July 22^nd   – August 2^nd 10 nights/11 days

TRIP OVERVIEW

Immerse yourself in the beauty, culture, and rhythmic sway of a truly unique, African experience in Ghana, West Africa!  Imagine the sound of the ocean’s rolling waves rocking you to sleep in a cozy lodge filled with the backdrop of sandy beaches, coconut, pineapple, and mango trees.  Wake up to the vibrancy of Ghana’s markets filled with hundreds of vendors selling their wares- Drums, glass beads, brass, gold and silver jewelry, paintings, woodcarvings, masks and more.  Choose from an array of beautiful solid or multi-colored fabric and return home sporting a tailored top, dress, pant or skirt.  You can even create your own look with the help of Ghana’s expert fashion designers.

Do you love food?

Enter into a restaurant filled with the smells of some of the best cuisine in West Africa~ plantain coated with ginger and delicate spices (Kili-wili); black-eyed peas(red-red); lobster, prawns, and fresh fish or chicken prepared grilled, fried or drowned in a delicious stew. Taste some of the national dishes such as Palava sauce over rice or yam, specially prepared with local, fresh greens (Kutumbre).

Are you adventurous?

Eco-tourism enthusiasts will enjoy our extended trips to Aqua Safari, Boti Waterfall, Kakum Natural Rain Forest, with a special canoe ride to Nzulezu Village, hiking, canopy walks, horse-back riding, and more!

Are you looking to deepen your African cultural consciousness?

Discover the celebrations and festivals of Ghana charged with traditional African spirituality. In addition to leaning the spiritual traditions of this beautiful country, we will visit the historic Elmina/Cape Coast Slave Dungeons and Ancestral Donkor Ensuo (“Last Bath”) where captive Africans were once marched in ball and chain from as far as Burkina Faso and Mali to this area known as “The Last Bath.”

Do you just want to relax, take in the moment and do some cultural gift shopping?

No worries- There’s lots of serene places to lay back. Ghana has plentiful, city hotspots where you can wake up to a spa treatment. Enjoy great bargain shopping- wood carvings, Kente and other textiles, gold, and unique Ghanaian folk arts. Listen to the sound of ocean waves, collect stones and seashells, refresh and replenish alongside Ghana’s sandy beaches and cozy arts markets. Sleep in or spend the morning at the golf courses. Ghana’s array of yummy eateries satisfies both the foodies and those with moodier appetites. Wind down the evening with live music and local drinks.

Do you appreciate the hands-on experience?

Choose from language, dance, drumming, batik stamping/tie & dye workshops, and more!

Are you a student, educator, or community member looking for a summer trip?

Cultural Links exchange programs offer high school, college students, and educationalists activities based upon your area of interest. These customized programs are available for groups only. Contact a Cultural Links specialist for more details.

Do you like getting to know people?

It is easy to get to know the locals as English is the official language in Ghana. This is a fun group tour for you, your family, friends, and travel buddies.  

Wrapped in the hospitality of the Ghanaian people, this is an African-Diaspora heritage-based cultural & historical tour designed for travelers who desire to journey to their ancestral homeland.

ITINERARY 

Please note: Due to fluctuating COVID-19 regulations, the schedule is subject to change without notice. We do our best to stick to the planned itinerary and will make substitutions if needed and where possible.

July 22^nd – 25^th (3 nights)- Accra, Volta/Eastern Region)

Accommodations: Mensvic Hotel

Day of Arrival:

• Brief Orientation (on bus); depending on time it takes to clear customs
• Guest check-ins
• Welcome Dinner
• Open time/rest up from the long flight
• Guides are available until 11pm for those who wish to get a head start!

Activities to be scheduled: (subject to change)

• WEB Dubois Center
• Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum
• Accra Arts Center
• Guided night walks in bustling Osu, Nima
• Wood Carving Village
• Center for Plant Research and Medicine Tour- purchase herbal remedies to take home!
• Koforidua Bead Market- West Africa’s spot for glass beads
• University of Ghana/Asheshi University Tours
• Mount Adjafato (optional)
• Fabric shopping with C-Links tailors—bring back beautiful custom designs.

July 26^th – July 28^th (3 nights)- Kumasi

Accommodations: Kumasi Asante Hotel & Guest House (TBA)

Day of Arrival:

• Kumasi by noon by tour bus
• Guest check-ins
• Group Lunch and Welcome by hosts
• Open time (Tour guides are available until 1:00 AM)

Activities to be scheduled: (subject to change)

• Visit Okomfo Anokye Sword Site (once visited by Mohammed Ali!)
• Manhiya Palace- History of the Ashanti Kingdom/Special Guest to the House of Royal Chiefs
• Tour of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
• Bon Wire Kente Weaving workshop
• Ntonso Adinkra Village- See and learn about the process of Adinkra symbol stamping
• Meet and greet with a member of the Royal Palace
• Kejetia- a 5,000 vendor market (may be under construction and inaccessible)
• Kumasi Arts Market
• Military Museum

July 29^th – July 31^st (3 nights)- Cape Coast & Elmina

Accommodations: One Africa Health Resort and Restaurant

Day of Arrival

• Guest check-ins
• Open time- lunch on your own
• Cape Coast and Elmina town walk
• AKWAABA Welcome dinner & cultural dance troupe performance
• Return to rooms

Activities to be scheduled: (subject to change)

• School Visit/Donations- Ebenezer Primary School in Cape Coast
• Kakum National Rainforest Canopy/Hike
• Elmina Slave Dungeon Tour/Last Bath- Slave River Tour
• Canoe ride- approx. 45-minute lake excursion to Nzulezu Village on stilts (UNESCO world heritage site). YES- life jackets are provided, and guides do the rowing. Passengers are welcome to join in the rowing fun! The river is serene and calm. Arrive to the village via canoe- tour & greet Chief and the community.
• Dance and Music/Drum Workshops
• Twi Language Workshop
• Visit traditional village to learn about roles of Traditional Chiefs and Queen Mothers
• University of Cape Coast

Aug 1^st (1 night)- Accra

Accommodations: Return to Mensvic Hotel

Activities to be scheduled:

• Day at Aqua Safari (optional)
• Open time with guides. Guides are available until 1:00 AM.

Day of Departure:  August 2^nd

• Breakfast and transport to airport
• For late departures, guides will be on hand all day.
• Bus will pick up individuals/groups from their accommodation locations
• Must depart hotel 4 hours ahead of departure for groups.

Cost: $5,800 for all-inclusive 10-day tour (LIMITED TO THE FIRST 20 people). The cost includes round-trip airfare from San Francisco, Los Angeles, or New York, superb hotel/guest house/Airbnb SINGLE room accommodations, daily breakfast and lunch, ground transportation (air-conditioned bus), 24/7 tour guide access, and all workshop activities and entrance fees. Cost does not include passport/visa, required travel vaccinations, trip insurance, dinners, or expenses related to on your own activities not included on the itinerary.

RELAX AND ENJOY THE SPIRIT, CULTURE & PEOPLE OF GHANA!

Flexible Payment Schedule = 3 payments (February, March, April)