10 Day PANAFEST TOUR

Day 1                            AKWAABA-WELCOME
Arrive in Accra, Ghana. Transfer from airport to your hotel. Welcome drink and orientation. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Accra

Day 2    THE DOOR OF RETURN AT CAPE COAST CASTLE

After breakfast at your hotel; you will embark on an emotional boat trip to the Cape Coast Castle. This trip will mark as a return trip for the one made 200 years ago when Africans were transported via slave ships to the Americas. On landing on the shore make your way to the castle and enter through the door that was the last door African ancestors passed through on their way to board the ships to the new world. At that time it was a symbol of hopelessness and was known as the Door of No Return. But to modern pilgrims it is a Door of Return, of hope and healing. Explore the grounds of this infamous castle with its slave dungeons. Every part of the castle has historical significance. This castle also houses the West African Historical Museum established by the Smithsonian Institute in collaboration with the Ghanaian Government in 1994. History will unfold the story of the slave trade whose impact is still being felt today, beyond the shores of Africa. Watch the film ‘Crossroads of People, Crossroads of Trade’. Overnight at your hotel in Elmina.

Day 3                   MEMORIAL AT ELMINA CASTLE / EMANCIPATION VIGIL

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 and Asafo houses that were used as a place for warriors to prepare mentally and spiritually before going to war. They are wonderful examplse 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 dinner and overnight at your hotel in Elmina.

Day 4    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 Tradiitional. 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.Continue to Kumasi, capital of the Ashanti Empire. Return for dinner and overnight in Kumasi.

Day 5                                 KUMASI CITY TOUR
After breakfast, tour the city of to Kumasi, seat of the Ashanti Empire to explore the legends of the famous Ashantis. Visit Manhyia Palace Museum, to obtain firsthand information on the legacies of the Ashanti kingdom. A regal history that dates back to 1700 is told with relics and artifacts. Enjoy a drive through the city with monuments dedicated to the memory of the great Ashanti people. After lunch, end the day’s tour at the National Cultural Center which features the Prempeh II Jubilee Museum and various studios of the brass makers, potters and batik makers. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Kumasi.

Day 6                       ASHANTI CRAFT VILLAGES
This day is devoted to visiting the three famous craft villages in Ashanti. Depart to Ahwiaa, the wood carvers’ village, Ntonso, the home of Adinkra and Bonwire, the Kente weaving village. You will have the opportunity to see how African crafts are made and to buy directly from the artisans who make them. After lunch, depart for a drive to Accra. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Accra.

Day 7          ABURI BOTANICAL GARDEN
Breakfast at hotel. Depart for a drive to beautiful Aburi Botanical Gardens. This eco-paradise was created in 1890 for pleasure and scientific research. It is a habitat for plants and butterflies from all around the world. After lunch, visit the wonderful Woodcarvers’ Village, a great place to pick up that special souvenir from your trip. Return to Accra. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Accra.

Day 8                              ACCRA CITY TOUR
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 128 year-old city 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, Independence/ Black Star Square and Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park. After lunch in a local Ghanaian restaurant, you will end your tour at 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. Overnight at hotel in Accra.

Day 9                              DAY AT LEISURE
After breakfast, you can opt to spend the rest of the day at leisure, or getting some last minute shopping done in preparation for your journey home. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Accra.

Day 10      FAREWELL DINNER / DEPARTURE
After breakfast, depart for a drive along the coast to Accra. Spend the afternoon on last minute shopping, transfer to airport for check-in and final departure back home