14 Day Burkina Faso, Ghana and Mali tour

DAY 1                          AKWAABA - WELCOME

Arrive in Accra, Ghana. Transfer from airport to your hotel. Depending on time of arrival, you will be welcomed with cultural drumming and dancing.  Welcome drink and orientation. Overnight at hotel in Accra.

DAY 2                          ACCRA CITY TOUR
After a hearty breakfast, depart for a sightseeing tour of Ghana’s capital city, Accra. Your drive will take you through the administrative and economic districts of the city capital. This 132-year-old city has a blend of colonial and modern architecture that summarize her history. You will visit the W. E. B. Dubois Center for Pan African Culture, Independence Black Star/Square and Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park.

You will end your tour at the Arts Center, where you will have the opportunity to use your bargaining skills to shop from an open air market for artifacts from Ghana and West Africa.

DAY 3                                CAPE COAST CASTLE & ELMINA CASTLE
Breakfast will be served at the hotel.  Depart for a drive to the Central Region to tour the infamous Forts, Castles and Slave Dungeons of Ghana. History will unfold the story of the slave trade, the impact of which is still felt beyond the shores of Africa today. Visit the Cape Coast Castle built by the Swedes in 1653 and later taken over by the British. This castle also houses the West African Historical Museum established by the Smithsonian Institute in collaboration with the Ghanaian Government in 1994.  Later, visit the Elmina Castle built by the Portuguese in 1482 and is also known as St. George's Castle.  This castle was the first European structure built in Sub – Saharan Africa.  The colorful harbor nestled below the Elmina Castle, full of pirogues preparing to go to sea offers one of West Africa’s greatest photo opportunities.  Overnight at hotel in Elmina

DAY 4                                                 KAKUM NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast at the hotel; depart for a drive through the historic Denkyira Kingdom to Kakum National Park, one of the West Africa’s surviving tropical rain forests.  Choose between a 2 km nature walk through this forest to discover the wide variety of exotic floral species and the medicinal values they offer or take a walk on the canopy walkway which hangs suspended at 60 meters above the forest ground. Later, spend the remainder of the day relaxing at the beach soaking up the African sun.  Overnight at hotel in Elmina.

DAY 5                            KUMASI CITY TOUR

Breakfast at hotel. Check out and depart for a drive through the forest zone to Kumasi, the seat of the Ashanti Empire to explore the legends of the famous Ashantis, whose legacies are still evident today. Upon arrival, visit Manhyia Palace Museum, to obtain firsthand information on the legacies of the Ashanti kingdom. A regal history that dates back to 1700 is told with relics and artifacts. Enjoy a drive through the city with monuments dedicated to the memory of the great Ashanti people.  End the day’s tour at the National Cultural Center which features the Prempeh II Jubilee Museum and various studios of the brass makers, potters and batik makers.  Overnight at hotel in Kumasi.

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DAY 6                                  TAMALE CRAFT SHOPPING

After breakfast, check out and depart Kumasi for a drive to Tamale the capital of the Dagomba State.  Visit the Centre for National Culture to see how the Northern Culture evolved.  Here you will find the well known northern traditional attire known as the “smock or (fugu)” being designed, dyed and sewed by hand. Visit the main handicraft market where you can shop for straw products, leather goods, and carvings from the Mossi people.    After your lunch, visit Kukuo a suburb of Tamale to experience the mastery and style used in the manufacture of pottery and other household items with clay and local dye or (paint).  Overnight stay at hotel in Tamale.

DAY 7                       TAMALE – OUAGADOUGOU, BURKINA FASO

Check out and depart for a scenic drive through the savanna zone to Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Embark on a sightseeing tour of Ouagadougou, the traditional capital of the Mossi Empire. Visit the Centre Artisan to shop for bronze castings, carvings, masks, jewelry which consists of desert crosses and terracotta beads as well as Tuareg leather boxes. End the day by visiting the Musee National. The museum consists primarily of ethnographic collections such as clay pots, basket making and weaving exhibits, regional costumes including the Mossi chiefs regalia, ancestral statutes of the Bobo, Mossi, Lobi and the Gourounsi people. Overnight at a hotel in Ouagadougou.

DAY 8                               OUAGADOUGOU – DOGON COUNTRY
Early morning departure for a drive to Bandiagara, the entrance door to the Dogon Valley to explore its stone and mud villages built on top, along side and at the base of an escarpment locally refered to as Tellem houses. This architecture and location of the Dogon villages offer a unique picturesque view, which spans 150 kilometers of this stunning escarpment. Overnight at encampment in Dogon Country.

DAY 9                                        DOGON COUNTRY 

This day is devoted to discovering the mysteries of the Dogon people. Take a trek through the villages of Banani, Ireli, and Tireli. Ireli has the best preserved habitats of Dogon ancestors, the Pgmie, Tellum, and Tireli is famous for its Masked Dance Ceremonies. Later, visit the spiritual chief’s house called Guinna and Songo for its famous rock paintings. Take a tour of Sangha, a striking example of a Dogon village with traditional homes and granaries.  Overnight at encampment in Dogon Country.

DAY 10                                             DOGON-MOPTI

After breakfast, depart for Mopti, described as the cross road of Mali. Mopti is the country’s route intersection, pulling together all the people of Mali (Bamana, Songhai, Fula, Tuareg, Moor, Bozo and Dogon). Embark on a tour of the city of Mopti which includes its bustling harbor where you will find large wooden pinasses with canvas covers and colorful flags waving in the breeze. Moptis Grande Marche, Petit Marche and fish markets are all worth exploring. You will find variety of items including earthenware pottery and calabash products. Again visit the Grande mosque and old town with its narrow pedestrian streets and gray banco houses. Overnight at hotel in Mopti.

DAY 11                       MOPTI-TIMBUKTU (Tuesdays and Saturdays)
Depart early (on a morning flight) for Timbuktu to discover the ancient city of Timbuktu, originating back to 1100AD. Explore this city known for being the first center of learning for mankind; its impressive history and unique architecture. Visit the Ethnological Museum, which houses a collection of ancient books on religion, science, history and mathematics. Check into your hotel and have lunch on your own. After lunch, make a stop at the local mosques, the explorers’ houses, the market, and the museum. End the day’s tour with an excursion to the desert for evening camel ride led by the local tuaregs.  Overnight at hotel in Timbuktu.

DAY 12                            TIMBUKTU – BAMAKO (Wednesdays and Sundays)

Check out and depart for airport for Timbuktu to Bamako flight. Upon arrival, spend the remainder of the day at leisure. Overnight at hotel in Bamako.

DAY 13                                            BAMAKO CITY TOUR
After breakfast, Visit the National Museum, to see some of the beautifully displayed objects, including those used in forging and weaving. Other highlights include the stylized antelope mask of Bamana; various Senoufo statuary, and, of course, the world-renowned antique Dogon Sculptures. Visit the Point G, where you will have a panoramic view of the city and some abounded cliff dwellings featuring old rock paintings. The artisan center houses an abundance of shops and stalls selling crafts and curios such as leatherwork, fabric, silverware, masks, carvings and bronze figurines. There is also the artisan’s workshop where you can watch woodcarvers, silversmiths, drum makers and other craftspeople at work. Overnight at hotel in Bamako.

DAY 14                                          DAY AT LEISURE/DEPARTURE
Breakfast at hotel. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure in preparation toward your journey back home.  Evening transfer to airport for check in and departure for the US.