HiQPdf Evaluation 06/16/2017
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At The Heart Of West Africa
Turkode
Destinasjoner
Turen starter
37071
Ivory Coast
Abidjan
Turen destinasjon
Reisen er levert av
11 dager Abidjan
Fra : NOK
25 693
Oversikt
A journey to a country that only very recently has again become accessible to travellers. An itinerary for real “pioneers” wanting to discover a multi-faced Africa. For travelers who
like unfiltered journeys in Africa Every day will take you to genuine, vibrant and colourful tribal festivals.
Reiserute
Day 1: Abidjan, Gulf of Guinea Day 2: Between tradition and modernity, from Abidjan to Yamoussoukro (250 km - 4 hr)
Day 3: A basilica in the savannah, from Yamoussoukro to Man (350 km - 6 hr)
Day 4: Liana bridges, to Danane and back (200 km - 3 hr) Day 5: The masks dance, from Man to Odienne (270 km - 5 hr)
Day 6: Sacred warriors, from Odienne to Boundiali (150 km - 3 hr)
Day 7: Panther men (150 km - 3 hr)
Day 8: The Akan lineage, from Korhogo to Bouake (250 km – 4 hr)
Day 9: Forest kingdoms, from Bouake to Abenguru (250 km – 5 hr)
Day 10: Colonial style, from Abenguru to Assinie (270 km - 6 hr)
Day 11: Departure from Abiudjan
A journey to a country that only very recently has again become accessible to travellers. An itinerary for real “pioneers” wanting to discover a multi-faced Africa: from liana
bridges to cathedrals, from colored masks to initiation dances, from sacred monkeys to kingdoms of gold, from communities of hunters to the skyline of Abidjan, from endless
cocoa plantations to relaxing green lagoons. Every day will be filled with surprises and will take you to genuine, vibrant and colourful tribal festivals.For travelers who like
unfiltered journeys in Africa.
Day 1: Abidjan
Arrival in Abidjan, meeting with the local guide at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Free time to relax. Meals: own arrangements
Overnight: Novotel or similar (all rooms ensuite and with aircon; swimming-pool)
Day 2: Between tradition and modernity, from Abidjan to Yamoussoukro (250 km - 4 hr)
If we look beyond the lagoon, the “plateau” (the City District) is growing very fast, not horizontally as in most African towns but vertically, with its large modern buildings and
skyscrapers. Not much land is available and the little available has to be continually extorted from the waters of the Ebrié Lagoon. The modern City District is defined to the west
by the harbour and its endless queues of people waiting for a ship, and to the east by the incredible silhouette of Saints Peter & Paul Cathedral. When we admire the skyline,
only the Statue of Liberty seems to be missing, however this is Black Africa, not Manhattan! The visit begins with a short boat trip for a general view of the “plateau”, a waters perspective. Then from the extremely lively market of Treichville we move to the peaceful and
quiet “Cocody”, an elegant residential area hosting the Prime Minister’s office and some white colonial buildings. The national museum, housed in a decrepit colonial building,
presents a fine collection reflecting the rich artistic heritage of 62 ethnic groups: statues of ancestors and invisible married couples, musical instruments and symbols of power,
magnificent abstract masks etc. We proceed to the new quarter of Youpugon, not far from the Banco River forest and the “Fanico”, the famous clothes washers. It is here, in Rue
Princess, that young people meet and dance till dawn, every day of the week - several kilometres of noisy “maquis” and the birth place of the “coupe-décalé” music. Lunch made of a very tasty local dish (attieké, a kind of cassava couscous generally accompanied by meat) - and departure to Yamoussoukro.
Meals: included, breakfast and dinner at the hotel; lunch in a local “maquis”.
Overnight: Hotel Le President or similar (all rooms ensuite and with aircon; swimming-pool).
Day 3: A basilica in the savannah, from Yamoussoukro to Man (350 km - 6 hr)
Yamoussoukro, the country’s capital since 1983, is the native town of Houphouët-Boigny, the first President of the Ivory Coast as an independent republic. Here the Ivorian dream
of the 1970s and 1980s has come true, the dream of a country that despite its shortage of major natural resources has managed to rival European capitals in terms of
architecture and size.
We visit the Basilica of the Virgin of Peace, a copy of St Peter’s in Rome. We see wide boulevards where the heavy traffic tries to skip the big pot holes and … the chickens!
Other excesses which draw our attention include the huge government buildings, the lofty hotels up to 14 floors high, the huge schools and even an artificial lake inhabited by
caimans. And yet among all this, what mostly strikes us is that, despite the traffic and the crowds, we can completely feel the emptiness, the nothingness that surrounds a dream.
We continue our journey across immense plantations of rubber and coffee trees, dotted only by small villages. We enjoy the fragrance of the cocoa tree pods – the Ivory Coast is
the world’s main producer – and we learn about the techniques of cultivation, harvesting and processing. When Mount Tonkpi and its “tooth” come into view we are not far from
our destination for the day. Man was developed at the feet of 18 extremely green mountains and is the capital of the We and Guéré ethnic groups.
Meals: included, breakfast and dinner at the hotel and lunch picnic.
Overnight: Hotel Les Cascades (all rooms ensuite and with aircon; swimming-pool)
Day 4: Liana bridges, to Danane and back (200 km - 3 hr) The rainforest that stretches between the Ivory Coast and Liberia is famous for its big liana bridges. For the local population the origin of these bridges is shrouded in mystery
(they are secretly built by young initiated men over the course of only one night!). The crossing is not difficult provided taboos are respected and no heavy load or babies are
carried along. HiQPdf Evaluation 06/16/2017
In the afternoon, we enjoy a short excursion in the Gbepleu rainforest with its sacred monkeys which hold the meaning of the origin of name of this town. In the Ivory Coast,
behind each city, neighbourhood or village there are always hidden sacred rainforests - they represent a place of passage between the human and the magic worlds, and it is
here that young men are initiated into the social and spiritual secrets of their tribe, thanks mainly to the use of masks (secretly hidden at the bottom of tall trees). In a nearby tiny village, masks will emerge from the forest towards us. In the cosmogony of the Guéré people, there is a creator god that communicates with humans only through
its intermediaries, the masks: during the mask dance the distance between the human and the spirit worlds disappears, the cosmic and the social orders are restored, and
gratitude is expressed to the gods and the ancestors. Masks are few in number, generally only one or two. Meals: included, breakfast and dinner at the hotel and lunch in a local restaurant.
Overnight: Hotel Les Cascades
Day 5: The masks dance, from Man to Odienne (270 km - 5 hr)
The day is dedicated to the encounter with the Yakuba, also known as the Dan. We visit villages built on hillsides and characterized by big round huts with thatched roofs - some
of the houses are decorated with frescos made by the women during ceremonial periods. Men gather in a big hut to turn old iron scraps into useful hoes. Amid scented branches
of coffee trees and at the foot of an enormous Iroko tree, we visit a big pond inhabited by the venerated catfish, the custodian of ancestors. Soon the echoes of tam-tams and the
shouts of the initiated tell the masks that it is time to leave the sacred forest … so they appear to offer us unforgettable moments. Meals: included, breakfast and dinner at the hotel, lunch picnic
Overnight: Hotel Les Frontieres (all rooms ensuite and with aircon; swimming-pool)
Day 6: Sacred warriors, from Odienne to Boundiali (150 km - 3 hr)
The Malinké, descendants of the old empire of Mali, live near Odienne and have now almost all become muslim. Among the great names in the history of this ethnic group there is
Samory Touré, a greatly supported champion who fought against the advance of colonialism. Among his best warriors there was the caste of the hunters – known as the Dozo -,
reputed for its courage and mystic powers. Although there are no longer wars to fight, this lineage continues to get unabated respect and their mystic powers are still passed on
through a long initiation process. Today they are considered a sort of local police, the guardian angels watching over the villages, the mediators of disputes and of course great
healers. Encounter with the Dozo and walk in the savannah accompanied by some hunters, dressed in their traditional costume made of “bogolan” fabric and carrying their shotguns
covered with amulets. They will give us a brief introduction to the power of plants and will take us to a Malinké village where, to the growing rhythm of tam-tams, they will dance
and give proof of their strength. Continuation along a track across the savannah, inhabited by the Senufo. Meals: included, breakfast and dinner at the hotel and lunch picnic
Overnight: Hotel Iman’s or similar (all rooms ensuite and with aircon; swimming-pool)
Day 7: Panther men (150 km - 3 hr)
We explore regions where we see the unmistakable Fulani nomads constantly in search of pastures for their herds of zebus. The Fulani can be easily recognized by their conical
straw hats, the walking stick they always carry across their shoulders, the water bottle hanging around their neck, the machete in their hands, the sandals and their proud
posture. These nomads seem to come from nowhere, seem to head to mysterious places and, used as they are to a hard life and to the simple joys of life, look perfectly fine with
the little they have. They are the true gentlemen of these endless lands. We visit some of the villages, mostly inhabited by women and children. They will invite us into their homes to see old family photos, dowry presents etc Women wear beautiful
coloured fabrics, wear creative jewellery around their necks and in their hair (Baltic amber, pearls of Bohemia, old Venetian “murrines”, stones, buttons and any other plastic
object they may like). Korhogo is a must stop for any traveller visiting the northern regions of the Ivory Coast. Its history dates back to the XIII century and today is the capital of the Senoufo, the tribe
that has produced the greatest artworks of Africa, in almost every field: sculpture, weaving, painting and blacksmiths. We will visit villages where we will admire large clay
granaries and sacred houses decorated with bas-reliefs. The Senoufo are renowned for their complex initiation rites. The initiation process of the young men is called Poro and
takes 21 years. It is the passage from youth to adulthood and consists in learning the social and religious secrets that turn a man into a genuine Senoufo. Their most spectacular
mask dances is the Boloy, or panther dance, performed by young initiated men – we will attend it late in the afternoon. The dry season is normally the time for important funerals
which offer an opportunity for family and social gatherings and of course for the celebration of life and death. Meals: included, breakfast and dinner at the hotel and lunch in a local restaurant.
Overnight: Hotel La Rose Blanche or similar (all rooms ensuite and with aircon)
Day 8: The Akan lineage, from Korhogo to Bouake (250 km – 4 hr)
Today we meet the Baulé people, a tribe of the Akan lineage originating from Ghana. The Baulé share with their cousins, the Ashanti, a complex social hierarchy but they also
have expanded their cultural traditions by taking cues from their neighbours. Their rich craftmanship shows this rich heritage: fine statues representing the world of spirits,
sculpted weaving-loom pulleys and beautiful masks. Visit of a few villages. Meals: included, breakfast and dinner at the hotel and lunch picnic.
Overnight: Hotel Mon Afrik or similar (all rooms ensuite and with aircon; swimming-pool)
Day 9: Forest kingdoms, from Bouake to Abenguru (250 km – 5 hr)
Departure across a forest region. The Akan people of the Ivory Coast use the word “Komian” to refer to trance, that is to say a spiritual possession. This term can also be applied
to people and in this case it refers to those persons, mainly women, who have been initiated to communicate with the world of spirits through different divinatory ways, such as the
throwing of shells, the vision on water or the dance. Dance is indeed the most spectacular divinatory form and is called upon in specific days of the week to solve the most
complex problems. In front of the interlocutor, some family members and the curious crowd, and accompanied by the rhythm of tam-tams, the Komian does a ritual dance until she
reaches the status of trance - the spirit will then manifest itself at the “opening of her mouth” and will indicate the nature of the problem and the way forward. We will meet a community of Komians, we will hear their stories, learn of their fetishes and, if possible, also interact with some of their patients. With a bit of luck, we might attend
the divinatory dance. The origin of the the Agni monarchy goes back to the Ashanti and is located not far from the border with Ghana. They share with the Akan from Ghana a
similar life-style linked to the wealth of the forest and the cult of kings and of gold. At the royal palace, we will meet some senior members of the nobility, in their ceremonial robes,
and the person in charge of the fetish protecting the throne. This special opportunity will enable us to understand the role of a traditional chefferie in a modern state. If he is
available, even the king himself will receive us. The visit will continue with the tiny museum of the royal palace and with the encounter with the kente and adinkra weavers - two
fabrics widely appreciated and used in traditional ceremonies.
Meals: included, breakfast and dinner at the hotel and lunch picnic
Overnight: Hotel Royaume or similar (all rooms ensuite and with aircon; swimming-pool)
Day 10: Colonial style, from Abenguru to Assinie (270 km - 6 hr)
Arrival at the Ebrié Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean. Grand Bassam is a town built on a sand bank between the lagoon and the ocean. It was the former rich capital of the French
colony and the maritime leisure resort for the Abidjanese. Many are the colonial buildings dating back to those old days. Meals: included, breakfast and dinner at the hotel and lunch in a local restaurant.
Overnight: Hotel Coucoué Lodge or similar (rooms facing the lagoon/sea, all rooms ensuite and with aircon; swimming-pool).
Day 11: Departure back home (100 km – 2 hr) Day of rest at the beach or optional excursion to enjoy the beautiful natural environment and to meet the many fishermen - by motor boat we navigate along the delta until the
point where the Ebrié Lagoon meets with the Atlantic Ocean. In the afternoon transfer to Abidjan airport for the flight out.
HiQPdf Evaluation 06/16/2017
Meals: Breakfast and lunch at the hotel; dinner own arrangement
Viktig Informasjon
Price includes:
Assistance at Abidjan airport upon arrival and departure
Transfers and tour in minibuses/microbuses and/or 4WD vehicles with aircon
Local guide (languages spoken: English, French, German, Italian and Spanish)
Tours and visits as per the programme
Accommodation in standard rooms, as per itinerary
All meals as described, from breakfast on day 2 to lunch on day 11
Mineral water in the bus/car during the visits
Entrance fees to parks, concessions, protected areas and cultural sites
First Aid box
All service charges and taxes
Not included:
International flights to/from Abiudjan
Visa fees and any airport departure taxes
Any meal or sightseeing tour other than those specified
Mineral water and drinks at meals Porterage
Fees for personal photos and videos
Personal and holiday insurance (compulsory)
Tips for drivers, guides and hotel staff
Any item of personal nature such as phone calls, laundry, etc.
Whatever is not mentioned as included
Other useful travel information
Single Supplement: EUR540
Visas: Ivory Coast - single entry visa (to be obtained prior travel) Vaccinations: Yellow fever – compulsory; malaria prophylaxis - highly recommended.
Luggage: max 20 kg and in duffle bags
Travel Insurance: compulsory for medical assistance and evacuation in case of emergency
Means of Transportation: microbus or minibus or 4x4 vehicles Children on our tours? TransAfrica team is used to travelling with children. We can say that to really enjoy the trip they must be at least 8-10 years old. Are all the festivals offered by TransAfrica truly traditional or they are only staged for tourists? The traditional festivals of the countries in which TransAfrica organizes the
journeys are true and not “for tourists”. This is a specific “quality trademark” of TransAfrica: to offer the travelers the opportunity for genuine contact with the daily reality of the
populations that they encounter
All our trips are designed to be flexible so that we can adapt to weather conditions, focus on the group’s interests and take advantage of opportunities that arise once there.
Considering the special nature of the journey, some parts may be modified due to unpredictable factors and are based on unarguable decisions of the local guide. Costs
originating from such variations will be sole responsibility of the participants. Of course the guide will do his/her utmost to adhere to the original program.
There are 6 border-crossings in African countries, hence some delays are to be expected and patience is necessary.
The tour may be reversed without any amendment to program
Prices could change in case of major changes in services costs, beyond the organizer’s will
Discovery Tour: the best of our ethnographic and nature tours planned for “adventurous” travelers who wish to explore these countries with the highest comfort available (all
overnights are in hotels with aircon and ensuite facilities - best available hotels while in tour and 4* hotels when staying in the capitals). Upon request, on exclusive FIT basis and at
an extra charge we can also upgrade these tours by guaranteeing window seat to each guest, managing 1-2 nights on a row in the same hotel, booking 5* hotels in the capital cities
and “boutique hotels” whenever available
Priser / Datoer
Ved skriftlig aksept av vårt tilbud bekrefter du/dere at våre betingelser er både lest og forstått og at evt kansellerings gebyrer kan tilkomme ved en evt. avbestilling av reisen
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Sat, 08 Jul 17 / Tue, 18 Jul 17
NOK 25 693
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Sat, 05 Aug 17 / Tue, 15 Aug 17
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Sat, 16 Sep 17 / Tue, 26 Sep 17
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Sat, 11 Nov 17 / Tue, 21 Nov 17
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Sat, 30 Dec 17 / Tue, 09 Jan 18
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HiQPdf Evaluation 06/16/2017
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