DAY 1. GHANA: YEAR OF THE RETURN

The president of Ghana dedicated 2019 as the Year Of The Return. Akwaaba (welcome) to Ghana! After you land we will meet you in the airport @ baggage claim. You can freshen up then get to know everyone at the meet-n-greet and receive your swag bags. We’ll also talk about being safe and responsible global citizens while in Ghana. Next, you get to pick out some African fabric to deliver to the seamstress for your own customized authentic apparel. After that we will head to Cape Coast.

DAY 2. CAPE COAST: SLAVERY DUNGEONS

Today we’ll dress in white and head to the Cape Coast & Elmina Dungeons. During our private tour we’ll learn in-depth about maafa (the “great disaster”) and the atrocities of the past that our people went through. You can literally feel the ancestors, welcoming you home. Take your time, a big part of the Year Of The Return is learning what happened here. When you walk backward through the “door of no return”, they call it the “door of return”, and welcome you back to Africa. In the evening we’ll have discussions about the impact that this has.

DAY 3. KUMASI: ADINKRA VILLAGE

We’ll make the drive to Kumasi and head straight to a cultural village. Here they make cloth with a manual loom and stamp it with Adinkra symbols. The ink is made from boiling tree bark (see video here). Adinkra symbols are a big part of Akan / Ashanti culture, the stamps are made from a hardened calabash shell. You will have the opportunity to purchase authentic cloth and calabash Adinkra stamps here. After the village we’ll check-in to our new hotel and relax a bit before dinner. The Year Of The Return continues!

DAY 4. KUMASI: KENTE VILLAGE

After breakfast we get to visit one of the favorite places on the tour… a village where they make colorful kente cloth! They operate manual looms here as well, if you’re lucky they’ll let you try it out! Weaving is a tradition that can start as early as childhood, and to be authentic it must be done in the “old way”. You can buy authentic kente here (recommended) to remind you of the Year Of The Return. Afterward we will make the drive to Accra, then the rest of the day is free until dinner. For those of you who like to dance, Friday has several nightlife options.

DAY 5. ACCRA: LABADI BEACH

We’ll start the days at Kwame Nkrumah’s Mausoleum to learn about him, Pan-Africanism, and Ghanaian independence. The Year Of The Return is here largely because of this man. Now we head to Labadi Beach. Labadi Beach is undoubtedly Ghana’s most vibrant beach. Every weekend there is a beach party, lots of people, and yep… horse-riding on the beach! Next, we get our first taste of the famous Chale Wote street festival in Jamestown. Chale Wote breaks creative boundaries using art as a viable form to rejuvenate public spaces.

DAY 6. JAMESTOWN: CHALE WOTE

Time to go pick up our custom-made apparel and do any final alterations from our Tailor as we visit the Arts Market. The Arts Market is where you can practice your bargaining skills, and find gifts for everyone at home who missed out on the trip. From handmade masks, baskets, clothing and art, you will find it all here. In the afternoon we’ll head back to Chale Wote one more time so soak it in again. Maybe we’ll do a Year Of The Return photo shoot?? Tonight we’ll have our wrap-up @ dinner & enjoy an African buffet with all sorts of choices to try. Foodie heaven.

DAY 7. YEAR OF THE RETURN: GOODBYE GHANA

For the people that did not choose to extend their trip, this is the sad day that we have to say goodbye. Congratulations on experiencing Ghana during the Year Of The Return. We will take you to the airport early to ensure you make your flight on time. Hope to see you again on future Traveling Black trips!

If you chose to extend your trip we’ll be taking you to a bustling locals market, then driving to Koforidua for a day trip to the Bead making village! There you will learn the art of bead making and be able to purchase many different beads.

DAY 8.  YEAR OF THE RETURN CONTINUES

We will start out the day at the Shai Hill Nature Reserve. Here you will see baboons, zebras and loads of plant life. Next we will take you to the relaxed beachtown of Ada-Foah. Fishermen fish, sailors sail and everyone loves the beach in this laid back town. We’ll spend the day relaxing here, eating fresh seafood and vibing to good local music. At night we’ll be back in Accra where we’ll have dinner and trivia at the trendy Burgers & Relish restaurant.

DAY 9.  YEAR OF THE RETURN CONCLUDES

The Year Of The Return trip extension ends here. We will make sure you and all your plunder get to the airport on time!