Yale December Experience

28th, Dec 2022 - 3rd, Jan 2023
see photos

Overview

Akwaaba chale! This is GHANA! From lush forests, diverse animal life, miles of sandy beaches along a picturesque coast, and monuments and castles filled with history, it is time for your ultimate seven(7) day experience to explore what this land has to offer. In this seven-day trip, we will be taking you on a journey of cultural immersion and appreciation. Be ready to dive into exploring the history during the insightful experience at the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum, and Black Star Square, which boasts an arch beneath which the Eternal Flame of African Liberation, lit by Kwame Nkrumah, still flickers. After, prepare for an immersive experience of the Capecoast castle, home to a dark yet important historical truth; a place where the memories and cries of our ancestors continue to lay.

When all this is done and dusted, leave Ghana with a few Twi words under your belt. Y3 ma wo Akwaaba! (We welcome you!)

Daily Activities

Day 1 : 28th December
Arrival Dinner & Afrochella (Optional for those who are keen to head out)
Let's kick start our first night with a lot of energy! We will start off with our Sorted Chale special welcome dinner followed by a lit night at Afrochella for those of us who have the energy to get pumped and lit.
Meals: Dinner
Day 2 : 29th December
Afrochella and Bloom Bar welcome party
Will have a tasty local lunch in Accra and head straight to Afrochella for the best festival in West Africa. We’re betting our pennies that this is the day that our fave Burna Boy performs, so come prepared. Will wrap the night at Bloom Bar, Accra’s most lit spot.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 3 : 30th December
Road to Ancestors, Kakum and Cape Coast Castle
On this day adventure meets history. We will first start at Kakum National park to attack the canopy walks surrounded by the greenery of the Western region. Followed by Cape Coast Castle where we reflect on the pain and struggles of our ancestors.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Day 4 : 31st December
Free Day and NYE Dinner and celebration party
When we return from Cape Coast, you'll have time to enjoy the day as you wish ahead of our NYE dinner and celebration at one of Accra’s hottest parties!
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 5 : 1st January
Accra City Tour & Free Day
We're spending the day with a tour of some of the most instagrammable locations in Accra (Kwame Nkrumah, Asomdwe Park, Black Star Gate, and more), be prepared to hear about Accra’s amazing history.
Meals: Lunch
Day 6 : 2nd January
Nkyinkyim Museum and Lunch
Nkyinkyim is part of a larger project called Ancestor Project; which is a conscious effort to educate and rekindle youth interest in African heritage/history. This museum brings to life and visualizes some of the darkest moments in of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade. Will end this night with our farewell dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7 : 3rd January
Departure
This is a see you later not goodbye.
Meals: Breakfast
What's included
Airport Transfers
Air-conditioned bus with dedicated driver & fuel costs for all day experiences (SC shuttle bus offered at night)
Daily Refreshments on the bus
Breakfast on all days (except on arrival day)
Lunch x4
2x dinners (Welcome dinner & Goodbye dinner at selected location)
5 nights at Holiday Innl with breakfast (double occupancy)
1 night at Ridge Hotel (Capecoast- double occupancy)
2 Dedicated Sorted Chale Reps throughout trip
Welcome night table reservation at Bloom Bar
Accra City Tour (Kwame Nkrumah Museum entry & guide, Black Star Gate guide)
Nkyinkyim Museum Experience
Capecoast exploration (Kakum National Park entry and canopy walk + guide, Capecoast Castle entry + Beachside Lunch Buffet)
2x Afrochella VIP tickets
31st Night celebration event
All tips for local community during the trip
Sorted Chale Service Charge
All taxes & payment charges
What's not Included
International Flights
Visa requirements
All dinners not listed above
Insurance
Any additional meals and drinks not listed in the included section
Any additional alcoholic drinks not listed in the included section
Any additional activities and entrances not detailed in the included section
Any hotel spend not included on in the included section
Any souvenir purchases
Any additional tips for local community

Pricing

$1400/person

Payments towards your trip can be paid in full or using our installment plan. It is important that if you choose to pay by installment plan, you make payments on time, in order for us to book all the necessary facilities, hotels, transportation, activities and other on your behalf. Sign ups will stay open until the trip is full. Note that prices are based on double occupancy rates- which means you will be paired with another traveler. We do our best to ensure that this is a traveler of your choice, however in some cases we will have to provide random pairing. Note that you can opt for a single room however that will come at an extra charge- kindly contact talktous@sortedchale.com to enquire about additional charges.

Payment Plan

Date Plan Cost
20th September 2022 Deposit charge - non refundable payment $200
30th September 2022 First installment charge $400
31st October 2022 Second installment charge $400
30th November 2022 Final installment charge $400

Frequently Asked Questions

We recommend getting a visa, by submitting an application at the New York Ghana consulate by mid-October. See details below:
  • The government fee for the single-entry visa using the regular processing of 15 business days (plus transit time) is $60 for U.S. citizens plus $3.10 for the payment processing fee. The government fee for the multiple-entry visa using the regular processing is $100 for U.S. citizens plus $4.14 for the payment processing fee.
  • If you need the visa faster, there is an option to pay an additional $40 for the single-entry visa (plus $4.14 for the payment processing fee) or an additional $100 for the multiple-entry visa (plus $7.23 for the payment processing fee). Processing time for this rush service is 5 business days (plus transit time).
  • For those that need a visa fast, you can send your application to the consulate in Manhattan. The consulate offers 3-day and 1-day service for those willing to pay the expedite fee. Please review the Ghana Consulate New York website for more information: Ghana Consulate New York
Payment DeadlinePayment Amount (USD)
20th September 2022$200 - Non refundable deposit
30th September 2022$400
31st October 2022$400
30th November 2022$400
December 28, 2022 to January 3, 2023
You will find our inclusions and itineraries on the tabs, just click to find more informations
From EWR - we recommend this flight.
  • Stay longer! Some students attending this trek are considering staying longer. Doing so will allow you to see more of the country and lessen the costs. If this is of interest to you, share your interest in doing so here
  • You can also utilise Airfordable.com to help you book flights, but pay by installments.
  • Another way to reduce costs + maximize on travel rewards is to travel to Ghana on a one way ticket, make a stop in Europe to visit a friend, spend a couple of days there and then make your way back to the U.S. around January 10, when costs will be much cheaper to fly back because the holiday travel craze has slowed down. Flying from Europe will also mean cheaper flights to the U.S. around 3-4 hundred dollars. Ultimately the travel associated with the trip would cost: $800 (US to Ghana) $400-$500 to Europe and $300-$400 (Back to Europe)
  • Mostly Yalies at SOM but it’s open to everyone at the University
    • Yalies will bring their plus ones
  • We’ll have a few students from other business schools
  • We’ll have a networking dinner with students from other business schools on their own Ghana trip

All travelers aged 18 years and over are required to provide evidence of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at the point of embarkation and upon arrival into Ghana. The Ghana Health Service defines a fully vaccinated person as someone who has taken the full dose of vaccines approved and registered by the Food and Drugs Authority of Ghana. This is one dose of Johnson and Johnson, or two doses of AstraZeneca (Covishield), Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna or Sputnik V.

You will need to present your vaccination certificate before boarding and on arrival. Expect this certificate to be checked multiple times before leaving the airport, including on leaving the plane, at the health counter, at immigration, and on leaving the airport. You may choose to carry a hard copy of your certificate with you if you are unsure you will have access to the electronic version during your journey.

There is no pre-travel or on arrival testing requirement if you are fully vaccinated.

If you’re a non-resident and you are not fully vaccinated you will not be granted entry into Ghana. Ground staff at your departure airport will not allow you to travel.

Yellow Fever vaccinations are required to enter Ghana. Yellow Fever shots are valid for 10 years once administered. You must receive your vaccination no later than December 15th . Because one of the effects of the vaccination can be lowered immunity, it is suggested you receive your Yellow Fever vaccination 3 months prior to travel. There are also a number of recommended vaccinations listed on https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/ghana. Be sure to consult your healthcare provider to consider what is best for you and your family and do your own research! We also love the idea of ensuring your immune system is at its peak and operating optimally while traveling. Take steps that feel right for you, under your healthcare provider’s guidance, to fortify and strengthen your system in ways you know works best for your body. We also recommend you take Malaria medicines before arrival to Ghana.
Yes, all travellers are recommended to take out personal travel insurance ahead of the trip.
All hotel rooms are shared rooms with twin beds. If you would like to share a room with someone specific, you will have to make that known in your registration form. You can send us a special request for a single bedroom, however please note that these will be provided on a first come, first served basis. You can email us at sortedchale@afrochella.com.
Our payment provider Stripe accepts debit and credit cards from all over the world, given that they are issued by MasterCard, Visa and Verve
Absolutely! We will provide you with a comprehensive list of the best places to visit and see in Ghana as part of your welcome bundle. You will be fully equipped with all the info you need to explore and enjoy Ghana! Our Sorted Chale reps will also be available to provide you with assistance on any additional information you need upon request.
  • Here are a list of recommended items to pack on your trip to Ghana:
  • Sunscreen
  • Mosquito repellant
  • Insect Repellant
  • Good walking shoes
  • An adapter (Ghana mostly has three prongs, UK style outlet, so bring an adapter)
  • Bottle for water
  • Outfits for night outs
  • Neck pillow for excursions
  • Hats
  • Awarmheartandkindsoul.

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