Day 1:

ARRIVE IN ACCRA

On arrival in Accra you will be met, assisted and transferred to your hotel. Early afternoon you will visit Independence Square (also known as Black Star Square), home of Independence Arch and the Flame of African Liberation. Continue to the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial, the mausoleum of Ghana’s first President.  You will see various items used by Dr Nkrumah, as well as books he authored. *NOTE: Afternoon arrivals will visit these sites on Day 7.

Meal(s) Included: none

Overnight at Travel Express International HotelOr Similar

Day 2:

ACCRA

This morning there is orientation which includes a lecture/discussion on African culture. After orientation, we 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 Dr. Nkrumah, as well as books he authored together with several of his personal belongings.

Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum- Accra  Barry Williams In the early afternoon, arrive at Kokrobrite Beach for lunch at Big Milly’s Backyard, famous throughout West Africa for its fresh fish, roasted vegetable dishes, and elevated dining area overlooking the beach. After lunch, two exciting hours of drumming and cultural dancing lessons with the experts at Kokrobrite Drumming Center. Return to Accra for overnight. Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at Travel Express International Hotel Or Similar

Day 3:

ACCRA/KUMASI

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.

Manhyia Palace – Kumasi, Ghana  – Barry Williams

Legend says the Ashanti Kingdom would collapse should the sword ever be removed. 

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at Noda Hotel or Similar

Day 4:

KUMASI

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.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at Noda Hotel or Similar

Day 5:

KUMASI/CAPE COAST

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. This afternoon, we will visit Cape Coast Castle and the Castle Museum for a guided tour. Cape Coast Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and was one of the departure points for Africans being sent to slavery in the Americas. The castle is home to the infamous “Door of No Return”. In the Afternoon we will visit Elmina Castle, another UNESCO World Heritage Site which was built in 1482. This castle was the first European structure built in sub-Saharan Africa.

Cape Coast Castle – Barry Williams

 

Meal(s) Included:  Breakfast, dinner

Overnight at Elmina Bay Resort or Similar

Day 6:

CAPE COAST/ACCRA

This morning we will visit we will visit Kakum National Park, one of Ghana's most famous parks. You will get a walking tour of 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. Early afternoon we 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. Kakum Rain Forest – Ghana – Barry Williams Arrive in Accra late afternoon in time to visit the popular Arts & Crafts Market if you like aggressive bartering, or the African Market in Osu (Ghana’s Soho)  if you prefer fixed prices.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at Travel Express International HotelOr Similar

Day 7:

ACCRA/ DEPART

After breakfast you will visit Independence Square (also known as Black Star Square), home of Independence Arch and the Flame of African Liberation. Continue to the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial, the mausoleum of Ghana’s first President.  You will see various items used by Dr Nkrumah, as well as books he authored. *NOTE: Morning departures will have already visited these sites on Day 1. At the appropriate time you will be transferred to the airport for onward flight.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast

. 2012  Schedule

• April 18 -24, 2012
• May 23 – 29, 2012
• June 6 -12, 2012
• June 20 – 26, 2012
• July 11 – 17, 2012
• July 25 – 31, 2012
• August 8 – 14, 2012
• August 22 – 28, 2012
• September 19- 25, 2012
• October 10 -16, 2012
• November 16 – 20, 2012
• December 12-18, 2012

Tour Cost:

Numbers of travelers	Price per person in US $
	Price per person, 2 per room	Single Room Supplement*
4	$ 1690	$ 340