Day 3: - Rabat–Meknes-Fez. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

• Buffet breakfast at the hotel 
• Guided city Tour of Rabat:  we will start at Hassan Tower, the unfinished vision of The Sultan Moulay Yacoub, then to the neighboring resting place of the former kings, “The Royal Mausoleum.”  
• Lunch at “La Capital” a restaurant in the Rabat Marina. 
• Depart to Fes, to visit the Romans Ruins of “Volubilis” (Classified as an UNESCO World Heritage Site)
• Continuation to Fes, 
• Arrival and check-in at Les Merinides Hotel 
• Dinner and overnight at the Hotel

Day 4: - Fez City Tour. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

• After breakfast, we’ll take a peek behind the walls of the world’s oldest medina to reveal how its inhabitants live. This maze of narrow, twisting streets houses Bou Inania Medersa; it dates back to the Marinid dynasty.  Built by Sultan Abu Inan, its impressive wood work and Zellij (geometric mosaics) hits at the grandeur hidden in the mosques, then on to Al-Attarine Medersa; this place is one of the city’s most impressive examples of Marinid architecture with fine marble columns and graceful Arabic calligraphy which adds to the building’s reputation as a must see Fez-attraction. Afterward continue towards the Henna Souk passing by Fon Douk Smen, and explore the local souks. Since Fez is famous for its leather, you will visit The Tanneries; this place is always overwhelming with its rainbow colors of the dye vats. Stroll El-Nejjarine square, and the cabinet makers’ souk, and the Hebrew district Mellah and make the best of your city tour.
• Lunch at Palais Mnehi, an old palace in the Medina in Fes   
• Continuation of the City Tour 
• Dinner & Overnight at the Hotel 

Day 5:– Fez – Erford - Merzouga. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

• Buffet breakfast at the hotel 
• Departure from Fes To Erfoud.  En-route you’ll pass through a scenic forest of cedars and through the Middle Atlas Mountain range to the mineral mining city of Midelt, where a stop for lunch is scheduled.  This journey continues along through the dramatic Ziz Gorge, passing en-route the ancient, holy city of Rissani.  It is here where one would find the ruins of Sijilmasa, once a capital and merchant stopping locale for the ancient caravan routings of the 8th century.  After about seven (7) hours of travel you will arrive in Erfoud.
• Lunch at Kasbah Asmaa in Midelt 
• Travel to Merzouga, where we’ll transfer to a 4x4 vehicle to continue our adventure to the dunes of Erg Chebbi, possibly the largest dunes in the Sahara Desert.
• Then onward to the Desert Camp 
• This evening we’ll have traditional food at the camp, accompanied by local entertainment
• Dinner and overnight at the Desert Camp ERG CHEBBI LUXURY CAMP

Accommodation – Chances Hotel – Ho 

Day 5 Aburi Botanical Gardens, Craft Village and Transfer to Kumasi 

An early start this morning after breakfast as we set off to Kumasi. Our journey today will take us into the beautiful Akuapem hills with outstanding views across Accra and Tema in Common Red Glider Butterfly one we hope to see during our walks the distance. At the top of the range, we find the Aburi botanical gardens, set in a beautiful location that were founded by the British in 1890. The gardens are home to a wide variety of indigenous and exotic flora, offering outstanding views to Accra on a clear day. As we walk around the gardens our guide will identify the many trees and plants found here, some with medicinal properties and explain how they benefit the locals. 

A short distance from the gardens we find the relaxed and friendly Aburi craft village, where traditional African drums, sculptures and other crafts have been carved for generations. As we watch the skilled craftsmen at work it is worth noting that prices here are amongst the lowest in Ghana, making Aburi an ideal place to pick up some souvenirs. Your guide will talk you through the meaning and local beliefs connected to many of the sculptures that have been made the same way throughout history. After lunch we continue our journey to Kumasi, home of the Asantehene, King of the powerful Ashanti empire. On our arrival we check into our accommodation with the remainder of the evening being free time.

Day 6 Manhyia Palace, Cultural Center, Kejetia Market and Okomfo Anokye Sword 

A well-deserved relaxing breakfast this morning after our long journey yesterday. A day of culture and history awaits us as we set off on our city tour of Kumasi heading to the Manhyia Palace, home of the Asantehene King of the Ashanti’s and ruler of the powerful Asanteman Kingdom. The Palace Museum offers a fascinating excursion through the history of this powerful tribe and is extremely informative on the well documented Ashanti history and culture. Our tour gives us a firsthand insight into the legacies of the Ashanti’s and enables us to understand their culture during our time in this region. We continue to visit the National Cultural Centre. The cultural center is in one of the oldest suburbs of Kumasi near Bantama. 

There is a wonderful craft market here and during our leisurely tour we can visit the Prempeh II Jubilee museum which offers an excellent overview of Ashanti history and houses some wonderful ancient artifacts. A short distance from the palace is Kejetia market which is reported to be the largest outdoor market in West Africa. Visiting here gives us a wonderful opportunity to experience everyday life for the people in this great city and pick up a few bargain souvenirs. The market is a labyrinth of stalls nestled closely together, and a hive of activity. Some stall holders sleep here in the evenings as trade rarely stops. Lunch will be taken at a local restaurant which sells an excellent selection of local and continental dishes.

Our next stop is the Okomfo Anokye sword found at the Okomfo Anokye teaching hospital in Kumasi. Okomfo Anokye was a powerful priest born in 1600 in the Eastern Region of Ghana who helped the then Ashanti King Osei Tutu I to defeat the powerful Denkyera tribe. After defeating the Denkyera, legend has it the Golden Stool of Ashanti descended from the sky and landed on Okomfo Anokye’s lap, which he gave to the Ashanti King. He then planted a sword into the ground as a symbol of unity between the Ashanti’s and Nzema tribes. The sword is still there to this day and has defied all human strength to pull it out. Our evening we have the option of heading into the city to experience Kumasi night life where we can enjoy our evening meal and a live highlife band. If you are not feeling up to a late night you can choose to relax at your accommodation.

Accommodation – Golden Tulip Hotel – Kumasi

Day 7 Ancient Kente and Adinkra Villages, Ashanti Traditional House and Sokoban Krofrom

A morning visit to the last material remains of the great Asante Empire as we visit the traditional Asante buildings that are now recognized as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. There are 10 active shrines within the buildings which are made from bamboo, timber and mud and thatched roofs. The walls are designed with motifs that have traditional symbolic meanings attached to ancient Adinkra symbols that we will learn more about later today. This is also where Nana Yaa Asantewaa, possibly the most important women in Ashanti history comes from, a great female warrior who led the Ashanti’s in the 1901 war against the British. Nana Yaa Asantewaa was also the Queen Mother of Ejisu Besease and we will visit the local spiritual shrine where she used to fortify herself before going into battle.

We continue our journey through Ashanti history by visiting the traditional villages of Adanwomase and Ntonso. Our first stop is Adanwomase, the birth place of Ghana’s rich colorful Kente cloth. Adanwomase produces some of Ghana’s finest Kente cloth, many designs of cloth are woven here, and some are exclusive only to this region. Quality time is dedicated here as we walk through the community, interacting with the locals whose families have been weaving kente for generations playing an important role in the history of this beautiful cloth. During our time here, we learn about the history behind the many designs and see skilled weavers outside their homes still using traditional looms that have not changed in design for centuries. Former US President Bill Clinton has had a design named after him called the “Clinton Kente” as Ghanaians were so impressed with the respect he showed our nation during his state visit to Ghana when he was in office. An ideal time to purchase quality kente cloth at very low prices before we set off for Ntunso.

The ancient village of Ntunso, is where adinkra cloth and symbols originate. These traditional symbols all have meanings and are carved from calabash shells. The adinkra symbols are then printed onto traditional cloth using natural dyes made from the bark of certain local trees. Adinkra cloth has been adorned by the Ashanti’s for more than 4 centuries and pre-dates kente cloth. Even today most Ashanti’s will wear adinkra cloth for funerals, festivals and other important occasions. During our time here, we can make our own strip of adinkra cloth using symbols with personal significance. 

After lunch we visit the village of Sokoban Krofrom where traditional brass casting has been the main source of income for the community for generations. A wide selection of items ranging from beads and jewelry to traditional statues are made here. The methods used to produce these wonderful brass works has not changed and during our time here we see a demonstration of the skilled process. After visiting some of the stores selling a wonderful selection in the village we return to our accommodation for our meal and to relax with the remainder of the evening being free leisure time.

Day 8 Assin Manso and Cape Coast Castle

This morning we take a leisurely breakfast before setting off Southwards to Elmina in the central region of Ghana. The town of Elmina was given its name by the Portuguese due to the abundance of Gold found in Ghana, translated Elmina means The Mine. Gold is of such importance to Ghana today and historically that we were even known as the Gold Coast before independence. Ghana’s gold is of the highest quality and we are the 8th largest exporter in the world and second largest exporter in Africa behind South Africa.

We stop at Assin Manso, an important town along the enslaved African trade routes. The town surrounds the Ndonkor Nsuo (Enslaved African River). This river is where enslaved Africans were checked for fitness and bathed before being transported to Cape Coast for shipment to the Americas. The slaves would have walked hundreds of kilometers from Northern Ghana through thick forests in shackles and chains, many being in poor health once they reached Assin Manso. Once bathed and rested the slaves would continue the final 32-mile march to the dungeons of Cape Coast Castle where they would remain for up to 6 weeks before being shipped to the Americas. In 1998, a symbolic gesture was made when the bodies of two free (previously enslaved) Africans, Samuel Carson from New York U.S.A and Crystal from Kingston Jamaica were returned to Cape Coast Castle and symbolically passed through the “Door of no Return” before being transported to Assin Manso for re-internment.

After our tour we continue to Cape Coast, we enjoy lunch upon arrival at a local restaurant overlooking the ocean before visiting the nearby Cape Coast castle which has been designated as a world heritage site by UNESCO. The castle is a thought provoking monument to a harrowing period in the region’s history. Quality time will be spent in the afternoon on an emotional journey touring this castle which held more enslaved Africans captive than any other in West Africa, viewing the dungeons and the infamous “Door of no return”. There is a historical museum inside, which explains the entire history of the castle and Cape Coast itself, as well as a souvenir shop selling literature on all of Ghana’s forts and castles, as well as the cultural history and traditions of Ghana. After a wonderful but thought-provoking day, we continue to check into our accommodation, enjoy dinner and relax.

Accommodation – Coconut Grove Beach Resort – Elmina 

Day 9 Kakum National Park, Canopy Walkway, Stingless Bee Centre and Elmina Castle

An early start as we set off for Kakum National Park in the morning, after breakfast and Africa’s world-famous rainforest canopy walkway.  This is a truly beautiful, tropical guinea rainforest and the canopy walkway is sure to be a highlight of your time in Cape Coast. This national park protects the original habitat that was found in this location and was the local’s home and major source of food.  The walkway consists of 7 bridges, attached to 7 emerging trees, 40 metres above the rainforest floor.  Prepare to take a deep breath as you walk the suspended bridges.  You will marvel at the outstanding views that stretch for miles across this breathtaking rainforest as you rest on the viewing platforms that are attached to the emerging trees between the bridges.  We are sure you would agree that this is an exciting excursion never to be forgotten.  

We return to the park headquarters where we find an excellent information center that offers a very informative overview of the parks flora and fauna.  Over 40 different mammal species have been recorded within the park, which includes forest elephants, leopards and 6 primate species to mention just a few.  As short distance from Kakum and on the border of the forest we find the International Stingless Bee Project.  There have been approximately 9 species of stingless bees identified here in Ghana and their importance to our eco system is paramount.  Our tour of the center teaches us about the importance of bees locally, their medicinal qualities and we get to see their hives, taste and buy quality stingless bee honey.  There is a stingless bee walkway and butterfly garden where many of the forest butterfly species come to feed.  

We stop for lunch at Han’s Cottage Botel near Kakum, Han’s is built over a lake containing Nile crocodiles and set in a beautiful location surrounded by tropical guinea rainforest.  It is an original and comfortable establishment, which is teeming with bird life and an excellent place to enjoy lunch before setting off for Elmina. During our time in Elmina town we will visit the castle of St. George in Elmina. This is the oldest extant colonial building in sub Saharan Africa dating from 1482.  This castle is steeped in history and played a prominent part during the tragic transatlantic enslaved African trade era.  There is an informative museum inside which concentrates on local history and it is designated a world heritage site by UNESCO.   Our final evening in the central region of Ghana can be spent at our accommodation or we can venture into town to experience nightlife for the locals.

Day 10 Beach Relaxation, Fort Amsterdam and Accra for Departure

A relaxing morning enjoying the facilities of our accommodation, maybe go for a swim, relax on the beach or just enjoy our final morning at this beautiful location.  Prior to lunch we will freshen up and re-pack our bags, your local guide will collect them from your room and bring them to our vehicle to load.  Before setting off back to Accra we enjoy our lunch overlooking the beautiful Gold Coast of West Africa.  On route to Accra along the coastal road we find Fort Amsterdam in the town of Abandze.  This is the first Fort built by the British between 1631 and 1638 and soon became the headquarters of English Gold Coast activities.  In 1665 after a long and bloody battle the Dutch captured the fort and that is where it gets its name Fort Amsterdam.  In 1811 locals loyal to the British from a neighboring community, Anomabo destroyed the fort, it was later restored to its former glory in 1951.  It is believed that the first slave prison on the Gold Coast was in the hollow south east bastion of the fort. After an informative tour we continue our journey to Accra.

On arrival back in Ghana’s capital city we may have time to head to the Accra Mall to give you an insight into modern day Ghana.  An opportunity to also purchase some last-minute souvenirs before heading home.  Our early evening meal will be taken at a locally owned restaurant serving an excellent selection of local and international dishes which gives us an ideal opportunity to say our goodbyes and reflect on a wonderful time together.  After your meal our team will transfer you to the airport for your departure.