Located in the heart of the Caribbean is Haiti, a small island nation that once suffered under French colonialism before becoming the first ever republic to be led by people of African descent, following the Haitian Revolution in 1804. During the period of French colonialism, slavery was a common practice and Haiti was producing nearly 60% of all coffee in the world, making this small island nation the world’s largest producer of coffee at the time. More recently, the country suffered another great blow when it was decimated by an disastrous earthquake in 2010 that claimed the lives of over 200,000 Haitians and displaced 1.5 million more.
Whilst the history of this country may be dark, it has not stopped the culture of the Haitian people to develop into one that is full of celebrations, song, dance and costumes, often placing the importance of family and ancestry above all else. The people of Haiti know how to celebrate an occasion like no other country in the world, so lets take a deeper look into the festivals of this Caribbean wonderland.
Fet Gede (Festival of the Ancestors)
The Vodou festival of Fet Gede, also known as the Festival of the Ancestors, is the Vodou religion equivalent to the Mexican Day of the Dead and Mardi Gras combined. The people of Haiti converge to the capital to dress up, take to the streets and dance in a procession towards the main cemetery to pay tribute to the Gede (spirits of the Vodou religion). Rituals and festivities take place throughout the month of November; however the biggest celebrations are at the start of the month on All Saints & All Soul’s Day (1st & 2nd of November, respectively). As the crowd makes their way through the city towards the graveyard, they carry photographs or images of their ancestors to honour them, or bring special offerings such as their favourite alcohol or coffee.
Carnival in Haiti
The festival of Carnival, is similar to Carnival in other Caribbean nations or the annual celebration held in Rio De Janeiro, however with a Haitian twist. The streets are filled with imaginative costumes that are often politically motivated or are satirist of current events, whilst the sound of Rara can be heard across the city. Parades of colourful floats take over the streets as they blast music out to the erratic dancing of the crowd, whilst rum-fueled parties often end in the early hours of the morning. This festival is held over several weeks leading up to lent, with celebrations kicking off at the start of February. The biggest Carnival celebration is held in the capital, Port-au-Prince, whilst smaller celebrations take place in towns all across the country.
Rara Festival
The Rara Festival is a Haitian music festival featuring the traditional Haitian style & Afro-Caribbean music, commonly known as Rara, held every year during lent. Whilst the festival is aligned with the Catholic calendar, its roots are a clear combination of both Catholicism and the Vodou religion. The Rara Festival takes place in villages and towns all across Haiti, before the celebrations make their way towards the major cities. The festival is full of group singing and dancing, using percussion instruments and homemade bamboo style trumpets called a Vaksen. As the celebrations culminate in the cities, bands of up to 1000 people gather in the streets to perform whilst thousands more dance to the sounds of the Rara. This festival is all about finding strength and unifying the Haitian people.
Dessalines Day
Another important date in the Haitian calendar is Dessalines Day, a public holiday for the Haitian people to remember the death of their founding father, Jean-Jacques Dessalines, who fought for and won Haiti’s independence in 1804. Dessalines was born into slavery and worked on a plantation during the earlier stages of his life, before joining the slave revolt in 1791 that would eventually lead to the revolution. Dessalines played a pivotal role as a military general in leading the Haitian people to their independence in 1804, becoming the first black republic in the world and one of the first country’s in the world to abolish slavery completely. Today in Haiti, people commemorate the life of Dessalines and the independence of Haiti by taking to the streets for parades, often dressing up in his honour. Dessalines Day occurs on October 17th annually and is celebrated in major towns across Haiti, including Port-au-Prince.
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This category of tours involves light trekking, walking, cycling, rafting or kayaking for a few hours each day with a small amount of inclines and declines. You will require a reasonable level of fitness and good health to participate. It is important to note that due to the nature of some of our trips, they may take place in remote areas (with basic facilities) and can involve long travelling days on various modes of transport.
Suggested preparation : At least 3 months prior to departure, it is recommended that you undertake aerobic exercise (this may include jogging, cycling or fast walking) for 30 minutes, three times a week. It is also advised to walk on variable terrain and in variable weather conditions. For a cycling adventure, road cycling twice a week is recommended and for adventures which involve paddling and kayaking, it is important to gain confidence and rhythm rather than speed prior to departure.
This category of tours involve trekking, kayaking and cycling for period of 6 to 8 hours a day at a fairly consistent pace. Ideal for people looking to slightly increase the heart rate. For our moderately rated tours, you must have a good level of fitness and also be in good health. It is also important to be prepared for variable weather conditions. Altitude may also come into play. This category of tours may involve visiting remote areas where facilities can be quite basic. Accommodation may also involve camping, homestays or basic accommodation where facilities may not be considered of western standards. To enjoy this style of travel, it is suggested for travellers to have a reasonable level of fitness and health, a positive attitude, as well as a fairly active lifestyle. An open mind is also required.
Suggested preparation: At least 3 months prior to departure, it is recommended that you undertake 45mins – 1 hour of aerobic exercise, three to four times a week. Some potential exercises that could be beneficial include hill walking with a backpack on over variable terrain and weather conditions, as well as running and cycling dependent on the activity you plan on undertaking.
This category of tours involves trekking, kayaking, cycling or other adventure activities in remote areas for up to 8 to 10 hours a day. It is important to note that with the remoteness of some regions comes a variety of other challenges such as variable weather conditions, accommodation as well as facilities. You must have an excellent level of fitness and good health to be able to partake in this category of tour. You must have confidence in your own ability and be in good physical condition. Includes extended periods of endurance.
Suggested preparation: At least 3 to 4 months of strenuous exercise, four times a week. When preparing for treks it would be beneficial to participate in hill walks with a weighted day pack (approximately 5-8 kg) once a week for aerobic fitness and strengthening of leg muscles. It is also important to do this on variable terrain to prepare for challenging adventures. When preparing for cycling adventures, regular bike riding (at least 4 to 5 times a week for 1-4 hours is essential). It is also important to cycle on uneven surfaces or even participate in other aerobic exercises such as running or swimming to build up strength and stamina. Altitude may also be a factor in these tours.
This category of tour often involves extreme trekking, cycling or other extreme adventure activities. It is important to expect remote and poorly defined tracks and to be prepared for variable weather conditions for 10 to 12 hours per day (may sometimes be more depending on weather and altitude). These adventures are suitable for travellers who have prior experience in strenuous travel and activities, are extremely fit and have excellent health. It is also important to note that some of the terrain on these adventures will involve trekking in snow, at high attitude levels and may require technical equipment.
Suggested preparation: It is important to note that physical fitness should be an ongoing activity, commencing around 5-6 months prior to departure, or even before if you have no prior fitness. Exercise should focus on building maximum endurance and stamina. Four to five hard sessions of 40-60 mins per week should be completed and can include exercises such as going to the gym, running, swimming or cycling to focus on building aerobic stamina. It could also be beneficial to prepare by hiking on rough terrain, in extreme weather conditions or partake in altitude training.
Our Signature Tours are the cornerstone of the Crooked Compass journey: meticulously designed small-group itineraries that balance authenticity, comfort, and ease. These are destinations where travel can be complex—from navigating evolving logistics to reaching places far from the usual tourist path—yet our expertise ensures your experience feels smooth, effortless, and deeply rewarding.
From the moment you arrive, every detail is handled with care. You’re welcomed personally on arrival and met for a private transfer to your accommodation, where you’ll join the rest of your group. Your guide will walk you through an orientation, helping you understand the rhythm of the journey ahead and settling you in with clear, practical insights from the very start.
Accommodation is selected for both comfort and character, reflecting the richness of its locality through thoughtful design, creative ingenuity, and a genuine sense of place. Whether it’s a boutique property, a sustainable lodge or a homestay, each choice is made to connect you meaningfully with the destination.
Cultural integration sits at the heart of our approach. Every itinerary is crafted with respect for local communities, aligning sensitively with their values and protecting the authenticity of their culture. Through this, travellers experience a deeper connection —stories shared firsthand, traditions encountered in their true context, and moments that shift perspectives long after returning home.
With a maximum of 12 travellers and our most trusted local partners, you explore with confidence, guided by teams who combine deep regional knowledge with an intuitive understanding of Western traveller expectations. Through the powerful medium of storytelling, our journeys inspire personal reflection and spark genuine emotion, turning travel into something transformative.
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Our Founders Tours are rare, one-of-a-kind journeys personally hosted by Crooked Compass founder, Lisa Pagotto. Designed for the traveller who seeks more than just adventure, these exclusive small-group expeditions uncover places few have ever seen – experiences not featured in our regular collection, chosen for their depth, beauty, and story.
Each itinerary is hand-crafted by Lisa to offer meaningful connection and unique access built through years of trust and collaboration with local communities. Travelling alongside her gives you an unparalleled perspective into the world of ethical exploration – from the behind-the-scenes partnerships that shape our journeys, to the human stories that inspire them.
With an intimate group size and seamless support from our expert team, a Founders Tour is less a trip, and more a masterclass in discovery.
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Set sail on a rare journey across remote islands, wild coastlines, and untouched ecosystems aboard a small, luxury expedition vessel. Travelling by sea unlocks access to places few travellers ever reach – from isolated villages and pristine reefs to dramatic landscapes that can’t be accessed by land – while each evening, you return to the comfort of your beautifully appointed cabin.
These voyages blend adventure with refinement. Expert-led excursions bring you face-to-face with raw nature and vibrant cultures, while exceptional onboard dining, service, and comfort allow time to unwind and reflect.
To complete your experience, Crooked Compass can seamlessly craft pre- or post-cruise land extensions, ensuring your journey flows effortlessly from sea to shore.
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Our Tours by Design experiences are private journeys curated exclusively for you by the Crooked Compass team. Whether you’re drawn to one of our existing itineraries, wish to adapt a small-group tour for private travel, or want to design something entirely new, we’ll craft a journey that reflects your pace, passions, and sense of discovery.
Why pay for inclusions that don’t fit? With Tours by Design, every detail is intentional – from the destinations and experiences to your style of travel and choice of accommodation. Each itinerary is hand-built through our deep local partnerships and expertise, ensuring authenticity, comfort, and connection in every moment.
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Our Partner Tours are carefully chosen group journeys operated by our long-standing, in-country partners — experts who share our values of authenticity, cultural respect, and meaningful connection. These departures, averaging between 17 and 22 travellers, are designed and delivered by our partners, while Crooked Compass manages your booking and provides full support from start to finish.
Enjoy the reassurance of booking through an Australian-based company, delivering our same personalised service and attention to detail you expect from Crooked Compass. We take care of the logistics, so you can focus on what matters most – the journey itself.
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