Celebrate New Year’s the Guinean Way — a once-in-a-lifetime cultural experience.
Most people spend New Year’s doing the same routine every year. This trip gives them the rare chance to welcome the new year in a completely different cultural world. In Guinea, New Year’s is filled with community gatherings, traditional drumming, dance celebrations, coastal nightlife in Conakry, and a warm, joyful atmosphere that visitors never forget. Instead of cold winter weather and the usual holiday stress, travelers enjoy sunshine, music, fresh seafood, and real cultural connection.
We offer TWO options:
Option A
(Main Trip – Most Popular):
December 20, 2026 – January 2, 2027 (14 days)
Holiday Cultural Immersion + New Year in Guinea
PRICE: $1,496 (airfare not included)
Option B
January 5-18, 2027 (14 days)
For people who don’t want to travel on Christmas
PRICE: $1,619 (airfare not included)
Dry season = Best weather in Guinea
- easier travel
- less rain
- more festivals
- more cultural activity
This exciting adventure is great for someone wanting more of a home stay experience with a beautiful African family. Based at our simple, comfortable campus in Coyah, a lovely suburb of Guinea’s capital Conakry, you will enjoy the local markets and community living. This trip includes lots of cultural immersion, an incredible 3-day trip to the rain forest, as well as a 3-day trip to an extraordinary tropical island. A great first-time-to-Africa trip!
A trip of a lifetime, immerse yourself in the rich culture of Guinea. Learn to dance and drum with some of Guinean’s fitness instructors.
Trip Details and Itinerary:
What’s included?
• Group Accommodations: Comfortable and secure, our accommodations will be a short taxi ride from markets and internet cafes
• Meals: Three delicious meals a day of West African fare: fish, chicken, rice, fresh fruits and vegetables (vegetarian options available). Our home stays stocked with peanut butter, French bread, sardines, coffee and Western condiments.
• Ground transportation: is provided.
- Trip to Kindia in the beautiful Village of Kindia
- Trip to the Island to the luscious tropical island off the coast of Guinea
- Visit Les Ballets Africains de Guinée, Les Ballets Djoliba
- Local Markets
- L’institut des beaux Arts de Dubréka
ONCE YOU ARE THERE:
- Daily sample schedule (compact)
- 9:00 – 10:00am— Breakfast
- 10:05am–Noon — Morning workshop / excursion (drumming technique, museum, rehearsal)
- Noon–1:00pm — Lunch / res
- 1:15pm–6:00pm — Afternoon excursion / cooking class / island trip / rehearsal
- 6:15pm–8:15pm — Evening drumming circle (1.5 hr) + optional light dancing (30 min) for body exercises.
- 8:00pm — Dinner / Free Time / storytelling or community time
Day-by-day (dates included)
Day 1 – Arrive in Guinea
- Morning/afternoon: arrivals, check-in, settle into guesthouse
- Late afternoon: orientation meeting (safety, schedule, local customs), short group icebreaker drumming circle (45–60 min) — light, optional dancing introduction.
- Dinner together; quick walk to local market to orient participants.
Day 2 — Conakry cultural intro + Musée National
- Morning: Breakfast. 2-hour beginner drumming workshop (rhythm basics, posture, call-and-response).
- Midday: Visit Sandervalia / Musée National in Conakry — guided tour (masks, instruments, cultural context). Tripadvisor+1
- Afternoon: Lunch; free time / optional short market visit.
- Evening: Group drumming circle (1.5 hr) with storytelling session afterward.
Day 3 — Discover the Ballets Africains of Guinea, the first national drum and dance company in Guinea and one of the most renowned in West Africa, to which my family has contributed since the 1960s across three generations: my father’s uncle, my father, and myself.”
- Morning: Tour/meeting with Les Ballets Africains (if possible, arrange a backstage tour or short demonstration; the company is based in Conakry). LesBalletsAfricains
- Afternoon: Lunch, then workshop where dancers/drummers demonstrate traditional choreography & rhythms (30–45 min demo + Q&A).
- Evening: Drumming session focused on rhythms learned; optional light dancing practice.
Day 4 — Bandandjou rehearsal & community exchange
Bandandjou is the traditional percussion, dance, song, and cultural history group I founded in 2012, and it is still active today.
- Morning: Local community visit — arrange to attend a scheduled Bandandjou (local ensemble) rehearsal; participants observe and join respectfully if invited (rehearsal etiquette briefing beforehand).
- Afternoon: Cooking class (local recipes) — participants cook and share lunch/dinner.
- Evening: Small performance exchange / open circle with local musicians.
Day 5 — Day trip: Kindia waterfall (Le Voile de la Mariée)
- Full day trip to Kindia area to visit the “Voile de la Mariée” waterfall — morning departure (drive ~2–3 hrs depending on route/traffic), picnic, short hike to falls, photography, local guides. Tripadvisor
- Late afternoon return to Coyah/Conakry.
- Evening: Light drumming session — reflective, slower tempos.
Day 6 — Cultural holiday activities & story night
- Morning: Local holiday/market visit (depending on what’s open), shorter drumming workshop focusing on festive rhythms.
- Afternoon: Free time for rest or optional one-on-one lessons.
- Evening: Storytelling night — elders or griots invited to share tales, songs; drumming accompanies the stories.
Day 7 — Island trip: Îles de Los (Loos Islands)
- Full day: Boat trip from Conakry to Îles de Los (Tombo / Roume / Kassa) for beaches, village visits, short island walk/trail, and seaside lunch. Ferries/pirogues usually depart from Boulbinet port; plan early start.Tripadvisor+1
- Evening: Return to Conakry/Coyah — drumming circle on arrival (short, light).
Day 8 — Rural immersion / village visit
- Morning: Travel to a nearby village for cultural exchange: participate in local activities, learn regional rhythms and dances, collect songs for performance.
- Afternoon: Workshop in the village — participants practice with local players; return late afternoon.
- Evening: Group reflection + drumming session.
Day 9 — Technique week: focused drumming + dance fundamentals
- Morning: Intensive drumming technique workshop (2–3 hrs) — polyrhythms, solo work, ensemble coordination.
- Afternoon: Light optional dance class focused on safe technique for non-dancers (45–60 min). body exercises.
- Evening: Rehearsal for small community showcase (short pieces learned so far).
Day 10 — Excursion: countryside trails / short trekking
- Morning: Short trail/hike in a scenic area near Conakry or Kindia (half-day) — nature, photography, short cultural stops. (You asked for “trailering” — interpreted as trail/hiking.)
- Afternoon: Picnic lunch; return and rest.
- Evening: Drumming rehearsal — incorporate field recordings or rhythms inspired by the hike.
Day 11 — Workshop day: composing & arranging
- Morning: Workshop on arranging percussion ensembles and composing short pieces from collected material (small groups).
- Afternoon: Cooking class, braiding and lunch together.
- Evening: Small informal sharing of group compositions.
Day 12 — Final rehearsals + community outreach
- Morning: Dress rehearsal for community showcase (1.5–2 hrs).
- Afternoon: Community outreach — short performances at a school, market, or community center; invite local musicians to join.
- Evening: New Year’s Eve — cultural celebration without fireworks (low-key cultural party, music, food, storytelling, and drumming; optional dancing).
Day 13 — Reflection, free time, recording session
- Morning: Group reflection session, optional recording of pieces (audio or video) to share with participants and host communities.
- Afternoon: Free time or one-on-one tuition.
- Evening: Final closing drumming circle and farewell dinner.
Day 14 — Departures
- Morning: Pack, goodbyes, last market shopping.
- Complete braiding.
- Transfer to airport / onward travel from Coyah / Conakry.
NB: Schedule can change!
Trip Pricing IMPORTANT DATES and options
Option A – December 20, 2026 – January 2, 2027*
• Registration deadline August 15, 2026
• Deposit of $350 due September 15, 2026
• Final Payment of $1,146 due November 1, 2026
• Monthly payment schedule available: contact us.
• Airfare not included
Option B – January 5 – January 18, 2027*
• Registration deadline September 15, 2026
• Deposit of $400 due October 15, 2026
• Final Payment of $1,219 due December 1, 2026
• Monthly payment schedule available: contact us.
• Airfare not included
Purchase your trip today!
Refund Deadlines & Cancellation Fees
Cancelation Policy: We understand that life happens, and we aim to be as fair and transparent as possible while honoring commitments already made. While we always intend and hope that each person who registers for our trip is able to complete it, circumstances sometimes do arise where people have to cancel or postpone their trip. As a reminder, our cancellation policy is as follows:
Cancellation & Refund Policy – Option A – December 20, 2026 – January 2, 2027
- By September 15, 2026: You may cancel and receive a refund of all payments except the deposit.
- September 16 – November 1, 2026: The deposit is non-refundable. Any additional payments will be refunded minus a $150 administrative fee to cover planning costs.
- After November 1, 2026: Unfortunately, we are unable to offer refunds as accommodations, transportation, and services will already be secured.
- No-shows or early departures: Refunds cannot be provided.
Cancellation & Refund Policy – Option B – January 5 – January 18, 2027
- By October 15, 2026: You may cancel and receive a refund of all payments except the deposit.
- October 16 – December 1, 2026: The deposit is non-refundable. Additional payments will be refunded minus a $125 administrative fee.
- After December 1, 2026: No refunds can be issued due to confirmed travel arrangements.
- No-shows or early departures: Refunds are not available.
How to Register: Your registration will be complete once we receive both your registration information (form below) and your payment. By registering you agree that you have reviewed travel requirements and are fully aware of our cancellation fees.
Make a check payable to ACAI and mail to: 1164 Lockbourn Rd, Columbus Ohio 43206
Once registered you will receive a complete Guinea Travel Packet with a full list of travel requirements.
Overview of Travel Requirements:
- Current passport
- Travel Visa for Guinea
- Travel insurance
- Proof of Yellow Fever vaccination
- Emergency contact information
- Copy of your flight itinerary and two copies of your Passport.
- Optional: register with embassy/consulate
Visa Requirements: The Guinean embassy requires that you submit your passport, two completed application forms, and your Yellow Fever vaccination certificate when you apply for your visa. The following website gives you more specifics about how to obtain your visa, and again, once you are registered, we will send you detailed information about the best and fastest way to get your visa.
Electronic Visa (e-Visa):
Guinea has introduced an electronic visa system, allowing applicants to apply online from home. www.traveldocs.com
Vaccines and Medications: While the Yellow Fever Vaccine and Malaria medication are the only requirements, we encourage you to follow all of the current recommendations and requirements given by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) with regard to vaccines and medications. wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/guinea
1. Yellow fever vaccination is mandatory. This documentation may be checked at the airport so please bring proof of vaccination in the form of your yellow fever vaccination yellow card.
- Malaria medications (doxy is common)
- Updates to all routine vaccines and booster doses
- Typhoid may be recommended by your doctor
- Polio vaccine may be recommended by your doctor
- Hip series, meningococcal and rabies if warranted by doctor
- Proof of negative Covid test is not required for boarding
DOCTORS & HOSPITALS
There are many good doctors and very suitable hospitals and clinics in Guinea . If you have a health emergency while in Guinea, we will help with locating the relevant health care you require.
INSURANCE
Emergencies and other mishaps such as lost luggage can crop up on any trip abroad, thus we encourage travel insurance.
U.S. Department of State: Optional – register with embassy/consulate
Travel registration is a free service provided by the U.S. Government to U.S. citizens who are traveling to, or living in, a foreign country. Registration allows you to record information about your upcoming trip abroad so that the Department of State can use to assist you in case of an emergency. Americans residing abroad can also get routine information from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
Responsibilities of tour operators
We will guarantee clean, reliable and safe accommodation in the safest environments and ground transportation during your stay in Guinea. We also guarantee your facilitation to the best healthcare facilities in, If need arises. We guarantee all activities advertised in our itinerary, unless otherwise advised by organizers of the trip. Food will be prepared by a cook experienced in home style and Western.
Flights: You can select your own agency. I will prefer that you book with the same agency to facilitate picking up and dropping off at the airport.
LANGUAGES: Guinea is a French-speaking country. Susu, Foulani and Malinke are the main tribal languages spoken where we will be staying. It would be beneficial to learn some functional French before you go (Duolingo).
POLITICAL INFORMATION: Guinea, like many countries in the world, does not have a government as stable as ours. Having said that, Guinea was much more stable when it officially became a democracy. We will be updated everyday on news and events. There are no worries. Your trip will be successful.
Partial list of Community:
- Mamady Mansare – your principal host
- Baba Mansare – Mamady’s father
- Nafina Mansare – Mamady’s mother
- Mohamed Lamine Kourouma – your driver
- Facely Camara your security guy
- Veronic your housekeeper
- Kids: Mahawa, Baba doman, Moussa, Oumou, Aicha
- Mamady’s sisters
- Bebe (Doussou) – Primary cook
- Tambou – Mamady’s youngest brother
- INSTRUCTORS
- Dance Instructors:
- Abdourahamane Kalissa, Mayeni Camara, Marie Touré
- Drummers: Mohamed Bangoura, Famaya Camara, Abdoul Sylla, Aboubacar Camara
You will know the members of my drum and school when you arrive.
Trip Payment Options
*Notes: Your registration will be complete once we receive both your registration and your payment. A 2% fee will be added to all credit card transactions.
Links of my preview trips
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