Chicago Austin Youth Travel Adventures, NFP is starting our journeys to West Africa to the following cities of Ghana. Accra, Elmina, Kumasi and Akosombo. Our discoveries of black history at home and connecting to the motherland will help families explore history together. Our journey is a combination of volunteerism, adventure and history.
Payment in full at this time. Contact Crystal Dyer at 773.417.8808
Day 1 - The African Adventure to Ghana begins with departure from Chicago O'Hare Airport to Accra Ghana
Our journey is prepared by Gone Again Travel & Tours, 5940 W Chicago Ave, Chicago IL 60651. The only black owned storefront travel agency on the Westside of Chicago. Contact Crystal Dyer for all your group travel needs.
All the proceeds will go to sponsor youth on this journey and also monthly statewide cultural trips for Chicago Austin Youth Travel Adventure, NFP 501c3.
RATES ARE PER PERSON BASED ON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT $420 ADDITIONAL
To minimize any loss and to protect yourself during the trip, we highly recommend taking out a comprehensive insurance policy that covers cancellation. TRAVEL INSURANCE IS INCLUDED IN THE PRICE.
CHICAGO IL
FULL LIST WILL BE DISTRIBUTED AT FINAL PAYMENT. ALL 4 STAR PROPERTIES
FULL DESCRIPTION LISTED
AS INDICATED BY B (BREAKFAST INCLUDED)
AIR CONDITIONED BUS BY LICENSED DRIVER
NATIONAL PARKS AND ATTRACTIONS
LICENSED ENGLISH SPEAKING GUIDE
Ghana Visa http://www.ghanaembassy.org/index.php?page=visas
https://www.passporthealthusa.com/vaccinations/
Upon arrival at the Kotoka International airport, a representative will
meet group. Depending on the time of arrival, we can visit the fishing village of
James Town for a walking tour with a brief stopover at the James town Café and
the Brazil house the ancestral home of a group of Afro-Brazilian returnees, now an
art space and gallery. Join in the celebrations of the Chale Wote Art festival
in Jamestown, the ‘original Accra’ with its old streets.
Start the day with a drive by the Osu Castle (Christiansborg), which was originally built by the Danes, then pass by the Independence square to the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum (the final resting place of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and also contains personal items like books, pictures, etc of Ghana’s first President). After lunch at the National Museum, we visit the W.E.B. Dubois Centre for Pan Africanism and the Diaspora African Forum (DAF).
Visit an orphanage, where group can make a donation, play games, read books with the children. Continue trip to Akosombo, where we experience a boat ride along the Volta River.
Set off for the Ashanti Region through the picturesque mountainous region of the
Eastern Region with a stopover at a bead market and factory in Agomanya/Somanya. Learn the process of bead making at the village. Continue to
the Cocoa Research Institute. On arrival, we visit the Asante Traditional
Buildings including the Asemaso Traditional Shrine.
Spend the morning at a school interacting with pupils during and outside school
Hours. Continue to the Manhyia Palace, seat of the Ashanti Kingdom. Also visit
the crafts villages of Ntonso, famous for adinkra design and Ahwiaa for carving.
Also visit the village of Adanwomase (Kente) to interact with locals and to learn
traditional skills like kente weaving, palmwine tapping, farming, etc.
Early morning visit to the Kejetia Market, the largest open air market in
West Africa. Set off for the Central Region with a stopover at Assin Manso, where slaves were kept, had a last bath in the "Donko Nsuo" before shipment to the New
World. On arrival, we visit the Elmina Castle overlooking the nearby Fort Jago,
for an insight into the history of slavery. Take a walk through the Elmina township and fish market to view some homes built in colonial style and also to experience the lifestyle of the Fantis.
Early morning visit to the Kakum National Park, which comprises of undisturbed
virgin rainforest to experience a walking tour on the longest and highest canopy
walkway in West Africa. We make a brief stopover at the Hans Botel, a resort
partly built on stilts on a river with crocodiles and lots of bird life. Join in the
celebrations of the colorful Fetu Afahye Festival celebrated by the Oguaa of
Cape Coast. Experience night life in Elmina.
Group has the option to attend a traditional church service this morning. Continue to the Cape Coast Castle, declared as a UNESCO World Heritage site and its
West African Historical Museum. Depart for Accra with a stopover at the
Challenging Heights, home to children who have been freed from modern
day slavery. This organization supports communities at risk to ensure that
vulnerable children are protected from modern day slavery.
Start the day with last minute shopping including a visit to the Makola market.
Also visit to the Arts Centre for National Culture (Ghana’s biggest craft
market). There is a great chance of discovering old antiques by strolling into the deep interior of the crafts market. Explore Ghana’s Oxford street and shops. After dinner, we check into airport for departure.
