Tour Code #: WAS/GH 101-06

Annual Catholic Pilgrimage To Africa

(2006 Country Select -Ghana)

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GHANA (West Africa)

(April 03 – 10, 2006)

DAY  01: MONDAY, APRIL 03 – DEPARTURE, WASHINGTON/BALTIMORE

Airport check-In counter opens 5 hours before departure and closes 2 hours before take off. For security reasons you will be refused boarding if you arrive at the airport less than 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 Embassy must accompany visa applications plus required recent passport photos and a valid passport. ADD ON FARES ARE AVAILABLE FROM MAJOR US CITIES.

DAY  02: TUESDAY, APRIL 04 – ACCRA, GREATER ACCRA REGION

*****Arrival; Tour; Welcome Reception*****

Arrival in Accra at 10:00 am. Transfer to the Hotel and check into your rooms. Relax and freshen-up. Early afternoon visit to the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum, and the W.E.B. DuBois Center for Pan-Africanism. Evening activities begin at 5:00pm. Delegations from the local catholic parishes and their pastors would visit us at our hotel to welcome us to Ghana and participate in the evening festivities with us. Tonight we will enjoy Welcome Reception/Dinner, Fashion Designers Showcase and a spectacular Cultural Drumming and Dancing Performance. You are encouraged to order custom made fashions of your delight for delivery before your return to the US. NOTE: Down-payment may be required to accept your order. Prepare for next day trip to Historical Central Region. Overnight.

DAY  03: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 05 – ACCRA/TAKORADI/CAPE COAST.

*****Special Welcome Mass*****

Early breakfast and departure for Historical Central Region. Arrive at Takoradi late morning to meet with the Bishop and enjoy welcome reception at the parish house. We willl then proceed to the Western Region Catholic Pilgrimage Center “Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto” in the town of Egyam. Here, in the humble surroundings but in the presence of the powerful image of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a mass will be conducted to welcome the pilgrims from the United States and elsewhere. We will transfer to our hotel after the con-celebrated mass.  Dinner. Overnight.

DAY  04. THURSDAY, APRIL 06 –CAPE COAST/HO: (CENTRAL REGION:

*****Tour of the Slave Castles*****

Early breakfast and departure for a tour of the Elmina Slave Castle (the oldest slave castle in West Africa). Be part of an emotional morning tour of the slave dungeons and pass through the “Door of No Return” (the final exit to the slave ships on the high seas). 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 would send chills down your spine and leave an indelible mark on your conscience. Proceed, after the tour, on a scenic drive through the hills along the Volta Lake to Ho, the Regional capital of Volta Region. We’ll make a brief stop at the craft village of Kpetoe to shop for very uniquely designed Ewe Kente clothes. We check into Chances Hotel upon arrival. Welcome Reception and Dinner by the Arc-diocese in Ho. Dinner. Overnight.

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DAY  05: FRIDAY, APRIL 07 –HO/KPANDO/AGBENOXOE

***** Spiritual Experience Day*****

 Early breakfast and departure for a unique Catholic Pilgrimage Center, also named “Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto” in the town of Agbenoxoe. Arrive and join the procession with other pilgrims, Priests and Bishops to the Grotto to observe the Stations of the Cross. You will be amazed and humbled as you walk in penance through the woods where the Grotto is located. Each station is carefully sculptured and erected in a natural environment to make you feel the awesome power of the living God. The Cardinal will be invited to say a special mass in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary and ask her to intercede on our behalf.  Early evening return to our hotel. Dinner. Prepare for next day trip back to Accra.    

DAY  06: SATURDAY, APRIL 08 – HO/ACCRA

*****Day of Leisure & Relaxation*****

Breakfast at leisure. Departure for Accra. Arrive and check into your hotel in Accra. Rest of the day is for relaxation. Informal familiarization meetings will be arranged between members of the various catholic societies/orders to dialogue on their common concerns and aspirations. You are encouraged to adopt a Ghanaian parish or catholic school, if you so desire. Transportation will be available for those who want to go for last minute shopping. The fashion designers will deliver your custom designed clothes at your hotel. Dinner.  Overnight.

DAY  07: SUNDAY, APRIL 09 – ACCRA/USA

*****Palm Sunday Special Worship*****

Breakfast. We are going to dress up in our best African Garbs and step out for a worship at the Holy Spirit Cathedral (Pope John Paul II celebrated mass in this Cathedral when he visited Ghana in May 1980). In a typical Ghanaian tradition, we will walk in processing from the heart of the city, to the tunes of a brass band, carrying palm branches to the church. Ghanaian priests and visiting priests who have traveled with us to Ghana will be invited for a con-celebrated mass. We will interact with fellow worshippers after mass. 2:00pm transfer to our hotel to prepare for departure. Bring your packed bags to the lobby to be conveyed to the airport for pre-check-in. 7:00pm farewell dinner. (Tonight at dinner, we will take some time to reflect and share our experiences for the past few days in Ghana). 9:30pm transfer to the airport to complete boarding formalities. Our flight departs Accra around midnight.

DAY  08: MONDAY, APRIL 10 – ACCRA (Day of Worship)

Arriving in Washington/Baltimore around 7:50am. YOU ARE BACK HOME. Transfer to you domestic flight, if any.

THE PILGRIMAGE PACKAGE INCLUDES:

• Round-trip Airfare from Washington/Baltimore

• Round-trip transfers to hotel and airport.

• Orientation, Welcome Reception, Cultural Display & Fashion Show

• Hotel accommodation (Double Occupancy).

• Two meals daily (Breakfast & Dinner)

• Air-conditioned Coach Ground Transportation in Ghana.

• Professional Tour Guide Services & Tour site Fees.

• Free Visa Service. (Ghana Visa Fee $50.00 Single entry)

• ***IMPORTANT: Travel/Trip Protection Insurance Available

RATE : $2,294.00 plus $120.00 tax (double occupancy) ( $385.00 Single Supplement.)

NOTE: Prices may change to reflect increases in airfare, currency fuel surcharges and/or taxes.  Initial deposit of $250. is due 4 months before departure to guarantee space. Final payment is due 45 days to departure. NOTE: $56.00 additional payment is required to cover tips and gratuities.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This rate is for a group of 15 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.

Special donation of $25.00 will be made to the parish of each person participating in the pilgrimage.

PREERRED HOTELS: Subject to availability

ACCRA:                LA PALM ROYAL BEACH HOTEL  

HO:                   CHANCES HOTEL

CAPE COAST:           COCONUT GROVE HOTEL        

SUGGESTED: Payment plan:

A $250.00 non-refundable deposit is required by June 30, 2005.

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