12 DAYS TOUR OF MALI AND GHANA

Tour Cost: $ 3,980.42
(Per Person Land Package Excluding Intra Flights)

Day 1 (Sunday)                        ARRIVE IN ACCRA, GHANA

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 (Monday)                        ACCRA CITY TOUR
Breakfast at hotel. Depart for a sightseeing city tour of Accra. You will drive through the administrative and economic districts of Accra, the capital of Ghana. This 132-year-old city which 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, National Museum, and the National Theater.
After lunch (on your own)  in a local Ghanaian restaurant, you will end your tour at the Arts Centre where you will have an opportunity to use your bargaining skills to shop from an open-air market for artifacts from Ghana and West Africa

Day 3(Tuesday)                      CAPE COAST CASTLE / KAKUM NATIONAL PARK
Breakfast at hotel. Depart to visit the Cape Coast Castle built by the Swedes in 1653 and was later taken over by the British. This castle also houses the West African Historical Museum. History will unfold the story of the slave trade, the  impact is still felt beyond the shores of Africa today. You will have the option of lunch on your own at Hans Cottage Botel while watching the resident crocodiles and busy weaver birds. After lunch, go for a drive through the historic Denkyira Kingdom to Kakum National Park, one of the West Africa’s surviving tropical rain forests; where you have the option of taking 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 infamous canopy walkway suspended 30 meters above the forest floor.  Overnight at hotel in Elmina

Day 4 (Wednesday)            ELMINA – KUMASI / 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. Later, 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.

Day 5 (Thursday)                                              ASANTI CRAFT VILLAGES
This day is devoted to visiting the three famous craft villages in Ashanti -  Ahwiaa, the wood carvers’ village, Ntonso, the home of Adinkra and Bonwire, the Kente weaving village.  You will have the opportunity to see how African crafts are made and to buy directly from the artisans who make them.  Overnight at hotel in Kumasi.

Day 6 (Friday)                                   KUMASI – ACCRA – DAY AT LEISURE
After breakfast, spend the remainder of the day at leisure in preparation towards your trip to Mali. Overnight at hotel in Accra.

Day 7  (Saturday)           ACCRA – BAMAKO, MALI

Transfer by air to Mali.  Upon arrival, depart for sightseeing tour of Bamako, capital of Mali. Visit the National Museum, to see some of the beautifully displayed objects, including those used in 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 8     (Sunday)                    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. Take a tour of Sangha, a striking example of a Dogon village with traditional homes and granaries.  Overnight in hotel at hotel in Sangha.

Lodging:  Sangha Campment (Basic)
Meals: B

Day 9 (Monday)                         DOGON COUNTRY - MOPTI
After breakfast, depart to Songo via Bandiagara to visit the spiritual chief’s house called Guinna and Songo for its famous rock paintings. Return to Bandiagara for your city tour of former Toucouleur Palace, the mosque with its wooden pillars and the traditional medicine center.  Overnight at hotels in Mopti.

Day 10 (Tuesday)                  CITY TOUR OF MOPTI
Depart early for a tour of the city of Mopti which includes its bustling harbor where you will find large wooden pinasses witrh canvas covers and colorful flags waviing in the breeze. Moptis Grande Marche, Petit Marches 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 (Wednesday)                                   MOPTI – BAMAKO / BAMAKO - ACCRA
Check out and depart for the airport to transfer by air to Bamako. Mopti to Bamako for flight to Accra. After lunch, spend the remainder of the day at leisure. Overnight at hotel in Accra.

Lodging:  Hotel in Accra (3 Star)                           Mali Express 9:20am - 10:35am (MOP - BKO)
Meals: B                                                  Air Iviore 6:20pm - 9:45pm (BKO -ACC)

Day 12  (Thursday)                                                            DEPARTURE
Day at leisure and shopping towards your journey back home.  Transfer to the airport for check in and departure.