Alumni

Caroni swamp – The second largest wetland in Trinidad and Tobago. This is the home of Trinidad’s national bird, the Scarlet Ibis – we will ride through the swamp to experience a beautiful sight as they flock to Caroni’s mangrove trees to roost at sunset.

*Excursion and lunch included in registration fee; dinner on your own*

Reenactment of the Canboulay Riots – Honoring the resistance of freed enslaved Africans against colonial efforts to suppress their culture.
Traditional Mas – Different from “Pretty Mas” on Tuesday, Traditional Mas honors and preserves characters and folklore and pays reverence to Carnival as resistance.
Bunji Hard Fete – This fete (party) goes long and hard.  Pace yourselves!

*Excursions and dinner included in registration fee; lunch on your own*

Panorama Large Band Finals – Emerging from the ban of African drums, the Steel Pan is the only major acoustic instrument invented in the 20th century.  Panorama is the final competition among large steel pan orchestras in Trinidad and Tobago.

*Excursion and lunch  included in registration fee; dinner on your own*

Kiddies Carnival – Similar to Traditional Mas, but with the youth!

*Excursion and lunch included in registration fee; dinner on your own*

J’ouvert & Carnival Monday/Depart for Tobago – The “official start” of Carnival, J’ouvert, derived from French patois and means daybreak, symbolizes remembrance, freedom, and celebration rooted in post-emancipation traditions.  Expect to leave covered in paint, mud, and joy!

For those choosing not to participate in Mas on Tuesday, we will make the journey to Tobago in the evening for a relaxing day and a half.

*Excursion included in registration fee; lunch, dinner, and airfare to Tobago on your own

Pretty Mas in Trinidad/Beach day in Tobago

Departures.  See y’all in 2029…

The registration fee is $500 which includes:

• Entrance and transportation to National Stickfighting Finals
• Entrance and transportation to Caroni Swamp
• Transportation to Canboulay Riots Reenactment
• Transportation to Traditional Mas Parage
• Entrance and transportation to Bunji Hard Fete
• Entrance and transportation to Panorama Finals
• Transportation to Kiddies Carnival
• Entrance (includes food, drinks, shirt, & mud) and transportation to J’ouvert
• 3 meals

Fee DOES NOT include:

• Airfare to Trinidad (and Tobago)
• Lodging

If you are interested in “Playing Mas” on Monday and/or Tuesday, you must purchase your package (includes costume, food, and beverage) separately. Our group will play with Lost Tribe.  Band launch – the unveiling of costumes for Carnival 2027 – will take place between June and July 2026.  Please check their website frequently for updates and payment information. *Mas Packages will range between $900-$1500USD* Questions about playing mas on Monday and Tuesday will be answered at our virtual meet and greet in June. In the meantime, please feel free to contact Angie (hambriaz@plu.edu). 

For folks not interested in playing mas on Monday and/or Tuesday, there will be an option of traveling to Tobago (a short 20 minute flight).  In Tobago, we will be able to experience chill vibes, beach bumming, and good times.  Participants will be responsible for all expenses in Tobago, however the Planning Committee will coordinate transportation and group accommodations.

The Planning Committee recommends Pax Guesthouse for lodging in Trinidad (Tunapuna Trinidad).  Pax provides single and double, private and shared bathroom facilities options.  Rates range from $65-$120 US per night per person, which includes breakfast.  Transportation to and from Trinidad airport (POS) as well as dinner and other excursions can be arranged directly with Pax.  Email paxguesthouse@gmail.com for reservations.  Feel free to mention that you are staying as a part of the PLU Diversity Center Alumni Trip.  If you choose another option for lodging, please let us know so that we can arrange transportation for our excursions. Carnival is high travel time in Trinidad, so it is best to make your accommodations AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Carnival time is about endurance – physical and mental! There is a lot of standing, walking, and dancing.  Events start at dawn and can go to the following dawn.  In preparation for Carnival, we will host cardio and strength workouts (at all levels!) and lessons on how to wine and chip like “Ah Trini.”

Band

A band sells an experience, this includes an elaborately designed costume (depicting a theme), and a parade experience. Some ‘Bands’ offer an all inclusive experience where you receive food, drinks, music plus more amenities on the day of the parade.

Chip
The act of walking in a sort of dance shuffle is called chipping. 

Fête
A Fête is an elaborate event, festival or party. 

Mas
Mas is the street parade that is the culmination of the Carnival festivities. In Trinidad, Mas is a two day street festival, always the Monday & Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.

Play Mas
“Yuh playing Mas this year? To play Mas is to be a Masquerader and to be part of a band for the Carnival celebrations.

Wine
“Wine down low” “Jump and wine” Fast Wine” To put simply, wine is to isolate and gyrate your hips to the beat of the music. 

Bacchanal

Intense chaos, drama, or a wild party.

Jump Up

To dance and party in the streets.

Liming

Hanging out or chilling.