Soul & Soil: Discovering the Story of Ghana

This 10-day, 9-night journey through Ghana offers an immersive blend of history, culture, nature, and personal discovery. Your adventure begins in Accra, Ghana’s vibrant capital, where modern energy and deep historical roots coexist. Explore key landmarks such as Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, Independence Square, and the lively Makola Market, where the colorful pulse of daily life fills the streets.

Travel next to Cape Coast, where you’ll confront Ghana’s profound past with a guided tour of the haunting Cape Coast Castle, a sobering reminder of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Nearby, Kakum National Park awaits, offering a thrilling canopy walk with panoramic views of West Africa’s lush rainforest ecosystem.

Next, immerse yourself in the serene beauty of the Aburi Botanical Gardens, a lush oasis of towering palms, exotic blooms, and shaded pathways where nature’s artistry invites reflection and renewal. In the evenings, be drawn into the rhythms of live drumming, storytelling, and performance poetry that speak to resilience across generations and continents.

Along the way, indulge in a hands-on chocolate-making workshop—from cocoa bean to velvety bar—learning the artistry behind one of Ghana’s sweetest exports. As you taste and create, you’ll also connect to the global cocoa trade, a legacy intertwined with migration, colonization, and the resilience of African farmers whose traditions continue to shape the world.

Your journey continues inland to Kumasi, the royal capital of the Ashanti Kingdom. Visit the Manhyia Palace Museum, home to centuries of regal history, where the legacies of kings, queens, and cultural resilience are brought to life through tradition and art.

A highlight of your experience includes a visit to the serene Volta Region, where you’ll embark on a boat cruise on Volta Lake, the world’s largest manmade lake, and marvel at the engineering wonder of the Adome Bridge. Take time to relax at the picturesque Bridgeview Resort, with opportunities for leisure activities or peaceful reflection amidst stunning natural surroundings.

Throughout the tour, delight in authentic Ghanaian cuisine, traditional music and dance, and meaningful cultural exchanges with local communities. The journey concludes with a special celebratory dinner, offering a moment to reflect on the memories, friendships, and discoveries made along the way.

REC Advisory Group, LLC reserves the right to adjust the final itinerary as circumstances require. Any changes will be made with care to ensure the best possible experience for all participants.

Arrive in Accra, Ghana (Flight Details - TBC). You will be picked up at the Kotoko International Airport (ACC) and checked in to your hotel; get settled and refreshed.

Shortly after, we will go to the Makola Market.   Makola is Accra’s largest open-air market which overflows with goods, people, scents and sounds, hustle and bustle. It is the best place to absorb the atmosphere of a West African market. It is also the perfect location for touring and selecting from a variety of colorful fabrics.

Lunch will be served.

Upon returning to the hotel, those who are interested in having custom clothes made while in Ghana will have their measurements to be taken by the tailor. 

Now it is time to rest, relax and enjoy the facilities at the hotel.

Experience the city’s highlights during this Accra orientation. The capital of Ghana since 1877, Accra is also the capital of the Greater Accra Region. In addition, it’s the country’s most populous city. We will visit the W.E.B. Du Bois Centre for Pan African Culture and the Independence/Black Star Square, learning about important events in Ghana’s history and the country’s first president who helped lead Ghana to independence. 

Continue your tour to the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, dedicated to the legacy of Ghana's first President, Kwame Nkrumah, and his role in African independence.  Next, you will visit The National Museum of Ghana, the largest and oldest of the six African Arts Museums in Ghana. 

Lunch will be served then conclude the day’s tour at Jamestown and the Arts Centre, where participants can sharpen their bargaining skills to shop for goods from Ghana and West Africa in an open-air market.

Prepare an overnight bag.

After breakfast, we will drive through the historic Assin Kingdom to The Assin Manso Ancestral Slave Park, also called "The River of the Last Bath." The Assin Manso Ancestral Slave Park was one of the largest slave markets for gathering people to sell into slavery during the Trans-Atlantic slave trade.   It was the final link in the slavery route from northern Ghana and was known to have the largest slave market for the merchant supplying slaves on the fort and castle on the coast.  

The River is a prelude to visiting Cape Coast Slave Castle, as we will be following the route taken by the ancestors of many African Diasporans.

Cape Coast Castle was built by the Swedes in 1653 and was later taken over by the British. Here, you will learn about the relationship between the western slave traders and the African tribes that made the trans-Atlantic slave trade possible. 

The river served as a poignant beginning to our visit to Cape Coast, tracing the very path once taken by the ancestors of African Diasporans.

At Cape Coast Castle, we’ll step into a space where history's sorrowful shadows meet the enduring light of remembrance. As we move through the castle’s dungeons and stand before the infamous “Door of No Return,” we confront a painful chapter of the past. Yet, within these walls, we also honor the resilience, courage, and unyielding spirit that continue to define generations descended from those who passed through this place.

After breakfast and hotel check out, we will head back to Accra. 

During our trip, you will continue to absorb the impact of the tumultuously trod road of our ancestors and be reminded that you are of resilient and persevering people.

As a lifelong reminder- we are pleased to share one of the most unforgettable moments of the journey- taking part in a Ghanaian naming ceremony.  Led by a village chief/queen mother, this sacred tradition will welcome you into the community in a way that few travelers ever experience. Stand alongside one another and village locals as you receive your Ghanaian name, symbolizing your connection to this land, your acceptance into the community, and your bond with the people you’ll never forget. It’s more than a ceremony—it’s a homecoming.

Snacks will be provided. 

Breathe in the cool hilltop air of Aburi Botanical Gardens, where towering palms, medicinal plants, and colonial-era trees frame a serene stroll through Ghana’s green sanctuary.

Continue into the countryside for a hands-on visit to a cocoa farm—walk among pods, learn the life of the cacao tree from seedling to harvest, crack fresh pods, and taste the sweet, pulpy beans.

Your day culminates with a bean-to-bar chocolate session: fermenting & drying explained, roasting demonstrations, and a guided tasting of single-origin Ghanaian chocolates. Roll up your sleeves for simple chocolate making—tempering, molding, and decorating your own treats to take home.

Step away from the bustle and immerse yourself in the natural beauty and tranquility of Ghana’s Volta/Akosombo region. This full-day leisure escape offers a perfect blend of scenic adventure and indulgent relaxation.

Enjoy roundtrip transportation from Attimpoku to Akosombo, making your journey as smooth as your day ahead. Begin with a stop at the renowned Adome Bridge, a beloved architectural icon and a must-see photo spot. 

Then, the day is yours to unwind at the elegant Bridgeview Resort. Whether you prefer to simply relax and soak in the views or choose from a variety of exciting optional activities, the choice is yours.

Optional activities include (at additional cost):

• Thrilling jet ski rides
   

• An exhilarating speed boat adventure
   

• Luxurious spa treatments
   

• And much more designed to help you relax or energize!
   

This day trip is designed to be as laid-back or adventurous as you like—a perfect getaway for travelers looking to explore and recharge.

Prepare yourselves for full day! 

We will head out early in the morning to catch a flight to Ashanti Kingdom!  After breakfast, we will head to Kotoka International Airport to board a flight to Kumasi. Upon arrival, we will visit The Manhyia Palace Museum. The museum is a historic museum located in Kumasi and situated within Manhyia Palace first established in 1925 as a private residence for the Asantehene Agyemang Prempeh I. 

Additionally, you may try your hand (and foot) at kente weaving, as we engage in a tour and demonstration at the Bonwire Kente Village; known as the original home of the colorful fabric.  

If weaving isn't your artistic calling, perhaps creating colored dye and stamping fabric will be more your speed.  Let's find out together through a tour and demonstration at Ntonso Craft Village—Adinkra Stampers.

If time permits, we may tour the Okomfo Anokye sword sight where the golden stool of the Asanteman descended into the laps of King Osei Tutu I. The sight was predicted by Okomfo Anokye to be a healing place for millions of people.  As well as paying a visit to the Nana Prempeh II museum and Kumasi cultural Centre. 

We will take a late afternoon flight, heading back to Acrra, in the evening.

After breakfast, you will have time to enjoy your final day of fun.  You are welcome to explore the city on your own or choose from a menu of activities that are offered at an additional cost.  

Regardless of how you spend your last day in Accra, be sure to leave time to rest and prepare for the farewell.

Depart from Kotoko International Airport in Accra, Ghana (Flight Details - TBC).  

After breakfast, spend the day doing last minute packing. Later you will check out of the hotel and be transferred to the airport for check-in and final departure back home.