Day 1:

ARRIVE ACCRA, GHANA: Tuesday, November 19, 2013

On arrival in Accra you will be met, assisted and transferred to your hotel. Time permitting you may begin the city tour of Accra.

Overnight at African Royal Beach Hotel Or Similar

Day 2:

ACCRA and vicinity: Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Depart on a full day sightseeing tour of Accra and vicinity. Visit the W.E.B. Du Bois Center for Pan African Culture. See Independence Square and the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial (the mausoleum of Ghana’s first President). Continue to the National Theater to see a display of traditional instruments and carvings including “male” and “female” handcrafted drums. Visit the National Museum to observe the traditional crafts and ethnographic exhibits among other unique items.

Dr. Kwame Nkrumah statue

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast & Dinner

Overnight at African Royal Beach Hotel Or Similar

Day 3:

Travel to CAPE COAST: Thursday,  November 21, 2013

   

Depart for Cape Coast and Elmina, arriving late morning for a tour of Cape Coast before checking into your hotel. This afternoon visit Elmina Castle, a World Heritage site where slaves were held before being sent to the New World. This evening observe the colorful fishing boats in preparation for the usual overnight fishing expeditions.

Overnight at Coconut Grove Beach Resort or Similar

Day 4:

CAPE COAST and vicinity: Friday, November 22, 2013

This morning travel to Kakum National Park. Kakum is one of Ghana’s most famous parks. Take a brief walking tour on the forest floor. Kakum is home to Africa’s only aerial walkway through the tree canopy, a 1000 foot long, seven-bridge walkway with viewing platforms that reach heights of over 150 feet above ground.

Kakum National Park in Kumasi

This afternoon visit the Cape Coast Castle and the Castle Museum for a guided tour. Cape Coast Castle is another restored UNESCO World Heritage Site, and was one of the departure points for Africans being sent to the Americas. The castle is home to the infamous “Door of No Return”.

Cape Coast Castle

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast & Dinner

Overnight at Coconut Grove Beach Resort Or Similar

Day 5:

Travel to KUMASI: Saturday, November 23, 2013

After breakfast depart to Kumasi the realm of the Ashanti Kingdom. You will pass through Obuasi, the location of the Ashanti Goldfields-one of the richest mines in the world. In Kumasi visit Manhyia Palace, which is sometimes used by the Asantehene and houses a small historical museum. Disputes are still settled in accordance with centuries old customs, where the Asantehene (the Ashanti king) has the final word. Next, go on a tour of this historic city including visits to  the National Cultural Center which includes the Prempeh II Jubilee Museum, named for the former Asantehene, Nana Osei Agyeman Prempreh II. Exhibits include a replica of the famed Golden Stool, which is believed to have descended from the sky and is the spiritual symbol of the Ashanti people.

Golden Stool

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast & Dinner

Overnight at Noda HotelOr Similar

Day 6:

KUMASI and vicinity: Sunday, November 24, 2013

Visit 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. The next stop is the village of Ntonso where artisans’ hand-stamp patterns on cotton cloth to make adinkra textiles. The third 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 creating colorful kente cloth in various styles.  

Kente Cloth market

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast & Dinner

Overnight at Noda HotelOr Similar

Day 7:

Travel from KUMASI to the VOLTA REGION/HO: Monday, November 25, 2013

After breakfast depart to Ho stopping at the Cocoa Research Institute at Tafo, the Tetteh Quarshie Cocoa Farm and  Aburi Botanical Gardens. Visit Shai hills game reserves. The reserve consists of a very striking and attractive range of rocky hills set in the middle of expansive open and wooded grassland plains. There are several cave systems in the hills, some of which have played and continue to play an important role in local history, culture and tradition. Late afternoon travel to  Ho  where  you will overnight

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast & Dinner

Overnight at Chances Hotel Or Similar

Day 8:

HO/WLI/HO: Tuesday, November 26, 2013

After breakfast visit the Wli waterfalls – the highest waterfall in Ghana.  You will trek through a dense tropical forest and cross the meandering Agumatse River at 11 places before you arrive at the waterfall. Later you will visit Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary where the endangered but playful True Mona Monkeys are considered sacred and are therefore protected. Walk on well-cleared trails and view the monkeys in their natural habitat.

Wli waterfalls

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast & Dinner

Overnight at Chances Hotel Or Similar

Day 9:

Travel from GHANA to LOME, TOGO: Wednesday, November 27, 2013

   

Depart to Lome, Togo, stopping at points of interest.   Arrive in Lome and visit Independence Square, the National Museum, Lome craftsmen village, Lome Central market-realm of the famous Nana Benz, the fishing harbor, the fetish market– the traditional drugstore for the locals.  Visit also the Lomé central market, or Grand Marche, where pearls, baskets, pottery and other products including “sacred” items are on display.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast & Dinner

Overnight at Mercure Sarakawa Or Similar

Day 10:

LOME and Vicinity: Thursday, November 28, 2013

Today you will visit the Akodesséwa fetish market and the slave house in Agbodrafo. Continue to Togoville for sightseeing.   About 16 miles from Lome lies Lake Togo, a quiet lagoon lake, good for boating, windsurfing and water skiing. At Agbodrafo, you may board the fishermen’s canoes to help them pull in their nets (seek permission from the village chief). From there, you can easily travel by shared boat to Togoville, a red-earth village which was the homeland of numerous slaves taken to Haiti, who were members of the voodoo cult.  Here you will find magic remedies and voodoo charms used by local sorcerers.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast & Dinner

Overnight at Mercure Sarakawa Or Similar

Day 11:

LOME/OUIDAH/COTONOU, BENIN : Friday, November 29, 2013

This morning travel to Ouidah, the former slave trading post and birthplace of Voodoo.  This unforgettable visit takes you to the Voodoo Museum, the Sacred Forest, the Cathedral and the Temple of the sacred Pythons. Continue to the place of the common grave, the tree of forgetfulness and the ‘Gate of no Return’.   There may be a welcome reception from Dagbo Hounon, high priest of the voodoo cult. Late afternoon – Continue to Cotonou for overnight.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast & Dinner

Overnight at Hotel Du Lac Or Similar

Day 12:

COTONOU: Saturday, November 30, 2013

Today you will visit the Government district, the Ganvie market zone including the international Dantokpa market with its exuberant traders and the handicraft center. In the afternoon, depart to the lake village – Ganvié, the “Venice of Africa” with its houses built on stilts. You will visit the fishers’ street, the lovers’ lane and the Francophonie villa.

Ganvié, the “Venice of Africa”

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast & Dinner

Overnight at Hotel Du LacOr Similar

Day 13:

Travel from COTONOU to ACCRA:  Sunday, December 1, 2013

Today you will return to Ghana via Lome. On arrival in Accra you will decide on your excursions and activities with the assistance of your driver and guide.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast & Dinner

Overnight at Africa Royal Beach Hotel or similar

Day 14:

DEPART: Monday, December 2, 2013

Your driver and guide will be available to assist with excursions and activities. You will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast .

 

 

  

2013 Tour Schedule

•  April 21 – May 4
• May 19 –June 1
• June 23  – July 6
• July 21 – August 3
• August 18 – 31 September
• October 6 – 19 October
• November 10  -23 November

 Hotels May Be Upgraded in Accra & Kumasi For Added Cost

 

TOUR INCLUDES

• Meeting and assistance upon arrival and departure

• Round-trip airport/hotel transfers

• Hotel accommodation in the indicated properties

• Transportation in private vehicle

• Experienced tour guide

• Admission to listed sites and events

• Meals indicated by  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

TOUR DOES NOT INCLUDE

• Cost of visa

• Meals not listed

• Flights

• Travel Insurance

• Gratuity to driver and guide

* Single Room Supplement is the additional amount paid if only one person is occupying the room.