Cultural history holiday in Ghana

Ghana has a vibrant cultural identity and has been inhabited for over 300,000 years. It’s current ethnographic composition results from constant migration from the North and Eastern parts of Africa, mainly due to the abundance of gold found in the region. This cultural diversity is evident with over 75 African dialects spoken in current day Ghana. By the 13th Century, several Akan Kingdoms had arisen in Ghana. The Ashanti initially controlled central Ghana with Fanti, Ga and Ewe confined to coastal and eastern parts. By the 18th Century, the Ashanti had become the most powerful tribe within Ghana, conquering most other tribes and controlling the vitally important trade routes to the coast.

In 1471, the first European settlers, the Portuguese, arrived at a village known today as Elmina. They were initially lured here by the trade in ivory and gold. This was soon to be replaced by the tragic trade in human cargo bound for the rapidly increasing number of plantations in the Americas. The Akan Kingdoms became rich through the transportation of slaves from all over West Africa to the many castles and fortifications built by the Europeans that are still found on Ghana’s coastline today. Visiting these monuments is an emotional journey that will remain with you forever. This frequent and tragic history should never be forgotten.

Ghana has so much more to offer however. Just imagine yourself staying in a village watching traditional African drumming and dancing and in the evening sitting around and listening to traditional tales and stories from village elders, or learning how to make Kente cloth, traditional local foods, jewellry or wood carvings. Imagine visiting a Lobi village of the Upper West or meeting the Sirigu people who are famous for their colourful homesteads pot and basket making. The Widnaba people of the Upper East will take you to a hollowed Baobab tree where slaves used to be tied to at an old slave market. Spend a few days in the heart of the Ashanti Kingdom and visit the Asantehenes palace in Kumasi. Whatever you choose, we are sure a cultural visit to experience the colourful warm hospitality of the varied ethnic groups within Ghana, and immersing yourself in their diverse culture and traditions is an experience that will change your life forever. Ghana 8 day Cultural Tour
From £699 ex flights - 2008: 12 Jul, 04 Oct

	Day 1:	Arrival: Transfer to hotel, relax and acclimatise yourself to Africa.
	Day 2:	Cultural excursions and wildlife viewing: Cultural visit to Tafi Atome, stopping en route at Wli falls West Africa's highest waterfall.
	Day 3:	Cultural excursions: A tour of Tafi Abuife Kente weaving village, before setting off for Cape Coast.
	Day 4:	Cultural excursions and wildlife viewing: Visit Cape Coast castle a UNESCO world heritage site and the castle of St George, the oldest extant Colonial building in sub Saharan Africa. An afternoon visit to Kakum National Park and Africa's only rainforest canopy walkway.
	Day 5:	Cultural excursions: Transfer to Kumasi, stopping at Assin Manso, an important town along the slave trade routes. On arrival in Kumasi we will visit the National Cultural centre and Prempeh II Jubilee museum.
	Day 6:	Cultural excursions: A morning visit to Kejetia market, West Africa's largest market and then a tour of Manhiya Palace, home of the Asantehene King, King of the Ashanti's. In the afternoon we tour an Ashanti craft village.
	Day 7:	Cultural excursions: Accra tour visiting National museum, craft markets and Independence square.
	Day 8:	Cultural tour: Our final day and a morning visit to the National Cultural centre and craft market. After lunch, proceeding to Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum and museum.

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Ghana 10 day Cultural Tour
From £850 ex flights - 2008: 13 Jun, 19 Sep, 17 Oct, 07 Nov, 26 Dec

	Day 1:	Arrival: Transfer to hotel, relax and acclimatise yourself to Africa.
	Day 2:	Cultural excursions: Transfer to Kumasi. Visit the National cultural centre, Prempeh II jubilee museum and tour a traditional craft village.
	Day 3:	Cultural excursions: A morning visit to Kejetia market, West Africa's largest market and then a tour of Manhiya Palace, home of the Asantehene King of the Ashanti's. In the afternoon we proceed to the Okomfo Anokye sword and Kumasi Fort.
	Day 4:	Wildlife viewing and cultural excursions: An Ashanti Kente weaving village tour in the morning, proceeding to Boabeng Fiema monkey sanctuary, a community run eco tourism project.
	Day 5:	Wildlife viewing and cultural excursions: Overnight at Wechiau. An early morning river safari and afternoon Lobi tribal village tour.
	Day 6:	Wildlife viewing and cultural excursions: Transfer to Mole National Park. On arrival, relax around the pool watching wildlife around a nearby watering hole. An afternoon foot safari and visit to Larabanga and the 14th century mud and stick mosque.
	Day 7:	Cultural excursions: Transfer to Kumasi, stopping at Kintampo falls en route.
	Day 8:	Cultural excursions: A visit to Assin Manso, before touring Cape Coast Castle, a UNESCO world heritage site and the Castle of St George the oldest extant Colonial building in sub saharan Africa.
	Day 9:	Wildlife viewing: A morning visit to Kakum National Park and Africa's only rainforest canopy walkway. In the afternoon we travel to Accra.
	Day 10:	Cultural tour: Our final day and a morning visit to the National cultural centre and craft market. After lunch, proceeding to Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum and museum.

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Ghana 15 day Cultural Tour
From £1295 ex flights - 2008: 05 Apr, 30 Aug

	Day 1:	Arrival: Transfer to hotel, relax and acclimatise yourself to Africa.
	Day 2:	Cultural excursions: Visit Cape Coast Castle a UNESCO world heritage site and the Castle of St George the oldest extant Colonial building in sub Saharan Africa.
	Day 3:	Wildlife viewing and cultural excursions: A morning visit to Kakum National Park and Africa's only rainforest canopy walkway. In the afternoon we proceed to Mosamagor to witness traditional African dance and drumming.
	Day 4:	Cultural excursions: Travel to Kumasi and an afternoon tour of Manhiya palace home of the Asantehene King of the Ashanti's.
	Day 5:	Cultural excursions: Kumasi tour visiting National cultural centre, craft markets, Prempeh II jubilee museum and Kejetia market West Africa’s largest open air market.
	Day 6:	Wildlife viewing and cultural excursions: An Ashanti craft village tour in the morning, proceeding to Boabeng Fiema monkey sanctuary, a community run eco tourism project.
	Day 7:	Cultural excursions: Transfer to Paga visiting Tamale en route.
	Day 8:	Cultural excursions and wildlife viewing:: Tour an old slave market and witness traditional cultural displays at Widnaba, before stopping at Sirigu, famous for its pottery and colourful homesteads. In the afternoon a visit to Paga and the sacred crocodile ponds.
	Day 9:	Wildlife viewing: Transfer to Mole National Park. On arrival, relax around the pool watching wildlife around a nearby watering hole.
	Day 10:	Wildlife viewing and cultural excursions: Morning foot safari and afternoon visit to Larabanga and the 14th century mud and stick mosque.
	Day 11:	Cultural excursions and wildlife viewing: Overnight at Wechiau. An early morning river safari and afternoon Lobi tribal village tour.
	Day 13:	Cultural tour: A cultural tour of Bonwire Kente weaving village, stopping at Kintampo falls en route to Kumasi.
	Day 14:	Cultural excursions: Accra tour visiting National museum, craft markets and Independence square.
	Day 15:	Cultural tour: Final day and a morning visit to the Du Bois centre before proceeding to the National cultural centre, which is home to Accra's largest craft market.