 Saturday: |
Depart
from JFK - New York City at midnight for overnight flight to Abidjan in
the Ivory Coast. |
| Sunday: |
Arrive
in Abidjan at 3:40 PM and transfer to hotel. Dinner and overnight in Abidjan |
Monday:
|
Morning:
Depart for Yamoussoukro, stopping at the Parc de Banco to see the Fanico
laundrymen washing clothing in the river. Arrive in Yamoussoukro at noon
and transfer to the Hotel President. After lunch, tour "Our Lady of Peace",
the largest basilica in Africa and second only to Saint Peter's of Rome
in height. In the late afternoon, visit the Palace of the former president
and see the sacred crocodiles in the palace moat. Dinner and overnight
in Yamoussoukro. |
|
OPTION A:
|
NORTH
TO KORHOGO AND THE LAND OF THE SENOUFO PEOPLE |
| Tuesday: |
Morning
departure for Korhogo, stopping for lunch in Bouaké. After lunch,
visit the pottery village of Katiola en route to Korhogo, arriving in Korhogo
late afternoon. Dinner and overnight in Korhogo. |
Wednesday:
|
Full
day tour of Korhogo and surrounding craft villages. See a cultural performance
of the Senoufo Panther Dance at Waraniéne and observe weavers at
work. Travel to the village of Fakaha to shop for hand-painted Senoufo
mud-cloth. Lunch in Korhogo followed by a visit to the Museum. Late afternoon,
visit Koni, a blacksmith village. Dinner and overnight in Korhogo. |
Thursday:
|
A leisurely
drive back to Yamoussoukro with an optional stop with lunch at the Tortiya
diamond mine - or lunch in Bouaké. Continue to Yamoussoukro, arriving
late afternoon with dinner and overnight at the Hotel President. |
|
OPTION B:
|
WEST
TO MAN AND THE REALM OF THE YACOUBA PEOPLE |
Tuesday:
|
Early
departure for Man, stopping en route to see the monkeys at the village
of Gbétitapea. Arrive in Man just after noon and transfer to hotel
for lunch. In the afternoon, visit the 'Cascade' waterfall and traverse
a traditional liané vine bridge. A late afternoon excursion
into the city of Man to see the mosque and views of Le Dent du Man
(Tooth of Man), the highest peak in the Ivory Coast. Dinner and overnight
in Man. |
Wednesday:
|
In
the morning, travel north to the Yacouba village of Blolé to see
the Yacouba architecture and watch a Dance of the Jugglers where young
men toss little girls into the air and catch them on the points of knives.
Continue on to Biankouma and the Hôtel les Lianes at Guessesso in
the heart of a mountain rain forest. After lunch, visit another Yacouba
village to see Masque and Stiltwalker dances. Explore the ancient town
of Biankouma before retuning to the hotel. Dinner and overnight in Guessesso. |
| Thursday: |
Early
departure for Yamoussoukro, stopping in Daloa for lunch. Arrive at Yamoussoukro
late afternoon with dinner and overnight at the Hotel President. |
|
RESUME
REGULAR SCHEDULE |
| Friday:
|
Morning
departure for Abidjan, arriving at noon for transfer to hotel and lunch.
Afternoon: City tour of Abidjan including the Plateau District, Cocody
and Marcory. Dinner at an African Restaurant with a cultural performance.
Overnight in Abidjan. |
| Saturday: |
A full
day in Abidjan to explore the markets of Treichville and do additional
sightseeing and shopping. Overnight in Abidjan. |
Sunday:
|
A full
day at Grand Bassam, former capital of the Ivoiry Coast. Tour the historic
town and examples of colonial architecture. Visit the Artisans Centre and
watch bronzesmiths casting with the Lost Wax process. Take lunch on the
beach and relax in the sun. In late afternoon, stop at roadside stalls
for last minute shopping - en route back to the city. Early dinner in Abidjan
and check-out of the hotel for departure to the airport. Board the flight
leaving at 10:15 PM for New York. |
| Monday: |
Arrive
at JFK - New York City at 8:00 AM |
