DAY 1
Mar 9

Depart for Ghana

DAY 2
Mar 10

AKWAABA - WELCOME
Arrive in Accra, Ghana. Transfer from airport to hotel for welcome ceremony with cultural drumming and dancing (for daylight arrivals only), pouring of libation, welcome drinks and orientation. After lunch on your own, spend the balance of the day at leisure or by the pool soaking up the African sun or go on a mid after noon drive through the city to orient yourself
to Accra. 
Lodging: Hotel in Accra.
Meals: B, D

DAY 3
Mar 11

ACCRA CITY TOUR
After breakfast depart hotel for a sightseeing city tour of Accra. You will drive through the administrative and economic districts of Accra, the capital of Ghana. This 130-year-old city has a blend of colonial and modern architecture that summarize her history.  You will visit the W. E. B. Dubois Center for Pan African Culture, Independence/ Black Star Square and Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park. After lunch in a local Ghanaian restaurant, you will end your tour at the Arts Centre where you will have an opportunity to use your bargaining skills to shop from an open-air market for artifacts from Ghana and West Africa.
Lodging: Hotel in Accra.
Meals: B, D
Approximate Time for Accra City Tour: 5 hrs

DAY 4
Mar 12

CAPE COAST CASTLE & ELMINA CASTLE
Depart for a drive to the Central Region to tour the infamous Forts, Castles and SlaveDungeons of Ghana. History will unfold the story of the slave trade which the impact is still felt beyond the shores of Africa today. Visit the Cape Coast Castle built by the Swedes in 1653 and was later taken over by the British. This castle also houses the West African Historical Museum established by the Smithsonian Institute in collaboration with the Ghanaian Government in 1994.  After lunch, visit the Elmina Castle built by the Portuguese in 1482 and is also known as St. George's Castle.  This castle was the first European structure built in Sub – Saharan Africa.  The view of the colorful harbor nestle below the Elmina Castle,  full of pirogues preparing to go to sea offers one of West Africa’s best picture perfect opportunities.

KASA (TALK TIME)-An opportunity to learn more about Ghanaian culture or simply talk to each other and share information about the experiences you are having on the tour. Your tour leader or tour guide leads Kasa discussions. (This activity is optional)
Lodging: Hotel in Elmina
Meals: B, D
Approximate Drive Time (Accra – Cape Coast): 3 hrs

DAY 5
March 13

KAKUM NATIONAL PARK & OLD ELMINA
Early morning departure for a drive through the historic Denkyira Kingdom to Kakum National Park, one of West Africa’s surviving tropical rain forests. Extending over 360sq km, Kakum is 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.  Choose between a 2 km nature 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.

After lunch, embark on a walking tour of Old Elmina to discover the historical and cultural relics of the Fantes who there hundreds of years ago. Visit the Posuban Military Shrine where the Asafo companies (Fanti traditional soldiers), prepare spiritually for war. These shrines are wonderful examples of how art is used in the daily lives of Ghanaians.

****Later in the evening attend an insight lecture on Ghana’s History.

Lodging: Hotel in  Elmina
Meals: B, D
Approximate Drive time (Elmina - Kakum):45mins

DAY 6
Mar 14

SLAVE RIVER & KUMASI CITY(ASANTEMAN) TOUR
After breakfast, check out of your hotel for a drive through a former slave route to Assin Manso. This was the final transit point for the Enslaved Africans before arriving at the dungeons and the final resting place for two ancestors whose mortal remains were returned from the USA and Jamaica and re-interred. Enshrine your place in history by signing the Returnees Memorial Wall the former Slave River and slave market. Pay “Tribute to the Returnees. Do not forget to wash your face with the waters of the slave river or merely touching it for a memorable reconnection with your ancestors.
Continue to Kumasi, the seat of the Ashanti Empire to explore the legends of the famous Ashantis. Visit Manhyia Palace Museum, to obtain firsthand information on the legacies of the Ashanti kingdom. A regal history that dates back to 1700 is told with relics and artifacts. Enjoy a drive through the city with monuments dedicated to the memory of the great Ashanti people. End the day’s tour at the National Cultural Center which features the Prempeh II Jubilee Museum and various studios of the brass makers, potters and batik makers.

KASA (TALK TIME)-An opportunity to learn more about Ghanaian culture or simply talk to each other and share information about the experiences you are having on the tour. Your tour leader or tour guide leads Kasa discussions. (This activity is optional)
Lodging: Hotel in  Kumasi
Meals: B, D
Approximate Drive time (Elmina –Kumasi): 4 hrs.

DAY 7
Mar 15

ASHANTI CRAFT VILLAGES
Depart after breakfast for a visit to the three famous craft villages in Ashanti.  Depart to Ahwiaa, the wood carvers’ village, Ntonso, the home of Adinkra and Bonwire, the Kente weaving village. You will see how African sculptures are carved, how the Adinkra wax print is made, and how the famous Kente cloth is woven using an amazing traditional technology. You will also have the opportunity to buy directly from the artisans who make them. 
Lodging: Hotel in Kumasi.
Meals: B, D

DAY 8
Mar 16

KUMASI – ACCRA
Check out after breakfast for a scenic drive through the forest zone to Accra where you will spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure.
Lodging: Hotel in Accra
Meals: B, D
Approximate Drive Time(Kumasi-Accra): 4hrs

DAY 9
Mar 17

NAMING CEREMONY / ABURI BOTANICAL GARDENS
This morning will be spent in celebration by reclaiming your real and true African name. You will be led in a procession to the Paramount Chief’s Palace grounds where the whole village has already assembled with the Paramount Chief ready to perform the special naming ceremony which begin after a round of hearty welcome and speeches. Participating in the naming ceremony are no less than a few hundred locals. The naming ceremony, a spiritual and memorable experience begins with the drumming of the “frontomfrom” drums and dancing performed by the local-village dancers who will also extend an invitation to the group to participate in the unique cultural dance.

Visit the Aburi Botanical Gardens established in 1890, and contains a collection of tropical trees and plants from various countries. There are exceptional large trees, the star attraction is the 200-year-old silk cotton tree Lady Knutsford, named after the wife of the British Governor who established the botanical gardens. Afterwards visit the wonderful woodcarvers’ village, a great place to pick up that special souvenir from your trip
Lodging: Hotel in Accra
Meals: B, D
Approximate Drive Time(Accra-Aburi): 45mins

DAY 10
Mar 18

DAY AT LEISURE/FAREWELL DINNER/SHOPPING
After breakfast, choose to spend the reminder of the day at leisure in preparation towards your journey back home or do last minute shopping. Later in the day join the group farewell dinner...
Lodging: Hotel in Accra
Meals: B, D

DAY 11
19

DEPARTURE
Check out and transfer to airport for check-in for final departure back home.

USA Arrival March 20