Tour Itinerary:
Day 1, Saturday: Arrival in Bamako, Mali. International flight arrives in Bamako in the evening; airport-to-hotel transfer, overnight in Bamako (Grand Hotel, or similar).
Day 2, Sunday: Bamako - Djenne (570 km; ~7hrs). Breakfast, then begin your exploration of Mali with a scenic drive through the heartland to Djenne; with sight-seeing en-route; overnight in Djenne (Hotel Campement, or similar). Includes: (B).
Day 3, Monday: Djenne - Mopti (130 km; ~1½hr). Visit Djenne, ancient sister-city of Timbuktu, on its colorful weekly market day. See the magnificent Great Mosque, the world's largest mud brick architecture, one of Unesco's World Heritage sites. Stroll through the ancients streets and alleys, and visit the tomb of the young girl sacrificed to appease the spirits. Drive to Mopti for overnight (Hotel Kanaga, or similar). Includes: (B).
Day 4, Tuesday: Mopti / Sail the Niger River. City tour of Mopti, also called "the Venice of Mali", because it is surrounded by the waters of the Niger and the Bani rivers. See the beautiful Sudanese-style Komoguel mosque, the fishing port (see pirogues being made by hand), and the bustling market where many of Mali's ethnic groups come to trade: Bambara, Bobo, Bozo, Dogon, Fulani, Tuareg and Songhay; your boat crew will purchase supplies, and after lunch, begin your sailing excursion to Timbuktu. Overnight camping on the riverbank. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 5, Wednesday: Niger River. Full day of sailing: visit Bozo fishermen's villages and nomadic Fulani camps along the shore; see Mali's varied birdlife along the shore, and very likely see hippos in the river—do not approach, hippos are dangerous; overnight camping on the riverbank. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 6, Thursday: Niger River - Timbuktu. Final day of sailing to take in the tranquil sights and sounds of the Niger, and arrive in Timbuktu at day's end; transfer from port to town; overnight in Timbuktu (Hotel Hendrina Khan, or similar). Includes: (B), (L).
Day 7, Friday: Timbuktu - Sahara Desert. Visit the legendary city of Timbuktu, gateway to the Sahara Desert: see the ancient mosques and former universities, the museum and the Ahmed Baba Institute's archives of ancient Islamic manuscripts, the explorers' houses, and the market which receives the azalaïs, the salt caravans from the desert — historically, salt from the north was traded for gold and slaves from the south; in the afternoon, depart on your camel caravan into the great Sahara Desert to visit a Tuareg camp; the Tuareg people are known as the Princes of the desert; dinner and overnight camping on the dunes of the Sahara with your Tuareg hosts. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 8, Saturday: Sahara Desert - Timbuktu. Return to Timbuktu; remainder of the day free to relax or further explore this historic city on your own; or visit the artisans' center — see leatherworkers and jewelers at work; overnight in Timbuktu (Hotel Hendrina Khan, or similar). Includes: (B).
Day 9, Sunday: Timbuktu - Dogon country (650 km; ~8hrs). Interesting drive across the Sahel, to Mali's fascinating Dogon country; lunch break and sightseeing en-route; continue to Sangha, on the edge of the escarpment, for overnight (Hotel Campement Guina, or similar). Includes: (B), (D).
Day 10, Monday: Dogon Country. Visit Dogon villages along the Bandiagara escarpment, another Unesco World Heritage site; you will see many examples of the classic traditional Dogon architecture and contemporary fetishism; meet Dogon elders, and option to witness a traditional Dogon mask dance; overnight camping in a Dogon village. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 11, Tuesday: Dogon country. Continue visiting Dogon villages along the Bandiagara escarpment; see ancient Tellem cave dwellings in the cliff; overnight in Bandiagara (Hotel Falaise, or similar). Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 12, Wednesday: Dogon country. Visit Songo village, renowned for its circumcision grotto with rock paintings; circumcision ceremonies are held here every three years for all Dogon boys aged 9-14 years old; the rock paintings are historical representations of noble Dogon families; also visit villages in the southern part of the escarpment, including Nando and Niongono; overnight in Bandiagara (Hotel Falaise, or similar). Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 13, Thursday: Dogon country - Mopti (120 km; ~2hrs) - Segou (405 km; ~4½hrs). Return drive to Mopti, and wander through Mopti's busy and colorful streets on its weekly market day; last chance to purchase local hand-made blankets of cotton or wool; then onward drive to Segou, Mali's second largest city; overnight in Segou (Hotel Independance, or similar). Includes: (B).
Day 14, Friday: Segou - Bamako (235 km; ~3hrs). Visit Segou, Mali's former colonial capital; see the interesting mixture of colonial and traditional architecture, and stroll through the pottery market on the waterfront; also visit Sekoro village, former capital of the Bambara kingdom; see the tomb of King Biton Coulibaly; return drive to Bamako; rest of day at leisure; overnight in Bamako (Grand Hotel, or similar). Includes: (B).
Day 15, Saturday: Bamako - final departure. Bamako city tour: panoramic overview of this sprawling city from Point G; visit the National Museum, the city market, the artisans' village, and the fetish market for traditional medicine; in the evening, transfer to the airport for your final departure. Includes: (B)).
Notes:
- 1 km ~ 0.6 mile; driving times are approximate, depending on local conditions and stops
- Camping is no frills, sleeping on a ground mattress in a small tent; there are no campgrounds, so no running water, no latrines. Camping in Mali is not recommended for inexperienced campers.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- 10 nights hotel, double occupancy
- Day-room in Bamako on the final day
- 4 nights camping; travelers should bring sleeping bags
- 14 breakfasts (B), 5 lunches (L), 7 dinners (D)
- Bottled mineral water is included with meals while sailing
- Private ground transportation by 4x4 vehicle, with driver and fuel
- 3-day Niger River sail to Timbuktu by private river boat with outboard motor, fuel and crew
- Overnight excursion into the Sahara Desert by camel caravan, to spend the night in a Tuareg camp on the dunes
- Experienced English-speaking guide throughout
- Airport transfers upon arrival and departure in Bamako
- All hotel taxes and local tourism taxes
- All excursion, site visit and entry fees as per tour program.
Price Excludes:
- Mali visas
- Non-specified meals, drinks/bottled water
- Tips, sleeping bags, optional items and personal expenses.
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
Mali
Local Culture
Cultural Journey
Desert Expeditions
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