| Duration: | 8 Day(s) - 7 Night(s) |
| Tour Category: | Festival Tours |
Day 1: Dakar, Senegal
On arrival in Dakar, you will be met, assisted, and transferred to your hotel. Your experienced cultural tour guide will brief you on the scheduled activities and what you can expect during your time in Senegal.
Overnight at Ndiambour or Similar
Day 2: Dakar and Vicinity
After breakfast, begin the city tour of Dakar and its vicinity. From Independence Place, the heart of the city, you will pass by the presidential palace and the main cathedral before continuing by the seafront drive towards Soumbedioune market and the mosque de la Revelation. The tour of Dakar will show you the contrasts between upscale residential areas and other popular neighborhoods. You will also visit popular hotspots such as Kermel or Tilem Market.
Next visit the Renaissance Monument, a 164-foot-high monument, overlooking Dakar that is taller than the Statue of Liberty. The once-controversial bronze statue is a popular attraction among locals as well as visitors. Dinner will be at your hotel.
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight at Ndiambour or Similar
Day 3: Goree Island – Dakar and Vicinity
After breakfast, we depart to Goree Island, a now tranquil UNESCO World Heritage Site
Explore the usually quiet streets lined with pastel-colored colonial-era buildings. Among the most famous buildings here is the House of Slaves which records the history of Goree’s past. Observe the “Door of No Return” through which millions passed on the way to slavery. The curator will take you through the history of Goree.
There is time to visit the Town Square, the Historical Museum, and the tranquil streets lined with pastel-colored houses.
After lunch, we return to Dakar and visit the massive Museum of Black Civilization Africa’s most modern and complete museum covering 4 floors of historical artifacts from all over Africa. Return to your hotel for dinner before attending this evening’s grand start of Dakart
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight at Ndiambour or Similar
Day 4: Dakar – Thies – Saint Louis
After breakfast, depart for the drive to Saint Louis. En route, stop over for lunch at Thies. This city is known for beautiful baskets hand woven by local artisans. After lunch, you will have the opportunity to purchase baskets, hats, and other items at bargain prices. Continue to Saint Louis for a late afternoon arrival. Check into your hotel, have dinner, and prepare for this evening's exciting Jazz Festival
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight at Mermoz or Similar
Day 5: Saint Louis – Lac De Guiers – Richard Toll – Jazz Festival
After breakfast depart for Lac de Guiers. We will travel through typical Senegalese villages. We will stop at Keur Momar Sarr, where there is a lively weekly market on Saturdays. Spend time in the bustling market to get a taste of daily life in Senegal. Continue to Lake Guiers, the main source of water for Dakar. We next visit a Fulani village. Note the colorful dress, headgear, jewelry, and unique customs. We continue to Richard Toll, known for animal farming and fishing but most famous for sugar cane plantation and sugar-making factory which produces most of the sugar consumed in Senegal.
Late afternoon return to Saint Louis where you can refresh, relax and have dinner before this evening's Saint Louis Jazz Festival activities.
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight at Mermoz or Similar
Day 6: Saint Louis – Rao – Jazz Festival
After a sumptuous buffet breakfast at your hotel, we depart to Rao.
We will travel through small villages before reaching large red dunes. You will be awed by this natural spectacle. Continue towards Rao and visit the local market and observe the various ethnic groups. We will visit a selected village and learn about the village activities including farming and other income-generating activities. Late afternoon return to Saint Louis where you can refresh, relax and have dinner before this evening's main Saint Louis Jazz Festival activities.
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight at Mermoz or Similar
Day 7: St Louis – Touba – Pink Lake – Dakar
Today we leave St. Louis and head to Touba, the Holy City of the Mouride Brotherhood.
Get to know the only city in West Africa that is self-governed and where they pay no taxes to the central government. Touba is regularly compared to the Vatican with its autonomous administration. Visit the main facilities and hear about the history of Mouridism and its mystic founder.
After Touba, we continue to Dakar with a stop in Pink Lake. Pink lake is a rare natural phenomenon caused by a unique combination of microorganisms and a high concentration of salts which gives the lake its pink color.
Nowadays, the color is not often pink because of high salt production.
Interact with the women harvesting salt. We then continue to Dakar, check in at the hotel, and prepare for dinner before attending DakArt activities.
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight at Ndiambour or Similar
Day 8: Dakar – Dar’Art Festival / Depart
Today is at leisure for individual activities. At the right time, you will be transferred to the hotel for your onward flight.
OR EXTEND YOUR STAY
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast
