DAY 1

• ACCRA

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• You’ve Arrived
• A private transfer between the airport and your hotel is provided.
• In the afternoon, enjoy some time on your own to relax.

DAY 2

• ACCRA

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• Explore with an Expert
• Immerse yourself in the culture and history of Ghana’s vibrant capital city on a private guided tour. Visit one of Accra’s unique coffin shops, and view a collection of ornate caskets carved into objects reflecting the life, status and dreams of the deceased. Head to the Artists Alliance Gallery and admire its stunning collection of sculptures, carvings and artifacts, or perhaps opt to purchase a unique African souvenir to commemorate your journey. Explore the city’s colonial past as you tour Old Accra. From the Dutch-built Ussher Fort to the 17^th-century James Fort, the grand Post Office, and the old Light House constructed by the British, this part of the city stands as a reminder of the European influence in West Africa. Your tour continues as you transfer to the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park and Mausoleum celebrating the First Head of State and President of independent Ghana. Pass by the Independence Arch and the Black Star Square as you make your way to the National Center for Arts and Crafts. If you are interested in Pan African Culture, you are also sure to enjoy a visit to the W.E.B. Du Bois Center, where the “Father of Pan-Africanism” himself spent his final years. Your tour concludes with a private transfer back to your hotel.  
• A lunch at a local restaurant is included in today's itinerary.

DAY 3

• ACCRA

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• A Healthy Dose of History
• With over 80 languages spoken by numerous ethnic groups living within its borders, Ghana exemplifies the cultural richness of West Africa. Today you will get an in-depth introduction to the history and heritage of the West African people on a private tour. Your experience begins as you head to the University of Ghana, where you will enjoy a personalized interaction with a local professor. The story of the African people unfolds in front of you as you listen to them talk about various ethnic groups that have been inhabiting this part of the continent over the millennia. Following a short tour of the campus, head to the National Museum of Ghana opened as part of Ghana’s independence celebrations. Here, explore a treasure trove of African artifacts, chiefs’ regalia, Indigenous musical instruments, traditional textiles, masks, and more.      
• A lunch at a local restaurant is included in today's itinerary.
• Immerse yourself in the flavors of West Africa on a bespoke culinary experience hosted by one of the country’s most promising chefs, Ikenna Bobmanuel. Born in Nigeria and raised on the shores of West Africa, Chef Ikenna boasts a close connection to this region, and today, he invites you on a culinary journey showcasing the best in local cuisine. Ike identifies himself as an Afro avant-garde Chef, a concept that is driven by the sustainability of culture. Applying modern culinary techniques, he creates refined dishes that are as tantalizing for the senses, as they are healthy for those lucky enough to get a taste. Following your culinary experience, you will be transferred back to your hotel.

DAY 4

• ACCRA

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• Hidden Gems
• Leave the city limits behind and explore the highlights of the beautiful Volta Region on a private guided tour. After breakfast you will depart from your hotel and travel north to Shai Game Reserve, a vast expanse of savannah grasslands and woodlands. The reserve is a perfect destination for avid bird watchers, featuring species such as the Senegal parrot, swallow-tailed bee-eater, Vieillot’s barbet, piapiac, and red-shouldered cuckooshrike. The reserve is also home to several mammals, such as antelopes, green monkeys, zebras and baboons. On the reserve you will also get an opportunity to visit the ancestral caves that served as the ancient sanctuary for the local Shai people. Your day continues as you transfer to Krobo-Odumase to visit the Cedi Bead Factory, where beautiful African jewelry is made of clay, bones and glass. Here you will get a chance to see bead designing, fire polishing and stringing. You may even want to try your hand at polishing or stringing yourself! Upon the conclusion of your tour you will be transferred back to your hotel in Accra.
• A lunch at a local restaurant is included in today's itinerary.

DAY 5

• ACCRA TO ELMINA

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• Cultural Immersion
• Today you will travel from Accra to Elmina. En route you will visit the renowned Kakum National Park, one of West Africa’s surviving rainforests. A sprawling and lush sanctuary, Kakum is home to over 40 large mammals and 400 bird species, as well as countless butterflies. Immerse yourself in this tropical wonderland as you explore it with your guide. One of the most thrilling attractions of Kakum is the famous Canopy walkway, which is made up of a collection of bridges hanging 100 feet above the forest floor. Whether you choose to stay on the ground or venture up to the canopy walkway, Kakum promises an unforgettable encounter with West Africa’s exotic fauna and flora. Following the conclusion of your visit you will continue on your journey to Elmina.
• A lunch at a local restaurant is included in today's itinerary.
• Today, get immersed in the rich culture of Ghana as you get a unique opportunity to visit a nearby community and interact with the local people. Head to the countryside to witness the traditional way of life first-hand. Meet with the village chief and his elders and enjoy a special cultural performance. Receive a Ghanaian name as you participate in a naming ceremony, and learn more about the village life as you take a stroll through the community. Chat with the friendly locals and observe as they go about their daily chores. Today's experience gives you an invaluable insight into the reality of West Africa's rural areas.  

DAY 6

• ELMINA

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• Lest We Forget
• An impactful day awaits as you embark on a private guided tour of the infamous Forts, Castles and Slave Dungeons of Ghana. Learn and watch the history unfold in front of your eyes as you gain a better understanding of the slave trade in West Africa. Begin with visiting the Cape Coast Castle. The largest of its kind, this castle was built by the Swedes in 1653 and was later taken over by the British. Walk the path of the enslaved as your guide takes you through each of its ominous sections and enter the dungeons through the 'Door of Return'. Next, visit the Elmina Castle. Constructed by the Portuguese in 1482, it is also known as St. George's Castle. This fortification was the first European structure built in Sub–Saharan Africa, and it is Ghana's oldest castle on the West African slave trade route. It stands as a dark reminder of one of humanity’s most horrific periods in history. Continue with a tour of the town of Elmina. See the lively fishing harbor and head to the historic Dutch Cemetery. You will also visit the St. Joseph’s Minor Basilica, which was the first Roman Catholic Church established in the country.
• A lunch at a local restaurant is included in today's itinerary.

DAY 7

• ELMINA

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• A Bit of Time on Your Own
• Spend some time at leisure to explore on your own, or simply relax at your hotel or along the beach. Stroll the lively streets of Elmina on foot, walking past local shops and markets, or perhaps visit the fisherman's dock. If you like to take things slow, sit back and unwind at a local restaurant or pub overlooking the Bay of Guinea, and soak up the easygoing atmosphere of Elmina.

DAY 8

• ELMINA TO KUMASI

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• On the Road Again
• Today transfer from Elmina to Kumasi with your private guide. A moving stop by Assin Manso allows you to trace back the steps of the enslaved as they made their harrowing journey to the Americas. Assin Manso Ancestral Slave River Park was one of the largest slave markets during the infamous trans-Atlantic slave trade. It was the final link in the slavery route from northern to southern Ghana. The Ndonkor Nsuo (the Slave River), is where the captives were oiled, fed and bathed in waters of their native land one last time. Here, they were meant to rest for several days or weeks as the traders knew that they could fetch higher prices when they appeared healthy and strong. Upon the conclusion of your visit you will continue on your way to Kumasi. The approximate duration of today’s transfer is five hours.
• A lunch at a local restaurant is included in today's itinerary.

DAY 9

• KUMASI

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• Tools of the Trade
• Immerse yourself in the art, culture and heritage of the formidable Ashanti on this private guided tour. The Ashanti are known for their beautiful crafts, and your day begins with a visit to some of the famous craft villages surrounding Kumasi. First, head to the settlement of Ahwiaa with its woodcarving center specializing in the production of Ashanti stools, dolls, and walking sticks. Next, stop by the traditional textile printing village of Ntonso. It is here where spectacular Adinkra cloths are designed by Indigenous artists whose expertise lies in the textual printing using symbols that express the spiritual, moral and socio-cultural philosophies of the Akan people. Lastly, transfer to Bonwire, where the famous Kente cloth is handmade on looms, in a time-honored tradition. Return to Kumasi to explore sites that played key role in the history of the Ashanti. Visit the Okomfo Anokye Sword Site, said to be the place where the revered Golden Stool descended from the sky. Continue with a visit to the Prempeh II Jubilee Museum and its collection of royal paraphernalia. The final stop of today is the Manhyia Palace Museum housing regalia, photographs, medals, age-old palanquins and clothing that continue to tell the story of the brave Ashanti.
• A lunch at a local restaurant is included in today's itinerary.

DAY 10

• KUMASI TO ACCRA

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• Onward and Upward
• Depart Kumasi on your way to Accra. En route, drive through several cocoa farming communities and scenic villages. Your first stop is the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG) founded in 1938 as the Central Cocoa Research Station of the Gold Coast Department of Agriculture. Visit the cocoa plantation to observe the process of harvesting, drying and preparing cocoa beans for export. You will also hear an informative talk on the varied uses of cocoa. Continue to Mampong. Visit the Tetteh Quarshie Memorial Cocoa Farm at Akuapem Mampong - the very first cocoa farm established in Ghana from seeds brought by Fernando Po in 1876. From this small beginning grew Ghana’s cocoa industry and Ghana’s largest export. Following the conclusion of your visit, continue towards the capital while enjoying the scenery of lush tropical vegetation as you descend the winding Akwapim Ridge. Upon arrival in Accra you will be dropped off at your accommodation.
• A lunch at a local restaurant is included in today's itinerary.

DAY 11

• ACCRA

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• Shop the Shoppes
• Choose to visit the Arts Centre where you will have the opportunity to use your bargaining skills and shop for artifacts from Ghana and West Africa. From finer artwork, to musical instruments, to intricate carvings and colorful textiles, this open-air marketplace is a treasure-trove of local wares.

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Labadi Beach Hotel

Ridge Royal Hotel

Lancaster Kumasi City

Lancaster Accra