This 8-day, 7-night journey through Ghana offers a rich blend of history, culture, and scenic beauty. Explore Accra, the vibrant capital, where you'll visit landmarks like the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park and Independence Square, along with the bustling Makola Market. In Cape Coast, you’ll tour the historic Cape Coast Castle, a powerful reminder of Ghana’s role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade, before heading to Kakum National Park for an adventurous canopy walk through the lush rainforest. Relax and enjoy the serene Aburi Botanical Gardens, a peaceful retreat filled with tropical plants and beautiful landscapes.

Your adventure continues with a visit to Kumasi, the historic capital of the Ashanti Kingdom. Discover the history and culture of the Ashanti people at the Manhyia Palace Museum and explore Kejetia Market, one of West Africa’s largest. Take a scenic boat cruise along the Volta River, where you can soak in stunning views of the surrounding nature. Conclude your journey with a tour of Jamestown, one of Accra’s oldest districts, known for its colonial architecture and lively street scenes, followed by a special farewell dinner.

For those seeking additional experiences, this trip can be customized with optional tours of neighboring Togo and Benin, providing a broader exploration of West Africa. Educators can also earn Professional Development Points (PDPs).  Both of these opportunities are offered at an additional cost. 

Interested in making your trip tax-deductible? Ask how to structure your travel as an educational or volunteer experience to potentially benefit from tax deductions. 

This customizable adventure is perfect for those looking to combine exploration, culture, and learning in one unforgettable journey.

Arrive in Accra, Ghana (Flight Details - TBC). You will be picked up at the Kotoko International Airport (ACC) and checked in to your hotel; get settled and refreshed.

Shortly after, we will go to the Makola Market.   Makola is Accra’s largest open-air market which overflows with goods, people, scents and sounds, hustle and bustle. It is the best place to absorb the atmosphere of a West African market. It is also the perfect location for touring and selecting from a variety of colorful fabrics.

Lunch will be served.

Upon returning to the hotel, those who are interested in having custom clothes made while in Ghana will have their measurements to be taken by the tailor. 

Now it is time to rest, relax and enjoy the facilities at the hotel until the welcome dinner later that evening.

After breakfast, we will drive through the historic Assin Kingdom to The Assin Manso Ancestral Slave Park, also called "The River of the Last Bath." The Assin Manso Ancestral Slave Park was one of the largest slave markets for gathering people to sell into slavery during the Trans-Atlantic slave trade.   It was the final link in the slavery route from northern Ghana and was known to have the largest slave market for the merchant supplying slaves on the fort and castle on the coast.  

The River is a prelude to visiting Cape Coast Slave Castle, as we will be following the route taken by the ancestors of many African Diasporans.

Cape Coast Castle was built by the Swedes in 1653 and was later taken over by the British. Here, you will learn about the relationship between the western slave traders and the African tribes that made the trans-Atlantic slave trade possible. 

Dinner on your own.

Cape Coast Night Life (optional) 

After breakfast and hotel check out, we will drive through the historic Denkyira Kingdom to Kakum National Park, one of West Africa’s surviving tropical rain forests. 

Participants may choose between a 2 km nature walk through the rain forest to discover the wide variety of exotic flora and fauna species and the medicinal values they offer OR take a walk on the canopy walkway hanging 40 meters above the forest ground.

Afterwards, you will be served lunch and depart to Accra. 

Dinner on your own.

Accra Night Life (optional) 

Experience the city’s highlights during this Accra orientation. The capital of Ghana since 1877, Accra is also the capital of the Greater Accra Region. In addition, it’s the country’s most populous city. We will visit the W.E.B. Du Bois Centre for Pan African Culture and the Independence/Black Star Square, learning about important events in Ghana’s history and the country’s first president who helped lead Ghana to independence. 

Continue your tour to the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, dedicated to the legacy of Ghana's first President, Kwame Nkrumah, and his role in African independence.  Next, you will visit The National Museum of Ghana, the largest and oldest of the six African Arts Museums in Ghana. 

Lunch will be served then conclude the day’s tour at Jamestown and the Arts Centre, where participants can sharpen their bargaining skills to shop for goods from Ghana and West Africa in an open-air market.

Dinner on your own.

Accra Night Life (optional) 

 After breakfast we will embark on a journey to Akosombo for a boat cruise on the Volta Lake, the largest man-made lake in West Africa and one of the largest man-made lakes in the world. 

You will have lunch while on the boat cruise and enjoy some Ghanaian and African music. Afterwards you will relax at Bridgeview Resort and return to Accra later in the evening.

Dinner on your own.

Accra Night Life (optional) 

Pack your day bag for a trip to the Ashanti Kingdom!  After breakfast, we will head to Kotoka International Airport to board a flight to Kumasi. Upon arrival, we will visit The Manhyia Palace Museum. The museum is a historic museum located in Kumasi and situated within Manhyia Palace first established in 1925 as a private residence for the Asantehene Agyemang Prempeh I. 

Next, we will tour the Okomfo Anokye sword sight where the golden stool of the Asanteman descended into the laps of King Osei Tutu I. The sight was predicted by Okomfo Anokye to be a healing place for millions of people. 

On our way to lunch, we will drive through the famous Kejetia market, it is the biggest open market in Kumasi.

Finally, we will visit Nana Prempeh II museum and Kumasi cultural Centre, before making our way to the Kumasi airport to board the last flight back to Accra.  

Dinner on your own.

Accra Night Life (optional) 

Aburi Botanical Garden is located on the Akuapem-Togo range of Ghana. It is known for the study and conservation of species of plants. Along with local plant species it also showcases plant species from all over the world. This garden also plays a central role in meeting human needs and providing well-being. 

After lunch, we will return to the hotel for relaxation and free time.  Those who have had clothing made will be taken to the tailor’s shop to fit and pick up your garments. 

Dinner on your own.

Accra Night Life (optional) 

After breakfast, you will have time to enjoy your final day of fun.  You are welcome to explore the city on your own or partake in a group paint & sip activity.  

Regardless of how you spend your last day in Accra, be sure to leave time to rest and prepare for the farewell dinner later in the evening.

Depart from Kotoko International Airport in Accra, Ghana (Flight Details - TBC).  

After breakfast, spend the day doing last minute packing. Later you will check out of the hotel and be transferred to the airport for check-in and final departure back home.

If you are participating in the Togo & Benin extension, you will remain in Accra until the next day.