Explore Ghana & Cote D’Ivoire 9-Days

Day 1 Accra, Ghana

Arrive Accra; meet assist and transfer to Hotel.

Meal(s) Included: No

Overnight at Travel Express International Hotel or Similar

Day 2 Accra – Kumasi

After breakfast, travel to Kumasi, the capital of the Ashanti Kingdom of Gold; stop at Mampong Centre for Scientific Research into Plant Medicine. The center conducts research in the use of plant medicine in the treatment of various ailments. Continue to Kumasi, arriving early afternoon. On arrival in Kumasi, you will visit the Manhyia Palace,  built in 1925 to receive Asantehene (ruler of the Ashanti people) Prempeh I when he returned from exile. It was used by the Ashanti Kings until 1974. It now serves as a museum, containing a range of items relating to the Ashanti Kingdom. Visit the nearby Okomfo Anokye Sword, an important symbol of Ashanti unity that marks the spot where the Golden Stool “descended from the sky” and has been in place for 300 years. Legend says the Ashanti Kingdom would collapse should the sword ever be removed.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast

Overnight at Miklin Hotel Kumasi or Similar

Day 3 Kumasi and Vicinity

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. You will have the opportunity to purchase hand carved items of all kinds.
The Village of Ntonso where artisan’s hand-stamp patterns on cotton cloth to make Adinkra textiles. Black-on-black and black-on-red Adinkra cloth is worn for funerals and other solemn occasions. You will learn how the black dye is made in the village from the bark of trees, and create your own Adinkra sash to take home. You may also purchase large pieces of Adinkra cloth handmade in the village.
The village is Bonwire, where the famous Kente cloth is handmade on looms in a time-honored tradition passed down through generations. You will see the Kente weavers in process of creating Kente cloth in various styles, and have the opportunity to purchase souvenirs or gifts.

This evening visit the Kumasi Central Market (also known as Kejetia 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, handmade crafts.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast

Overnight at Miklin Hotel Kumasi or Similar

Day 4 Kumasi – Cape Coast

After breakfast, drive to Cape Coast; with a stop at the Gold mine town of Obuasi and Assin Manso, the burial site of two former slaves from the U. S. and Jamaica. Visit the “Slave River” where captured Africans bathed before being confined in the Slave Castles to await shipment to the Americas and the Caribbean.

This afternoon visit Cape Coast Castle and the Castle 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 go on a guided tour through the ancient town of Elmina. At the harbor view the colorful fishing canoes getting ready to go to sea for another night’s task of fishing. This is a picture perfect opportunity for the photographers.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast

Overnight at Elmina Bay Resort or Similar

Day 5 Cape Coast – Accra

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.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 ground. In the afternoon return to Accra; enroute visit the village of Abandze, the ancestral home of Louis Armstrong, the famous American jazz musician.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast

Overnight at Travel Express International Hotel or Similar

Day 6 Accra – Abidjan

Morning at leisure in Accra before you are transferred  to the airport for your flight to  Abidjan. Arrive Abidjan; meet assist and transfer to the hotel.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast

Overnight at Ibis Abidjan Plateau Hotel or Similar

Day 7 Abidjan – Abengourou

Drive to Abengourou in the Kingdom of the Indenie. On the way, visit the school of fetish women of Iniassue. We will organize a fetish dance. Continue driving after the dance and get to Abengourou and check in Hotel Le Royaume. After lunch, 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.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8 Abengourou – Yamoussoukro

Depart to Yamoussoukro, the administrative capital city. Stop on the way to Bongouanou to visit the small market and the lake of fish. Arrive 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. Dinner and overnight in Yamoussoukro.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at Hotel President Yamoussoukro or Similar

Day 9 Yamoussoukro – Abidjan

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, first colonial governor, the Ariane Monument symbolizing yellow fever epidemic disease at the colonial period. Visit the reputed market for souvenirs shopping.  After lunch at restaurant next to the sea (on your own), drive back to Abidjan for a panoramic city tour.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at Ibis Abidjan Plateau Hotel or Similar

Day 10 Abidjan – Depart

After breakfast, day at leisure. Afterwards transfer to the airport for onward flight.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast