Explore Ghana & Cote D’Ivoire, 10-Days Package

DAY 1: ACCRA

On arrival at Kotoka International Airport, our expert cultural tour guide will meet, assist, and transfer you to your hotel in our private air-conditioned vehicle. Once you’ve checked in, your guide will brief you on what to expect during your stay here in Ghana. Other activities today will depend on your arrival time and preference.

Overnight at Best Western Plus Accra Beach Hotel.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast.

DAY 2: ACCRA

Highlights:

• The Independence/Black Square

• The Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park

• Jamestown Fishing Community Wake up to a whole new experience that awaits you today.

After a sumptuous breakfast at your hotel, we set off for a panoramic sightseeing tour of the bustling city of Ghana’s capital- Accra passing through the economic and administrative districts. • We shall drive to Independence Square where you will see the enclosed flame of African Liberation, which was lit by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah in 1961. The Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, the final resting place of Ghana’s first president. Set in attractive gardens, there is an adjoining museum, which contains photos, artifacts, and insight into Dr. Nkrumah’s life. • We continue to Jamestown Community-One of Accra’s most historic neighborhoods where history resides on every corner. Best known for its lighthouses (the first of which was constructed in 1875 by the British) as a navigational aid for trading vessels sailing through the Gulf of Guinea. The original structure was ruined but a larger and more improved lighthouse completed in 1921 is still functioning today. • Further on, we visit the Arts and Craft Centre which is Ghana’s largest outdoor arts and crafts market selling traditional crafts from all over West Africa. You may want to try out your bargaining skills.

Overnight at Best Western Plus Accra Beach Hotel.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast and Dinner.

DAY 3: ACCRA-KUMASI

Highlights:

• Manhyia Palace Museum

• Prempeh Jubilee Museum

After breakfast, we will travel to Kumasi, the capital of the Ashanti Kingdom of Gold. Drive past several scenic villages with fine examples of traditional Ghanaian building. Arrive in Kumasi by mid-afternoon and proceed on a half-day tour of Kumasi. Visit Manhyia Palace, the official residence of Ashanti Kings (Asantehene) until 1974, now a museum containing treasured items relating to the Ashanti Kingdom. Drive past the Kumasi Central Market, the largest open-air market in West Africa, to visit the National Cultural Center which is home to Prempeh II Jubilee Museum. This museum was named after the former Asantehene Nana Osei Agyeman Prempeh II. Exhibits in this museum include a replica of the famed Golden Stool, which is believed to have “descended from the sky” and has been in place for 300 years which is the spiritual symbol of unity for the Ashanti people. Legend says the Ashanti Kingdom would collapse should the sword ever be removed.

Overnight at Noda Hotel.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast and Dinner.

DAY 4: KUMASI

Highlights:

• The 3 Craft villages of Ahwiaa, Ntonso, and Adanwomase

After breakfast, visit the Ashanti craft villages:

• The Woodcarving village of Ahwiaa, known for the talented craftsmen who fashion Royal Stools, walking sticks, and Fertility Dolls from wood; with the opportunity to purchase hand-carved items of all kinds.

• The village of Ntonso where the Artisans hand-stamp patterns on a cotton cloth to make Adinkra textiles. Black-on-Black and Black-on-Red Adinkra cloth is worn for funerals and other solemn occasions; learn how the Black Dye is made in the village from the bark of trees and creates your own Adinkra sash to take home. You may purchase large pieces of the Adinkra Cloth handmade in the village.

• Our final village will be Adanwomase, where the Famous Kente Cloth is handmade on looms in a time-honored tradition passed down through generations. See the Kente Weavers in the process of creating Kente cloth in various styles and have the opportunity of making purchases. This evening, you may visit the Kumasi Central 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, and handmade crafts.

Overnight at Noda Hotel.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast and Dinner.

DAY 5: KUMASI- CAPE COAST-ELMINA

Highlights:

• Assin Manso Slave River Site

• Cape Coast Castle

Today you travel to Ghana’s Central Region; en route, you will stop at Assin Manso, the burial site of two former slaves from the U.S and Jamaica whose remains were re-interred here. Visit the “Slave River” where captured Africans were washed before being confined in the Slave Castles to await shipment to the Americas and Caribbean. Arrive in Cape Coast and visit Cape Coast Castle and 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”. This evening, you may spend some time at the beach or your hotel’s poolside.

Overnight at Coconut Grove Beach Resort.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast and Dinner.

DAY 6: ELMINA-ACCRA-ABIDJAN

Highlights:

• Kakum National Park

After breakfast, visit Kakum National Park. Kakum is one of Ghana’s most famous parks. Take a brief walking tour on the forest floor; 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 the ground. Return to Accra in time for your flight to Abidjan. Arrive at Felix Houphouet Boigny International Airport; you will be met by our team and transferred to your hotel. Time permitting city tour of Abidjan.

Overnight at Ibis Plateau Abidjan.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast and Dinner.

DAY 7: ABIDJAN-ABENGOUROU

Highlights

• Iniassue Fetish Dance

• Visit the King of Niable Drive to Abengourou in the Kingdom of the Indenie.

On the way, visit the school of fetish women of Iniassue with an organized fetish dance. Continue driving after the dance and get to Abengourou and check into your hotel. After lunch (on your own account), drive to Niable, the city of the farmers. At arrival, visit the fields of cocoa and coffee. Visit the King of Niable and the local radio station. In the evening, drive back to Abengourou for dinner and overnight stay.

Overnight at Hotel Le Royaume.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast and Dinner.

DAY 8: ABENGOUROU-YAMOUSSOUKRO

Highlights:

- Lake of Fish

- Cathedral Notre Dame de la Paix

- The Sacred crocodile Depart to Yamoussoukro, the administrative capital city.

Stop on the way to Bongoanou to visit the small market and the lake of fish. Arrive in Yamoussoukro, check-in hotel, and lunch. In the afternoon, visit the cathedral Notre Dame de la Paix (the highest in the world), the sacred crocodiles, the mosque, the High Polytechnic school. Overnight in Yamoussoukro.

Overnight at Hotel President.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast and Dinner.

DAY 9: YAMOUSSOUKRO-ABIDJAN

Highlights

- The Governor “Binger” Palace

- Ariane Monument

After breakfast, proceed to Abidjan then to Grand Bassam, the colonial capital city then visit the French Colonial district, the costume museum; the craft center, the governor “Binger” palace, the first colonial governor, the Ariane Monument symbolizing the yellow fever epidemic disease at the colonial period. Visit the reputed market for souvenir shopping.

After lunch at the restaurant next to the sea (on your own account), drive back to Abidjan for a panoramic city tour.

Overnight at Ibis Plateau Abidjan.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast and Dinner.

DAY 10: ABIDJAN-DEPART

Today’s activities will depend on your flight departure time. You are transferred to the international airport of Abidjan for your onward flight.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast.