Welcome to the bustling city of Accra; a blend of modern buildings and structures which existed during the colonial times. The 120 year old city offers you unique display of historical landmarks including New Town, Ga Mashie and Jamestown communities. We have exciting activities and visits lined up which include Makola Market, Independence Square, Acca Arts & Crafts Centre, W.E.B. Dubois home and the Flagstaff House.

Enjoy a free day for your own personal exploration. At your own leisure, sunbathe at one of Accra's most noted beaches, shop at any of the local mall(s), spa visit, restaurant(s) local culinary cuisine and cultural eats exploration, wine tastings and more!

On this night, ring in the New Year in Style at AfroFuture's, formerly known as Afrochella, New Year's Eve Party. Get ready to dance your heart out as you make new friends and boogie to Afro beats and tunes. 

After breakfast at the hotel and check out, we will set out for Ghana's Central Region. Enroute, we will visit the Village of Hope Orphanage in Gomoa Fetteh, to celebrate the new year with the children and interact with the caretakers on their day-to-day supervision of them. We will have the opportunity to assist with their normal activities while also immersing ourselves in some fun. Village of Hope is a licensed Residential Home that rehabilitates and nurtures orphaned and vulnerable children in a holistic manner. Here they operate on the principle of the family system as the basic socialization unit and consider the unique natural abilities of each child for their development. 

We will continue on to Cape Coast for late afternoon check-in at 4-star hotel accommodations in Elmina for two nights.  After check-in, this evening will consist of visiting the village of Mesomagor where we will witness and partake in a traditional art form performance with bamboo percussion instrumental music and dance. This is a contagious dance you will not find anywhere else!   

Following a leisure breakfast, we will travel a short distance to Elmina Castle, originally called Fort Sao Jorge de Elmina - a UNESCO World Heritage Site which was completed in 1486 and the first European made structure built in sub-Saharan

Africa.

We will also experience the traditional Fihankra Ceremony - “Restore to Diasporas the Cultural and Spiritual connections that were denied for centuries.” The Fihankra Ceremony will include a traditional Re-Naming Ceremony where you will receive your certificate of authentication.

After, at your expense, lunch we will continue to Cape Coast to see the Cape Coast Dungeon, where you will experience the emotional journey of going in the opposite direction of our ancestors, through the famous “Door Of No Return.”

After breakfast and check-out, we will visit one of Ghana's famous sites, Kakum National Park. Partaking in a brief walking tour on the forest floor, we will observe birds, butterflies and the possibilities of catching a glimpse of the over 40 species of mammals including monkeys and the reclusive forest elephant. We will then proceed to the famous canopy aerial walk through the 1000-foot-long tree canopy and seven-bridge walkway viewing platforms reaching heights of over 150 feet above ground.

We will continue on to Kumasi, the seat of the Ashanti Empire, whose legacies are still evident. There will be another stop at Assin Manso, the burial site of two former slaves from the U.S. and Jamaica whose remains were interred August 1998 during Ghana's first Emancipation Day celebration. You will also see the Slave River where captured Africans were washed before being confined in the Slave castles to await shipment to the Americas and the Caribbean.

Arrival early evening for transfer to hotel for check-in of 2-nights at 4-star accommodations. 

After breakfast, visit the Manhyia Palace, official residence of Ashanti Kings Asantehene until 1974, now a museum containing treasured items relating to the Ashanti Kingdom. The Ashanti forms the biggest population group in Ghana. For centuries they were the rulers in this region because of their well-organized society. At Manhyia Palace, disputes are still settled in accordance with centuries-old customs where the King has the final word.

We continue on to visit the Ashanti craft villages starting with the wood carven Village of Ahwiaa, known for the talented craftsmen who fashion royal stools, walking sticks and fertility dolls from wood. You will also have the opportunity to purchase hand carved items of all sorts. 

Our next stop is the Village of Ntonso where artisans' hand- stamp patterns onto cotton cloth to make Adinkra textiles. 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.

Our final village is the Village of Adanwomase, to explore the famous Kente cloth which 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 intricate styles and interact with the craftsmen.

Dinner at Ike's Café located inside the National Culture .

Following breakfast, we will check-out of the hotel for departure further east to Akosombo. While enroute, you will enjoy the beautiful fauna and flora scenery of the forest zone.

Arrival in Akosombo will be in time for lunch, at your own expense, before you take a spectacular music infused cruise to the suspended Adomi Bridge and back on one of the modern Harris Boats.

Check-In 4.5-star hotel for 2-night stay. Deborah's Extravagant Birthday Dinner will commence at the hotel this evening. Event time TBD.

Unwind from all the travel and enjoy a good breakfast and a morning of leisure.

After lunch, at your own expense, we will depart to Accra on a scenic drive to a small village called Krobo Odumase. There we will witness a first-hand experience of beads made from specially crafted glass - Cedi Beads Factory. We will have the opportunity to design our very own beads using the traditional Krobo technique which carries a Iong history in Ghana. Beads have been used in ceremonies of birth or death, coming of age and marriage for the past 400 years. We will watch and participate in the whole bead-making process from beginning to end.

Enjoy breakfast along with the calm of the lake and bask in the beauty of the mountain scenery and surroundings for last leisure morning before check-out and return to Kotoka International Airport for departure back to United States.