Spirit of West Africa
Hogbestosto Festival Departure:

 

Day 1: Depart USA

• Your journey begins as you check in for your overnight flight to Accra, Ghana

Day 2: Arrive Accra, Ghana

• Arrive in Accra, meet our representative, and transfer to your hotel
• Gather for a tour briefing and welcome dinner

Accommodations: Fiesta Residence Hotel or similar
Meals: Dinner

Day 3: Accra

• Visit Independence Square and the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park
• Meet local artists at the Artists Alliance Art Gallery and gain insight into Ghana’s vibrant contemporary art scene
• Meet one of Ghana’s famous fantasy coffin makers
• Walk through historic Jamestown and enjoy an Afro music experience

Accommodations: Fiesta Residence Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast & lunch

Day 4: Hogbetsotso Festival in Anloga, Ghana & Lomé, Togo

• Experience the Hogbetsotso Festival, one of Ghana's most celebrated cultural events
• Witness the spectacular Durbar of Chiefs, featuring the Awoamefia and traditional leaders in elaborate ceremonial regalia
• Enjoy lively Agbadza drumming, dancing, and colorful cultural performances
• Learn the inspiring story of the Anlo-Ewe people's historic migration from Notsie to present-day Ghana
• Savor lunch overlooking the Gulf of Guinea
• Travel from Ghana into Togo, crossing the international border
• Spend the evening at leisure in Lomé or join your guide for a local nightlife experience

Accommodations: Hôtel 2 Février Lomé or similar
Meals: Breakfast & lunch

Day 5: Lomé

• Explore Lomé’s Grand Marché and learn about the influential “Nana Benz” traders
• Visit Art Street, the Artisans’ Village, and the Akodessawa Fetish Market
• Explore the restored Palais de Lomé, one of West Africa’s leading cultural centers
• Participate in a traditional Togolese culinary experience with local hosts

Accommodations: Hôtel 2 Février Lomé or similar
Meals: Breakfast & dinner

Day 6: Lomé & Togoville, Togo & Ouidah & Cotonou, Benin

• Travel along Togo’s coast and cross Lake Togo by boat to Togoville
• Learn about Vodun traditions at local shrines
• Cross the border into Benin and visit Ouidah, the spiritual heart of Vodun
• Visit the Sacred Forest and the Temple of the Pythons, two of the most significant Vodun sacred sites
• Reflect at the Door of No Return, a memorial connected to the transatlantic slave trade

Accommodations: Maison Rouge Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast & lunch

Day 7: Cotonou, Ganvié & Porto-Novo

• Cruise by boat to Ganvié, the largest lake village in Africa
• Explore Porto-Novo’s Afro-Brazilian heritage
• See the Grand Mosque, King Toffa’s Palace
• Visit the striking Amazon Monument honoring the legendary women warriors, the Dahomey Amazons
• Drive along Cotonou’s contemporary Graffiti Wall

Accommodations: Maison Rouge Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast & lunch

Day 8: Cotonou, Benin & Accra, Ghana

• Journey overland from Benin through Togo and into Ghana
• Visit Aného, a historic coastal town connected to the transatlantic slave trade
• Return to Accra for dinner at the hotel

Accommodations: Fiesta Residence Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & dinner

Day 9: Accra

• Join a hands-on batik workshop led by a master artisan with more than 30 years of experience
• Explore the Nima neighborhood and its bustling spice market
• Visit local homes and gain insight into everyday life within one of Accra's oldest communities
• Sample traditional Ghanaian snacks while hearing stories from local residents
• Experience the lively Osu Night Market and enjoy authentic Ghanaian street food and local drinks

Accommodations: Fiesta Residence Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 10: Accra & Kumasi

• Fly from Accra to Kumasi, the heart of the Ashanti Kingdom
• Explore Kejetia Market, one of West Africa’s largest open-air markets
• Visit the Kumasi Cultural Centre and Prempeh II Jubilee Museum

Accommodations: Oak Plaza Suites or similar
Meals: Breakfast & lunch

Day 11: Kumasi

• Visit Manhyia Palace, the seat of the Ashanti Kingdome
• Visit the Asante Traditional Buildings, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Explore craft villages known for Adinkra, woodcarving, and kente weaving
• Meet local artisans and learn about traditional Ghanaian craftsmanship

Accommodations: Oak Plaza Suites or similar
Meals: Breakfast & lunch&dinner

Day 12: Kumasi & Elmina

• Travel to Ghana’s Central Region
• Visit Ancestral River Park in Assin Manso, a site of remembrance and reflection
• Tour Cape Coast Castle, a historic fortress connected to the transatlantic slave trade

Accommodations: Lemon Beach Resort or similar
Meals: Breakfast & lunch

Day 13: Elmina

• Walk across the canopy walkway at Kakum National Park
• Visit a local cocoa farm and meet a farmer
• Join a hands-on cooking experience with Global Mamas
• Gather for a farewell dinner

Accommodations: Lemon Beach Resort or similar
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 14: Elmina, Accra & Depart Ghana

• Walk through Elmina Township, including the fish market and harbor
• Visit Elmina Castle, a historic site connected to the transatlantic slave trade
• Return to Accra and freshen up before your flight home
• Transfer to the airport for your overnight return flight back to the USA

Meals: Breakfast & lunch
Accommodations: Palms by Eagles or similar