Itinerary
- Day 1
Kigali to Ruhengeri
After breakfast, you'll drive about 2 hours to Ruhengeri, Rwanda's second largest town situated below the five volcanic Virunga mountains. At Red Rocks Intercultural Exchange Center, you can help prepare lunch using traditional Rwandan recipes. Later in the afternoon, you'll learn how banana beer gets made and can join in the brewing process if you'd like.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Drive to Ruhengeri (Volcanoes area)
- Visit Red Rocks Intercultural Exchange Center
Optional Activities
- Participate in cooking lessons and help prepare Rwandan lunch
- Observe and participate in banana beer production
- Squeeze banana juice and taste local banana beer
Landmarks Volcanoes National Park Virunga Mountains 
- Day 2
Golden Monkey Tracking
Early on, you'll head into Volcanoes National Park for a guided trek through thick bamboo forests to track golden monkeys that are habituated to people. After lunch, the afternoon takes you to Red Rocks initiatives art gallery where you'll learn about conservation work, meet local artists, see live painting, and create your own piece to take home.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Golden monkey tracking in Volcanoes National Park
- Visit Red Rocks initiatives art gallery
- Observe live painting demonstrations
- Create and take home your own artwork
Landmarks Volcanoes National Park - Day 3
Village Walk and Basket Weaving
This morning starts early with a village walk where you'll join local families in their gardens cutting grass to feed farm animals. You'll get a real sense of daily village routines. In the afternoon, you'll learn traditional basket weaving and handcraft making directly from local women, who'll explain the history and cultural meaning behind each piece.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Village walk and cultural exploration
- Join village families in gardening activities
- Basket making and weaving with local women association
- Day 4
Canoeing and Community Development
You'll spend time on a calm canoe ride down a gentle river through Rwanda's green countryside near the gorges. As you float along, you'll see rural communities and lots of birdlife, taking in the landscape from the water. After returning to Red Rocks for lunch, you'll visit community development projects to meet local partners doing conservation work.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Canoeing on gentle river in lush countryside
- Birdwatching during river journey
- Visit community development initiatives
- Interact with local communities
Landmarks Volcanoes National Park - Day 5
Agricultural Tour and Tree Planting
The day focuses on agriculture and environmental care. You'll visit a village family's garden to see traditional farming methods in action, then participate in planting trees and other conservation work alongside local villagers who are restoring the land.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Agricultural tour and village garden visit
- Learn traditional farming methods
- Participate in tree planting conservation program
- Day 6
Village Biking and Homestay
Biking through the village lets you see scenic countryside and talk with locals going about their day. If you want, you can bike toward the main town for shopping before heading back to Red Rocks. The evening you'll stay in a homestay with a Rwandan family, helping cook traditional food and learning about their life through conversation and their hospitality.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Traditional local food prepared with family)
Included Activities
- Village biking tour
- Evening homestay experience
- Help prepare traditional local food
- Experience local family life
Optional Activities
- Bike to the main town for shopping
- Day 7
Twin Lakes and Return to Kigali
You'll drive to the twin lakes Bulera and Ruhondo, which sit right next to the volcanoes. A boat takes you out to explore the lakes, and you can choose to paddle along with local fishermen in their canoes or visit an island community. Climbing to the highest viewpoint gives great photos of the volcanoes when the weather's clear. After returning to Red Rocks for lunch and watching traditional dancers perform as a farewell, you'll drive back to Kigali in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional lunch with local dancers performing)
Included Activities
- Drive to Lakes Bulera and Ruhondo
- Boat exploration of the lakes
- Visit island community
- Climb to scenic viewpoint for volcano photography
- Farewell performance by traditional dancers at Red Rocks
Optional Activities
- Join local fishermen in their canoes on the lake
Landmarks Lake Bulera Lake Ruhondo Virunga Mountains
