What's special about the trip?


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.

Tour program:

  • Bisau 2/23/25 Day 1

    Bissau, the capital of Guinea-Bissau

    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.

  • Rubane 2/24/25 Day 2

    Bijagos Archipelago - Rubane Island

    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.

  • Rubane 2/25/25 Day 3

    Tribes and dances

    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).  

  • Rubane 2/26/25 Day 4

    Saltwater hippos

    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.

  • Rubane 2/27/25 Day 5

    Relax on the island

    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.

    • A walk through the rainforest is possible.

    Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.
    Accommodation: Ponta Anchaca Resort or Lodge Les Dauphins.

  • Bisau 2/28/25 Day 6

    Return to Bissau

    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).

  • Bisau 3/1/25 Day 7

    Tribal Art Manyaku (4 hours travel)

    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.

  • Bisau 3/2/25 Day 8

    Beach and relax

    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.

  • The main day of the tour! 3/3/25 Day 9

    Bissau and CARNAVAL

    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.

    • Parade of masks, dancing, drums and colorful costumes. The holiday lasts until late evening.
    • Overnight transfer to the airport orhotel accommodation to extend the tour.

    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

Countries

SENEGAL, THE GAMBIA, GUINEA-BISSAU

Cost for 2025 (per person in a double room): cost in euros (payment in rubles at the company exchange rate)


  • For a group of 6 people: 3,049 euros per person
  • For a group of 4–5 people: 3,650 euros per person
  • For a group of 3 people: 4,350 euros per person
  • For a group of 2 people: 5,600 euros per person

Additional payments


  • Supplement for single room 500EUROper person

 

  • Optional additional night in Bissau (with breakfast):
    • In a double room: 150 euros per room
    • In a single room: 122 euros per room

 

Included


  • Assistance at Dakar airport upon arrival and Bissau airport upon departure
  • Transfers and tour in a great variety of 8 different transports, each fitting the different geographical environment, allowing maximum interaction with the local peoples,     comfort and fun: minibuses/microbuses, 4WD vehicles, local calash (private use), local bush taxi called “taxi brousse” (private use), donkey chariot, local motor boat (private   use), speedboat fitted for ocean crossing to the Bijagos Archipelago. 
  • Tour Leader (languages spoken: English, French, Italian and Spanish)
  • Tours and visits as per the programme 
  • Accommodation in standard rooms/bungalows/permanent tents as per itinerary
  • All meals as described, from breakfast of day 2 to lunch of day 14. 
  • Mineral water in the bus/car/boat during the visits, up to 1 bottle a day. 
  • Entrance fees to parks, concessions, protected areas and cultural sites, festival and events as in the program.
  • Pass for carnival when applicable
  • First Aid box
  • All service charges and taxes
     

Not included


  • International flights.
  • Visa (can be issued upon arrival).
  • Drinks in restaurants and hotels.
  • Tips for drivers, guides and staff.
  • Personal insurance (required).
  • Personal expenses such as telephone, laundry, etc.
  • Everything that is not listed in the "Included" section.


Important Recommendations:


  • Visa: A single-entry visa will be required to enter Guinea-Bissau. It can be issued upon arrival, but prior permission (pre-visa) must be obtained in advance.
  • Vaccinations:Yellow fever vaccination is required. Prevention of malaria is recommended.
  • Weather and Tides:Excursion schedules may be subject to change due to tides and weather conditions.
  • Luggage: maximum 20 kg and in duffel bags, preferably waterproof; When passengers may be exposed to splashes of water or foam on a speedboat, we advise that any camera equipment be protected.

 

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

Terms and Conditions


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