8 Days : Accra, Kumasi, Cape Coast

Tour Overview:

On this 8 Day tour, you will get to see some of the best of Ghana. In Accra, Ghana’s capital city, visit the National Museum to see unique Ghanaian art and African history. Then travel to Kumasi, the historical and spiritual capital of the old Ashanti Kingdom. In Elmina, visit the Kakum National Park with its highest suspension rope bridge.

Day 1 – Arrive Accra

Arrival in Accra, Ghana and transfer to the hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Day 2 – Accra – City Sightseeing

Full day city tour. Accra, the capital of Ghana, has maintained its unique identity despite the fast paced development currently underway in this intriguing African city. The luxuriant administrative area, punctuated with elegant villas built during the first half of the 19th century, reminds us that Ghana was one of the most flourishing British colonies in West Africa. The program includes a visit to the National Museum (if open), one of the first works of independent Ghana – the idea inspiring the Museum is to relate Ghanaian art to the rest of the continent and to prove the existence of an African history as part of the general history of humanity. We explore the old quarter of James Town, inhabited by the local population known as the Ga. On the ocean shore is where local native people life fully unfolds: a village surrounded by the city! Here all economic activities follow very different rules from the ones governing “the city” (business area), just a few hundred meters away. Our tour continues with the visit of a workshop where they specialize in building fantasy coffins. These special handcrafted coffins can reflect any shape: fruits, animals, fish, cars, airplanes…. the only limit being imagination! Started in Africa, these flamboyant coffin designs are by now collected worldwide and exposed in museums. (B)

Day 3 – Accra / Kumasi

Morning depart for the Kumasi Region. Kumasi is the historical and spiritual capital of the old Ashanti Kingdom. A city proud of its past as much as it is of its present: a flourishing economy thanks to the exploitation of its gold mines and its forests. The Ashanti people were one of the most powerful nations in Africa until the end of the 19th century, when the British annexed Ashanti Country to their Gold Coast colony. The tribute paid today to the Asantehene (=King) is the best evidence of their past splendour and strength. With nearly one million inhabitants, Kumasi is a sprawling city with a fantastic central market – one of the biggest in Africa. Every type of Ashanti craft (leather goods, pottery, Kente cloth) is found here, along with just about every kind of tropical fruit and vegetable. The program includes a visit of the Ashanti Cultural Centre: a rich collection of Ashanti artefacts housed in a wonderful reproduction of an Ashanti house. In the afternoon we participate – if available – in a traditional Ashanti funeral, attended by mourners wearing beautifully red or black togas. We say “funerals” but it means a “festive” celebration: the deceased in fact is believed to be still with his/her family and through this ceremony he/she becomes an ancestor. Relatives and friends gather, socialize and celebrate his/her memory. The chief arrives surrounded by his court under the shade of large umbrellas while drums give rhythm to the dancers whose intricate moves are highly symbolic. (B)

Day 4 – Kumasi – City Sightseeing

Full day tour of Kumasi. On a Sunday morning, Kumasi wakes up slowly and the streets of the city, not too busy, become like a charming and interesting stage to any curious traveller: the colonial buildings around the market, the very original hand-painted advertisement signs (real urban art!), the railway lines crossing the central market, the devotees going to church in their Sunday clothes – so out of fashion to actually be of great fashion! An Ashanti chief, wrapped in traditional cloth, will welcome us in his courtyard for an interesting chat about the customs and traditions of his people. We also will visit the Royal Palace Museum – hosting a unique collection of gold jewels worn by the Ashanti court – and a few nearby villages specialised in weaving the traditional Kente cloth, praised by the socially important people and used to make special ceremonial stools. (B)

Day 5 – Kumasi / Cape Coast Castle / Elmina

In the morning drive to the coast. Visit the Cape Coast Castle, built by the Swedes in 1653, but from 1657 to 1664 it changed hands many times, as it was conquered by the Danes, the Dutch, the Fanti (a local tribe), again the Swedes and finally the British. Today, it hosts a museum on slave trade history. Afternoon continue to our beachfront resort in Elmina. (B)

Day 6 – Elmina – Kakum National Park & Elmina Castle

In the morning, we will experience the thrill of a “canopy walk” right in the deep forest of the Kakum National Park: one of the world highest suspended rope bridges held by steel cables. Perched 37 meters (120 feet) above the earth, you will enjoy a stunning view of the rainforest – instead of unveiling their trunks, trees will reveal their tops! In the afternoon, visit of Elmina Castle, the oldest European building in Africa, erected by the Portuguese in the 15th century. At different times the castle has been used as a warehouse to trade gold, ivory and, eventually, slaves. The castle we visit today is the result of successive extension works and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Outside the castle, a wonderful village with lots of large colorful fishing boats – every day these canoes are guided by skilled fishermen across strong ocean waves and currents, “fighting” to earn a living. In the old town we will see the Posuban, the shrines of the old “Asafo companies” – the warriors who used to put their offerings on the large colorful statues. The alleys in the old town have a very lively atmosphere, bringing us back to a time when Elmina was a busy colonial town. (B)

Day 7 – Elmina / Accra

Free time to relax on the beach or go for walks to explore villages and meet local fishermen. Mid day drive back to Accra. Spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure. (B)

Day 8 – Depart Accra

Transfer to the airport for departure flight. (B)

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