| Duration: | 13 Day(s) - 12 Night(s) |
| Tour Category: | Dance Music And Opera Tours |
DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN ACCRA, GHANA
Arrive at Accra airport. Met, assisted, and transferred to your hotel (Hotel Check-in is at 3 pm).
Meal(s) included: None
Overnight: Tulip Inn Accra Hotel (2 Star) or Similar
DAY 2: ACCRA CITY TOUR
This morning, you would go on a city tour of Accra, Ghana’s capital city, visiting Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, the National Museum, W.E.B. Du Bois Centre, and the Arts and Crafts market.
Meal(s) included: Breakfast
Overnight: Tulip Inn Accra Hotel (2 Star) or Similar
DAY 3: ACCRA – SOMANYA – ACCRA
After breakfast, go for a tour of the University of Ghana Campus which was founded in 1948; it is the oldest and largest of the seven Ghanaian public universities. Of interest is its distinct Japanese architecture. You may stop to visit the university bookshop to purchase some Afro-centric materials and Twi translation guides.
Visit the University of Ghana’s School of Performing Arts for a lecture on the topic “Introduction to African Traditional and Contemporary Drumming and Dancing”. (Min 10 Pax).
In the evening, visit the Noyam African Dance Institute for two exciting hours of drumming and dancing workshops with the experts. This Institute was established in 1998 to re-echo the cultural and artistic traditions, values, and aspirations of African communities. You would be taken through some drumming, dancing, and xylophone lessons.
Meal(s) included: Breakfast
Overnight: Tulip Inn Accra Hotel (2 Star) or Similar
DAY 4: ACCRA – ABURI – ACCRA
After breakfast, drive on the winding Akwapim Ridge to visit the Aburi Botanical Gardens which was established in 1890 as a convalescent center for the British Colonial officers governing the then Gold Coast now Ghana, and relax under the shade of huge trees, some of which are over hundred years old. Visit the Aburi Craft Village to purchase some traditional African drums.
Return to Accra by late afternoon. In the evening, visit The Noyam African Dance Institute for another two exciting hours of drumming and dancing Workshop with the Noyam African Dance Institute. Learn first-hand African dance forms that incorporate elements of American modern dance with the native Ghanaian dance forms as well.
Meal(s) included: Breakfast
Overnight: Tulip Inn Accra Hotel (2 Star) or Similar
DAY 5: ACCRA – SOMANYA – ACCRA
After breakfast, drive to visit a Beads Making Factory to observe the intriguing bead-making process. Watch the centuries-old process of bead-making from start to finish.
Return to Accra by late afternoon. In the evening, visit the Noyam African Dance Institute for another two exciting hours of drumming and dancing Workshop with the Noyam African Dance Institute.
Meal(s) included: Breakfast
Overnight: Tulip Inn Accra Hotel (2 Star) or Similar
DAY 6: ACCRA – KUMASI/ ASHANTI CRAFT VILLAGES
After breakfast, travel to Kumasi, the capital of the ancient Ashanti Kingdom; stop at via a stop at the Aburi Craft Village to purchase some traditional African drums. Visit a few Ashanti craft villages to observe craftsmen at work and to purchase souvenir gift items from the wide assortment of handicrafts on sale. This is a unique opportunity to purchase souvenirs or gifts. Arrive in Kumasi by late afternoon and the rest of the day is free to relax in your hotel.
Meal(s) included: Breakfast
Overnight: Noda Hotel in Kumasi (2 Star) or Similar
DAY 7: KUMASI CITY TOUR
After breakfast, go on a city tour of Kumasi visiting the Manhyia Palace Museum. The Museum was built by the British in 1925 to receive Asantehene (ruler of the Ashanti people) Prempeh I when he returned from exile in the Seychelles to resume residence in Kumasi. It now serves as a museum. Continue to visit the Prempeh II Jubilee Museum and the Okomfo Anokye Sword. Drive past Kumasi Central Market, one of the largest open-air markets in West Africa.
Continue your drumming and dancing lessons with a resident dance ensemble of the National Cultural Centre in Kumasi. Learn at first hand various Akan dance forms. The rest of the day is free to relax.
Meal(s) included: Breakfast
Overnight: Noda Hotel in Kumasi (2 Star) or Similar
DAY 8: KUMASI - ELMINA
Depart Kumasi for Elmina in Ghana’s Central Region with a stop at Assin Manso to visit the “Slave River” where captured Africans were washed before being confined in the Slave Castles to await shipment to the Americas and the Caribbean. Continue to visit the village of Mesomagor to see the Mesomagor Bamboo Orchestra at their musical best. The orchestra has revived the traditional art, by performing with bamboo percussion instruments to music and dance. This is a contagious dance performance you have not seen anywhere else.
Meal(s) included: Breakfast
Overnight: Coconut Grove Beach Resort (3 Star) or Similar
DAY 9: ELMINA
Early breakfast and proceed to participate in a Traditional Naming Ceremony and claim your African identity by adopting a Ghanaian name.
Visit Cape Coast Castle which houses the West African Historical Museum for a guided tour. Cape Coast Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was one of the departure points for Africans being sent to slavery in the Americas. The castle is home to the infamous "Door of No Return".
In the afternoon we will visit Elmina Castle, another UNESCO World Heritage Site built in 1482. This castle was the first European structure built in sub-Saharan Africa. The rest of the day is free to relax on the beach.
Meal(s) included: Breakfast
Overnight: Coconut Grove Beach Resort (3 Star) or Similar
DAY 10: ELMINA
Depart Elmina after breakfast to visit the Kakum National Park. Go on a morning walk on the “Kuntan Trail” with its countless trees with medicinal properties. For the young at heart experience the “Canopy Walkway” suspended 100 feet from the forest ground for a panoramic view of the flora and fauna of the remaining vestiges of the rainforest.
Visit the Cape Coast School for the Deaf. You will be welcomed by the students with traditional cultural performances. The students at Cape Coast School for the Deaf have put their disability aside to keep the African traditional cultural performances alive. They will excite you with African traditional drumming and dancing skills. After the Welcome ceremony, you will get to meet and interact with the students and Staff.
Meal(s) included: Breakfast
Overnight: Coconut Grove Beach Resort (3 Star) or Similar
DAY 11: ELMINA – ACCRA
Depart Elmina by morning on a scenic drive to Accra, Ghana’s capital city. Arrive by mid-afternoon and the rest of the day is free for relaxation. Early evening, proceed for a final rehearsal with Noyam African Dance Institute for the next day’s cultural performance.
Meal(s) included: Breakfast
Overnight: Tulip Inn Accra Hotel (2 Star) or Similar
DAY 12: ACCRA
Morning is free for last-minute shopping and packing. Late morning, proceed for a final rehearsal with Noyam African Dance Institute for the evening’s performance.
Proceed for a farewell dinner with traditional entertainment; this evening will present you with the unique opportunity to perform the various dance forms you have learned in Ghana. Collaborate with dancers from the Noyam African Dance Institute for a dance performance of a lifetime.
Meal(s) included: Breakfast
Overnight: Tulip Inn Accra Hotel (2 Star) or Similar
DAY 13: ACCRA - DEPARTURE
This morning is free for last-minute shopping and packing. You will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.
Meal(s) included: Breakfast
Overnight: N/A
End of service……..
Inclusions:
Meeting and assistance upon arrival
Assistance at departure
Roundtrip airport/hotel transfers
Hotel accommodation in the indicated properties
Transportation in private vehicle
Experienced English/French-speaking tour guide
Admission to all listed sites, events, and institutions
Meals indicated
Exclusions:
Airfare to/from Ghana
Meals not listed
Immunization (Yellow Fever Required, Malaria Prophylactics Recommended)
Travel Insurance
Gratuity to driver and guide
