Côte d’Ivoire

Day 1: INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT AND ARRIVAL IN ABIDJAN
Flight and arrival in Côte d’Ivoire’s economic capital. Transfer to Hotel Onomo or similar.

Day 2: ABIDJAN – TIASSALÉ
Heading north to Tiassalé, where we will attempt to spot hippos. We will also visit a cocoa plantation, given Côte d’Ivoire’s significance as a major cocoa exporter. A guided tour of the factory will allow us to witness the entire process, from the plantation to chocolate production. Overnight at Hotel Duvick.

Day 3: TIASSALÉ – YAMOUSSOUKRO – DALOA
Journey to the nation’s capital, a city founded by the first president, Houphouët-Boigny. We will visit the impressive Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, a grandiose project modeled after (and as large as) St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, making it the largest religious building in Africa. We will also see the Presidential Palace from the outside, including its famous crocodile lake.
Continuing via Bouaflé, home to the Guro ethnic group, we will witness the spectacular Goli dance, in which performers move their legs frenetically while keeping their upper bodies still. Overnight at Hotel La Grace in Daloa.

Days 4 & 5: MAN
On the way to Man, we will search for Guéré masks, rare and distinct for their somewhat diabolical appearance, worn with raffia costumes.

Man is one of Côte d’Ivoire’s most stunning and refreshing regions, filled with lush vegetation, valleys, and peaks. It is also a major animist center, where we will attend magical dances and ceremonies, visit sacred forests, and meet spiritual leaders.
We will also witness the “Snake Girls” initiation ritual, where young girls, guided by their master, perform astonishing acrobatics—an unparalleled expression of Ivorian animism.
Overnight stays at Hotel Beau Séjour.

Day 6: MAN – GOUDEFOUMA – ODIENNÉ
On our long journey westward, we will make stops in villages to observe local life. We will also witness one of Côte d’Ivoire’s most unique magical dances: the Yacuba stilt dance, where performers balance on one leg.

We will also visit the Fulani, Africa’s largest nomadic ethnic group, whose transhumant lifestyle, facial decorations, and elaborate clothing are fascinating.
Overnight at Hotel Sarah.

Day 7: ODIENNÉ – KORHOGO
Traveling east, we first stop at Tiémé, a small village reached by French explorer René Caillié in 1827 on his journey to Timbuktu (Mali). The village is home to the nomadic Fulani people.

Next, we head to Niofoin, renowned for its clay granaries and fetish houses, central to the Senoufo people’s animist traditions.

Here, we will experience two of the most emblematic Senoufo ceremonies:

The Boloye and Wambele magical dances, where performers move in synchronized, millimeter-perfect coordination with drumming percussion. These rituals symbolize the connection between the natural and spiritual worlds, passed down for generations.
Overnight at Hotel Rose Blanche.

Day 8: KORHOGO – KONG
We continue our journey to Kong, where we will visit the Great Mosque, a magnificent example of Sudanese-style mud-brick architecture, recently designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Overnight at Hotel Kong.

Day 9: KONG – BOUAKÉ
We traverse the region of the Baoulé ethnic group, which comprises nearly a quarter of Côte d’Ivoire’s population. The Baoulé language, while unofficial, is the second most spoken language after French.

During our route, we will witness two more spectacular dances:

The Goli dance, a traditional Baoulé performance used to pass down knowledge. Elders use this dance to teach youth about community values and traditions. Dancers emerge in pairs, performing rapid movements while striking their backs with sticks, creating a sound reminiscent of gunfire.
The Komian dance, another spiritual and cultural expression of the Baoulé people.
Overnight at Hotel Mon Afrik.

Day 10: GRAND-BASSAM
A long drive to Grand-Bassam, one of Côte d’Ivoire’s hidden gems. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the most outstanding example of colonial-era architecture in Africa. Once a capital during the French colonial period, Grand-Bassam’s elegant mansions and historical buildings—now in a state of picturesque decay—stand in stark contrast to the lively daily life of its current residents.
Overnight at Hotel Boblin la Mer.

Day 11: ABIDJAN & RETURN FLIGHT
A final stroll through Grand-Bassam before heading to Abidjan, a city of striking contrasts, before transferring to the airport for departure.

PRICING
€2,850 per person (for 2 travelers)
€2,250 per person (for groups of 3-8 travelers)
€1,990 per person (for groups of 9 or more)
Single Supplement: €470

PAYMENT TERMS
50% deposit at booking
Remaining 50% due no later than one month before departure

CANCELLATION POLICY
Cancellations up to one month before departure: 50% refund
Cancellations less than one month before departure: No refund
No refund for missed travel days due to airline delays, flight cancellations, or other circumstances beyond LOANA TRAVEL’s control.

• Accommodation in a double room with breakfast
• Private vehicle and fuel, including airport transfers
• Exclusive Spanish-speaking guide dedicated to your group
• All visits, excursions, and coordination with local villages

• International and domestic flights
• Travel insurance
• Meals (lunch and dinner)
• Visa fees