Twin, Homowo & Akwasidae Festivals

Overview

Day by day itinerary

1. 1Accra - Arrival⌄

   Upon arrival at the Kotoka International Airport, a representative from Blastours will meet group for a transfer to the hotel. Depending on the time of arrival, we can visit a seamstress with fabric to order customized traditional clothes.

2. 2Accra (Art Tour & Akweley Suma)⌄

   Start the day with a contemporary Art and Design tour of Accra including visit to the Artists Alliance Art Gallery, Nubuke Foundation and The Shop Accra. In the afternoon, we witness activities of Akweley Suma in preparation towards the twin festival ahead

3. 3Accra Shopping & Twin Festival⌄

   Start the day with a visit to the colourful and vibrant Makola Market. Continue to Accra’s Oxford Street to visit Textile shops. After lunch, we visit the Ga Mashie Palace, where we join in the activities of the Twin Festival, a celebration of the double blessing from God.

4. 4Accra (Homowo & Chale Wote)⌄

   Start the day with a drive by the Independence square. Continue 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. Join in celebrations of the Homowo festival and Chale Wote festival in Accra. Witness the preparation of a traditional meal of Kpoikpoi, served only during this festival. Have dinner to a live band performance.

5. 5Accra - Kumasi⌄

   Depart for the Ashanti Region. On arrival, we visit the Ashanti Traditional Buildings. Continue to the Manhyia Palace, the seat of the Ashanti Kingdom. End the day at the Kumasi Cultural Centre, which offers a good account of the rich Ghanaian culture, provides evidence of the Ashanti Kingdom's eminent past. It houses the Prempeh II Jubilee museum, which provides a fascinating collection of Asante’s history.

6. 6Kumasi Crafts Tour⌄

   Start the day with a visit to the textile section of the Kejetia Market, the largest open air market in West Africa. Visit the village of Ampabame Krofrom, where bronze smiths still create works of art using the lost wax method. Continue with brief stopovers at the craft villages of Ntonso, a village famous for adinkra design and Ahwiaa for carving. Also visit the village of Adanwomase (Kente) to interact with locals and to learn the art and history of the craft.

7. 7Kumasi – Elmina (Slave River)⌄

   Depart for the Central Region with a visit to Assin Manso, the location of a Slave River. On arrival, we visit Elmina Castle, for an insight into the history of slavery. Take a walk through the ancient town of Elmina, to view some homes built in colonial style and also to experience the lifestyle of the Fantis. This will include visits to the fish market and the Asafo Shrines, where warriors prepared mentally and spiritually before going to war.

8. 8Cape Coast⌄

   Participate in a naming ceremony, where you will be given a traditional African name amidst traditional drumming and dancing by the villagers. Continue to the Cape Coast Castle, declared as a UNESCO World Heritage site and its West African Historical Museum. After lunch, we join in a head wrapping, bead making or a drum & dance workshop.

9. 9Cape Coast - Accra⌄

   Set off for the Central Region, on arrival we experience a walk along the canopy walkway in the Kakum National Park.

10. 10Accra⌄

    Start the day with a visit to the herbal and textile sections of the Makola market, also to experience the hussle and bussle of our local market. Continue 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. You have the option to also visit the Wild Gecko Handicraft shop, Woodin, Global Mamas, etc.

11. 11Chale Wote Festival⌄

    Full day free participation in the Chale Wote Art Festival

12. 12Departure⌄

    Spend the day free before departure