From the Imperial Cities of Morocco to the Gold & Ivory Coasts: Exploring West Africa's Culture & T
« Corinthian II
- Day 1 Casablanca, Morocco | Embark
- Day 2 Casablanca | Rabat
- Day 3 Safi | Marrakech | Safi
- Day 4 Agadir | Taroudannt or Imouzer | Agadir
- Day 5 Arrecife, Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain
- Day 6 Laayoune, Western Sahara, Morocco
- Day 7 Dakhla
- Day 8 At Sea
- Days 9-10 Dakar, Senegal
- Day 11 Banjul, The Gambia | Abuko Nature Reserve | Makasutu Culture Forest
- Day 12 At Sea
- Day 13 Freetown, Sierra Leone
- Day 14 Monrovia, Liberia
- Day 15 At Sea
- Day 16 Takoradi, Ghana | Kakum National Park|
- Day 17 Takoradi | The Castle Coast
- Day 18 Tema | Accra
- Day 19 Tema | Disembark
| Days | Dates | Deck + Cabin Type | |||||||
| Cat E | Cat D | Cat C | Cat B | Cat A | Cat AA | Cat VS | Cat PHS | ||
| 19 | Dec 1 '10 Mar 17 '11 |
$12,995 | $14,995 | $16,995 | $18,995 | $20,995 | $22,995 | $24,995 | $26,995 |
| Destinations : Africa, Canary Islands, Morocco, Senegal, Gambia, Ghana, Sierra Leone |
|||||||||
Day 1 Casablanca, Morocco | Embark
Arrive in cosmopolitan Casablanca, home to fine French colonial buildings built on a promontory facing the Atlantic. Board Corinthian II and spend the night aboard docked in port.
Day 2 Casablanca | Rabat
From Casablanca, drive to Rabat, Morocco’s elegant capital. Tour Rabat’s main sites, including its Medina, situated between the sea and the river. Within the Medina are colorful souks, the Kasbah des Oudaias, the evocative quarter of the old Almohad, the Chellah Citadel, and Merenid and Andalusian towns. Sail in the evening.
Day 3 Safi | Marrakech | Safi
From Safi, drive to fabled Marrakech, one of Morocco’s four Imperial Capitals, founded in the 11th century and set among gardens and palm groves. Our exploration includes the 12th-century Koutoubia Minaret, the Bahia Palace, the Ben Youssef Medressa, the Jewish Quarter, and Djemaa el-Fna, the city’s central square at the heart of the Medina.
Day 4 Agadir | Taroudannt or Imouzer | Agadir
Built around a sweeping bay, Agadir was first colonized by the Portuguese in the 15th century and was captured by the Saadians in the 1500s. From Agadir, enjoy a choice of excursions. On the first, drive through the fertile Souss Valley southeast of Agadir to reach the imperial city of Taroudannt, once the capital of the Saadian dynasty and now famous for its stately red ocher ramparts. Ascend the city walls and enjoy a walking tour of the city’s medina, including the souks around Assarag and Tamaklotte Squares. Alternatively, visit Imouzzer des Ida Oudatane, an extremely scenic area of the Atlas Mountains. The surrounding valleys harbor several Berber villages, nestled deep in picturesque gorges.
Day 5 Arrecife, Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain
One of the seven islands of the Canary Archipelago, Lanzarote is home to the National Park of Timanfaya, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve whose landscape has been shaped by volcanic activity and which is renowned for its distinctive plant species. En route, pass villages of red-tiled houses that exist in bright contrast to the ash-covered mountains.
Day 6 Laayoune, Western Sahara, Morocco
From the port of El Marsa, drive inland across Saharan dunes to reach Laayoune, the main city in Morocco’s Western Sahara. Explore the Spanish-Saharan architecture of the city’s old district, the Museum of Traditional Arts, and the Artisans Center’s craft workshops. After visiting a nearby oasis, where you will enjoy an elaborate Saharan tea show, end the day with a drive in the dunes.
Day 7 Dakhla
Dakhla is the southernmost town of Western Sahara, located on a long peninsula jutting into the Atlantic. Whitewashed houses characterize this easygoing and friendly town. Discover the city and then drive north through the scenic peninsula, which is flanked on one side by the Atlantic and by a tranquil bay on the other.
Day 8 At Sea
Relax aboard the Corinthian II as you sail towards Senegal, Africa.
Days 9-10 Dakar, Senegal
Spend two days in Senegal’s beautiful capital city, Dakar. With its strong French influence, it is also a center of African arts and culture. Experience both at the Museum of African Art, one of the continent’s best, and the artisan market. A short ferry ride brings you to Gorée, a UNESCO protected island, with narrow alleyways and characteristic pastel mansions.
Day 11 Banjul, The Gambia | Abuko Nature Reserve | Makasutu Culture Forest
Founded by the British early in the 19th century, Banjul is the capital and commercial center of The Gambia. Disembark in the morning and drive to the Abuko Nature Reserve, one of the last surviving examples of tropical riverine forests in the country. Within its confines are about 300 species of birds, as well as red colobus and callithrix monkeys. Continue to the Makasutu Culture Forest, a private nature habitat with beautiful woodland and waterways.
Day 12 At Sea
Enjoy the on board amenities as you cruise towards Sierra Lione.
Day 13 Freetown, Sierra Leone
With its lush forests, nature reserves, and white-sand beaches, Sierra Leone is one of West Africa’s most attractive destinations. Tour Freetown, the country’s capital, including the Sierra Leone Museum, St. George’s Cathedral (1828), and the city’s colorful markets. Also visit the picturesque Regent Village, with its early 19th-century Krio-style houses tucked into the lush hills above the city.
Day 14 Monrovia, Liberia
Arrive in Monrovia, Liberia’s capital. Inhabited at least since the 12th century, the Republic of Liberia was founded in 1847 by African Americans. Elected as president in 2005, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, a former World Bank economist, is Africa’s first female head of state. Tour Monrovia, named after President James Monroe, built on a hilly peninsula between a river and the sea, including the National Museum, displaying masks, for which Liberia is famed, and other objects, and the Waterside Market, where colorful textiles and other artifacts are sold. Also, meet with government officials and learn about the country’s recent history and development plans.
Day 15 At Sea
Enjoy another day aboard the Corinthian II.
Day 16 Takoradi, Ghana | Kakum National Park|
From Ghana’s Takoradi, travel to Kakum National Park, one of the most extensive rain forest habitats in Ghana and home to a variety of flora and fauna. Kakum’s highlight is the 1,000-foot aerial walkway through the rain forest canopy, 100 feet above the forest floor. Overnight aboard ship in Takoradi.
Day 17 Takoradi | The Castle Coast
The stretch of coastline around Takoradi is known as the “Castle Coast” for the string of imposing forts built by various European powers, starting in the 15th century, to protect their commercial interests. Explore the two most important forts, Cape Coast Castle and St. George Castle, both UNESCO World Heritage sites. Built by the Swedish in 1653, Cape Coast Castle was later captured by the British, who held it for 200 years. St. George’s Castle, in the picturesque small town of Elmina, was constructed in 1482 by the Portuguese and is the oldest European structure still standing in sub-Saharan Africa.
Day 18 Tema | Accra
Arrive in Tema, the port of Accra, Ghana’s capital and a city that vibrates with energy and an air of excitement and industry. Visit the excellent crafts market, which showcases the best of local artisans throughout the region, as well as the National Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography. Return to Corinthian II to spend the night aboard ship, docked in Tema.
Day 19 Tema | Disembark
Disembark and transfer to Accra’s airport for return flights
Deposit & Payment
Initial deposit is $1000 per person, $1500 for itineraries with 19+ days, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card. We accept Visa, Mastercard, and Discover. Alternatively, you can send a check to our Missoula, Montana, office or register online at: http://www.alvoyages.com/four-ways/
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure, and most travelers will pay the final balance with a check, money order, or bank transfer. You can also pay the final balance by credit card, but please note there is a 3% convenience fee assessed to all credit card-not-present final payments.
Booking last minute? No problem! Please contact one of our trip planners, and we can get you on your way if booking less than 100 days prior to departure.
Click here to see a copy of our Terms and Conditions.
Cancellation Policy
| Days Prior to departure | Fee |
|---|---|
| 90 days or more | $400 per person |
| 61-90 days | 55% trip cost |
| 0-60 days | 100% trip cost |
| For Itineraries with 19+ days | . |
| 90 days or more | $850 per person |
| 89-61 days | 55% trip cost |
| 60-0 days | 100% trip cost |
Corinthian II
- Ship Highlights
- Passengers : 114
- Luxury Expedition Ship
The distinguished 114-guest Corinthian II offers a classic yacht-like atmosphere and fine accommodations. Corinthian II is ice-strengthened for voyages into Antarctic waters, and is equipped with a fleet of Zodiac inflatable craft for forays ashore. Originally built in 1992 and refurbished in 2005, Corinthian II accommodates all guests in 57 outside suites, each affording sea views and elegantly appointed with a sitting area, TV, mini-refrigerator, safe, and other amenities as well as a marble bathroom. Several suites include private balconies accessed via sliding glass doors. Spacious and finely decorated public areas include a library stocked with books related to the itinerary and other volumes, and four computer terminals for e-mail access; an elegant lounge; and The Club, a space for convivial relaxation, with picture windows for panoramic views. The restaurant, serving fine cuisine prepared by European chefs, accommodates all guests at a single unassigned seating. The ship also includes a gym, beauty salon, a sun deck with Jacuzzi, and an outdoor café and bar, where meals may be served al fresco. Corinthian II is served by 70 experienced European officers and crew. There is also an elevator offering access to all decks.
Cabin Categories & Descriptions
All accommodations aboard Corinthian II are suites. They face outside, affording sea views, and several have balconies with sliding doors. All suites include a bedroom with twin or queen-size beds, sitting area, ample closet space, mini-refrigerator, TV, marble-appointed bathroom with shower, and other amenities.
Single travelers can opt to pay a single supplement for a private cabin or opt for a willing to share on select departures
| Cabins | |
|---|---|
| Cat E Deluxe suites on Magellan Deck with portholes and sitting area. 225 sq. ft. Suites 250 - 252 | |
| Cat D Deluxe suites on Columbus Deck with window and sitting area. 225 sq. ft. Suites 329-332 | |
| Cat C Deluxe suites on Magellan Deck with portholes and sitting area. 235 sq. ft. Suites 254 - 262 | |
| Cat B Deluxe suites on Columbus Deck with window and sitting area. 235 sq. ft. Suites 333 - 348 | |
| Cat A Deluxe suites on Marco Polo Deck with window and sitting area. 235 sq. ft. Suites 416 - 428 | |
| Cat AA Deluxe suites on Marco Polo Deck with forward and side windows and sitting area. 265 sq. ft. Suites 414 - 415 | |
| Cat VS Deluxe Veranda Suites on Erickson Deck with private balcony and sitting area. 300 sq. ft. (including balcony) Suites 505 - 512 | |
| Cat PHS Deluxe Penthouse Suites on Explorer Deck with private balcony and sitting area. 400 sq. ft. (including balcony) Suites 601 - 604 |
