Authentic Cultural Experience of Ghana, 12 Days

DAY 1: ACCRA

On arrival at Kotoka International Airport, our expert cultural tour guide will meet, assist, and transfer you to your hotel in our private air-conditioned vehicle. Once you’ve checked in, your guide will brief you on what to expect during your stay here in Ghana. Other activities today will depend on your arrival time and preference Overnight at La Palm Royal Beach Hotel.

DAY 2: ACCRA CITY TOUR

Experience the bustling city of Accra today which is a blend of modern buildings and old structures that existed during the colonial times. This 120-year-old city has a number of historical things to offer as we embark on another full day sightseeing of old and new town: Ga Mashie, Jamestown area. We shall visit the popular Aunty Muni’s Kitchen where “Waakye”, a familiar sight to most Ghanaians is deliciously prepared and sold for some food tasting experience. “Waakye” is a simple but nutritious Ghanaian dish of cooked rice and beans served with tomato sauce and hot pepper sauce (optional). We will drive pass the independence Square where Ghana host most of her national ceremonies on our way to visit the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, the final resting place of Ghana’s first president driving pass the Independence Square where you will see the enclosed flame of African liberation, which was lit by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah in 1961. Memorial Park is set in attractive gardens and has a museum that contains photos, artifacts, and insight into Dr. Nkrumah’s life. Continue to Jamestown- one of Accra’s most historic neighborhoods, where history resides on every corner. Best known for its lighthouses and the Usher Fort) first of which was constructed in 1871 by the British) as a navigational aid for trading vessels sailing through the Gulf of Guinea. The original structure was ruined but a larger and more improved lighthouse completed in 1930 is still functioning today. Our day’s exploration ends at the La Community to visit the Casket/Coffin Shop where uniquely designed caskets are made and this reflects the people’s belief in life after death. The shop was started by Seth Kane Kwei in the 1950s, almost by accident. He made palanquins, also known as Litters or Sedan Chairs that are used to carry tribal chiefs at traditional festivals. One chief, who had ordered a palanquin shaped like a cocoa pod, died unexpectedly before the festival, so he was buried in the palanquin. Soon after that, his grandmother who had planned her first overseas trip by flight died before the trip and she too was buried in a coffin-shaped like an airplane. “The third fancy coffin was for a chief fisherman who was buried in a canoe. Thus, the fancy coffin industry was started. Overnight at La Palm, Royal Beach Hotel Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner.

DAY 3: ACCRA-SHAI HILLS-AKOSOMBO

After breakfast, we set off further east to explore Ghana’s culture and nature. We will make a stop at TK beads, experts in making beautiful traditional beads using ancient methods. Your guide will talk you through the skilled process of making the beads. Beads are culturally a symbol of wealth and beauty here in Ghana and are still used during traditional durbars and festivals. After the demonstration, we can admire and purchase a wide selection of beads that have been made here in the onsite shop. We continue to the breathtaking Shai Hills Game Reserve. Observe the beautiful range of rocky hills sitting in the midst of large wooded grassland. Several cave systems embedded in the hills have played an important role in the local history, culture & tradition of the Shai people. The reserve is home to 31 species of mammals more than 175 species of birds, 13 reptiles’ species. We also enjoy a picturesque drive to the famous Akosombo Dam for a scenic boat cruise to explore the infamous Volta Lake for about 30-40 minutes tour of the cradle of Ghana’s Hydroelectric power. This Hydro-electric Dam is located within the Akosombo gorge, on the Volta River. The construction of the dam resulted in the flooding of the Volta River Basin which resulted in the creation of Lake Volta, the largest man-made lake in the world which covers about 3.6% of Ghana's total land area. Transfer to your hotel for check-in. Overnight at Volta Hotel Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner.

DAY 4: AKOSOMBO-ANLOGA-HO (HOGBETSOTSO FESTIVAL)

Wake up to the calm of the lake and bask in the beauty of the mountain scenery and its surroundings. Check out and depart for the Volta Region with a drive through Adomi Bridge which is Ghana’s longest bridge which spans over the Volta Lake suspended by arch steel cables. Volta Ghana is an area of extraordinary scenic beauty with rolling hills and valleys, green vegetation, rocky outcrops overlooking Lake Volta and lagoons, and a waterfall. Today marks the climax of the historical Hogbetsotso Festival of the “Anlos Ewes”, an ethnic group in the Volta Region. There will be a durbar of chiefs and the people which is an essential aspect of this festival. Chiefs dress in very colorful regalia and sit in state to receive homage from their subjects. Take coverage of dancing, singing, and general merry-making during this festival. We return to the hotel for another night; the rest of the evening is at leisure. Overnight at Volta Serene Hotel Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner.

DAY 5: HO-WLI-NKWANTA

After a refreshing along the greenery landscape of the Volta Region, and a sumptuous breakfast, we will depart early for the Northern Volta. We will make a stop at Wli Waterfalls, the largest and highest waterfall in Ghana. Wli Waterfalls is divided into two sections with ice-cold water flowing from a height of about 80ft. On route to the waterfall, you will hike through the lush greenery of the Agumatsa Forest where you will cross the same river eleven times before reaching the breathtaking falls. Early afternoon, continue to Nkwanta. Time permitting visit Sharee village. Transfer to the hotel; check-in for overnight. Overnight at Gateway Hotel Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner.

DAY 6: NKWANTA-TAMALE-MOLE NATIONAL PARK

After a well-deserving breakfast, depart to Tamale in the Northern Region. You will explore more of Tamale before heading to Mole National Park. Get acquainted with the local traditional industry of Northern Ghana- Shea Butter on your visit to the Shea Butter Processing Centre (SeKaf Shea Butter Village). Shea Butter is very important to the local community and its people and you will see as well as learn how it is obtained from the Shea nut and processed into butter for so many healthy uses. Also visit the showroom of TAMA Products where you will find products such as the TAMA brand and raw materials like Shea nuts, Shea oil, handcrafted Shea butter, Shea butter soap, among other products. or You may visit the local textile center where you will see and learn the stages in weaving a smock (Fugu). This traditional textile is mostly used during occasions such as festivals, weddings, and naming ceremonies in the northern parts of the country. You can buy any of the textiles for yourself if you like. After lunch (on your own account), continue to Mole National Park Overnight at Zaina Lodge Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner.

DAY 7: MOLE - MOGNORI-MOLE

Discover the true wildlife gem of the Mole National park as you take a once in a lifetime early morning drive safari. The park is well known for being a great site for birding with over 200 identified bird species, colorful butterflies, and magnificent reptiles. In the company of your experienced and knowledgeable safari guide, you will enjoy the sights of the untamed but friendly African Bush Elephant, African Buffalo, Olive Baboon, Hyena, Red-flanked Duiker, Roan Antelope, common Warthog, Vervet Monkeys, Hartebeest, and the Bushbuck. In the afternoon, visit Mognori Eco-village which is located about 15km away from the park. Explore the village on a community walk, drumming, and dance performance, or take a canoe safari on the Mole River. After Mognori visits the Larabanga Mosque, the oldest Sudanese Mosque in West Africa, and the Mystic Stone. Enjoy the rest of the day by the pool which overlooks the Park’s waterhole. You can have an icy dip in the cool pool at your Lodge or motel. Overnight at Zaina Lodge Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner.

DAY 8: MOLE-KINTAMPO-BOABENG FIEMA-KUMASI

Depart for Kumasi driving through the Gonja lands to Kintampo for a visit to Kintampo Waterfalls. You may also have the chance to Visit Boabeng Fiema Monkey Sanctuary, an area of the forest that is home to Mona and Colobus Monkeys considered sacred by the villagers. Upon arrival in Kumasi and time permitting, visit the central market which serves as a major marketing center for a number of traders from all over the country before you continue to your hotel for your overnight stay. Overnight at Golden Tulip Kumasi Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner.

DAY 9: KUMASI & ASHANTI CRAFT VILLAGES

Enjoy a sumptuous breakfast before we set out to explore the cradle of African’s authentic culture. We will first visit the Manhyia Palace, the official residence of Ashanti Kings (Asantehene) until 1974, now a museum containing treasured items relating to the Ashanti Kingdom. The Ashanti form the biggest population group in Ghana. For centuries they were the rulers in this region because of their well-organized society. At Manhyia Palace, disputes are still settled in accordance with centuries-old customs where the King has the final word We continue to the 3 craft villages of the surrounding lush countryside of Kumasi as follows: • The woodcarving Village of Ahwiaa, known for the talented craftsmen who fashion royal stools, walking sticks and Fertility Dolls from wood; with the opportunity to purchase hand-carved items of all kinds. • The village of Ntonso where Artisans hand-stamp patterns on a cotton cloth to make Adinkra textiles. Black-on-Black and Black-on-Red Adinkra Cloth is worn for funerals and other solemn occasions; learn how the Black Dye is made in the village from the bark of trees and creates your own Adinkra sash to take home. You may also purchase large pieces of the Adinkra Cloth handmade in the village. • Finally, to Adanwomase, where we’ll see how the famous Kente cloth is handmade on looms in a time-honored tradition passed down through generations. See the Kente styles and the opportunity to make purchases. Transfer to your hotel. Overnight at Golden Tulip Kumasi Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner.

DAY 10: KUMASI-ELMINA

After breakfast, we depart to Cape Coast & Elmina. En route, we visit Assin Manso where the Slave river is located. See the burial site of two former slaves from the U.S. and Jamaica whose remains were re-interred in August 1998 during Ghana’s first Emancipation Day celebration. You will see the ‘Slave River’ where captured Africans were washed before being confined in the Slave Castles to await shipment to the Americas and the Caribbean. This was the final transit point for enslaved Africans before being washed and stored in the slave castles to await shipment to unknown lands. Arrive in Elmina and visit the Elmina Castle built by the Portuguese in 1482 and is also known as St. George's Castle. This castle was the first European structure built in Sub-Saharan Africa. The colorful harbor nestled below the Elmina Castle, full of pirogues preparing to go to the sea offers one of West Africa's greatest photo opportunities. Transfer to your hotel. Overnight at Coconut Grove Beach Resort Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner.

DAY 11: ELMINA-KAKUM NATIONAL PARK-ELMINA

Early morning departure for a drive through the historic Denkyira Kingdom to Kakum National Park, one of West Africa's surviving tropical rain forests. Extending over 360sq km, Kakum is the home to over 40 large mammals and 400 bird species as well as many species of butterflies, flora, and fauna. The most popular attraction is the canopy walkway, which is made up of seven bridges extending 330m, hanging 30m above the forest floor. Choose between a 2 km nature walk through this forest to discover the wide variety of exotic floral species and the medicinal values they offer or take a walk on the canopy walkway. Return to Elmina with a stop in Cape Coast. We will visit Esi’s Kitchen to explore the fragrant and exotic flavors of West African cuisine. Esi will introduce you to an array of new tastes and flavors as you learn how to create authentic Ghanaian dishes. Using African cooking techniques, during this workshop you will create traditional dishes like Jollof rice (Rice cooked in tomato sauce), Red Red (Beans stew with fried ripe plantain), Ampesi (Cooked yam/plantain with palava sauce), or Peanut butter soup. Overnight at Coconut Grove Beach Resort Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner.

DAY 12: ELMINA-ACCRA/DEPART

Morning at leisure. Depart to Accra early afternoon with a brief stop at Cape Coast where we embark on a tour of the infamous Forts, Castles, and Slave Dungeons of Ghana. History will unfold the story of the slave trade which impact is still felt beyond the shores of Africa today. Visit the Cape Coast Castle built by the Swedes in 1653 and was later taken over by the British. This castle also houses the West African Historical Museum established by the Smithsonian Institute in collaboration with the Ghanaian Government in 1994. Arrive in Accra late afternoon and drive through the Arts & Crafts Market where you may test your bargaining and trading skills against the vendors. Transfer to the airport for your onward flight home. Meal(s) Included: Breakfast