Ghana Cultural Exploration
(Accra, Cape Coast, Ashanti) - 4 days/3 nights

On this exhilarating tour you will become fully immersed in the language, culture, and history of Ghana. Explore traditional villages and see timeless arts and crafts as well as local activities that have been passed down for centuries. Also visit castles and museums before visiting the largest market in West Africa. You will truly gain an unmatched knowledge and appreciate for Ghana on this wonderful tour!

Detailed Itinerary

Day Zero: Trip Preparation.

Day One: Local Casket Shop: Day one starts off interesting with a visit to a local casket making shop to see a collection of caskets carved in the shapes of various objects depicting traditional beliefs in life after death. These "Fantasy Coffins" of Teshie Nungua have been featured in National Geographic, and they can be found in museums and galleries across the globe. Your lunch today will be from Big Milly’s Backyard on Kokrobrite Beach, famous throughout West Africa for its fresh fish, roasted vegetable dishes, and elevated dining area overlooking the beach. Following lunch, you can enjoy drumming and cultural dancing lessons with the experts at Kokrobrite Drumming Center. Accommodation: Simple hotel. Meal: BLD

Day Two: Explore Elmina Castel: On the two day after breakfast, you will leave Accra for the Cape Coast. Upon arrival you can tour Elmina Castle; a UNESCO World Heritage Site built in 1482. This castle was the first European structure in sub-Saharan Africa. After that journey to Cape Coast Castle and the Castle Museum for a guided tour. Cape Coast Castle is a restored UNESCO World Heritage Site as well, and was one of the departure points for Africans being sent to the Americas. This castle is home to the infamous Door of No Return. Accommodation: Simple hotel. Meal: BLD

Day Three: Visit Ashanti Craft Village: Following breakfast, you will leave the Cape Coast and continue with stops at local Ashanti craft villages starting with Pankrono, where potters create colorful hand-built vessels. The next stop is at the woodcarving village of Ahwiaa, known for the talented craftsmen who fashion royal stools, walking sticks and fertility dolls. It’s off to the village of Ntonso from there and you will watch artisans hand-stamp patterns on cotton cloth to make adinkra textiles worn for funerals and other solemn occasions. Your final stop for the day is Bonwire where the famous Kente cloth is handmade on looms, in a time-honored tradition passed down through generations. You will be welcomed with traditional music, dance, and a demonstration of the weaving. Accommodation: Simple hotel. Meal: BLD

Day Four: Kumasi Central Market: For day four, you will go to the Kumasi Central Market (also known as Kejetia Market), which is the largest open-air market in West Africa. This market is host to over 10,000 vendors selling their wares, and you will be able to find anything you could need or want - food, fabric, clothing, furniture, beauty products, and handmade crafts of all kinds. In the evening you will arrive back in Accra and bring an end to the tour. Accommodation: host family or Simple hotel. Meal: BL

NOTE: This is a sample itinerary and may be altered to accommodate changes in field conditions.

Dates and Price

Price: US$ 519 ONLY for Global Crossroad Volunteer
Dates: To be determined by In-country coordinator (most likely at the end or middle of participant’s respective volunteer program)

Included in price

• Pick-up/drop-off from project site
• Domestic, in-park transportation
• Services of a professional safari guide
• Meals/accommodation as given in itinerary

Not Included

• Tips (for safari guide and/or camp staff)
• Other items of personal consumption (i.e. alcohol, bottled water, etc).