SIGNATURE EGYPT & GHANA – 9 DAYS/ 8 NIGHTS

Day 1: ARRIVE IN CAIRO, EGYPT

On arrival in Cairo, you will be met, assisted, and transferred to your hotel. In the evening, go on a Nile Cruise and enjoy an Egyptian buffet dinner and cultural performance. After the cruise, return to the hotel.

Hotel: Ramses Hilton

Day 2: CAIRO

After breakfast, go on a full-day tour of the Giza Pyramids, Memphis, and Saqqara. We will visit the towering pyramids, the ruins of Memphis in the village of Mit Rahina, and the Saqqara Necropolis, where the step pyramid of Zoser stands. After lunch return to the hotel where you will have the rest of the day at leisure.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel: Ramses Hilton

Day 3: CAIRO

After breakfast, enjoy a full-day tour of Cairo, including the Cairo Museum, in Tahreer Square. The museum is home to magnificent ancient Egyptian Antiquities from different periods throughout ancient Egyptian history, including the magnificent treasure of King Tutankhamen, whose tomb was discovered in 1922 by Howard Carter. The treasures were moved to this museum along with the famous 11 kg mask of gold. After lunch, head to the citadel of Salah al-Deen and visit Mohamed Ali Mosque followed by a visit to the oldest Bazar in Africa (Kan El Kalili Bazar).

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel: Ramses Hilton

Day 4: CAIRO-ACCRA, GHANA

Depart Cairo early afternoon to Accra, Ghana. Arrive in Accra late evening. On arrival at the Kotoka International Airport, our expert cultural tour guide will meet, assist and transfer you to your hotel in our private air-conditioned vehicle. Once you have checked in, your guide will brief you on what to expect during your stay here in Ghana. Other activities today will depend on your arrival time and preference.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel: Labadi Beach Hotel

Day 5: ACCRA

Highlights:

· The Independence / Black Square

· The Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park

Our first visit will be to Independence Square where you will see the enclosed flame of African Liberation, which was lit by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah in 1961. The Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, final resting place of Ghana’s first president. Set in attractive gardens, there is an adjoining museum, which contains photos, artifacts and an insight into Dr. Nkrumah’s life.

You may visit “Brazil House” and learn about the seven Afro-Brazilian families who returned to settle in Ghana in 1836. Familiar Brazilian/Portuguese last names such as De Souza, Palmares, Azumah, Amorin, Da Costa, Santos, De Medeiros and Olympio are abundant in this section of Accra.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel:Labadi Beach Hotel

Day 6: ACCRA – ASSIN MANSO – ELMINA

After breakfast, we check out of the hotel and travel to Elmina in Ghana’s historic Central Region, with a 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.

We continue to Elmina. On arrival, enjoy the sights of the many colourful fishing boats bringing their daily catch into the harbor and take the opportunity to mix with the locals at the nearby market. A short distance from the market we visit the boat builders, still building colourful fishing boats using traditional tools and methods spanning centuries. Transfer to your hotel for overnight.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel:Lemon Beach Resort

Day 7: ELMINA & CAPE COAST

Following a leisure breakfast, visit (Elmina Castle) Fort Sao Jorge de Elmina – the site of the first European contact with West Africans when the Portuguese landed here in 1471. Elmina Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was built in 1482 and is the first European structure in sub-Saharan Africa. The castle was also used as a Slave Prison. We continue on to Cape Coast Castle which houses the West African Historical Museum established by the Smithsonian Institute in collaboration with the Ghanaian Government in 1994. Cape Coast Castle is another restored UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Castle was one of the embarkation points for Africans being shipped to slavery in the Americas. You return to the resort, enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel:Lemon Beach Resort

Day 8:ELMINA-KAKUM-ACCRA

Early morning drive to Kakum National Park, one of West Africa’s surviving tropical rain forests. Extending over 360sq km, the home to over 40 large mammals and 400 bird species as well as many species of butterflies, flora and fauna. The most popular attraction is the Canopy walkway, which is made up of seven bridges extending 330m, hanging 30m (100 feet) above the forest floor. 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.

We return to Accra arriving early afternoon. Together with your driver and guide decide on your excursions and activities.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel: Labadi Beach Resort

Day 9:DEPART ACCRA

Today is at leisure but with the assistance of your driver and guide; decide on your excursions and activities. Visit the sites in Accra and vicinity that you have not yet seen. You will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight home.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast