Overview
BOOKED Trips Ghana Experience
- Days: 7
- Group Size: 12
- Nights: 6
- Price: $4,500
Embark on a 7-day, 6-night immersive journey through Accra, Ghana, where the past and present collide in a vibrant tapestry of history, culture, and personal discovery. Guided by Yaa Gyasi’s “Homegoing” we’ll experience the rich history and culture of Accra from from its art and museums to its delicious culinary offerings.
This is not just a trip – it’s a homecoming, a reconnection to a heritage that transcends time and space, where the past whispers in the present and the future holds the promise of rediscovery. It’s a chance to step into the pages of “Homegoing” and experience the power of storytelling in a way you never imagined.
Trip Highlights
- Relax in your single occupancy room in a 5-star, centrally located hotel.
- Delve into the heart of Accra during a city tour that includes a visit to Kwame Nkrumah Memorial, Black Star Square, Gallery 1957, and the Accra Arts Center.
- Haggle for treasures while exploring the vibrant Makola Market, a maze of fabrics, spices, and handicrafts.
- Unleash your inner drummer and learn the pulse of traditional drumming, a rhythm that connects past and present.
- Craft your own masterpiece: Master the art of batik-making, creating a vibrant wearable souvenir.
- Savor local flavors during a hands-on cooking class making mouthwatering Ghanaian dishes.
- Participate in a naming ceremony at Elmina Castle, where history whispers from every stone.
- Ground in nature during a visit to Kakum National Park and our beachside meditation experience.
- Draw from the wisdom, creativity, and resilience of our ancestors as we explore the Nkyinkyim Museum and the Library of Africa and the African Diaspora.
Our Featured Book: Homegoing
What Is Included?
- A BOOKED Box that includes the featured book and curated items from small businesses around the world.
- Premium single occupancy accommodations throughout the trip. No sharing rooms!
- All activities listed in the itinerary below including a city tour and Makola market visit, drumming lesson, batik-making and cooking class, naming ceremony at Elmina Castle, visit to the Library of Africa and the African Diaspora, Nkyinkyim Museum musem, and more.
- A professional trip photographer.
- All breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 4 dinners.
- Ground transportation to included activities, including airport transfers.
- Local guides throughout the trip.
What Is not Included?
- Flights to and from destination.
- Pre/post trip accommodations.
- Travel insurance (required)
- Visa and passport fees
- Gratuities and incidental expenses.
- PYellow Fever Vaccine
The Accra Itinerary
Day 1: Arrivals & Welcome Dinner
You’ll be welcomed at the Kotoka International Airport in Accra, Ghana by our driver and driven to our 4-star, centrally located hotel.
After settling in we’ll have a lively welcome dinner with a musical performance and discussion of our featured book “Homegoing" by Yaa Gyasi.
Dinner
Day 2: Essential Accra: From Pan-Africanism to Contemporary Art
After breakfast at the hotel we'll dive into the vibrant center of Accra. We'll start our day at the iconic Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park and Mausoleum, a poignant tribute to Ghana's first president and champion of Pan-Africanism. Learn about his vision for a united Africa and admire the park's serene beauty. Stand beneath the soaring Independence Arch at Black Star Square, a symbol of Ghana's independence and a vibrant hub for national celebrations. After we'll immerse ourselves in contemporary Ghanaian art at Gallery 1957, showcasing the works of established and emerging local artists.
This afternoon is for those who love shopping. We're heading to Accra Arts Center, a haven for handcrafted souvenirs and treasures. Browse through stalls overflowing with colorful textiles, intricately carved wooden masks, and unique jewelry. Haggle for the perfect souvenir and support local artisans. Refuel after your market adventure at Abajo Culture + Art Cafe, a hidden gem nestled within the market. avor delicious Ghanaian cuisine in a vibrant setting adorned with local art. Enjoy live music, sip on refreshing drinks, and soak in the creative energy of the space.
Bellies full, its time to unleash your inner musician and let the rhythm take hold in a hands-on drumming lesson. Learn the basics of playing the djembe, a traditional Ghanaian instrument, and feel the infectious energy of this ancient art form. We'll end our city tour diving into the vibrant chaos of Makola Market, the largest open-air market in West Africa. Navigate the maze of stalls overflowing with everything from fresh produce and spices to fabrics and electronics. Witness the lively atmosphere, experience the art of bartering, and soak in the authentic spirit of Accra.
The evening is yours to rest or explore.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 3: Accra Alchemy: Weaving Stories, Flavors, and Fabrics
After breakfast at the hotel, we'll start our morning at the Library Of Africa and The African Diaspora, a private library that celebrates and champions Africa's rarely acknowledged contribution to the global literary canon. Their collection includes over 4,000 volumes of literary fiction and narrative nonfiction dating from the early 20th century to the present day.
Then we'll have lunch a local haven for authentic Ghanaian cuisine. Savor the vibrant flavors of kelewele (spicy fried plantain), fufu (mashed plantains with savory soup), or grilled tilapia bursting with fresh herbs.
After a few hours of free time, unleash your inner artist at a batik-making and cooking class. Guided by expert hands, learn the ancient art of batik, transforming plain fabric into vibrant canvases with wax resist and colorful dyes. Let your creativity flow as you design your own masterpiece, a unique souvenir to carry a piece of Ghana back home. After we'll get some of the secrets of Ghanian cooking during a hands-on cooking class in a local home.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 4: Elmina Echoes: Naming, Healing, Renewal
Your day begins with a thrilling canopy walk through Kakum National Park. Soar 30 meters above the forest floor on a network of suspended bridges, enveloped by the emerald embrace of towering trees. Listen to the symphony of birdsong, spot mischievous monkeys swinging through the branches, and breathe in the invigorating scent of fresh rainforest air.
Step back in time at Elmina Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a poignant symbol of Ghana's colonial past. We'll be guided htrough the imposing fortress, learn about the history of the slave trade, and pay homage to the resilience of the African spirit. Onsite as we walk through the Door of No Return we'll participate in a traditional Ghanaian naming ceremony.
After this emotional experience, we'll relax and rejuvenate at the picturesque Coconut Grove Beach Resort. Savor a delicious lunch prepared with fresh, local ingredients while basking in the golden sunshine and the gentle rhythm of the waves. In the afternoon, join a guided meditation session on the beach, allowing the soothing sounds of the ocean to wash away stress and restore inner peace.
Enjoy free time at the beach and a delicious dinner in Cape Coast, the vibrant capital of the Central Region. After a day filled with emotions and experiences, retreat to your comfortable oceanfront bungalow in Cape Coast.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 5: Free Day
After yesterday’s full day of adventure, we'll journey back to Accra and you'll have the remainder of your day to rest or use our Accra guide to explore more of the city.
Breakfast
Day 6: History to Horizon: Unveiling Accra's Past & Present
Awaken your inner artist at the Nkyinkyim Museum, a space nestled in the farmlands of Nuhalenya-Ada in the Greater Accra region dedicated to visual archiving of African history and African Heritage. The museum experience is designed to guide visitors towards healing and restorative justice; healing from the legacies of African enslavement and colonialism. The Museum is known for using griots* to unravel the history, symbolism, traditional African religion, and philosophy embodied in the sculptures.
As the sun dips below the horizon, painting the sky in fiery hues, it's time to celebrate together during our closing dinner. Get ready for a night of infectious music and electrifying vibes at Sandbox Beach Club. This open-air paradise, nestled on the sands of Labadi Beach, is where Accra comes alive after dark. Feel the sand between your toes, the pulse of Afrobeats in your bloodstream, and the laughter of good company filling the air. Let loose under the starlit sky and experience the unbridled joy of Accra's nightlife.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 7: Departures
We’ll say goodbye to Accra with included airport transportation.
Breakfast
Our Hotel
Our contemporary 5-star hotel is an urban oasis within the central district, only 7km from the airport and within walking distance of the Makola Market. The modern hotel rooms feature stunning garden or city views with complimentary Wi-Fi, coffee & tea facilities, 46” flat screen TV’s, laptop sized safe and in room ironing facilities.
The hotel has a variety of dining options including The Deli, The Pool Bar & BBQ and The Sankofa Restaurant.Beat the Accra heat at the hotel’s lagoon style pool – Accra’s largest outdoor swimming pool – or just relax poolside enjoying the lush greenery as servers on roller skates hand deliver you refreshments.
The hotel boasts 1,500 art pieces throughout the hotel including many pieces retained from Ghana’s independence from the British in 1957. Indulge in the nightly chocolate hour or get a relaxing treatment at the hotel spa, or check out the sauna, full service gym, art shop or 24/7 pharmacy to meet your needs.
Additional Info
Pricing
The listed price of the trip is $4,500 per person based on single occupancy.
Entry requirements
A valid passport with at least 6 months of validity beyond the trip dates and at least one blank page in your passport for endorsements. A valid tourist visa and yellow fever vaccine is required for U.S. citizens. Identify your Ghana entry requirements here.
Activity Level
Participants should be comfortable walking up to 2 miles over the course of a day for walking tours during our city tour, Kakum National Park visit, and Elmina Castle tour. Please contact us directly if you have further questions about health and fitness level for this trip.
Arrival & Departure
Flights from the U.S. should depart on October 9, 2024 (one day prior to the trip start date) to arrive in Accra, Ghana on October 10, 2024 in time for the opening dinner and book discussion. If possible, book flights that arrive no later than 3:00 p.m. local time.
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