Sample
Itinerary
The
following is a suggested itinerary that can be customized to
your schedule and interests. The trip can be coupled with a
stay in an island dance and drumming camp, or can be arranged
as a stand-alone trip. Whether you have just a few days or several
weeks, we can develop a program that will help you make the
most of your time in Guinea.
As
this tour is being offered on a customized basis, dates are
flexible to accommodate the client's needs. Bookings should
be made one month prior to tour date. You
will get the best of both worlds in this trip, traveling safely
and comfortably** while having the adventure of your life.
Day
One: Conakry. We will greet you at the airport or port and
check into Conakry's stylish Hotel Rocher for the night. In
the afternoon we will visit the National Museum together and
a trip to the markets. In the evening we will enjoy a welcome
performance by Wassaso, one of Guinea's top ballets.
Day
Two: Travel by car to Kindia, a bustling town just two hours
from Conakry on the road towards the Fouta Djallon. In the afternoon
we will visit to Bridal Falls, Guinea's highest waterfall at
over 200 feet. Evening's accommodations in a small inn overlooking
Mount Gangan, which we will tackle in the morning.
Day
Three: We will take the steep green “staircase”
up Mount Gangan, surrounded by gorgeous cliffs and crowned by
shady banana trees. You will probably want for a late-afternoon
nap after this excursion!
Day
Four. In the morning we will visit some of Kindia's tropical
fruit plantations and visit women's groups to see their fruit-drying
and jam-making operations and of course sample the wares. In
the afternoon we will continue on to Dalaba, in the heart of
the mountainous Fouta Djallon region. This was a therapeutic
center for the French colonialists because of its cool mountain
air (the town sits at 3280 feet), who dubbed it Little Switzerland.
We will check into an inn nestled in the foothills run by a
Togolese chef, who will prepare a range of special dishes from
the West African region.
Day
Five: A walking tour of Dalaba, including visits to colonial
landmarks; the former home of South African singer Mariam Makeba,
who lived in Labe whilst in exile; and the workshops of local
artisans, to include weavers and leather-workers. Evening at
the disco in Dalaba's premiere SIB hotel.
Day
Six: Today's walking tour will include “"Pont
de Dieu,"” a natural rock bridge; a tasting tour
of Dalaba's acclaimed vegetable gardens; and Chevalier Gardens,
a pine-grove forest and nursery developed in the 1800s by French
botanist Claude Chevalier. In the evening we will dine with
some local expatriates, who have lived in Guinea for over twenty
years, who will share their experiences and stories with you.
Day Seven: Drive to Doucki, a small village perched over what has been called the Grand Canyon of Guinea. Hasan, our host and guide, will settle us in to comfortable huts he has built for his guest trekkers and take us on a sunset hike to Eagle Rock.
Day
Eight: Hike “Indiana Jones World” with Hasan,
where we will get to play Tarzan and Jane on the vines, go bouldering,
and splash around in secret swimming holes.
Day
Nine: “Chutes and Ladders.” This challenging
hike will take us down into the Canyon and up into a gorge,
where we will tackle seven rope ladders to bring us back up
to the clifftops. Ample opportunities to cool off en route with
a series of small waterfalls. If we are lucky we may see monkeys
or even chimpanzees.
Day
Ten: We will continue on to Labe, the provincial capital
of the Fouta, and check into Hotel Tata, a peaceful hotel decorated
with artifacts from around West Africa. One of Guinea's finest
women poets, Madame Koumanthio, will give us a tour of the Petit
Musee, a museum of Peular culture and history she founded. In
the evening Tata's chefs will prepare a local speciality or
pizza from their wood-fired ovens.
Day
Eleven: In the morning we will visit Labe's bustling market
for last-minute souvenirs, before boarding Air Guinea's flight
back to Conakry. We will share a final meal together in Conakry
and help you with any continuing travel plans. This evening's
accommodation not included though we are happy to help you with
any bookings.
**Comfort is relative: Be forewarned
that even the fanciest of hotels in Guinea suffer from problems
with electricity and water, and most of Guinea's roads are not
meant for sensitive backs or stomachs. But what Guinea lacks
in infrastructure, amenities and punctuality is more than compensated
by its stunning scenery, welcoming people and rich culture.
By booking this tour, you are also helping stimulate local rural
economies and creating much-needed employment for young guides,
artisans and artists.
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