Join Chinganji & Tandisizwe On This Once In A Lifetime

Experience…

Ancestral Tour of Ghana, 8 Days

July 22-29, 2013

Ghana’s climate is pleasantly tropical with year round average temperatures between 75° and 85°, with uninterrupted sunshine from November to May and a short rainy season between the months of April to June, when sudden but spectacular showers can punctuate the hot sun.

Ghana Weather

Your Tour of Ghana Includes…

Day 1: Arrive Accra; meet assist and transfer to the hotel.

DAY 2: ACCRA After breakfast there is orientation.Afterwards begin the city tour of Accra visiting the National Museum of History and Ethnography to observe exhibits that reflect the heritage of Ghana through-out history to the present.

Visit Independence Square, Accra's open-air ceremonial grounds where all national celebrations are held. Continue to visit the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum and museum, a tribute to Ghana's first President. This park, formally called the Polo grounds, is where Dr. Kwame Nkrumah declared the independence of Ghana. The remains of Dr Nkrumah as well as that of his wife rest on this premise. You will see various personal items used by Dr Nkrumah, as well as books he authored. Visit the Arts and Crafts market where you could test you’re bargaining and trading skills against the vendors. This evening there is a welcome dinner. Tailors and dressmakers will be in attendance to take your orders for custom made outfits.

Day 3: Depart Accra for the Ashanti Kingdom of Gold

Pink Lake

After breakfast drive to Kumasi, the Capital of the Ashanti Kingdom of Gold. Drive past several scenic villages with fine examples of traditional Ghanaian buliding. Arrive in Kumasi by mid afternoon and proceed on a half day tour of Kumasi. Visit the Manhyia Palace Museum built in 1925 by the British to receive Asantehene (ruler of the Ashanti people) Prempeh I when he returned from exile in the Seychelles to resume residence in Kumasi. Drive past the Kumasi Central Market, the largest open-air market in West Africa, to visit the National Cultural Center which is home to Prempeh II Jubilee Museum. This museum was named after the former Asantehene, Nana Osei Agyeman Prempreh II. Exhibits in this museum include a replica of the famed Golden Stool, which is believed to have descended from the sky and is the spiritual symbol of unity for the Ashanti people. Overnight: Golden Tulip Kumasi

Day 4: Kumasi

This morning there is optional church service attendance. After church service, visit a few Ashanti craft villages starting with the woodcarving village of Ahwiaa, known for the talented craftsmen who fashion royal stools, walking sticks and fertility dolls from wood. You will have the opportunity to purchase hand carved items of all kinds. The next stop is the village of Ntonso where artisan's hand-stamp patterns on cotton cloth to make Adinkra textiles. Adinkra cloth is worn for funerals and other solemn occasions. The final village is Bonwire, where the famous Kente cloth is handmade on looms in a time-honored tradition passed down through generations. You will see the Kente weavers in process of creating Kente cloth in various styles, and have the opportunity to purchase souvenirs expertly woven Kente.

“Freedom is not something that one people can bestow on another as a gift. They must claim it as their own and none can keep it from them.” – Kwame Nkrumah, The First President of Ghana

Day 5: KUMASI TO CAPE COAST Morning at leisure. Late morning depart to Cape Coast by driving past scenic villages and through the evergreen forests. On the way, you will stop at Assin Manso, 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. You will see the “Slave River” where captured Africans were washed before being confined in the Slave Castles to await shipment to the Americas and the Caribbean.

This evening go on a have a guided tour through the ancient town of Elmina. At the harbor you will see the colorful fishing canoes getting ready to go to sea for another night’s task of fishing. This is a perfect opportunity for the photographers in the group.

Day 6: Cape Coast

This morning we will visit Cape Coast Castle and the Castle Museum for a guided tour. Cape Coast Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and was one of the departure points for Africans being sent to slavery in the Americas. The castle is home to the infamous "Door of No Return."

Elmina Bay ResortWe want you to experience a peaceful, safe, natural setting, with only one thing to think about - relaxing and enjoying your stay in Ghana! Elmina Bay hotel will offer you a warm welcome, and luxurious rooms all with stunning sea views.

Day 7: Cape Coast – Kakum – Cape CoastAfter breakfast, visit Kakum National Park, one of Ghana's most famous parks. Take a brief walking tour on the forest floor where you will learn cultural and medicinal purposes of the flora and fauna. Proceed to the canopy walk. Kakum is home to Africa's only aerial walkway through the tree canopy, a 1000 foot long and seven-bridge walkway with viewing platforms that reach heights of over 150 feet above ground.

This afternoon we will visit the Cape Coast School for the Deaf. You will be welcomed by the students with traditional cultural performance. The students at Cape Coast School for the Deaf have put their disability aside in keeping the African traditional cultural performances alive. They will excite you with African traditional drumming and dancing skills. You will have the opportunity to meet individual students. You may make donations of school materials and other items to the students.

Day 6: Cape Coast, cont.

Day 8: Cape Coast To Accra

Continue to Accra with a brief stop to visit the village of Abandze, the ancestral home of Louis Armstrong, the famous American jazz musician. Arrive in Accra by late afternoon. Those who have ordered outfits will have the time to get fittings and adjustments before it is time for this evening’s farewell dinner with entertainment. Last minute shopping at the Arts and Crafts market where you could test your bargaining and trading skills against the vendors or visit one of Ghana’s best known fabric stores where there is a wide selection of African fabrics. After returning to your hotel with the great bargains you have secured, refresh and relax before this evening’s farewell dinner. Transfer to airport for flight back home

Day 8: Cape Coast – Accra- DepartAfter returning to your hotel with the great bargains you have secured,

refresh and relax before this evening’s farewell dinner. Transfer to airport for flight back home

Ghana What You Need To Travel

1. A current passport which must be valid for a minimum of six months after scheduled return date and must have as least two blank pages for immigration stamps.

2. All travelers must have a visa to enter Ghana.

3. Travelers visiting Ghana must show proof of immunization against yellow fever.

4. Malaria prophylactics is highly recommended.

5. Palace Travel will provide a visa support letter which helps to expedite the visa processing without the need to show evidence of financial support.

Pricing PRICE PER PERSON

TWO PER ROOMSINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT

$3990.00 $460.00

Tour Price Includes

• Roundtrip airfare from Atlanta • Meeting and assistance upon arrival and departure

• Roundtrip airport/hotel transfers• Hotel accommodation in the indicated properties• Transportation in private motor coach. • Experienced tour guide• Admission to listed sites and events• Meals indicated (7 breakfasts and 6 dinners)

Tour Price Does Not Include

• • Cost of visa• Meals not listed• Travel Insurance• Gratuity to drivers and guides

Ghana Traveler's Guide

• Do spend some time reading up and learning about the country you are visiting - you will get a far better reception if you take an interest in the people, respect their culture, learn their social etiquettes and at least the basics of the local language. A simple "hello", "please" or "thank you" goes a long way.

• Do show respect for local cultures, traditions and holy places and always dress modestly.

• Do carry tissues/toilet paper and hand sanitizer with you every day; outside of your hotel room you may not find toilet facilities that are what you are familiar with.

• Do use water sparingly - it is precious in many countries and the local people may not have sufficient clean water.

• Do be prepared for "tourist touts"—young men who generally have a sad story that requires you to part with your money.

• Do be careful with your belongings, particularly in crowded areas.

• Do support the local economy by buying local fabric, clothing and crafts.

• Do look out for quality products--there is a lot of junk just waiting for the unsuspecting traveler.

• Don't become so worried about crime that you forget to enjoy your trip. It's easy to fall into the habit of worrying so much that the real pleasures of the country pass you by.

• Don't display your wealth, don't wear expensive jewelry, wear a cheap watch.

• Don't be surprised if things happen less quickly or less efficiently than you are accustomed to at home. After all that is the reason you travel--to experience different cultures.

• Don’t take photos of military bases, police offices, or airports.

• Don’t be surprised if you encounter police checkpoints or traffic police. These are common in Africa and are used to look for stolen or overweight vehicles, and other law enforcement procedures.

• Do carry your passport with you, but in a secure method, protected from pickpockets.

• Do expect a culture shock in very many ways. No matter how much traveling you’ve done or how many multi-cultural events/activities/persons you’ve been exposed to, nothing will prepare you for what you’ll experience.

• Accept people for who they are, even if their cultural practices seem antiquated/foreign to you. You don’t have to want to live in a place to enjoy being there.

• Do remember- you are America’s representative. Regardless of your political beliefs, you may be one of the few Americans that someone you interact with has met. You have the ability to affect how that person views Americans and you may better that perspective.

Voltage: First is the voltage. The type of electricity that comes out of the wall is different than in the United States. Thus, you cannot directly use a U.S. electrical appliance UNLESS it is dual voltage. The Ghana electricity is 220 volts/50 cycles. To see if your appliance is dual voltage look on the plug or power box to see if it reads only 110 volts or if there is a range of 110-220v (or something very close). Converter: If there is a range of 110-220v you can use the appliance without a converter. You may need to move a screw from one indicator to the other, though. If your appliance is only good for 110v, you’ll need a converter. There are different types of converters, depending on the wattage of the appliance. Be sure to get the right kind.Adapter Plug: Regardless of what voltage your appliance is, you will not be able to plug it directly into the wall. You will need an adapter plug. Depending on whether your appliance is a two-prong or three-prong item, you need an adapter plug that works with your appliance. You may need two plugs—one with two prongs and one with three. Here is what the outlet plug will look like.← The Plug types used are Rectangular blades. Power strips: If you have multiple things to charge, you may want to purchase a power strip. That way you can charge several camera batteries, your cell phone, etc. at once. Note: throughout the world electrical outlets in bathrooms are ONLY for shavers. Do NOT plug anything else in, including hairdryers.

ELECTRICITY

What to WearGhana

• Lightweight or tropical for most of the year with rainwear for the rainy season.

• Long sleeves at nights.

• An umbrella or light rain coat for occasional shower.

• Casual wear is suitable although beachwear should only be worn at the beach or at the poolside.

• Only the most exclusive dining rooms encourage guests to dress for dinner.

• Good comfortable walking shoes are a must.