Arrive Accra, meet assist and transfer to Hotel. This evening there is orientation which includes a discussion on Ghanaian history and culture. Afterwards, there is a welcome dinner with entertainment. There will be a fashion show and tailors and dressmakers from whom you can order custom made outfits will be in attendance.

Meal(s) Included: No

Overnight at Novotel Accra City Centre Hotel or Similar

This morning begin the city tour including a visit to the W.E.B. Du Bois Center honoring the life of one of the most prominent Pan-Africanists who chose to live and work in Ghana. Visit Independence Square, Accra's open-air ceremonial grounds where all national celebrations are held. Continue to the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum and Museum, a tribute to Ghana's first president. This park, formally called the Polo grounds, is where Dr. Kwame Nkrumah declared the independence of Ghana. The remains of Dr Nkrumah as well as that of his wife rest on this premise. You will see various personal items used by Osagyefo, as well as books he authored together with several of his personal belongings.

Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum, Barry Williams

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at Novotel Accra City Centre Hotel or Similar

After breakfast,  we will travel to Kumasi, the capital of the Ashanti Kingdom of Gold. On the way, we will stop at Mampong Centre for Scientific Research into Plant Medicine. The center conducts research in the use of plant medicine in the cure of various ailments. Continue to Kumasi, arriving early afternoon. On arrival in Kumasi, we will visit the Manhiya Palace. The Manhiya Palace was built by the British in 1925 to receive Asantehene (ruler of the Ashanti people) Prempeh I when he returned from exile in the Seychelles to resume residence in Kumasi. It was used by the Ashanti kings until 1974. It now serves as a museum, containing a range of items relating to the Ashanti Kingdom, particularly Prempeh I (ruled 1888-1931) and Prempeh II (ruled 1931-1970).  Visit the nearby Okomfo Anokye Sword, an important symbol of Ashanti unity that marks the spot where the Golden Stool "descended from the sky" and has been in place for 300 years. Legend says the Ashanti Kingdom would collapse should the sword ever be removed.

Manhyia Palace Museum, Barry Williams

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at Miklin Hotel Kumasi or Similar

After breakfast, visit the Ashanti craft villages starting with the woodcarving village of Ahwiaa, known for the talented craftsmen who fashion royal stools, walking sticks and fertility dolls from wood. You will have the opportunity to purchase hand carved items of all kinds. Our next stop is the village of Ntonso where artisan's hand-stamp patterns on cotton cloth to make Adinkra textiles. Black-on-black and black-on-red Adinkra cloth is worn for funerals and other solemn occasions. You will learn how the black dye is made in the village from the bark of trees, and create your own Adinkra sash to take home. You may also purchase large pieces of Adinkra cloth handmade in the village. Our final village is Bonwire, where the famous Kente cloth is handmade on looms in a time-honored tradition passed down through generations. You will see the Kente weavers in process of creating Kente cloth in various styles, and have the opportunity to purchase souvenirs or gifts. This evening you may visit the Kumasi Central Market (also known as Kejetia Market), the largest open-air market in West Africa, where more than 10,000 vendors sell their wares. Here you will find just about everything, food, fabric, beauty products, handmade crafts and even large animals.

Weaving the famous kente cloth, Barry Williams

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at Miklin Hotel Kumasi or Similar

After breakfast, depart for Cape Coast. You shall transit the rich Gold mine town of Obuasi. On the way, you will stop at Assin Manso, the burial site of two former slaves from the U. S. and Jamaica whose remains were re-interred in August 1998 during Ghana's first Emancipation Day Celebration. You will see the "Slave River" where captured Africans were washed before being confined in the Slave Castles to await shipment to the Americas and the Caribbean.

Cape Coast Castle's 'Door of No Return', Barry Williams

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at Elmina Bay Resort or Similar

After breakfast, your journey takes you to Cape Coast Castle, a restored UNESCO World Heritage site. Once the seat of the British Colonial administration, this castle is home to the infamous Door of No Return, one of the most vivid reminders of the colonists' slave trade. In the afternoon tour Elmina Castle, also a UNESCO World Heritage site built in 1482. This castle was the first European structure in sub-Saharan Africa. This evening we will travel to the nearby village of Mesomagor and see the Bamboo Orchestra at their musical best. The youth at the village of Mesomagor have revived a traditional art, by performing with bamboo percussion instruments to music and dance. This is a contagious dance performance you have not seen anywhere else.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at Elmina Bay Resort or Similar

After breakfast, visit Kakum National Park. Kakum is one of Ghana's most famous parks. Take a brief walking tour on the forest floor where you will learn how our ancestors lived in the forest. See birds, butterflies, and perhaps catch a glimpse of the forests over 40 species of mammals including monkeys and the reclusive forest elephant. Proceed to the canopy walk. Kakum is home to Africa's only aerial walkway through the tree canopy, a 1000 foot long and seven-bridge walkway with viewing platforms that reach heights of over 150 feet above ground.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at Elmina Bay Resort or Similar

After breakfast in Cape Coast you will return to Accra. On the way, we will stop to visit the village of Abandze, the ancestral home of Louis Armstrong, the famous American jazz musician. Those of you who ordered custom made clothing will go for fittings and adjustments. You can visit The National Cultural Center and the popular Arts & Crafts Market if you like aggressive bartering, or the African Market in Osu if you prefer fixed prices. 

Afterwards transfer to airport for your flight home. Leave with a sense of appreciation and love for the people of Ghana.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast

March 11 - 18, 2012

April 8 - 15, 2012

May 6 - 13, 2012

June 10-17, 2012

July 15 - 22, 2012

TOUR DOES NOT INCLUDE
• Cost of visa
• Meals not listed
• Travel Insurance
• Gratuity to driver and guide