2005/002/(GH-TG-BN-15D)

The Cultural Gems of West Africa

))))()((((

GHANA, TOGO & BENIN

 (West Africa)

(14 Days Tour)

DAY 1.  MONDAY,  DEPARTURE: WASHINGTON/BALTIMORE- USA. Your destiny with Africa begins today as you board your transatlantic flight headed for the “exotic continent”. Depart on a wide-body jetliner from Baltimore/Washington.  NOTE: For security reasons, check-In counter opens 5 hours before departure and closes 2 hours before take off. You are allowed to check-in 2 pieces of luggage free, each weighing 70lbs or less, and 1 carry-on WEIGHING 12lbs or less. Please remember your passports, and any visas required. We provide free visa service, however visa fees charged by Ghana, Togo & Benin Embassies must accompany visa applications plus required recent passport photos and a valid passport. ADD ON FARES ARE AVAILABLE FROM MAJOR US CITIES.

DAY 2.  TUESDAY,  ACCRA, GREATER ACCRA REGION

Arrival at Accra Kotoka International Airport late evening. Transfer to your hotel and check into your rooms. Retire and rest till morning. Overnight

DAY 3. WEDNESDAY – ACCRA: Breakfast at leisure. Late morning tour of the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum, a memorial park dedicated to the first President of Ghana, the W.E.B. DuBois Center for Pan-African Culture and the University of Ghana, Legon. Return to the hotel. Evening activities begin at 5:00pm and include Orientation, Welcome Reception, Fashion Designers Showcase and Cultural Performance after dinner. You are encouraged to order custom made fashions of your delight for delivery before your return. NOTE: Down-payment may be required to accept your order. Prepare for the next day trip to Lome, Republic of Togo. Overnight.

DAY 4. THURSDAY, - ACCRA/LOME - REPUBLIC OF TOGO: Depart after breakfast through the ever changing vegetation of the Volta Region to Lome, Capital City of Togo. Arrive in Lome late morning. After clearing customs and immigration at the border, we proceed to check-in at the Hotel Sarakawa. Afternoon city tour of Lome. Visit the “Village Artisana” (craft center) to learn about the process of making ceramic, batic, macrame, wood-carving etc. We continue our tour of the “Grande Marche” (open air market), the Fetish Market, to get acquainted with the different materials and the religious observances of the majority of Togolese. We end our tour with a visit to the Fishing Harbour. Dinner will be at a pre-selected restaurant in the city.  Return to the hotel to enjoy the lighted Olympic size swimming pool or just walk barefooted on the beach. Prepare for the next day trip to Benin. Overnight

DAY 5. FRIDAY - LOME/COTONOU - BENIN REPUBLIC

Early breakfast. Check-out and depart to complete the Lome city tour with a visit to the Togo National Museum, and the Independence Square. Continue on a late morning 2 hour journey to Cotonou, capital of Benin Republic. After clearing customs and immigration, we proceed to the Sheraton hotel and check-in. Time to relax till dinner. We’ll have dinner at a pre-selected restaurant in the city. Return to the hotel. Overnight

DAY 6. SATURDAY- COTONOU/PORT NOVO/GANVIE

Breakfast and depart for a tour of the historical city of  Port Novo and the Mesmerising township of Ganvie. We first arrive in Port Novo which was once the capital of the country of Dahomey, now known as Benin and visit the Ethnographic Museum and then continue to the ancient Honme Royal Palace to see the residence and learn about the prominent Kings of Port Novo. After lunch (not included), we shall then proceed to the town of Ganvie; a township built entirely on water and popularly known as the “Venice of Africa”. Enjoy the afternoon learning about the history of these people whose very existence and security depend on the water and participate in their native cultural drumming and dances.  We return to Cotonou and have dinner at a restaurant in town. Return to your hotel. Prepare for the next day trip back to Ghana. Overnight

DAY 7. SUNDAY– COTONOU/QUIDAH/HO - GHANA

Breakfast and departure for Ho, Volta Region of Ghana. On our way, we visit the city of Quidah, a major slave shipment point in West Africa. Tour the Sacred Forest of Kpasse, the historic museum located in a Portugese Fort built in 1721. We shall then travel and retrace “the road of slaves” and pass through the ocean front “Door of no return” (the final passage to the slave ships). Continue the trip through Togo into Ghana. Early evening arrival at Ho.  Dinner. Overnight.  

DAY 8. MONDAY - COTONOU/HO – VOLTA REGION

Early breakfast and we proceed through the magnificent vegetation and flora of the region on our way to the Wli Waterfalls, the highest fall in Ghana. We’ll take a break on our way to visit Dr. Noamesi’s Herbal Treatment and Research Center at Hohoe, for a briefing on the center’s herbal medicines for cure of many diseases. Our journey thereafter continues to the town of Wli where we will cross the eleven log bridges of River Agamatsu to get to the Waterfalls. We shall spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing in this cool, green and serene environment.  Note: Recommend we pack lunch from the hotel to have a picnic by the waterfalls pool-side. Late afternoon return to Ho. Reflections and testimonials at Dinner. Prepare for next day trip to Kumasi, Ashanti Region. Dinner. Overnight. Overnight.

DAY 9. TUESDAY - HO/KUMASI, ASHANTI REGION.

Early  breakfast and departure for Kumasi, Capital of the legendary Ashanti Nation and the Cultural heart of Ghana. Check into your hotel upon arrival. Afternoon tour includes, The Prempeh II Museum, Cultural Center, Manhyia palace, home of the Asantehene (King of the Ashantis). Return to your hotel. Dinner. Prepare for the next day trip to Cape Coast in the Historical Central Region. Overnight.

DAY 10. WEDNESDAY -  KUMASI/CAPE COAST - CENTRAL REGION

Breakfast and begin our journey to the Historic Central Region. On our way, we shall stop for a shopping tour of the Ashanti craft villages. Visit  Ahwiaa, Ntonso & Bonwire to learn the process of producing  Kente Clothes, Adinkra Clothes and artifacts. Remember to negotiate prices for everything you purchase; the initial price quotation is definitely not the selling price in any West African market. We continue our trip to Cape Coast. Arrive late afternoon and check into our beach-front hotel. . OPTIONAL TRIP: To the Kankum National Park, home of the world renowned seven-storey high adventurous canopy walk over the rain forest; (highly recommended for those who want to overcome their fear of heights). Dinner. Overnight.

DAY 11. THURSDAY- CAPE COAST/ELMINA

Breaksaft at leisure: Late morning departure for a tour of the Elimina Slave Castle; the oldest slave castle in Ghana and known for its “Door of No Return” passage (the final exit to the slave ships on the high seas). The knowledgeable castle guides will narrate the unique history of this castle and walk you through the dungeons, torture chambers and compounds littered with chains and shackles. Many who walk through these compounds of physical cruelties and torture chambers can almost feel the presence of the slaves in their iron shackles and hear voices from the past as they cry out in anguish. The experience will send chills down your spine and leave an indelible mark on your conscience. Return to the Hotel.  Dinner. Overnight.

DAY 12. FRIDAY– CAPE COAST/ACCRA: (FREE DAY).

Breakfast at leisure and depart for Accra. Arrive and check into your hotel. Rest of the day is for rest and relaxation. The bus will be available for last minute shoppers. Fashion designers will be waiting to deliver your custom outfits at the hotel. Farewell Dinner at a selected restaurant. Prepare for next day trip back to the USA. Overnight.

DAY 13. SATURDAY–ACCRA/USA

Breakfast at leisure. Check-out of the hotel at noon. 4:00pm transfer to the airport for check-in. Our flight departs late evening.

DAY 14. SUNDAY- USA

Arrive in Baltimore/Washington around late afternoon. Connect to your domestic flights, if any. You are back Home. You’ve touched the face of mother Africa……you will never be the same again……keep dreaming about your next experience in the mother continent. We hope we have served you well.

SPRING 2005 – TOUR DEPARTURE DATES (MARCH – APRIL – MAY)

RATE :    $2,895.00 (Plus $175.00 tax )     $485.00 Single supplement

SUMMER 2005 – TOUR DEPARTURE DATES (JUNE – JULY - AUGUST)

RATE :    $3,095.00 (Plus $175.00 tax )     $485.00 Single supplement

FALL 2005 – TOUR DEPARTURE DATES (SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER – NOV.)

RATE :    $2,895.00 (Plus $175.00 tax )     $485.00 Single supplement

WINTER  TOUR DEPARTURE DATES (JANUARY  -  FEBRUARY)

RATE :    $2,895.00 (Plus $175.00 tax )     $485.00 Single supplement

NOTE: Prices may change to reflect increases in airfare and/or taxes. Initial deposit of $250. is due 4 months before departure to guarantee space. Final payment is due 45 days to departure date.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This rate is for a group of 11 persons or more. Single supplement charge will be paid by anyone who occupies a room alone (without a room mate) whether by choice or otherwise. A surcharge will be added if the group falls below 11 persons.

AIRLINES OF CHOICE: Northwest/KLM, Lufthansa, British Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, South African Airways, Egyptair, Iberia.

TOUR PACKAGE INCLUDES:

Round-trip air fare from Baltimore/Washington to Accra -Ghana. Round-trip ground transportation from Accra to Lome -Republic of Togo. Round-trip ground transportation from Lome to Cotonou - Benin Republic. Round-trip transfers to hotels and airports. Welcome Reception/Dinner, Cultural Display & Fashion Show. Hotel accommodation with Breakfast and Dinner (Double Occupancy). Air-conditioned Coach Ground Transportation in Ghana, Togo & Benin. Professional Tour Guide Services & Tour site Fees. Free Visa Service. (Current Visa Fees: Ghana Multiple entry $80; Togo Multiple entry $100.00; Benin Single entry $100.00) NOTE: Embassies may decide to change visa fees without notice.

NOTE: $56.00 additional payment is required to cover tips and gratuities

      **Optional Trip Protection Insurance Available and Highly recommended**

PREFERRED HOTELS:

ACCRA , GHANA:               DUTCH BEACH HOTEL  

LOME, TOGO:                   HOTEL SARAKAWA

COTONOU, BENIN:          NOVOTEL HOTEL

HO, GHANA:                     CHANCES HOTEL

KUMASI, GHANA:             ROYAL BASIN RESORT

CAPE COAST, GHANA:    COCONUT GROVE BEACH RESORT

Please make checks payable to:

GHANA  AMERICA VACATIONS

1900  L  Street NW, Suite 605

Washington DC 20036

Tel:202-862-4959   Fax: 202-862-4958

Toll Free: 1-888-774-4262)

E-mail: intragav@aol.com

Register here