The origins of Voodoo can be traced back to the West African country of Benin. Fetish markets, voodoo priestesses, occult ceremonies and sacred forest rites still flourish. But Benin also offers the visitor terrific walking and hiking spots, wonderful bird-life, historical sites related to the slave route, and vibrant inviting villages. Your journey will start in Cotonou touring its markets and craft centers with a side trip to Porto Novo’s museums and the palace of King Toffa. From there you will head to Ouidah, voodoo’s capital, to visit such sights as the Python Temple, the Sacred Forest and even a meeting with King Mito-Daho Kpassenon. Next you will head to the stilt village of Ganvie and the historical sights and monuments of Bohicon. Abomey offers King Behanzin’s palace and wonderful historical museums. You will round out your trip with a visit to Grand Popo and a boat ride on the Mono River. All along the way you will stop at colorful markets and craft centers, enjoy local folk and dance performances, share meals with local families and experience a real opportunity to see Benin from a local perspective.
Your Itinerary
Day 1:
Meet, assist and transfer to Novotel.
Overnight
Day 2:
COTONOU CITY TOUR – PORTO-NOVO - COTONOU
Depart hotel at 9.00 am. Visit the Craft Center of Cotonou, the Ganhi market and the
Dantokpa market. Drive to Porto-Novo and lunch in a local restaurant. Afternoon: tour Porto-Novo: ethnographical museum - Da Silva Museum -King Toffa’s palace at Home -Mosque (former cathedral). Drive back to Cotonou. Dinner in a restaurant downtown and night at Novotel
(B) (L) (D)
Day 3:
COTONOU – OUIDAH
Leave hotel after breakfast to Ouidah, the "spiritual" capital of Benin
Visit: - Portuguese historical Fort - Python snakes Temple, Basilic of Ouidah, Kpasse, sacred Forest. Check in at hotel. Afternoon, experience the slaves route. Meet King Mito-Daho Kpassenon. Experience a local musical performance. Dinner and night at hotel
(B) (L) (D)
Day 4:
OUIDAH – GANVIE – BOHICON
After breakfast, drive to Calavi, boat cruise on Nokoue Lake to Ganvie, the largest lake-village in Africa. Visit the village with its picturesque huts built on piles, its colorful floating market etc. Drive to Allada. Stop at Toussaint Louverture Memorial and visit King Kpodegbe Toyi Djigla, Allada’s King. Continue to Bohicon. Accommodation at Dako 1er hotel. Dinner at the hotel and after dinner you’ll attend the very popular ‘Tchinkoume’
(B) (L) (D)
Day 5:
BOHICON – ABOMEY - COTONOU
After breakfast, drive to Abomey Visit: Goho historical square. Historical museum of Dan-Home (former King’s Palace). King Behanzin’s palace at Djime. Visit craft center on the site of museum. This afternoon, visit the market and drive back to Cotonou
(B) (L) (D)
Day 6:
COTONOU
Day at leisure. Tonight you will enjoy dinner with a local Benin family
(B) (D)
Day 7:
COTONOU – GRAND POPO - COTONOU
Leave hotel after breakfast. Drive to Grand Popo. Boat cruise on Mono River to visit villages and attend a local musical performance. Picnic lunch. Drive back to Cotonou. Dinner and night at hotel.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 8:
COTONOU
Breakfast at hotel. Shopping and departure
(B)
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Contact us for single travellers or group reductions
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
Benin
History Whiz
Archeology/History
Cultural Journey
|
| Check out these similar vacation offers: |
|
|
