PILGRIMAGE TO THE MOTHERLAND – 10 Days

After restful night and a sumptuous breakfast, you will be engaged in an hour orientation on Ghana’s history, culture and customs, staying safe and healthy and an overview of what you should expect on this once-in-a-lifetime experience. We proceed to the bustling city of Accra; a blend of modern buildings and structures which existed during the colonial times. The 120 year old city offers you unique display of historical landmarks including New Town, Ga Mashie and Jamestown communities.

· Visit the W.E.B DuBois former home, now a museum and Centre for the study of Africanism

· Drive pass the Flagstaff House, official residence and administrative offices of the president (Ghana’s Whitehouse).

· Drive through the famous Oxford street on your way to the Independence Square where Ghana hosts most of her national ceremonies. · On your way to the National Museum, you will see the National Theatre.
· Visit Ghana’s newly refurbished Museum, which was founded in 1957 and the largest and oldest Museum in Ghana. It is home to a collection of archaeological, ethnographic, and fine art objects. Objects range in age from the Stone Age to the recent past, and include indigenous Ghanaian musical instruments, beads, traditional textiles, furniture, pottery, and ceremonial masks from a variety of African countries.

· We end the day’s exploration at the Jamestown community- one of Accra’s most historic neighborhoods, where history resides on every corner. Best known for its lighthouses and the Usher Fort). At Jamestown, enjoy a historic walking tour as you explore the daily lives of the local people. Enjoy the interesting sights and sounds on this Jamestown walking tour and experience a taste of carefully selected street food. You will have the opportunity to sample and taste a few freshly made local meals such as the popular Ga Kenkey made from corn dough, fish, red pepper or green sauce, Banku, rice, eggs, Waakye (made from rice and beans). Enjoy a local buffet with chilled drinks with some locals. Optional Activity:

· Sip and Paint workshop at Jamestown · An opportunity to see a Tailor/seamstress for custom-made African dresses, shirts or accessories. Return to the hotel for a thrilling night out of Accra this evening.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner
African Regent Hotel

After a well deserving breakfast and check out, we depart to Kumasi, the seat of the Ashanti Empire, where legend is still evident today. The Ashanti forms the biggest Akan ethnic group in Ghana. For centuries they were the rulers in this region because of their well-organized society. Upon arrival in Kumasi, enjoy lunch (at own account) at Kumasi’s top West African cuisine serving restaurant- Ike’s Cafe and have a taste of a truly Ghanaian traditional experience in a serene and calm environment. Set around a catfish pond, you have the opportunity of feeding the exciting catfishes waiting for their meal. This is the perfect place to hang out and enjoy delicious meals. Visit the Prempeh II Jubilee Museum and various studios of the brass makers, potters and batik makers. The Prempeh II Jubilee Museum, named for the former Asantehene (ruler of the Ashanti people). Exhibits include a replica of the famed Golden Stool, which is believed to have descended from the sky and is the spiritual symbol of the Ashanti people. Transfer to the hotel; check in and prepare for a night out.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Lancaster Kumasi City

After breakfast, we enjoy a drive through the city with monuments dedicated to the memory of the great Ashanti people and also drive pass the most dynamic marketplace in West Africa- the Kejetia Market. Kumasi has quite a collection of British colonial buildings and it is the heart of the Ashanti culture. We visit Manhyia Palace, official residence of Ashanti Kings (Asantehene) until 1974, now a museum containing treasured items relating to the Ashanti Kingdom. Enjoy a drive through the city with monuments dedicated to the memory of the great Ashanti people. We also visit some of the craft villages of the surrounding lush countryside, we’ll see the weaving of the famous Kente cloth, the making of the Adinkra, a type of fabric worn at funerals, and prized for its intricate hand printed symbols, and the work of woodcarvers -- stools, fertility figures, drums, etc.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Lancaster Kumasi City

Following a leisure breakfast, we depart to Ghana’s Central Region which has played a significant role in the Slave History. We will make a detour to Ejisu Besease to visit the ancient Besease Ashanti Shrine, a World Heritage Site where people visit for healing, consultations on problems relating to spiritual beliefs. Witness some of the traditional practices of the Ashanti people Continue to Cape Coast making a stop in Elmina for a guided a guided tour through the ancient town of Elmina. At the harbor, you will see colorful fishing canoes getting ready to go to sea for another night’s task of fishing. This is a picture-perfect opportunity for the photographers in the group.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight at Ridge Royal Hotel

After breakfast, we embark on a memorable journey to reconnecting with the ancestors driving through rural communities to Assin Manso, the “Donkor Nsuo” (Slave river) is located. This was the final transit point, where captured Africans were washed before being confined in the Slave castles to await shipment to the Americas and the Caribbean. You will undertake an Ancestral bath as a way of reconnecting with the ancestors who died during the Transatlantic Slave Trade through meditating in the “Nnonkonsuo.” See the burial site of two former slaves from the U.S. and Jamaica whose remains were re-interred in August 1998 during Ghana’s first Emancipation Day celebration. We return to the hotel; enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

This evening, enjoy a re-connection dinner at the One Africa Resort. Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at Ridge Royal Hotel

After a restful night and a good breakfast, embark on an emotional journey through the grounds and rooms filled with haunting history of the slave trade at the Cape Coast Castle. See the “Door of No Return” which was the last exit point for many enslaved Africans before they were shipped to the Americas and the Caribbean. You will engage in a special memorial ceremony which is also a significant healing experience through lighting of candles laying wreaths and meditating in the dungeons.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at Ridge Royal Hotel

This morning you will visit Elmina Castle, originally known as St. George's Castle. This castle was the first European structure built in Sub-Saharan Africa. Explore the grounds and rooms full of haunting history. Stroll down to the beach for a memorial ceremony where each of us will throw bread into the waters in remembrance of our ancestors. A wreath with a candle will be solemnly cast out to sea and a respectful moment of silence will be observed in remembrance of those who died in the middle passage. We continue with the traditional Fihankra Ceremony– “Restore to Diasporas the Cultural and Spiritual connections that were denied them for centuries”. The Fihankra Ceremony will include a traditional Naming Ceremony where you will receive your certificate of authentication.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight at Ridge Royal Hotel

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and say goodbye to your new found friends as you return to Accra. Make a detour to Kakum National Park. Here you will see birds, butterflies, and perhaps catch a glimpse of the forests with over 40 species of mammals including monkeys and the reclusive forest elephant. Precede to the canopy walk, a 1000-foot long, seven-bridge walkway with viewing platforms that reach heights of over 150 feet above ground! See today’s Accra at the West Hills Mall, the biggest retail shopping mall in West Africa; transfer to your hotel.
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight at African Regent Hotel

Enjoy the day at leisure. Time permitting your driver will assist you on your last-minute shopping before you are transferred to the airport for your onward flight. We hope that after this trip you will forever view the Motherland in the positive light it deserves.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast

In-flight