boutique size hotel opened just four years ago. It offers modern conveniences and facilities.

The Hendrina Khan probably has the best rooms in town - tiled and spacious, and include satellite TV and fridge. Hotel services include a laundry, an open air restaurant as well as an indoor air-conditioned restaurant, a bar and a small reading library.

Mopti, Mali, Mopti Kanaga Hotel:  This typical Sudanese hotel is located on the Niger River, near the town center. Most of the 80 rooms are pleasantly decorated with local Malian handicrafts, offer good size bathrooms, air-conditioning and satellite TV. The hotel also has a swimming pool and restaurant, with the opportunity to dine outside if the weather is good.

Bandiagara, Mali, Kambary Hotel: This typical hotel for the area – basic amenities including private bathroom and TV. This 17 room hotel also has a restaurant, bar and swimming pool.

Abidjan, Ivorie Intercontinental:  The Labadi Beach Hotel presents a traditional African style throughout. It is situated adjacent to a palm-fringed beach. Your guestroom is newly refurbished, and hotel amenities include health club, open-air terrace bar and restaurant, 15 acres of landscaped grounds and a large swimming pool and fountain.

Accra, Ghana, Labadi Beach Hotel: The Labadi Beach Hotel presents a traditional African style throughout. It is situated adjacent to a palm-fringed beach. Your guestroom is newly refurbished, and hotel amenities include health club, open-air terrace bar and restaurant, 15 acres of landscaped grounds and a large swimming pool and fountain.

Kumasi, Ghana, Miklin Hotel:  The 54-room Miklin Hotel strives to give you a real welcome away from home. The hotel features a poolside bar, cyber cafe, and Business Center. Rooms are air-conditioned. The Restaurant serves Continental and regional dishes.

Cape Coast, Ghana, Elmina Beach Resort:  The Elmina Beach Resort is located in the heart of the historic Central Region of Ghana, and just minutes away from Cape Coast. Near the historic town and the fishing community of Elmina on Atlantic coast, the resort overlooks the Elmina Castle Heritage Site. Elmina is where the Portuguese first made contract with West Africa and constructed Fort Sao Jorge.

All 50 rooms have individual private balconies, and feature Air Conditioning, Mini Bar, Satellite / Cable TV, In-Room Safe.

At Elmina Beach Resort facilities include two swimming pools, basketball and volleyball courts, table tennis, squash and tennis courts, a jogging track and gymnasium, as well as a restaurant offering Ghanaian dishes and seafood cuisine served with a Continental flavor.

Lomé, Togo, Hotel Mercure Sarakawa:  Located on the oceanfront in the heart of coconut palms and 250 species of tropical flowers, your hotel features a restaurant, bar, Olympic swimming pool and three tennis courts.

Cotonou, Benin, Marina Hotel:  The Benin Marina Hotel is situated right at the beach and is an idyllic spot for you to unwind. The hotel prides itself on its superb cuisine, features a pool and bar; the staff is attentive and the accommodations luxurious. Staying at the Benin Marina Hotel you will find you're enjoying best of all worlds.
 
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