From Senegal to Spain

Itinerary

Day 1: USA / Dakar, Senegal

Depart on your independent overnight flight to Dakar, Senegal

Day 2: Dakar / Embark Clipper Adventurer

Arrive in Dakar, Africa’s westernmost city, in the early morning and transfer to the port to embark the Clipper Adventurer. The morning is at leisure. After lunch onboard, an after-noon tour of Dakar offers an up-close look at the highlights of this energetic, eclectic, and cosmopolitan capital city including the stunning Great Mosque, handsome French colonial buildings, and President’s Palace. You also visit the picturesque Kermel Market, overflowing with fruits and flowers, before setting off for the charming medina. In the fishing village of Soumbédioune witness the fine craftsmanship of pirogues and traditional handicrafts. Dinner and overnight on board.

Day 3: Dakar

After breakfast birders head out on a full day search for the treasure trove of West Africa’s avifauna, while others take a ferry to infamous Gorée Island, a World Heritage Site. From the 15th – 19th centuries Gorée was a slave-trading center, with the stark contrasts between the dungeon-like slave quarters and the elegant colonial mansions of the slave traders preserved to this day. Explore the impacting 18th-century House of Slaves, the Women’s Museum, and the fortified Le Castel, offering splendid views before returning to the ship for lunch and the afternoon at leisure. The captain hosts your welcome dinner this evening.

Day 4: At Sea

Along your westward cruise to the Cape Verde Islands your lecturers offer natural history and cultural perspectives on this starkly beautiful area settled by the Portuguese conquistadors in the 15th century and where national Independence came as recent as 1975. It was also here that Charles Darwin began his studies in natural history. Those on deck may spot migratory birds winging their way towards northern breeding grounds.

Day 5: Praia, São Tiago, Cape Verde Islands / Tarrafal

São Tiago, the largest of the Cape Verde Islands, is crowned by Antonia Peak which rises 4,500 feet above fertile farmlands. Several excursion options include a full-day overland exploration of the island or a full-day birding excursion to search for the Cape Verde petrel, cream-colored courser, and European golden plover. Others will explore the relaxed capital city of Praia with its colonial remnants, the fortress of São Filipe, local market, and museum; during lunch onboard, the ship repositions to Tarrafal. From here, those onboard may choose between two afternoon options. A southbound tour through green valleys and mountains brings you to tiny villages, the Upper Botanical Gardens and horticultural institute, and the village of Assomada. Or, take a guided walk through seaside Tarrafal, with its central market and ancient prison-turned-museum. All groups return to the ship for dinner.

Day 6: Mindelo, São Vicente

Birders head out this morning from Mindelo, while the rest of the group visits Fortim, the site of an old fort with spectacular views. In this lovely town pay a visit to the Governor’s Palace, court house, local market, and Amilcar Cabral Square, flanked by brightly painted colonial Portuguese houses. Enjoy the stunning views from the top of Mt. Verde before returning to the ship for lunch.

Days 7-8: Cruising the Atlantic Ocean

As you sail toward the Canary Islands, watch for pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins as your on-board expert lecturers prepare you for the Canary Islands, once a steppingstone in the era of exploration.

Day 9: Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain

An early morning arrival in the capital of Tenerife provides the opportunity to visit either the northern or southern end of the island. Northern island highlights include small charming villages, dramatic miradors (viewpoints), and the university town of La Laguna. This World Heritage Site, designated for being the first, non-fortified Spanish colonial town, is a showcase of superb examples of 16th – 18th-century architecture, a layout that became the model for many American colonial towns. The southern tour includes the spectacular Botanical Gardens and a walk through the town of La Orotava. At Teide National Park, designated a World Heritage Site in 2007, view the twisted volcanic formations of basalt and obsidian surrounding Spain’s highest peak. After lunch at El Parador, enjoy a gentle or a more active hike to view the Roques de Garcia—bizarrely eroded rocks set in ochre plains and rivers of lava at the mountain’s base. Birders head off to look for many of the 200 species that populate the varied habitat.

Day 10: Arrecife, Lanzarote

Lanzarote, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, is a volcanic island with some 300 cinder cones pock-marking its rugged landscape. This morning you again have a choice of two tours. Your north-bound option features a drive to the charming “white village” and ancient capital, Teguise. A highlight is the Jameos del Agua, a spectacular lava-tube cave transformed by famed local artist César Manrique into a delightful series of pools, gardens, and a natural amphitheater. Or, you may choose to explore Timanfaya National Park and its stunning volcanic landscape, a legacy of the 1824 eruption. By coach, on dromedary, and on foot watch for some of the 177 species of rare plants, many of them unique to the Canaries. On the nearby coast, view natural geologic formations where water rushes dramatically into a sea-eroded volcanic cave at Los Hervideros. Birders keep a keen eye out for Cory’s shearwater, Eleanora’s falcon, and other species. In the afternoon set sail for Morocco.

Day 11: Agadir, Morocco / Taroudant

After breakfast set off on a drive from Agadir to the inland town of Taroudant, often called “little Marrakech,” to walk the fortress ramparts and explore the central plaza. The colorful Berber Market offers a fascinating array of spices and quality handicrafts, while the artisan souk displays silverwork, leather goods, and carpets. Enjoy lunch here before returning to Agadir in the afternoon.

Day 12: Casablanca

This afternoon you dock in lovely Casablanca whose modern quarters, defined by broad palm tree-lined boulevards, are juxtaposed with the city’s elegant and historic civic buildings. Many of these were designed in the 1930s in the local Mauresque architectural style—a decorative blend of traditional Moroccan, French colonial, and Art Deco motifs. Begin your exploration with an excursion to the colorful Central Market, followed by a guided interior tour of the Hassan II Mosque, the second largest religious structure in the world (after Mecca). Its 700-foot-high minaret is visible for miles. Continuing on, pass through the elegant Corniche district which spreads along the Atlantic coast; the Anfa Quarters, where Roosevelt met with Churchill during World War II; the impressive Law Courts; and the Habbous Quarters, built by the French in the early 20th century. Return to the ship for dinner and sail towards Gibraltar.

Day 13: Gibraltar, United Kingdom

The 1,400-foot Rock of Gibraltar soars from the sea as you sail through the strategic Strait of Gibraltar, which connects the Atlantic and Mediterranean. Explore this tiny British outpost, including the labyrinthine St. Michael’s cave, and visit Europa Point for superb views across the strait to the northern coast of Morocco. Naturalists search for the griffon vulture, Barbary partridge, and the indigenous, colorful wildflower known as the Gibraltar candytuft. Uphill meet the Barbary apes, a colony of introduced macaques that are the photogenic icons of The Rock.

Day 14: Malaga, Spain / Disembark Clipper Adventurer / USA

Early this morning disembark the Clipper Adventurer and transfer to the airport for your independent flight back to the USA and homeward.

Trip Details

Ship	Clipper Adventurer (charter)
Highlights	Superb expedition ship, all cabins have ocean view, colorful markets, wonderful birding, charming villages, World Heritage Sites of the Cape Verde and Canary Islands, Casablanca, and the Rock of Gibraltar.
Trip Notes	Optional Pre-Voyage Extension: Mar 27 - Apr 1, 2009Ask your Expedtion Specialist about this exciting pre-voyage exploration of Mali's cultures and customs including Timbuktu and the celebrated Dogon Country. Rates: Double: $3,980 per person; Single supplement: $480Included:Accommodations in hotels and on board Clipper Adventurer as outlined in the itinerary; all onboard meals; all group meals on land; group transfers; services of the expedition staff, including lectures, briefings, slide/film shows; all group activities and excursions; landing and port fees; all gratuities. Not Included:All air transportation; excess baggage charges; airport arrival and departure taxes; transfers for independent arrivals and departures; passport and/or visa fees; travel insurance; items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar charges, alcoholic beverages, e-mail/fax/telephone charges.
Payment Policy	A deposit of 25% per person is required to confirm your reservation. Final payment is due 120 days prior to departure. Payment Methods: Deposit: credit cards are accepted (VISA, MC, AmEx, Discover). Final payment: check or wire.WE ARE UNABLE TO ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS FOR FINAL PAYMENT.

When can I go?

Start Date	Finish Date	Places Available
2009-03-31	2009-04-13	+

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