Depart from Newark International Airport this evening on your transatlantic flight.

Saturday, September 16 :   London, England – Accra, Ghana

After changing planes in London’s Heathrow Airport, continue on your flight to Ghana, arriving in the evening. Transfer to hotel for check in and a welcome ceremony, including traditional drumming and dancing, pouring of libation and a welcome drink. Overnight at hotel in Accra.

Sunday, September 17 :   Accra

After breakfast, depart hotel for an early morning church service at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, where Archbishop Charles Palmer-Buckle will be officiating. Later depart for a sightseeing city tour of Accra. Drive through the administrative and economic districts of Accra, the capital of Ghana. This is a 126-year-old city with a blend of colonial and modern architecture that summarize her history. Visit the University of Ghana, the country’s premier institution of higher learning and the W. E. B. Dubois Center for Pan African Culture, Independence/Black Star Square and Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park. After lunch in a local Ghanaian restaurant, end at the Arts Center, where you will have an opportunity to use bargaining skills in an open-air market while shopping for artifacts from Ghana and West Africa. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Accra.

Monday, September 18:   Torgorme Village

Begin the day with a total immersion into African culture and way of life. A scenic drive along the Accra plains will take you to the beautiful village of Torgorme, located on the lower course of the splendid Volta River. Arrive to a tumultuous welcome from the village citizens. You will have an opportunity to pay a courtesy call on the paramount chief and elders, and also participate in a naming ceremony, where you will be given traditional African names. Other activities include a demonstration of pottery making, which is the main occupation of the women in Torgorme, along with traditional drumming and dancing by the surrounding villages. In a reciprocal cultural gesture, members will perform for the Citizens of Torgorme. Later visit the community schools, library and clinic. After a late afternoon lunch, spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing at the pool pondering over the significance of the day’s cultural experience. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Accra.
KASA (Talk Time) – An opportunity to learn more about Ghanaian culture or simply talk to each other and share information about the experiences you are having on the tour. Your tour leader or tour guide leads Kasa discussions. (This activity is optional)

Tuesday, September 19 :   Cape Coast–Elmina

After breakfast depart for a scenic drive to the Central Region to tour the infamous forts, castles and slave dungeons of Ghana. Visit to Cape Coast Castle, built in 1653 by the Swedes and later taken over by the British. This castle also houses the West African Historical Museum. The group will watch a documentary titled Crossroads of Trade, Crossroad of People at the Cape Coast Castle. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Elmina.

Wednesday, September 20 :   Kakum Park / Elmina Castle

Morning departure for a drive through the historic Denkyira Kingdom to Kakum National Park, one of West Africa’s surviving tropical rain forests. 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 hanging 60 meters above the forest ground. During lunch, witness a cultural performance by the Kukyekukyeku Bamboo Orchestra on the lush grounds of the park.
After lunch, depart for a visit to the St. George’s Castle, built by the Portuguese in 1482, and also known as Elmina Castle. History will unfold the story of the slave trade, whose impact is still felt beyond the shores of Africa today. The castle also houses the first Catholic Church in Ghana. St Joseph Catholic Church and schools in Elmina are also worth visiting. Dinner at hotel in Elmina. After dinner attend a lecture on the History and Culture of Ghana. After lecture overnight at hotel in Elmina.

Thursday, September 21:   Kumasi Donkor Nsuo

Depart Elmina after breakfast and drive through a former slave route to Assin Manso. Visit the site of Donkor Nsuo, the former Slave River and market, the final transit point for enslaved Africans. This is the final resting place for two ancestors whose mortal remains were returned from the USA and Jamaica and re-interred there. Continue the drive further north to Kumasi. After check in and lunch at your hotel, enjoy a scenic drive through the city of Kumasi, seat of the Ashanti Empire. During the city tour explore the legends of the famous Ashantis, whose legacies are still evident today. Visit the Manhyia Palace Museum, home and office of former Asante kings. A regal history that dates back to 1700 is told with relics and artifacts. Visit the Cultural Center that features the Prempeh II Jubilee Museum and various studios of the brass makers, potters, drum carvers and batik makers. Dinner and overnight at hotel Kumasi.
KASA (TALK TIME) – An opportunity to learn more about Ghanaian culture or simply talk to each other and share information about the experiences you are having on the tour. Your tour leader or tour guide leads Kasa discussions. (This activity is optional)

Friday, September 22 :   Ashanti Craft Villages

Depart your hotel for a full day of shopping and demonstrations at the three famous Ashanti Craft villages. Visit Ahwiaa, the wood carvers’ village that has a variety of woodcarvings. You will see craftsmen creating woodcarving of different shapes and types. Continue your visit to Ntonso, home of Adinkra cloths. The Adinkra cloth is hand printed from a dye made from the back of a tree locally called Badie. There will be a demonstration of this process; members can chose and handprint their own designs.
End the morning by visiting Bonwire, home of the famous Kente cloth. Again, the group will witness a weaving demonstration of intricate designs and colors of Kente cloth. After lunch in a local Ghanaian restaurant in Kumasi depart for a scenic drive to Accra. Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Accra.

Saturday, September 23:   Accra Leisure Time

Spend the rest of the day at leisure by the pool or doing last minute shopping. In the evening consolidate new friendships, celebrate the reunion with your African heritage, and culture at a gala farewell dinner. Transfer to the airport for your flight back home, departing Accra just before midnight.

Sunday, September 24:   Arrive USA

After changing planes at London’s Heathrow Airport this morning, continue to Newark International Airport, arriving just before noon.

Inoculations: A certificate of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter Ghana. Anti-malarial treatment is also recommended. Please consult your family physician for his/ her recommendation.

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