Tour Code: JFK/GH-103-05

“Return To Ground Zero” Tour

Ghana, West Africa

(July 23^rd – August 3^rd, 2005)

DAY 1.  DEPARTURE: SATURDAY, JULY 23^RD, - NEW YORK (JFK)

              Depart JFK in the afternoon. Check-in Counter opens 4 hours before departure. You must report at least three hours before departure. The Check-in Counter closes two hours before takeoff; no check-ins allowed after that. You are allowed to check 2 pieces of luggage, each weighing no more than 70lbs, free, and one carry-on weighing 12lbs or less. Please remember your passports, and any visas required. We provide free visa service; however, visa fees charged by the Ghanaian Embassy -$50.00- must accompany visa applications, plus 4 recent passport photos with your valid passport. We will make the visa application available upon receipt of your initial deposit. Yellow fever shots are required to enter Ghana, so please consult your physician. NOTE: ROUND TRIP ADD-ON FARES ARE AVAILABLE FROM MOST MAJOR U.S. CITIES.

DAY 2. SUNDAY, JULY 24^TH –ACCRA – GREATER ACCRA REGION.

            Arrival at Accra Kotoka International Airport, Accra at 10:00am. Transfer to Hotel and check in to your rooms. Afternoon tour of the University of Ghana and the W.E.B.DuBois Center for Pan –African Culture. Lunch, (not included) at the Kountry Kitchen Restaurant. Evening activities begin at 7:00pm and includes: Welcome Reception/Dinner, Fashion Designers’ Showcase and Cultural Performance. Overnight.

DAY 3. MONDAY, JULY 25^TH - ACCRA.

             Breakfast. Orientation. Late morning Accra City Tour. Today we visit the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum, George Padmore Memorial Library, the National Theatre, an Art Gallery and the Cocoa Processing Plant at Tema. We end the day with some shopping at the Arts Center. Return to the hotel. Dinner. Prepare for next day trip to Cape Coast/Central Region. Overnight.

DAY 4. TUESDAY, JULY 26^TH – ACCRA/CAPE COAST-CENTRAL REGION.

            Breakfast and departure for the Cape Coast-Central Region. Arrive at the Historic Central Region and check into Beachfront Hotel. Relax. Depart late afternoon to tour the slave castles at Cape Coast and Elmina. Walk into Prempeh’s Room; experience the “ambiance” of the dungeons and pass through the “Door of No Return.” The experience will send chills down your spine and leave an indelible mark on your conscience. Candlelight Vigil as we honor our Ancestors. Return to hotel. Dinner. Overnight.

DAY 5. WEDNESDAY, JULY 27^TH – CAPE COAST-CENTRAL REGION.

            Leisurely breakfast. Depart for the Kankum National Park, a haven for the casual visitor, bird watcher, amateur botanist and eco-tourist alike. Learn about traditional forest products used for medicine and in daily village life. Take an adventurous walk on the 7-story high canopy above the rain forest – (highly recommended for those who want to overcome their fear of heights). Return to hotel. RELAX. Go swimming on the golden sandy beaches of the Blue Atlantic, or just sit by the Olympic size pool and sip exotic drinks. Enjoy an early evening buffet dinner. Prepare for the next day’s trip to Obuasi. Overnight.  

DAY 6. THURSDAY, JULY 28^TH – CAPE COST/OBUASI.

            Depart Cape Coast after breakfast for Obuasi, the area known for its numerous gold mines. Arrive and check into hotel. Ghana, before independence was known as the Gold Coast. This afternoon’s tour of the Obuasi Township and the goldmines will give you an insight into the reasons behind the name “Gold Coast.” Return to hotel. Dinner. Prepare for the next day’s trip to Kumasi. Overnight.

DAY 7. FRIDAY, JULY 29^TH – OBUASI/KUMASI –ASHANTI REGION.

            Early breakfast and departure for Kumasi, capital of the legendary Ashanti Nation and the Cultural heart of Ghana. On the way, we stop off at Assini-Manso, where the slaves took their last bath before enduring the Middle Passage. Check into hotel upon arrival. Afternoon tour includes the Prempeh II Museum, the War Memorial, the Cultural Center and the Manhyia Palace, home of the Asanthene (King of the Ashanti.) Return to hotel. Dinner. Overnight.

DAY 8. SATURDAY, JULY 30^TH – KUMASI.

            Depart Kumasi after breakfast for a tour of the Ashanti craft villages of Ahwiaa, Ntonso and Bonwire to learn the process of making Kente clothes, Adinkra clothes and artifacts. Shop till you drop. Return to downtown Kumasi to visit the largest open air market in West Africa. Try your expertise at negotiating the prices for the many goods of interest in the market. Return to hotel. Dinner. Prepare for the next day’s trip to Ho, Volta Region. Overnight.

DAY 9. SUNDAY, JULY 31^ST – KUMASI/HO – VOLTA REGION.

            Depart after breakfast and journey through the scenic, rolling hills along the Volta Lake to Ho, the regional capital of the Volta region. On the way we stop at the craft village of Kpetoe to shop for very uniquely designed Kente clothes. Upon arrival we check into Chances Hotel, situated under the misty hills overlooking the Volta Lake.

DAY 10. MONDAY, AUGUST 1^ST – HO/HOHOE/WLI, 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, most consistent falls 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 the cure for baldness, diabetes, infertility and other diseases. Our journey thereafter continues to the town of Wli, where we will cross the eleven log bridges of the 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 poolside. Late afternoon return to our hotel. Dinner. Prepare for the next day’s trip to Accra. Overnight.

DAY 11. TUESDAY, AUGUST 2^ND – HO/ABURRI/MAMPONG/ACCRA.

            Breakfast at leisure. Depart for Accra. On the way, visit the Aburri Gardens, and stop in the craft village to purchase items of interest. Proceed to visit the Center for Research into Plant Medicine at Mampong. Arrive and check into hotel in Accra. The rest of the day is for relaxation, or visit the Arts Center for last minute shopping. The Fashion Designers will deliver your custom designed clothes that you may have ordered, to the hotel. Dinner. Overnight.

DAY 12. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3^RD – ACCRA/NEW YORK

            Breakfast at leisure. Naming Ceremony available for those interested in traditional names. You must know the DAY of your birth.   Spend the rest of the day as you like. We shall request a late check-out. IMPORTANT: Please bring all your bags (except carry-on) to the lobby at 4:00pm for check-in at the airport. You must have 2 bags weighing 70lbs or less each for check-in. You will be charged extra if you exceed the number of pieces allowed or you are over the weight limit. Farewell Dinner at 7:00pm. Tonight we shall take time to reflect and narrate our experiences of our stay in Ghana. At 9:30pm we transfer to the airport for boarding formalities.  

DAY 13. THURSDAY, AUGUST 4^TH – NEW YORK, USA.

              Arrive in New York. YOU ARE BACK HOME.

12 DAY PACKAGE TOUR INCLUDES

Round trip air-fare from New York  

Round trip transfers to hotel and airport

Orientation, Welcome Reception and Fashion Show

Hotel Accommodation with Breakfast and Dinner (Double Occupancy)

Air conditioned Coach Ground Transportation in Ghana

Professional Tour Guide services and Tour Site Fees

Accommodation and Airport Taxes

Free Visa Service. (Ghana visa Fee - $50.00 Multiple Entry)

------- Trip Protection Insurance Available – Highly Recommended.

FARE: $2475.00* - Double Occupancy. $315.00 Single Supplement

            $1730.00 – Children UNDER 12 YEARS OF AGE

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This rate applies to groups of 15 or more persons. Single supplement charge would be paid by anyone who occupies a hotel room alone (without a roommate), whether by choice or otherwise.

SUGGESTED PAYMENT PLAN:

Initial non-refundable deposit due by November 15^th   --------------- $375.00

                                                   ADULT            CHILDREN

SELECTED HOTELS: Subject to availability:

Accra                           Royal Ravico Hotel

Cape Coast                   Coconut Grove Hotel

Kumasi                        Royal Basin Hotel

Ho                                Chances Hotel

Please make checks payable to: GHANA AMERICAN VACATIONS

      1900 L Street, NW, Suite 605

      Washington, D.C. 20036

      Tel: (202) 862-4959; Fax: (202) 862-4958

       1-800-77-GHANA (4-4262)

       E-mail: intragav@aol.com

*Prices subject to change without notice, primarily because of the increase in energy cost.

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