The CHALE WOTE Street Art Festival is an alternative platform that brings art, music, dance and performance out of the galleries and onto the streets of James Town. Join us on this tour packed with various traditional festivals.
Tour Highlights
- Nima City Tour
- Akweley Suma celebration
- Annual Twin Festival
- Chale Wote Art Festival 2021
- Homowo Festival in James Town
- Visit to the Manhyia Palace
- Visit to Crafts Villages
- Cooking, Drum & Dance Lessons
- Naming Ceremony
Wed. 21st Aug. 2019 (Day 1) Arrival – Accra
Upon arrival at the Kotoka International Airport, a representative from Blastours will meet group for a transfer to the lodging. Depending on the time of arrival, we can experience a live band performance at a local Bar & Grill. Overnight stay at a guest house in Accra
Thurs. 22nd Aug. (Day 2) Accra (Nima Tour & Food Tasting & Akweley Suma)
Start the day with a visit to the Makola Market to experience the hussle and bussle of our market. Continue to the Artists Alliance Art Gallery and the Fantasy coffin makers, who make coffins to reflect a person’s affiliation. End the day in activities of Akweley Suma in preparation towards the twin festival ahead. Overnight stay at a guest house in Accra (B/L)
Fri. 23rd Aug. (Day 3) Twin Festival & Chale Wote
Drive by the Independence square to the Arts Centre for National Culture (Ghana’s biggest craft market). Visit to the Ga Mashie Palace, where we join in the activities of the Twin Festival, a celebration of the double blessing from God. Take a stroll through James town to witness the Chale Wote Festival. The day with a live band performance. Overnight stay at a guest house in Accra (B/L)
Sat. 24th Aug. (Day 4) Accra – Kumasi (Homowo & Chale Wote)
Start the day with a walking tour through the suburb of Nima to see the other side of Accra. Here we’ll meet some local families and witness their way of life. Join in celebrations of the Homowo festival and
Chale wote festival in Accra. After a traditional meal of Kpoikpoi, served only during this festival, we depart for Kumasi in the afternoon. Group has the option to witness a voodoo ceremony at the Nana Abass Shrine. Overnight stay at a guest house in Kumasi (B/L/D)
Sun. 25th Aug. (Day 5) Kumasi (Akwasidae Festival)
Visit the Manhyia Palace to witness the colourful Akwasidae Festival, a celebration of Chiefs and Elders of the region. End the day at the Kumasi Cultural Centre, which offers a good account of the rich Ghanaian culture, provides evidence of the Ashanti Kingdom’s eminent past. It houses the Prempeh II Jubilee museum, which provides a fascinating collection of Asante’s history. Overnight stay at a guest house in Kumasi (B/L/D)
Mon. 26th Aug. (Day 6) Kumasi (Crafts)
Start the day with a visit to the Kejetia Market, the largest open air market in West Africa. Continue to the village of Ampabame Krofrom, where bronze smiths still create works of art using the lost wax method. Continue with brief stopovers at the craft villages of Ntonso, a village famous for adinkra design and Ahwiaa for carving. Also visit the village of Adanwomase (Kente) to interact with locals and to learn the art and history of the craft. Spend the rest of the day on the banks of Lake Bosumtwi. A crater lake created by a fallen meteorite. Overnight stay at a guest house in Kumasi (or similar) in (B/L/D)
Tues. 27th Aug. (Day 7) Kumasi – Elmina (Slave River)
Depart for the Central Region with a visit to Assin Manso, the location of a Slave River. On arrival, we visit the Cape Coast Castle, one of the best preserved castles and also declared as UNESCO World heritage site. After lunch we take a walk through the township. End the day at a beach resort. Overnight stay at a Beach Resort in Cape Coast (B/L/D)
Wed. 28nd Aug. (Day 8) Elmina (Lessons in traditions)
Continue trip to Kakum National Park, which comprises of undisturbed virgin rainforest to experience a walking tour on the longest and highest canopy walkway in West Africa. Continue to prepare a local dish at a local kitchen, where we will also have lunch. End the day with a drum and dance class. Overnight stay at a Beach Resort in Cape Coast (B/L)
Thurs. 29th Aug. (Day 9) Elmina – Anokye (130km)
We will visit the Elmina Castle, for an insight into the history of slavery. Take a walk through the Elmina township and fish market to view some homes built in colonial style and also to experience the lifestyle of the Fantis. Also experience a guided tour through the ancient town of Elmina, which includes a visit to the Asafo Shrines, where warriors prepared mentally and spiritually before going to war. Depart for the Western region with a stopover at Fort Sao Antonio situated close to the mouth of the River Ankobra. It was the second Portuguese fort on the Gold Coast after the Elmina Castle. Overnight stay at a beach resort in Anokye (B/L/D)
Fri. 30th Aug. (Day 10) Busua
Experience a boat ride to Nzulezo the village on stilts. Enroute, we will stopover at a fishing village to witness fishermen at work.
You are welcome to assist by pull in the nets. Spend the rest of the day at the beach resort with options to swim, surf, hike or bike to Busua,
Fort Metal Cross, Fort Batenstein, to fishing villages, etc. Overnight stay at a beach resort near Busua (B/L/D)
Sat. 31st Aug. (Day 11) Busua – Accra (285km)
Set off for Accra with a great chance of witnessing a funeral en route. Also stopover at central market in Takoradi.
End the day with dinner to a live band performance. Spend the night at a Guest House in Accra (B/L/D)
Sun. 01st Sept. (Day 12) Accra – Departure
You have the option to attend a church service this Sunday. Followed by a traditional Sunday lunch.
In the late afternoon, we check into airport for departure. No overnight stay (B/L)