Welcome greetings and brief orientation by Tour Leader
Welcome Dinner
Accra City tour
Tour Cape Coast and Elmina castles and slave dungeons
Walk on a canopy bridge hanging 100 feet above-ground in West Africa's most noted tropical rainforest
Meet with a traditional chief and choose to visit the various craft villages
Receive a traditional African name and become a member of an African village
Day trip, River Cruise at Akosombo
Day at leisure and last minute shopping
Farewell dinner and departure
Jul 30-Day 1: Depart USA via overnight international flight to Accra,Ghana
Jul 31 -Day 2: ARRIVE IN ACCRA Arrive in Accra, Ghana. Transfer from the airport to your hotel. Enjoy a welcome drink and brief orientation. Welcome Dinner and overnight at your hotel. Lodging: Hotel in Accra Meals: D
Aug 1-Day 3: ACCRA CITY TOUR After a hearty breakfast, depart for a sightseeing tour of Accra. Your drive will take you through the administrative and economic districts of Ghana’s city capital. Over 100 years-old, Accra has a blend of colonial and contemporary architecture that symbolize the cultural mix of the city. You will visit the W. E. B. Dubois Center for Pan African Culture, where Dr. Dubois (an academic and civil rights champion) spent two years working on a Pan-African encyclopedia under the invitation Dr. Kwame Nkrumah (Ghana’s first President). There you will be treated to a guided tour through Dr. DuBois’ research library. You will also make stops at Independence/Black Star Square and Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park. The square marks the point where three ex-military men tried to present grievances to the colonial governor and were shot during a peaceful demonstration. Nkrumah Memorial Park was created to commemorate Ghana's founding father. To the east of the square you will also get a view of Osu (formerly Christiansborg) Castle, the previous seat of the Ghanaian Presidency. Visit the intriguing craftsmen at Teshie/Nung who make fantasy coffins in the shape of vegetables, fruits, cars, etc.usually depicting the profession of the deceased. For lunch, you will be given the opportunity to sample some local Ghanaian cuisine at one of our famous “chop bar” restaurants. A favorite for most tourists is the “fufu and light soup,” a starchy meal with a dough-like consistency. After lunch, you tour will take you to the Arts Center – a large arts and crafts market where you can find handicrafts from all over Ghana and West Africa. Be prepared to use your bargaining skills as you browse the many artisan stalls. Visit the dressmakers at Woodin, the sensational fabrics shop where you can be fitted for a custom outfit. Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight. Lodging:Hotel in Accra Meals : B, L
Aug 2-Day 4: ACCRA – ADUAMOAH – KUMASI (Naming Ceremony) Today after breakfast and check out, depart Accra through the forest belt of Ghana to Nkwakaw and up the Kwahu mountain range to the village of Aduamoah located in the Eastern Region. We will have the opportunity to interact with the chief, his elders and the people of the village. Take part in an Akan traditional naming ceremony where you will be given an Akan name. Finally, visit a local high school where we will make donations to their library. · After lunch depart Aduamoah to Kumasi. Arrive and check in at your hotel. Lodging: Hotel in Kumasi Meals: B, L
Aug 3-Day 5: KUMASI This morning visit the Royal Manhyia Palace Museum, home and office of former Ashanti Kings. A regal history that dates back to 1700 is told with relics and artefacts. Later visit the Kumasi cultural centre and to the Prempeh 11 museum, another that chronicles the history of the former Ashanti Empire. After lunch visit the Ashanti craft villages to observe craftsmen at work and to purchase souvenir gift items. These villages are Ahwiaa; where woodcarvers produce Ashanti stools, fertility dolls & walking sticks etc, Ntonso where Adinkra cloth is processed and dyed and Bonwire where kente cloth is woven. Kente, a very colourful fabric usually worn on festive and very important occasions like marriage ceremonies, child naming, etc. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon. Lodging: Hotel in Kumasi Meals: B, D
Aug 4-Day 6: ELMINA Today depart Kumasi through the country side to the coastal town of Elmina. Stop over at Assin Manso, the burial site of the remains of two former slaves exhumed from New York’s Wall Street and re-interred on Emancipation Day in 1998 and a third from Barbados as part of the Year of Return 2019 celebrations. You will also visit the “Slave River” where captives took their last bath for their final journey to the dungeons at the coast and ‘Memorial Wall.’ Continue to Elmina, check in and spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing at the beach front of your resort. Lodging:Hotel in Elmina Meals: B, D
Aug 5 -Day 7: KAKUM NATIONAL PARK and CAPE COAST CASTLE This morning visit Kakum National Park a tropical rainforest in the heart of the Attandaso reserve for an adventurous and breath-taking walk on the ‘Canopy Walkway’. It is composed of 350 meters of a suspended bridge and six platforms at a height of 60 meters (100ft). Return to Cape Coast and after lunch visit Cape Coast Castle. Take a tour of this infamous slave dungeons, built in 1653 by the Swedes and later taken over by the British. This castle also houses the West African Historical Museum. The guide will take you through the male & female dungeons, negotiation hall and Governor’s quarters. In the evening, at dinner get together with your Tour Leader and Guide to discuss/share amongst ourselves our experiences so far on the tour. Lodging:Hotel in Elmina Meals: B, D
Aug 6-Day 8: ELMINA -ACCRA Today after breakfast and check out visit the Elmina Castle, the oldest European monument in Ghana built in 1482 by the Portuguese. First established as a trade settlement, the castle later became one of the most important stops on the route of the Atlantic Slave Trade. The Dutch seized the fort from the Portuguese in 1637 and took over all the Portuguese Gold Coast in 1642. The slave trade continued under the Dutch until 1814. In 1871, the fort became a possession of the British Empire. Finally, we will take part in a private ceremony to pray and lay a wreath at the ‘Door of No Return.’ After this tour, take a short walk around the colourful fishing harbour next to the castle to see the fish market and traditional dugout canoes the local people use for their livelihoods. Then take a return trip to Accra. Arrive in Accra and stop by the dressmakers to pick up and fit our custom- made clothes. In the evening dressed in our new African wear, we will go out for our farewell dinner. Lodging: Hotel in Accra Meals: B, D
Aug 7 -Day 9: DAY TRIP – RIVER CRUISE at AKOSOMBO Breakfast at your hotel. Mid-morning departure from Accra to Akosombo. Arrive at Akosombo port and take a cruise on board ‘Dodi Princess 11’ on the Volta Lake to Dodi Island. Enjoy the barbeque lunch served on board the boat whilst you dance to highlife music played by a live band. Return to the port in the late afternoon and depart Akosombo back to Accra Lodging: Hotel in Accra Meals: B, L
Aug 8 -Day 10: FREE DAY & EVENING DEPARTURE Spend the day at leisure, packing or doing your last minute shopping. Evening check out (6pm) from your hotel and transfer to the airport. Depart on your late evening flight from Accra back home. Hotel Day Room Meals: B
Aug 9-Day 11: ARRIVAL BACK IN USA Itinerary is subject to modification prior to departure or during as necessary. All rates are subject to change until airfare is booked and confirmed.
Not Included in Land Cost:
International flights. · All airport departure taxes (international departure taxes to be paid in USD) · Excess baggage charges · Passport and visa fees · Meals not specified in this itinerary · En route meals, hotels, transportation, and other arrangements · All drinks except bottled water or soda with meals · Personal items such as laundry, email, fax, telephone, souvenirs, etc. · Gratuities for tour and site guides and drivers. Trip cancellation, travel delay, and baggage insurance (Note: This optional coverage is highly recommended) Inclusions: Rates include airport to hotel transfers Land transportation in air-conditioned coach Accommodations with two meals daily (breakfast and lunch or dinner) Tours as specified in itinerary w/English-speaking tour guide for duration of tour
$500.00 per person deposit due at booking, September 1, 2021. Full and final payments due by May 15, 2022. Payments can be made in the interim. Joy! Cruises and Tours Inc, P O Box 900, Graham, NC 27253