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A THREE COUNTRY CELEBRATION & TOUR IN WEST AFRICA
Panafest is a Ghanaian biennial festive celebration (July 20 – August 1, 2012) welcoming
African decedents, family, friends, and those wanting to be “in the know”, from around the world
to AFRICA – The Motherland.
(LAND ONLY) - AIR AVAILABLE
VISAS, INSURANCE AND INOCULATIONS ARE NOT INCLUDED
PASSPORT AND VISAS ARE REQUIRED!
DAY |
ITINERARY |
DAY 1
Sat., 28th July 2012
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ARRIVE IN ACCRA
Arrive in Accra, Ghana. Transfer from airport to hotel for welcome ceremony with cultural drumming and dancing (for daylight arrivals only), pouring of libation, welcome drinks and orientation. Spend the rest of the day at leisure or by the pool soaking up the African sun.
Lodging: Hotel in Accra
Meals: D
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DAY 2
Sun., 29th July 2012
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ACCRA CITY TOUR-ELMINA
After breakfast depart hotel for a sightseeing city tour of Accra. You will drive through the administrative and economic districts of Accra, the capital of Ghana. This 132-year-old city with has a blend of colonial and modern architecture that summarize her history. You will visit the W. E. B. Dubois Center for Pan African Culture, this is the center where Dr. Dubois (an academic and civil rights champion) spent the last 2 years working on a Pan-African encyclopedia under the invitation Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
Next, visit Independence/ Black Star Square and Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park later visit the Paa Joe casket making shop, Here you will get the chance to see how different coffins are carved by hand into various forms, representative of the occupation, interest or hobby of the deceased. After your tour depart for a drive to Kumasi, capital of the Ashanti Kingdom. Upon arrival at your hotel check-in and have dinner and rest after a long eventful day.
After lunch on your own in a local Ghanaian restaurant, you will go to the Arts Centre, where you will have an opportunity to use your bargaining skills to shop from an open-air market for artifacts from Ghana and West Africa.
Depart for drive to Elmina. Overnight at hotel in Elmina.
Lodging: Hotel in Elmina.
Meals: B,D
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DAY 3
Mon., 30th July 2012 |
KAKUM NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast, depart for a drive through the historic Denkyira Kingdom to Kakum National Park, one of West Africa’s surviving tropical rain forests. Extending over 360sq km, Kakum is the home to over 40 large mammals and 400 bird species as well as many species of butterflies, flora and fauna. The most popular attraction is the Canopy walkway which is made up of seven bridges extending 330m, hanging 40m above the forest floor. Choose between a 2 km nature walk through this forest to discover the wide variety of exotic floral species and the medicinal values they offer or take a walk on the canopy walkway. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Elmina.
Lodging: Hotel in Elmina.
Meals: B,D |
DAY 4
Tues., 31st July 2012
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MEMORIAL AT ELMINA CASTLE/REVERENTIAL NIGHT VIGIL
Breakfast at hotel. Early morning departure for drive to Elmina. This morning visit Elmina Castle. This is another infamous castle and slave dungeon. It was built by the Portuguese in 1482 and is also known as St. George's Castle. This castle was the first European structure built in Sub-Saharan Africa. Explore the grounds and rooms full of haunting history. Stroll down to the beach for a memorial ceremony where each pilgrim will throw bread into the waters in remembrance of ancestors. A wreath with a candle is solemnly pushed into the waters ***and a respectful one minute silence is observed in remembrance of those who died in the Middle Passage (before reaching the Americas). After lunch, enjoy a tour of the colonial town of Elmina. Elmina’s rich history is captured in its buildings. They tell the stories of the people of Elmina and the interaction with those who came from outside. Visit the colorful Asafo houses that were used as a place for warriors to prepare mentally and spiritually before going to war. They are wonderful examples of how art is used in daily lives of Africans. After dinner depart for Cape Coast Castle to join other pilgrims for Panafest’s midnight vigil. Return for overnight at your hotel in Elmina.
Lodging: Hotel in Elmina
Meals: B,D
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DAY 5
Weds.,1st August 2012
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EMANCIPATION DURBAR AT ASSIN MASSO
After breakfast, check out of your hotel for a drive through a former slave route to Assin Manso. This was the final transit point for the Enslaved Africans before arriving at the dungeons and the final resting place for two ancestors whose mortal remains were returned from the USA and Jamaica and re-interred. Enshrine your place in history by signing the Returnees Memorial Wall the former Slave River and slave market. Pay “Tribute to the Returnees”. The Emancipation Day Celebration is opened with a Grand Durbar of Traditional Chiefs and people of the Central Region. Witness this grand, colorful and spectacular event that showcases the pomp and pageantry of Ghana's traditional rulers, dressed in rich Kente and adorned in glittering gold jewelry. Discover the African rhythm in you as you dance to the beat of the 'Fromtomfrom' drums.
Depart for drive to Accra.
Lodging: Hotel in Accra
Meals: B,D
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DAY 6
Thurs., 2nd August 2012
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ACCRA – LOME, TOGO
Depart Accra to Lome. Upon arrival, check in and embark on an insightful tour of the city. Visit Grand Marche, Marche des Feticheurs, Musee National, Place de I’ Independence. Overnight at hotel Lome, Togo.
Lodging: Hotel in Lome.
Meals: B,D
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DAY 7
Fri., 3rd August 2012
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LOME - OUIDAH – COTONOU
Breakfast at hotel. Depart for a visit to Ouidah, the cradle of African Traditional Religion, en-route to Cotonou. Tour the temple dedicated to the sacred Python, which is believed to give vitality and protection; you will also pay a visit to the sacred forest which houses many shrines dedicated to various deities. Visit the historical Museum of Ouidah located in an old Portuguese fort built in 1721. This Museum portrays Benin's role in the Atlantic Slave Trade. Later, visit the Port of No Return; a monument built by the Benin Government to commemorate the Africans that were taken from the Dahomey Empire during the Slave Trade. Continue the journey northwards to Cotonou. overnight at your hotel in Cotonou
Lodging: Hotel in Cotonou.
Meals: B,D
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DAY 8
Sat., 4th August 2012
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COTONOU – GANVIE
Make a sensational visit to Ganvie (the village on water), commonly referred to as the Venice of West Africa. Witness first hand, the people of Ganvie carrying out their daily routine as vendors in dugout canoes pile high with wares, transacting commerce with one another and with tourists. You will enjoy shopping on the floating market and taking a relaxing canoe ride on the waterways of this exotic 300-year-old village. Later, drive through the multicolored center of the administrative and commercial capital of Benin to view it’s many statues and monuments. Overnight at hotel in Benin.
Lodging: Hotel in Cotonou.
Meals: B,D
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DAY 9
Sun., 5th August 2012
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COTONOU– ACCRA
After breakfast, depart Cotonou for Accra via Lome. Stop over at Lome for lunch and then continue to Accra. Overnight at hotel in Accra.
Lodging: Hotel in Accra
Meals: B,D |
DAY 10
Mon., 6th August 2012 |
DAY AT LEISURE / DEPARTURE
Today is reserved as your day at Leisure or for any last minute shopping. Early evening transfer to airport for check-in. Departure back home.
Lodging:-
Meals: B
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Included in Land Cost
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All ground transportation and transfers as per itinerary or similar
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All accommodations as specified in this itinerary or similar
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All meals as specified in this itinerary as B, L, and D
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Entrance fees for all tours and excursions specified in the itinerary or similar
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Professional English-speaking local guides
COST OF TOUR LAND PACKAGE ONLY(Quote is per person double occupancy): $3087
IT IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THAT TRAVEL INSURANCE BE PURCHASED AT TIME OF DEPOSIT! Call for costs (date of birth required)
DEPOSIT $500 DUE DECEMBER 15, 2011/SECOND PAYMENT $1000 FEBRUARY 2012 FINAL
*Please note: Single Supplement
The cost of this tour is based on 2 people sharing a room. In cases where there is only one person in a room, that person will pay a single supplement:
DISCLAIMER: The Cost of package will increase if hotels, airline fares and transportation cost increase. Quote will be reviewed 3 months before group’s arrival and you will be notified accordingly.
Location/City |
Hotel |
Star Rating |
Accra |
Labadi Beach Hotel or similar |
5-star |
Elmina |
Coconut Grove Beach Resort
Or similar |
3-star |
Lome |
Mercure Sarakawa Hotel or similar |
4-star |
Cotonou |
Benin Marina or similar |
3-Star |
Not Included in Land Cost
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Tips for tour guide and driver
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International flights
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All airport departure taxes (international departure taxes to be paid in USD)
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Excess baggage charges
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Passport and visa fees
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Meals not specified in this itinerary
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En route meals, hotels, transportation, and other arrangements
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All drinks except bottled water or soda with meals
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Personal items such as laundry, email, fax, telephone, souvenirs, etc.
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Trip cancellation, travel delay, and baggage insurance
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Charges incurred as a result of delays beyond Land Tours Ghana, such as delayed or canceled flights
CONTACT Meredith
EBONY HERITAGE TRAVEL
954-484-5773 DIRECT
MCCLEARYM@BELLSOUTH.NET
[Photos courtesy of Land Tours Ghana Limited]
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