Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Accra
You'll arrive at Kotoka International Airport and get picked up for the drive to your Accra hotel. After settling in, your cultural guide gives you an overview of what's coming up on the tour. Later, head to Oxford Street where you can browse local fabrics at Woodin and GTP shops. Dressmakers are there to measure you if you want custom African clothing made during your trip.
- Start point
- Accra, Greater Accra, Ghana (Lancaster Accra Hotel, 08:00 - 10:00)
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner with dressmakers in attendance for custom-made African clothing measurements)
Included Activities
- Airport assistance and transfer to hotel
- Visit to Woodin and GTP shops on Oxford Street for authentic local fabrics
- Welcome dinner with dressmakers for custom-made African clothing measurements
Landmarks Kotoka International Airport Oxford Street 
- Day 2
Accra Cultural Sites
Start with breakfast and a session covering Ghanaian history, culture, customs, plus practical information about safety and health. Then you'll check out the W.E.B Du Bois Centre, Independence Square where the flame of African Liberation was lit by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah back in 1961, the recently renovated Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, and the Arts & Crafts Centre. The rest of your day is free, and you can get your hair braided if you'd like (at your own cost).
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Orientation lecture on Ghanaian history, culture and customs
- Visit to W.E.B Du Bois Centre
- Visit to Independence Square and the flame of African Liberation
- Visit to Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park and museum
- Visit to Arts & Crafts Centre
Optional Activities
- Hair braiding at Silver Line Hair Saloon on Oxford Street (at client's own expense)
Landmarks W.E.B Du Bois Centre Independence Square Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park Arts & Crafts Centre - Day 3
Accra to Kumasi
After breakfast you'll check out and head toward Kumasi, the historical center of the Ashanti Empire. You arrive in late afternoon and visit the National Cultural Center, which has the Prempeh II Jubilee Museum with a reproduction of the famous Golden Stool. You'll also see studios where brass makers, potters, and batik makers do their work. Then it's time to check into your hotel, have dinner, and settle in for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Travel to Kumasi
- Visit to National Cultural Center and Prempeh II Jubilee Museum
- View replica of the Golden Stool
- Visit to brass makers, potters and batik makers studios
Landmarks National Cultural Center Prempeh II Jubilee Museum - Day 4
Kumasi Craft Communities
Following breakfast, you'll visit craft communities outside Kumasi. In Adanwomase, watch artisans handweave Kente cloth on traditional looms and browse pieces for purchase, plus pay a courtesy visit to the village paramount chief. Move on to Ntonso where artisans hand-stamp designs on cotton fabric to create Adinkra textiles. Learn how the black dye comes from tree bark and you'll make your own Adinkra sash to take home. Later in the day, visit Manhyia Palace, the official residence of Ashanti Kings until 1974 and now a museum with artifacts from the Ashanti Kingdom. Finish with dinner at a local restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Visit Adanwomase village to observe Kente cloth weaving
- Courtesy visit to village paramount chief
- Visit Ntonso for Adinkra textile hand-stamping demonstration
- Learn traditional black dye-making from tree bark
- Create your own Adinkra sash
- Visit Manhyia Palace museum
Optional Activities
- Purchase Kente cloth fashions
- Purchase Adinkra cloth pieces
Landmarks Adanwomase Ntonso Manhyia Palace 
- Day 5
Kumasi to Cape Coast
You'll have a leisurely breakfast and check out before heading to Cape Coast. There's a stop in Kumasi to shop for jewelry if you want. Once you arrive, visit Cape Coast Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that held more enslaved Africans than any other in the region. Walk through the dungeons and the 'Door of no return,' then explore the museum inside with exhibits on the castle's history and Cape Coast's cultural heritage. Browse books about Ghana's forts, castles, and cultural history before transferring to your hotel for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at the hotel)
Included Activities
- Travel to Cape Coast
- Visit Cape Coast Castle (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Tour castle dungeons and 'Door of no return'
- Visit historical museum at Cape Coast Castle
Optional Activities
- Jewelry shopping in Kumasi
- Purchase literature on Ghana's forts, castles and cultural history
Landmarks Cape Coast Castle - Day 6
Elmina Castle and Fihankra Ceremony
Depart at 9:00 am to visit Elmina Castle, originally called St. George's Castle and the first European structure built in Sub-Saharan Africa. You'll explore the grounds and rooms with their haunting history, then walk down to the beach for a memorial ceremony where you'll throw bread into the water in remembrance of ancestors. A wreath with a candle will be cast to sea with a respectful moment of silence. Participate in a Fihankra ceremony to reconnect with the motherland and cultural and spiritual ties, concluding with a naming ceremony at the Chief's palace.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Elmina Castle (St. George's Castle)
- Memorial ceremony at castle beach
- Wreath laying and moment of silence for ancestors
- Fihankra ceremony for spiritual reconnection
- Naming ceremony at Chief's palace
Landmarks Elmina Castle 
- Day 7
Kakum National Park and Memorial Night
Depart at 9:00 am for Kakum National Park, one of Ghana's most well-known parks. Take a walking tour on the forest floor where you might see birds, butterflies, and possibly over 40 species of mammals including monkeys and forest elephants. Then go to the canopy walkway, Africa's only aerial walkway through the treetops. It's a 1000-foot-long bridge with seven sections and viewing platforms reaching over 150 feet above the ground. This evening, participate in the reverential night, the most sacred program on the PANAFEST schedule. The event starts with a gathering at Mfantisman Senior High School junction with a bonfire where candles will be lit, followed by a candlelit procession with traditional militia, wreath laying, and tribute to ancestors.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walking tour on forest floor at Kakum National Park
- Wildlife viewing (birds, butterflies, mammals, monkeys, forest elephants)
- Canopy walkway experience at Kakum
- Reverential night ceremony and gathering
- Bonfire and candlelit procession with Asafo traditional militia
- Wreath laying and ancestor tribute
Landmarks Kakum National Park - Day 8
Emancipation Day Commemoration
This day takes you to Assin Manso for a reflective visit to the burial site of two former enslaved people from the USA and Jamaica. You'll see the Slave River (Donkor Nsuo), where captured Africans were brought to wash before being held in the slave castles. During your time there, you'll participate in a gathering with chiefs and community members, lay wreaths, and take part in a purification ceremony. Afterward you'll head back to Accra for dinner at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Travel to Assin Manso burial site
- Visit to the Slave River (Donkor Nsuo)
- Participation in Durbar of chiefs and people
- Wreath laying ceremony
- Purification rite
- Return to Accra
Landmarks Assin Manso Slave River (Donkor Nsuo) - Day 9
Leisure Day in Accra
This day is yours to rest and think about everything you've experienced. You can relax at the hotel's private beach or spend your time however you'd like (costs are on you for any activities). Seamstresses will be at the hotel if you need fittings or changes made to your custom clothing. This evening there's a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell dinner at a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Private beach access at hotel
- Fitting and alterations of custom-made clothing
Optional Activities
- Personal activities at guest's own expense
- Day 10
Accra Departure
Have a leisurely breakfast this morning. Your driver and guide are available if you need help with last-minute shopping. Late checkout is included so you'll have time to pack and freshen up before getting transferred to the airport for your flight.
- End point
- Accra, Greater Accra, Ghana (KOTOKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, 18:00 - 23:00)
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Late checkout
- Transfer to airport
Optional Activities
- Last-minute shopping assistance
