Bonjour! Welcome to Cotonou, the largest city in Benin. Your private transfer will whisk you away from the airport straight to your cozy hotel. After your long journey, feel free to stretch your legs with a solo stroll around the city or take a soothing dip in the hotel pool to recharge your batteries. As the sun sets, get ready for a delightful evening with your fellow explorers, as you savor your first taste of West African cuisine during a delicious welcome dinner.  

An extraordinary testament to human creativity and resilience, visit Africa’s largest floating village today. Ganvie was established 400 years ago by the Tofinou people, and its origin story is rather ingenious; it was built as a refuge from Fon warriors who were hunting for slaves, who, due to their religious beliefs, would not attack those living on water. Climb aboard a motorized pirogue and cruise through this unique floating community, where traditional bamboo stilt houses, markets, bars, schools, and churches dot the water's surface. Enjoy meeting the villagers and experiencing their unique culture firsthand. Back in the city, the evening is yours to enjoy the sights and sounds of Cotonou at your own pace.  

This morning you’ll head to the lively capital of Benin, Porto-Novo. Founded in the late 16th century by King Te-Agdanlin of Allada, Portuguese traders soon set up shop here, and by the 18th century, Porto-Novo had become a busy slave port. The city is split between a traditional section and a more European-influenced French section. We'll explore a bit of both today with a visit to King Toffa's Palace, which is now home to the Honmè Museum, followed by stops at the Da Silva Museum, the Brazilian-built Grand Mosque, and the Zangbeto Voodoo Temple. Afterward, we'll head to Adjarra for a picturesque canoe trip on the Black River. Along the way, we'll visit  Beninese villages, chat with locals, and absorb local life.

This morning we'll make our way to Ouidah, the historic birthplace of Vodun, traveling along the Route d'Esclaves to the Door of No Return. This powerful site is a memorial to the people who were enslaved here and taken to the New World. From there, we’ll head to the Musee d'Historic. Set in the old Portuguese Fort, this museum reveals the stories behind the powerful Kings of Dahomey who shaped this region. Later in the afternoon, return to Cotonou for a shopping experience you’ll never forge. Cotonou’s massive Dantokpa Grande Marche is a bustling open-air market that spans nearly 50 acres. Explore the endless stalls packed with fresh seafood, colorful fabrics, and voodoo essentials. 

This morning, return to Ouidah and follow in the footsteps of thousands of voodoo practitioners on a pilgrimage to the Sacred Forest of Kpasse, home to voodoo temples, statues of deities, and age-old trees full of hanging bats. After lunch, see an outstanding collection of contemporary African art at Musee de la Fondation Zinsou. End the day experiencing a hypnotic voodoo dance ceremony and learning about its meaning.  

Cross into the small but mighty country of Togo today, known for its voodoo heritage and pivotal role in the transatlantic slave trade. Head to Lake Togo first for a boat trip that’ll take you to the historic town of Togoville. This town was a major hub for Vodun practitioners. Its strong Vodun influence lingers in the bustling fetish stalls that still line the streets. Visit the Royal Palace and Colonial Church, then journey to Togo's vibrant capital, Lomé, once a British, German and French colony. Explore the city on a late afternoon orientation walking tour or kick back and relax by the hotel pool.

Start your day at Lomé's Musée International des Arts, or "Palais de Lomé," a 100-year-old former residence of French governors and Togolese leaders. Stroll through its vast park, filled with gardens and sculptures, then explore the museum’s impressive collection of masks and sculptures. Later, head north to Sokode, Togo's second-largest town. Witness a mesmerizing Fire Dance in a nearby Tem village. Originating as a warrior's homecoming celebration, the dance features daring physical acts as dancers leap into glowing embers and handle burning coals. 

This morning, set off for Bassar, known as Togo's Yam Capital, to immerse yourself in a rural culture with ancient roots. Archaeological studies claim that Bassar was the largest industrial iron producer in West Africa from the 6th century BC to the 19th century AD. Chat with the locals and learn about their farming and ironworking traditions. If available, a village Chief will talk with us and share insights into their role within the community. Continue to Kara, where we spend the next two nights. 

Explore the mountainous region of Kabye today, home to a rich blacksmithing tradition that has been carried on for centuries. Visit the village of Tchare, known for its fine metal work, before journeying to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Koutammakou, the ancestral home of the Tamberma people. We'll learn about fortified clay homes known as Tatas, adorned with phallic fetishes symbolizing ancestors' spirits. These impressive homesteads were designed for protection, and resemble miniature castles. We'll meet community elders in their homes before taking a walk through the village.

Get ready for a full-day journey back to Benin today. We'll travel from Bassar to Dassa Zoume, soaking up the stunning West African landscapes outside our window and making stops along the way. Once in Dassa Zoume, visit the famous “Grotto of Our Lady of Arigbo” church, where the Virgin Mary reportedly appeared. Pope John Paul II also once paid it a visit and prayed here. Today, the church attracts thousands of Catholic pilgrims from across West Africa.

Dassa Zoume, once the capital of an ancient kingdom in 1385, is known for its 41 hills, a number that carries spiritual significance in Vodun tradition. Begin today’s adventure with a hike up Dassa Hill, exploring its sacred altars and voodoo shrines. Meet the High Priest and learn about the rituals and ceremonies held here. After your hike, continue to Abomey, the former seat of the Dahomey Kingdom, where you’ll take in a Gelede Masked Dance, a performance that honors the women of the community. It features 20-25 dancers and drummers from local Yoruba and Fon communities, wearing brightly colored masks, singing songs that retrace the history and myths of their ancestors. 

Embark on an expert-led tour of Abomey's Royal Palace Museum this morning. Discover the compelling history of the Dahomey Kings as you study their unique symbols and admire intricate bas-reliefs that depict their reign, a time marked by war and a complex legacy with slavery. Wander through rooms filled with thrones, altars, and statues from this ancient kingdom, and gaze upon the haunting remains of the burial pit where the kings’ wives were once entombed alive. We'll also see the House of Pearls, a temple built by King Glele. Return to Cotonou for a relaxed evening and a final farewell dinner with your fellow travelers. 

After nearly a week of exploring Benin and Togo, hopping from floating villages to voodoo shrines and grand palaces, it’s time to bid farewell to this fascinating region and the friends you’ve made along the way. A private transfer will take you to Cotonou’s International airport for your return flight.