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17 Days Tour in Mali - Burkina Faso - Benin - Togo
offered by supplier M19125 (view this supplier profile)
Key Information:
Tour Duration: 17
day(s)
Group Size: 2
- 4
people
Destination(s):
Mali
Burkina Faso
Benin
Specialty Categories:
Cultural Journey
Sightseeing
Season: January - December
Airfare Included: No
Tour Customizable: No
Minimum Per Person Price: 2890 US Dollar (USD)
Maximum Per Person Price: 3200 US Dollar (USD)
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Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Bamako. Arrival, reception at the airport and transfer at the Grand hotel or a Similar. Includes: (D).
Day 2: Bamako-Ségou
After breakfast, departure from Bamako to Ségou, the capital or city of 4444 Balanzan considered as a mythic tree which is leafy in dry season and no leaves in the rainy season; the Balanzan “acacia albilda’ signify the bravery and the courage of the citizen of Ségou. Capital of the Bambara Kingdom of Ségou during the reign of Biton Coulibaly from 1712-1755. Ségou is Conquest in 1862 by the Toucouleur El Hadj Omar Tall and occupied by the French colonist Archinard in 1891. The Bambara ethnic is very proud of theirs culture and tradition showed by the dance step (the “Bara” and the “Bondjalan”. The 4th administrative region of Mali with around 1 675 358 inhabitants composed of Bambara, minianka, bwa and Soninke, Fulani, maure, somono and bozo shared in an area of 60 947 km2. By the way we will visit Sekoro the see the King’s Biton Tom, its vestibule and the mosque, Arrival in Segou and visit of the Bogolan center, the colonial building and overnight at Hotel Esplanade or a Similar. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 3: Ségou - Djenne-Mopti
After breakfast drive to Djenne the city classified as World Heritages because of its architecture. The city considered as the twin of Timbuktu because of its attachment on Islam. Founded around the 10th century by Soninke, a religious city considered as one of the oldest city in Africa. The visit of children learning in Coranic School is worthy. Djenne is very famous by its biggest mud monument in the world. Arrival and we will visit the mosque, the virgin Tomb and the former Djenne Djene Djeno, then continuation to Mopti, arrival visit of the mosque, Overnight at Hotel Flandre or a Similar. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 4: Mopti - Dogon Country
After breakfast, visit of the city the market, the handicraft market, the fishing port and drive to Mali's fascinating Dogon country. Being among of the most enigmatic people of Africa, the Dogons are living in stones and mud houses and granaries built up high on the narrow edges of the cliffs. The Dogons are animists, worshipping their ancestors and the spirits of nature. Having preserved their traditions through the centuries, the Dogon architecture is certainly the most well known element by external world, along with other practices such as mask dances (to request to a deceased spirit to leave the village and then rejoin the ancestors) or the fox divinatory game.
The Dogons are farmers cultivating their fields either high on the cliff, in the plain or down of the cliff. The Dogons fled the advancing of Arabs coming from the north, and found shelter in one of West Africa's most inhospitable areas difficult to reach. This difficulty contributes to Dogon’s isolation even between them, and in time each village developed its own dialect, un-comprehended by the neighbours. Today, there are about fifty of idioms in spoken Dogon language. First we’ll visit the Dogon village Songo, renowned for its rock paintings and circumcision grotto, and then continue to Sangha, on the edge of the Bandiagara escarpment, where we stay overnight. Overnight: Campement Hotel Guina, Sangha (1 night). Includes: (B), (D).
Day 5: Dogon Country
This morning we descend the Bandiagara escarpment to visit the village of Banani, where the ancient Tellem Cave dwellings in the cliff face, further the Ireli Village, Amani, where we will visit the sacred crocodile sanctuary, and Tireli. See the caves of Deguimbere and other small but interesting villages on the escarpment edge, continuation to Bandiagara, arrival and overnight at hotel La Falaise or a Similar. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 6: Dogon Country-Timbuktu
Depart from Bandiagara to reach the legendary city of Timbuktu, the city of 333 holy, the mysterious city or the doorway to the desert founded around the 11 th century by the touareg Imagcharen. In Timbuktu the tradition says: “gold comes the south, salt comes from the north, money comes from occident, but the speeches of God, holy things, wonderful stories can be found only in Timbuktu. The 6 th administrative capital of Mali, Timbuktu attracts many tourists who like to discover an exceptional cultural heritages, adventure landscape and fabulous histories of the city. Timbuktu has maintained many ancient monuments you will d visit Timbuktu city: the mosques, the museum and archives. The Mosque of Djinguareyber, built in 14th century by emperor Kankou Moussa on his way from the Pilgrimage; the mosque Sankore of the 15 th century which hosted many intellectuals from its University; the Mosque of Sidi Yahia built at the end of the 15 th century by an old woman of the city. Overnight at Hotel La Colombe. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 7: Timbuktu
Breakfast and Visit of the old Islamic manuscripts in the Baba Ahmed Institute, the houses of exploratory Gordon Laing, Henri Barth, Mongo Park, and Rene Caille, the handicraft centre to discover the wonderful work of the touareg: the jewellery and the blankets. In the afternoon camel ride in the desert and have a tea ceremony with Touareg, overnight at Hotel La Colombe or a Similar. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 8: Timbuktu – Mopti
Breakfast and departure for Mopti, the Venice of Mali for its location between the Bani and Niger River, in Mopti there are many ethnic group of Mali – Bambara, Fulani, Bozo, Bobo, Dogon, Songhai, come to trade. Stay overnight at your hotel Flandre or a Similar. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 9: Mopti – Sikasso
After breakfast we drive to Sikasso. Sikasso is considered to be the green belt of Mali. The city portrays the remnants of the Tata, an ancient palisade that encircled the city and for a time held off the French colonial army, the Mamelon, residence of the kings of Sikasso and sacred site that housed the city’s protector spirits. Later we visit the Missirikoro Mosque, some 15 km from Sikasso, the Mansa Daoula Tomb (founder of Kenedougou Kingdom) and the Farako Falls. Overnight: Hotel Zanga, Sikasso (1 night). Includes: (B), (D).
Day 10: Sikasso – Bobo Dioulasso
This morning we leave Sikasso and cross the border from Mali to Burkina Faso. After a smooth ride we arrive to Bobo, where we check into our hotel first, then have a brief tour of Bobo. The city of Bobo Dioulasso is a very relaxed place and a pleasure to spend a day. It has boulevards and interesting market places with a chilled-out feel and very little hassle even in the Grand Marché. There are a few interesting sights here. Among the major highlights to see is the Musée Provincial du Houet, but without a doubt the most interesting sight is the Grande Mosquée (the old great mosque). Overnight: Hotel Auberge, Bobo (1 night). Includes: (B), (D).
Day 11: Bobo – Gaoua
Today we complete our tour of Bobo Dioulasso, ("house of the Bobo merchants"), Burkina Faso's second largest city and visit the old mosque and visit the old Kibidwe artisans' district. The old Kibidwé district is a great area to stroll around and it's well worth the experience to see how this side of the city lives, and if we're lucky we may be treated to a performance by some of the musicians who live in the part of the town. In the afternoon we leave Bobo and continue drive to Gaoua. En route we stop in Banforo to visit the Karfiguela waterfalls and Lac Tengrela. We also stop at the mysterious stone ruins of Loropeni whose origins are unknown, but the local Gan people call them the "house of refusal”. Arrive in the evening at Gaoua for an overnight stay. Overnight: Hala Hotel, Gaoua (1 night). Includes: (B), (D).
Day 12: Gaoua – Ouagadougou
Breakfast and drive to explore Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso's capital city. Ouaga, as the capital of Burkina Faso is generally known is the home to the Mossi, the largest ethnic group in the nation. All the sights can be easily reached on foot. The city’s atmosphere is relaxed and the Burkinabe are known to be very hospitable and friendly people. We’ll visit the Grand Market and the National Museum, with its interesting collection of regional clothing, masks, household utensils and ancestral statues; also visit the crafts markets at the Artisans Centre, where we will find basketry, batik fabrics, wooden statues and masks, jewelery, leather-work and bronze castings, Overnight at the Hotel Relax Ouaga or a Similar. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 13: Ouagadougou – Natitingui
Depart from Ouagadougou for a drive to Natitingou to visit the homeland of the Tata Somba ethnic group. This authentic and charming part of the country suits the independent traveller because it has almost no tourist infrastructure. After lunch tour the tribal villages, overnight at hotel in Nattingou. Lodging: Tata Somba Hotel. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 14: Natitingui - Abomey
Breakfast at hotel, Depart Natitingui for a drive to Abomey, the historical capital of the great kingdom of Dahomey, by the way visit of Pendjari National Park enjoy a drive through the historic Pendjari National Park, one of West Africa’s surviving tropical savannas. Take a walk through this forest to discover the wide variety and significant Big Game where you have a good chance of spotting elephants, buffaloes, hippos, crocodiles, lions, warthogs, monkeys, antelopes and other exotic wildlife continuation to Abomey Visit the 15 th century Royal Palace and its museum featuring relics that tell the story of this great kingdom that survived for several centuries, Overnight at hotel in Abomey. Lodging: Motel Abomey or a Similar. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 15: Abomey – Cotonou via Ganvie
After breakfast and departure to Cotonou, 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 the floating market and a cruise on the waterways of this exotic 300-year-old village. After lunch, take a city tour of Cotonou. Drive through the multicoloured centre of the administrative and commercial capital of Benin to view its many statues and monuments, overnight at a hotel in Cotonou Marina Benin or a Similar. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 16: Cotonou – Lome via Ouidah
Breakfast at hotel, Depart for a visit to Lome via 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 Lome, Togo, Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Lome. Lodging: Ibis or a Similar. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 17: Lome
Breakfast at hotel, Tour the city of Lome, Visit Grand Marche, Marche des Feticheurs, Musee National, Place de L’Independence and spend the most part of this day at Leisure and last minute shopping. Check out and transfer to airport for check-in for final departure back home. Includes: (B).
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Hotel accommodation as mentioned (or similar category)
- Private ground transportation by AC cars or minivans
- Experienced English-speaking guide
- Airport-hotel-Airport transfers and luggage handling
- All hotel taxes and local tourism taxes
- All tours and sightseeing with entry fees
- Meals as indicated.
Price Excludes:
- International airfare to Africa
- Travel insurance (highly recommended)
- Visa fees
- Gratuities, tips and other such costs
- Drinks/Beverages and personal expenses.
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
Mali
Burkina Faso
Benin
Local Culture
Cultural Journey
Sightseeing
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