Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive
in Bamako International flight arrives
in Bamako. You will be met, assisted and transferred to your hotel. Overnight: Hotel Wassulu or similar.
Day 2: Bamako. Today you will explore this capital city of Bamako situated on
the Niger, one of Africa's great rivers.
Mali is a country of many tribal peoples, each with your own exuberant styles of clothing and jewelry. Bamako has a large art and craft center where sculptors, weavers, leather workers, jewelers and metal workers exhibit their wares and skills. You will visit
the Grand Marché, or "Great Market", where you can spend hours exploring
the hundreds of stalls. From carvings and cassettes, to fabrics, beads, brass and gold,
the variety of goods is staggering. One area of
the market is devoted entirely to traditional African medicines. Overnight: Hotel Wassulu or similar. Includes: (B).
Day 3: Bamako - Segou. Breakfast, then drive to Segou, Mali's second largest city and former colonial administrative center. Admire
the beautiful Sudanese-style colonial architecture, visit
the port,
the pottery market, traditional weavers and other artisans. Overnight: Segou. Accommodation at Esplanade Hotel or similar. Includes: (B).
Day 4: Dogon Country. Drive to Dogon Country, considered one of
the most extraordinary places on earth. Built up high on
the narrow ledges of
the cliffs are
the villages of
the Dogon people.
in the 11th century,
the Dogons fled
the advancing Arabs coming from
the north, and found shelter
in one of West Africa's most inhospitable areas. This is such a unique place that
the United Nations has declared it a World Heritage site. Visit
the village of Songo, renowned for its rock paintings and circumcision grotto. Overnight at Hotel Guina or similar. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 5: Dogon Country. Continue tour of Dogon Village.
the Dogons are animists, worshiping their ancestors and
the spirits of nature. Having preserved their traditions down through
the centuries, they are considered to be one of
the most original civilizations of West Africa. Today’s sightseeing involves walking over rough ground to visit some of
the villages, and fairly steep and rough paths have to be negotiated. Experience
the authentic traditional Dogon Mask Dance. Early evening drive to Bandiagara for overnight. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 6: Dogon - Dejenne - Mopti. Drive to Djenne, Timbuktu's ancient sister-city on
the Niger. Visit Djenne on its weekly market day, when Djenne is at its colorful best. See
the magnificent Grand Mosque,
the largest mud brick architecture
in the world and one of UNESCO’S World Heritage sites. Return to Mopti for overnight. Accommodation at Hotel Flandre or similar. Includes: (B).
Day 7: Mopti. Mopti city tour. You will see
the fascinating mix of Malian cultures: Bambara, Bobo, Bozo, Dogon, Fulani, Tuareg, Songhaï and Hausa. Visit
the beautiful mosque,
the fishing port and
the bustling market, where you can shop for gold or silver jewelry, Tuareg leather work, or Fulani blankets of cotton or wool. Overnight
in Mopti. Accommodation at Flandre Hotel or similar. Includes: (B).
Day 8: Timbuktu. This morning take an early drive to legendary Timbuktu. Located at
the terminus of
the great trans-Saharan caravan route, Timbuktu became fabulously wealthy
in the 16th century. Loaded with blocks of salt and other trade goods, huge convoys of camels would spend weeks crossing
the unforgiving Sahara to reach Timbuktu. It was here that they would trade salt, pound-for-pound, with African merchants bringing gold and ivory along
the Niger from
the heart of Africa. Wander
the dusty streets of Timbuktu, admiring such magnificent mud-brick structures as
the Djinguiraiber Mosque,
the Mosque of Sankore, and
the Palace of Bouctou. Accommodation at La Colombe Hotel or similar. Includes: (B).
Days 9-11:
Festival in the Desert. Drive to Essakane and enjoy 3 days of world music, dancing, camel races and other activities. Meals prepared by private chef. Accommodation
in private tents. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 12: Return to Timbuktu and fly to Bamako for departure or extended tour begins. Includes: (B).
Notes:
Airfare is not included
in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- 8 nights of hotel accommodation (double occupancy) and breakfast
- 3 nights of Tuareg tents accommodation during
the festival
- Ground transportation
in an air condition four wheel drive vehicle to all listed sites
- Full board pension prepared on
the Festival site (3 breakfast, 3 lunch, and 3 dinner)
- Mineral water
- Camel ride on
the Festival dunes
- An experienced English–speaking guide
- Dogon mask dance.
E-mail: baba@balanzantours.com
Telefon: +223 66724342
Skype: balanzan.tours