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DAY 1 NEW YORK /
DAKAR, SENEGAL. Depart New York for
Dakar via jet service. Meals will be served enroute.
DAY 2 DAKAR.
Upon your arrival in Dakar, you will be met and transferred to your
hotel for a brief orientation meeting and your overnight stay. Balance
of the day at leisure. Senegal, Gateway to Black Africa, was part of the
great medieval empire of Mali and one of the major trading and shipping
ports of slaves bound for the American continent. It is located on the
most western part of Africa and is the size of South Dakota (75,750
square miles). It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean in the west, along
350 miles of beautiful sandy beaches. Senegal has been occupied since
prehistoric times and Paleolithic tools and artifacts dug up in the
country can be seen at the History Museum on Goree Island. Today,
Senegal is a country of 8 million, which gained its independence from
France in 1960. It is a young country where half the population is under
20. A secular state, it has a population who is 94% Muslim, the rest
being Catholics, a few Protestants and followers of traditional
religions. Senegal is a Republic with a President elected every seven
years, a National Assembly and a Senate. Known for its dynamic culture,
friendly people, beautiful beaches, and warm climate, Senegal has become
one of the most sought-after destinations in Africa. Today, tourism is
its second source of income. Ideally located less than 6 ½ hours from
New York, Senegal offers everything that makes Africa unique in a safe,
friendly and comfortable environment.
DAY 3 DAKAR.
A full day tour of Dakar today. Time to view the city’s pure African
architecture style and bustling lifestyle. We’ll also visit the markets
and the handicraft village of Soumbedioune. A delicious lunch and
lecture on the “Great West African Empires” is included. Late afternoon
return to our hotel. Tonight enjoy a “welcome dinner” at our hotel.
DAY 4 DAKAR / GOREE ISLAND.
Your tour to Senegal is not
complete
without a visit to “The Door of No Return” on Goree Island, a primary
departure point for millions of Africans sold into slavery to the
Caribbean and the Americas. Less than 2 miles from Dakar lies the
island of Goree, deeply rooted in the history of the slave trade. From
the beginning of the sixteenth to the mid-nineteenth century, men, women
and children were gathered on this small piece of land, locked up in
cells before being shipped away to the New World. The island was seized
by the Portuguese, the Dutch, the French, and the English who all
participated in the trade. Forts and cannons attest of the island’s
violent past. Most of the buildings were used as warehouse or slaves
houses. Some have been turned into museums. The most famous is “La
Maison des Esclaves” which used to hold up to two hundred captives.
Their cells can be visited, as can be the apartment of the slave dealers
upstairs. From the “Door of No Return” countless Senegalese caught a
last glimpse of their homeland before boarding the slave ships. Lunch
is included, dinner on your own.
 DAY
5 PINK LAKE. After breakfast this
morning we transfer to the Ker Moussa Monastery to attend services with
traditional African instruments. After services, we continue on to Pink
Lake. Here we will discover one of nature’s miracles, a completely pink
lake. It is shallow, warm and surrounded by white foam. Everything
floats on it, because of its very high salinity. During the week, men
and women are busy crushing the bottom of the lake, which consists of a
thick crust of salt that they gather to sell. Sand dunes, a baobab
forest and traditional villages with thatch – roofed huts surround the
Pink Lake, also called Retba. Lunch is included, dinner on your own.
 DAY 6 TOUBA.
Head west for 121 miles to
reach the Holy City of Touba. A city founded in 1888 by Cheikh Ahmadou
Bamba who long planned to build his dream city. Visit the Grand Mosque,
the library and tombs. Lunch is included. Tonight we enjoy a
“farewell” dinner and naming ceremony at our hotel.
DAY 7 DAKAR.
Your room will be available to you up until flight departure time. You
will be transferred to the airport late this evening for your flight.
Lunch is included, dinner on your own.
DAY 8 DAKAR / NORTH AMERICA.
Early morning flight from Dakar to New York. The end of an unforgettable
journey.
Depending on airlines, some tours
will arrive into the United States on day 09. |
