Sat. 30^th Dec. 2023 (Day 1)

Accra – Arrival

On arrival, group will be met by a representative of Blastours for a transfer to the hotel. You have the option to enjoy a live band performance at +233 Bar and Grill. Spend the night at the Urbano Hotel (or similar) in Accra.

Sun. 31^st Dec. (Day 2)

Accra

This morning, we will begin with an Accra city tour. Visit the Artists Alliance Art Gallery, a gallery of painting and sculpture, where works of up-and-coming Ghanaian artists are on display.

Continue to the Fantasy coffin makers, who make coffins to reflect a person’s affiliation. Drive by the Osu Castle (Christiansborg), which was originally built by the Danes. Stopover at the Independence square. Continue the day with a visit to the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum (the final resting place of Ghana’s first President) and the Arts Centre for  National Culture. In the evening, we can walk through the fishing village of James Town, with a great chance of witnessing a live band performance. Join in a New Year Eve’s celebrations. Spend the night at the  Urbano Hotel in Accra (B/L).

Mon. 01^st Jan. (Day 3)

Accra – Winneba – Cape Coast

Depart for Cape Coast with a stopover at Winneba, where we witness a brass band procession and elaborate costumes at the Masquerade Festival.

Depart fore Central region, where we visit the Cape Coast Castle (Fort Carlsborg), which was under Swedish administration. Take a walk through the Cape Coast township. Overnight stay at the Ridge Royal Hotel (or similar) in Accra (B/L).

Tues. 02^nd Jan. (Day 4)

Cape Coast

Experience a guided tour of the Elmina Castle, declared as a UNESCO World heritage site, was built by the Portuguese in 1482 as São Jorge da Mina (St. George of the Mine).

It is a well preserved castle with an incredible history and infamous for its pivotal role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Continue with a walking tour through the Elmina township to view some houses built in colonial style, including the Dolphin house, Churches and the Dutch Cemetery. Also visit the Asafo Shrines, where warriors prepared mentally and spiritually before going to war. End the day with a cooking class, where we will eat the meal cooked.   Overnight stay at the Ridge Royal Hotel (or similar) in Accra (B/L)

Wed. 03^rd Jan. (Day 5)

Cape Coast – Kumasi

Experience a 1 hour walk through the forest trails of the Kakum National Park comprising of undisturbed virgin rainforest.

Continue with a walk across the Canopy walkway. Make brief stopovers at an oil palm plantation and a local factory to witness work in progress. Depart for the Ashanti Region through Assin Fosu to Assin Manso, the location of a slave river.  On arrival, we visit the Asante Traditional Buildings, one of the World Heritage Sites in Ghana, comprising of 13 traditionally built buildings from the time of the Ashanti Empire in the area. The buildings were described as “home of men and gods”, and are the last remains of the history and culture of the Asante people.  Overnight stay at the Frederick’s Lodge (or similar) in Kumasi (B/L).

Thurs. 04^th Jan.   (Day 6)

Kumasi

Start the day with a visit to the Kejetia Market, the largest open air market in West Africa.

Visit the Manhyia Palace, seat of the Ashanti Kingdom. Continue to the crafts villages of Ntonso, famous for adinkra design and Ahwiaa for carving. Also visit the village of Adanwomase (Kente) to interact with locals and to learn traditional skills like kente weaving, palmwine tapping, farming, etc. Overnight stay at the Frederick’s Lodge (or similar) in Kumasi (B/L).

Sat. 05^th Jan. (Day 7)

Kumasi – Akosombo

Set off for the Eastern Region with a stopover at a Cocoa Farm en route to learn about cocoa processing.

Depart for Akosombo, where we experience a boatride along the Volta River. Also visit the man-made hydro- electric dam for a guided tour.  Overnight stay at Afrikiko Riverfront Resort (or similar) in Akosombo (B/L).

Sun. 06^th Jan. (Day 8)

Akosombo – Kpalime

Depart for Kpalime crossing the border at Nyive, Ho to Kpalime, where we visit the German Church and Prison site.

to learn about The colonial history of this town and handicraft market. End the day with dinner at the Hotel Royal. Spend the night at the Hotel Royal (or similar) in Kpalime (B/L)

Mon. 07^th Jan. (Day 9)

Kpalime

In the early morning we will experience a 2 hour walk through the village of Kouma Konda at the base of Mt Klouto and embark on a botanical excursion and butterfly safari.

Visit the craft centre which sells batik fabric decorated with local motif. Spend the night at the Hotel Royal (or similar) in Kpalime (B/L).

Tues. 08^th Jan. (Day 10)

Kpalime – Abomey

Depart for Abomey through Notse. On arrival, we visit the underground town of Agongointo in Bohicon.

It consists of a series of bunkers and other housing structures around 10m deep underground, built in an apparent effort to provide dwelling as well as protection for warrior’s underground village. Overnight stay at Chez Sabine (or similar) in Abomey (B/L).

Wed. 09^th Jan. (Day 11)

Abomey – Cotonou

Start the day with a visit to the Royal Palace Museum, and the History Museum of Abomey, which has been on UNESCO’s World Heritage list since 1985.

Stopover at Allada to witness a voodoo ceremony. Continue trip to Ganvie, the “Venice” of the Continent is a 500-year-old village on water. Overnight stay at the  Hotel du Lac (or similar) in Cotonou (B/L).

Thurs. 10^th Jan. (Day 12)

Grand Popo –  Ouidah

Depart for Ouidah with a stopover at the Fondation Zinsou to join in the celebrations of the annual voodoo festival to witness unique rituals and ceremonies.

Also visit the Sacred Forest and the Temple of the  Pythons, both important voodoo shrines. Overnight stay the Awale Plage (or similar) in Grand Popo (B/D).

Fri. 11^th Jan. (Day 13)

Grand Popo – Togoville – Lome

Cross the border to Lac Togo. Experience a boatride to Togoville (on a motor powered boat from Hotel Safari) to visit the ancient German Cathedral and the traditional museum of the King of Togoville.

Depart for Lome, where we visit the Akodesséwa fetishes market, where one can find magic remedies and local voodoo charms used by local sorcerers. Tour leader orders off the menu on arrival.  Overnight stay at the Hotel Pure Plage (or similar) in Lome (B/L).

Sat. 12^th Jan (Day 14)

Lome – Departure

Visit the Grand Marche – the realm of the famous “Nana Benz“ then to the Art Street with its craft vendors. In the afternoon, group will check into airport for departure. No overnight stay (B).