Banjul, The Gambia, Dakar, Senegal & Istanbul, Turkey
15 day tour
BANJUL,
THE GAMBIA, DAKAR, SENEGAL, AND ISTANBUL
June 16 : BEGIN YOUR EXPLORING TOUR Depart Chicago (ORD) aboard Turkish Airlines on your overnight flight to Istanbul. Meals will be served on board.
June 17: ISTANBUL - Arrive Istanbul (please note that no hotel is included on this day).
June 18: ISTANBUL / BANJUL, THE GAMBIA Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Dinner and overnight. Rooms will be ready. Rest of the day at leisure to get some rest after all the traveling. (D)
June 19: BANJUL Enjoy a city tour of Banjul including the Kanifing Industrial Area, Serekunda and Bakau. Craftsmen in the Gambia produce beautiful silverwork and tie-dye batik. Visit the most well-known tye-dye manufacturer and the workshop of a silversmith. Continue to the Tourist and Craftsmen's Market and to the Albert Market, the local market in Banjul. A visit is also made to the Gambia's only museum, situated on Independence Drive. Balance of the day at leisure for your personal exploration or shopping. (B, L, D)
June 20: JUFFURE A full day tour along the bank of the River Gambia to the fishing village of Albreda. Albreda was formerly a post for trading and controlling the hinterland used by both the French and the British. In 1857, under British control, it became a haven where any slave could claim freedom. A short walk will take you to the historic and "national landmark" village of Juffure, destined to become immortalized by Alex Haley in his famous documentary based on his ancestral search. Juffure is the native home of Kunta Kinte of "Roots", whose descendants still live in the village. After lunch on your own, board your bus for the return trip to Banjul with a short tour of the central city. Return to your hotel in Banjul for dinner and overnight. (B, L, D)
June 21: BANJUL, THE GAMBIA / DAKAR, SENEGAL Day at leisure. Early dinner transfer to the airport in time for the flight from Banjul to Dakar. Upon arrival in Dakar, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Senegal, Gateway to Black Africa, was part of the great medieval Empire of Mali and one of the major trading ports of slaves bound for the American Continent. (B,D)
June 22: DAKAR This morning attend Monastery with Kora Sunday Mass accompanied with traditional African music: Kora and Djembe. Overnight in Dakar. (B)
June 23: DAKAR In Dakar this morning take a short boat trip on the Atlantic Ocean to the Island of Goree. Forty million enslaved Africans are said to have passed through the hands of the traders located on this tiny island. Visit the original slave house. See the dungeon and prisons used up until the time of the French abolition of slavery. This island is covered in relics of the famous past. Old cannons still lie half-buried in the sand, attesting to the savage battle fought for possession of this strategic outpost. This afternoon, visit Sandanga Market, Kermel Market, the Grand Mosque, Saumbedioune, Artisinal Village, Dakar University, National Assembly, the Palace of the President with its colorful guards and the Colon of Independence and the residential areas. Return to your hotel. (B, L)
June 24: PINK LAKE Leave Dakar for pink lake Retba that you will visit, meeting also the Fulani ethnic group living in the surroundings of the lake, still in the morning, you will proceed to Thies. Visit of Thies 3rd main town of Senegal, rich of Arts and handicraft. You will also visit the Market of Thies (beautiful African fabrics) and enjoy a typical lunch. Afternoon return to Dakar to your hotel for dinner and overnight. (B, L)
June 25: DAKAR – This morning visit the Black Civilization Museum. We can see the monastery here as well. (B)
June 26: DAKAR / ISTANBUL Early departure from Dakar to Istanbul.. Transfer for dinner and overnight. (B, D)
June 27: Full day tour of Istanbul. In the morning drive to the old town and visit Hipodrome and the famous Blue Mosque, visit Topkapi Palace Museum, see the Sultan's Treasury and Porcelain collections. In the afternoon visit St. Sophia Church and The Grand Bazaar. Dinner and Overnight. (B, D)
June 28: ISTANBUL Day at leisure. Dinner and overnight. (B, D)
June 29: ISTANBUL . In the afternoon discover the city visit Church of Chora and Spice Market. Dinner and overnight. (B, D)
June 30: ISTANBUL / CHICAGO Depart Istanbul to Chicago. Arrive the airport in the afternoon local time.(B)
***Itinerary subject to change without prior notice***
