Basic information
Location: The Gambia.
Date: On request.
Duration: 7 nights and 8 days.
Group size: From 6 - 12 people.
Price: From £449 (8 days) including accommodation, some meals, transportation and activities as per itinerary (excluding) flights

What will I be doing on this trip?
On this 8 day sustainability educational holiday you will participate in a workshop in Responsible Tourism at the Institute of Travel and tourism, pay a visit to Maalis Music School and discover traditional storytelling through the means of the Kora (traditional instrument), learn about sustainable development at Sandele and Kartong, meet local suppliers and visit a community based ecotourism camp, discover local dance and taste traditional food.

My holiday itinerary...
Day 1: Arrival in The Gambia.
Meet representatives from ASSET and transfer to the hotel. Welcome dinner at the hotel and brief introduction about the week program. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2: Workshop in Responsible Tourism at Institute of Travel and Tourism in The Gambia (ITTG).
After breakfast transfer to ITTG. Workshop/class with the students at ITTG.
Discussion topics: Gambia is Good and ASSET with Adama Bah and Gambia Tourism Master Plan with Sheikh Tejan Nyang.

Visit Timbookto ASSET Information Center and Culture Encounter. Local juice and pancakes will be served. The rest of the day is at own leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3: Visit to small scale enterprises (ASSET members).
After breakfast travel with guide and transportation to visit small scale enterprises, all ASSET members. At each place e will be introduced to the project and how it benefits the local communities.
ASSET members to visit: Paper Recycling Skills Project and GiG farm - Gambia is Good (Issues of supply chain). Lunch will be served at the GiG farm. The rest of the day is at own leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 4: Maalis Music School to Sandele and Kartong.
After breakfast transfer to Maalis Music School and meet famous Kora storyteller Alagi MBye. Lunch at a local restaurant (ASSET member). After lunch transfer for Kartong and Sandele Ecoretreat. Topic here is issues of sustainability. The Eco Retreat is built in partnership with the community, the private sector and the environment. We will get an in-depth knowledge how this partnership was established and sustained. Dinner and overnight at Sandele Ecoretreat.

Day 5: Sandele and Kartong to Central Gambia.
After breakfast we will continue to have sessions and visit to Kartong village. Lunch will be served at Sandele during the day. Transfer to our hotel and the rest of the day at own leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 6: Meet local suppliers and visit a community based camp.
After breakfast transfer with interpretation to visit representatives from fruit sellers and juice pressers. After visit transfer to a community based camp. Learn about community based camps, visit the village, enjoy lunch at the camp and spend time with the local people. Transfer back to your hotel in the afternoon. Overnight at your hotel.

Day 8: Departure The Gambia.
Your trip has come to an end. This day is free until departure to airport. Transfer in the afternoon.

How does this holiday make a difference?
You will benefit the local community by visiting their projects, owned and operated by the local people. Your visit contributes to create local economic growth; sharing culture and tradition and supporting sustainable solutions to poverty reduction and conserving the environment. ASSET (Association of Small Scale Enterprises in Tourism in The Gambia) has been successful in promoting small scale enterprises and promoting responsible tourism initiatives. ASSET aims to "bring together, advocate for, and promote a large number of small scale enterprises that are active in the tourism industry in The Gambia." You will meet and share your culture with locals.