Carnival is the main holiday in Guinea-Bissau.
An incredible combination of African and Portuguese traditions, in the afternoon the carnival goes crazy: along the main avenue, colorful masks from different areas and districts, sacred masks, fetish priests in traditional costumes, warriors in crocodile skin and armed with arrows, dedicated girls begin to parade , wearing strings of glass beads around their waists and modern papier-mâché masks.
The lively parades make this carnival an unforgettable experience, a true "popular Fiesta" combining Portuguese influence and tribal African soul
You will also meet saltwater hippos, which can only be seen in this corner of the planet.
You arrive in Bissau, where you will be met and taken to your hotel. Relax and get ready for the adventure to begin!
Food: At your own expense.
Accommodation: Hotel Dunia Azalai Bissau (4 stars) or similar, all rooms with air conditioning and amenities.
We will take a speed boat to the Bijagos archipelago. These are 88 islands, of which only 21 are inhabited. Here, life follows ancient traditions: women still wear straw skirts, and men undergo initiation rituals that can last up to 7 years.
The first stop will be Bolama Island - a walk through the former capital of Portuguese Guinea. The city that used to shine is now a "ghost town" with remnants of colonial architecture partially swallowed up by the jungle.
Arrival on the island of Rubane and accommodation in comfortable bungalows.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: Ponta Anchaca Resort (4 stars) or Lodge Les Dauphins. Cozy bungalows with ocean views and all amenities.
Boat excursion to Bubak, past Sogorsky Bay. Visit to Bubaca, the largest village in the archipelago and the only one connected to the mainland by ferry once a week: alleys, small colorful market, local bars and traders; The ethnographic museum dedicated to the Bijagos culture is also very interesting.
Return to Rubane Island, relax on the beach or take an exciting walk surrounded by lush vegetation in the villages of Rubane Island. Fishing trips can be arranged upon request. The Bijagos Islands are a paradise for fishermen.
An opportunity to see traditional dances and rituals.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Ponta Anchaca or similar (ocean front comfortable bungalows en-suite with air conditioning, private wild beach, sea water swimming pool, spectacular bar and gastronomic restaurant on stilts).
Today we will go to Orango Island, a protected area of wild nature. Just imagine: huge hippos walking among mangroves or swimming in sea water!
Walk with a local ranger to the ponds among the mangrove forests.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: Ponta Anchaca Resort or Lodge Les Dauphins.
Full day of relaxation: beach, swimming pool or walks through tropical greenery. You can also visit the fishing villages to see how the islanders live.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: Ponta Anchaca Resort or Lodge Les Dauphins.
The boat will take us back to Bissau, where an evening of relaxation awaits you.
Meals:breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: Dunia Azalai Bissau (4 stars).
Today we will leave the main road to reach the remote villages of the Manyaku people.
Some Manyaku families keep ancestral altars on their property, decorated with wooden sculptures called "Pekab". These figures represent the spirits of the ancestors and are kept in shrines known as "Kab Balugun".
We will visit tiny villages hidden in the forest to, with the permission of the elders, see these holy carved statues. They range from abstract figures created hundreds of years ago to more realistic ones that emerged later under the influence of Western culture. This is a unique opportunity to see tribal art in its original cultural context and understand how it has evolved.
After this we will return to Bissau.
Food:Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Accommodation: Hotel Dunia Azalai Bissau (4 stars) or similar.
The whole day will be devoted to exploring the villages of the Ash people. These villages consist of traditional mud huts with thatched roofs. We will have lunch at a local restaurant.
In one of the villages you will meet a fetishist priest who communicates with the spirits of the dead - everything here is imbued with animist beliefs.
We will also visit the old local distillery where they make rum (it is called “Cana” here). It has been operating since colonial times. You will be enveloped in the aroma of fresh cane, which is processed by hand in wood-burning ovens.
In the evening we will return to Bissau. Along the way, we'll stop at a local bar to try the famous tropical mojito, and then go for dinner at one of the restaurants in a lively area of the city.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Accommodation: Hotel Dunia Azalai Bissau (4 stars) or similar.
In the morning we will get acquainted with the life of the capital. We will visit the port where women sell freshly caught fish. Let's take a walk through the old Portuguese quarter of Bissau Velho - the atmosphere of old Portugal reigns here.
You will see the stone fortress of the Amur, majestic buildings on the main street such as the Palace of Justice, the Catholic Cathedral, the Presidential Palace, the Independence Monument and Che Guevara Square. We'll also check out the craft center and bustling Bandin Market.
After lunch - the beginning of the carnival. The streets are filled with dancers, masks, warriors in crocodile skin costumes and girls adorned only with crystal beads. Immerse yourself in a festive atmosphere where the African spirit meets Portuguese and Brazilian traditions.
Meals: breakfast, lunch.
Accommodation: Day rooms at Dunia Azalai (4 stars).
• main holiday in Guinea-Bissau
• incredible combination of African and Portuguese traditions
• multi-colored masks from different areas
• remote villages inhabited by Felupes and Bayots
• dancing of the sacred mask of Diola
• drums, dancing and colorful crowd
• exploring the magical and animistic traditions of the intriguing people of Ash
• Bolama Island, former capital of Portuguese Guinea
• Bijagos Island
• FOOD: lunch - restaurants (tourist menu) or a cold picnic; dinner - in the hotel restaurant (full tourist menu).
• TRAVEL INSURANCE: not included. Mandatory for medical assistance, repatriation, material and physical damage. We are not responsible for any material or physical damage during the tour
• MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION: on roads and tracks by minibuses or 4x4, speedboat designed to cross the ocean with the Bijagos Archipelago.
• ACCOMMODATIONHotels and cottages are always selected with the utmost care, however due to the possible unavailability of some hotels, the tour leader may have to substitute some hotels with other similar hotels during the tour itself. standard. Some hotels do not always provide single rooms. One hotel we use has a total of 8 rooms.
• All our trips are designed to be flexible so that we can adapt to external conditions and take advantage of the opportunities that arise there.
• Given the special nature of the trip, some details are subject to change due to unpredictable factors and are based on the absolute decisions of our Tour Leader. Costs associated with such changes will be the sole responsibility of participants. Of course, the Leader will do everything possible to stick to the original program.
• There are two border crossings, flexibility is required
• Prices may change in case of significant changes in the cost of services, beyond the will of the organizer
PAYMENT POLICY
A deposit of 30% is required at time of confirmation, with the balance due at least 14 days before guests arrive at their destination.
If the reservation is made within 30 days of departure, the entire amount must be paid at the time of confirmation.
Failure by the booking agent to comply with these payment terms will result in automatic cancellation of the reservation and all applicable cancellation fees will apply. Orders not secured by a corresponding deposit will be unblocked.
CANCELLATION POLICY
If canceled before 46 days, the deposit will be refunded.
For any cancellation received after 45 days, the following terms and cancellation fees apply:
45 - 30 days before departure 05% of the tour cost
29 - 18 days before departure 30% of the tour cost
17 - 10 days before departure 50% of the tour cost
09 - 04 days before departure 75% of the tour cost
03 - 0 days before departure 100% of the tour cost