Bicycle Africa
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Bicycle Africa |
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Unique Programs To Special Places For Memories Of A Lifetime!
The diversity characterizing Ghana is considerable. This explains its ability to offer visitors beautiful sites, verdant mountainous landscapes, green valleys and dry plains as well as beaches and the sun throughout the year. Ghana offer a surprising diversity of landscapes and localities, ranging from the fevered atmosphere of the streets of Accra, abundant coastal vegetation and serene savannah of the North.
Accra is known for its shade trees and its energetic ambiance. Among the top attractions are Independence Square, the National Museum, and the highly regarded Makola market, center for much day-to-day commerce.
On the Akwapan plateau, many cities and towns are veritable garden cities by virtue of theirs numerous mango trees and "flower beds" of edible landscaping. The first cocoa trees in Ghana were planted in this region. On this theme, Aburi is the home of a large botanical garden. Its narrow streets, hillside building, a quaint church and cooler climate make it a refreshing stop-over. Also of interest in the are are the traditional healers.
The Ashanti people, one of the larger and best known ethnic groups in Ghana, are found in the Ashanti region. During the height of the Mali Empire the Ashanti became wealthy through the trading of gold mined from their territory. They held power in the regions when the European colonist arrived and defeated the British in several battles resisting subjugation. Their cultural achievements include some of Africa's most highly regarded textiles (Kenti cloth and Adinkra cloth) and metal work. The Asante Traditional Buildings are inscribed as World Heritage Sites.
Shores lined with coconut trees and typical fisherman's dwellings, runs along the coast from one side of the country to the other. The maritime region of West Africa is the cradle land of much to the traditional religion and music that many Westerners associated with Africa. It is not coincidence, because this is also the region that supplied much of the human cargo of the trans-Atlantic stave trade, which allowed these religious and cultural traditions to seep into the culture of the America such as Santeria, jazz and gospel music. Many of the slave forts of Ghana have been preserved, are open for sobering tours and have World Heritage Site status.
Ghana's appeals to visitors is its people and their traditions and folklore. People fall in love with the process of bargaining in a market and the sort of interaction it involves. The product is a keepsake, not necessarily to ‘show off’ your travels, but to enrich your environs -- tokens of other cultures as a daily reminder that there are many ways people live in this world.
Program Fact Sheet
Schedule: June or November (see full schedule and status)
Program Price (lodging, two meals/day, guide, museum fees and more): US$1290
(less than six people add $100) (airfare is not included). Average out of pocket expenses per program $100 plus or minus $50.
Description: Day 1-2: Explore Accra. Day 3-4: Explore the picturesque Akwapim Hills,
visit villages, school, market and bamboo bicycle workshop.
Day 5-6: Explore the market, museums and monuments of Kumasi, center of the Ashanti
Kingdom. Day 7-10: Cycle through Assin region to Cape Coast. Day 11-12: Cycle along the
coast and return to Accra, visiting fishing villages, historic sites and castles. Day 13:
End of program.
Features: Small group, self-contained bicycle program visiting numerous cultural
sites. Highlights include the rural life-styles & culture of the multi-cultural Ghana
(Ewe, Fanti, Ashanti, Wa), visiting the sprawling Kumasi market, the National Culture
Center, historic museum, and historic slave forts along the coast, tour the
campus of the University of Ghana and the University of Science & Technology and
learning about the fine traditional textiles of the Twi peoples. English is the
national language and widely spoken, and Ghanaian are renowned for there outgoing
personalities so "communications" can be almost non-stop.
Special Feature: This tour is being coordinated with
Bamboosero/Ghana, the builders of bamboo
bikes. Participants have the opportunity to rent and ride the tour on a locally
hand-crafted bamboo bicycle, if they choose. You can also buy and return home with
your
own Bamboosero.
Starting/Ending Point: Accra, Ghana.
Skill Level: Suitable for fit Beginner/Intermediate/Expert. This is an excellent
first tour for the less experienced bicycle tourer, yet it has lots of options to keep
even the most experience traveler occupied.
Mileage Daily / Total: 18-56 miles / 580km, 350 miles.
Cycling Conditions: 80% paved roads, pleasant, rolling, scenic terrain,
occasional big hill..
Accommodations: Mostly small hotels and village housing (some rustic), a
night of quasi-camping in the national park.
Van Support: None. Local transport is generally available.
Meals Included: Two meals per day, generally breakfast and dinner (traditional
food, meat, chicken, eggs,
fish, rice, beans, pasta, potatoes, greens, fruit).
Other Activities: walking, bus
Bike: Mountain bike or touring bike with wide tires suitable.
Bike Rental: 8-speed bamboo bikes are available for rent at
$20/day. To insure a bike is ready for
you, advanced orders/reservations are encouraged.
Unique Programs To Special Places For Memories Of A Lifetime!
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