Arrive Dakar; meet assist and transfer to Hotel.

Meal(s) Included: No

Overnight at Hotel Pullman Dakar Teranga or Similar

After breakfast, visit the famous/infamous Gorée Island, a World Heritage Site. Observe the "Door of No Return" through which millions of Africans passed on the way to slavery in the Americas. The tour includes a visit to the ethnographic museum and a lecture by the curator on the history of Gorée Island. After lunch, return to Dakar and go on a tour of Metropolitan Dakar. Visit the colorful markets including Tilen Market, famous for a variety of medicinal herbs and traditional healers. Visit the National Art Gallery and the picturesque district of Medina.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight at Hotel Pullman Dakar Teranga or Similar

This morning on our way to Saint Louis visit Pink Lake, a rare natural phenomena caused by a unique combination of microorganism and high concentration of salts which gives the lake its pink colour. Interact with the "Salt Harvesters".

Continue to St. Louis, Senegal's former French Colonial Capital. Time permitting; take a tour of Saint Louis which is the former colonial capital of Senegal. Visit Faidherbe Square.

Saint Louis still has the appearance of an old provincial town - circa 1800′s. Explore the narrow streets flanked by houses with carved wooden balconies and verandas.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight at Hôtel Cap Saint-Louis or Similar

After breakfast, visit the Djoudj National Bird Park, which is considered one of the most important bird sanctuaries in the world. Situated on a major Palaearctic migratory route, this park is a paradise for bird enthusiasts. Some of the world's greatest concentrations of white pelicans and flamingos can be seen here.

Complete tour of Saint Louis and rest of the day at leisure.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight at Hôtel Cap Saint-Louis or Similar

Morning drive back to Dakar where you are dropped at the airport to board your flight to Mali.

Upon arrival at Bamako - Sénou airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight at Radisson SAS Hotel or Similar

Travel to the mountain village of Mandé in the Western region of Mali (55 Km). In Mande you will learn about the history of Soundiata Keita, the legendary former king of the ancient Malian Empire. Several of Mali's ethnic groups including Dogon, Bambara, Maalinke, Kassonke, Minianka, Senoufo, and Bobo originate from this area.

In Siby you will see the Fanfamba Grotto (the former meeting places of the village elders), the cave of Kamadian. Continue to Nana-Kenieba. After visit, drive back to Bamako.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight at Radisson SAS Hotel or Similar

This morning, take the early 2-hour morning flight to Timbuktu. Timbuktu is located near the River Niger, and at the terminus of the great trans-Saharan caravan route.

Visit such magnificent mud-brick structures as the Djinguiraiber Mosque and the Mosque of Sankoré. Visit the ethnological museum and Maison des Artisans. See the houses of the various 19th century European explorers who used Timbuktu as a base.

Visit the municipal/ethnological, Al Manzour museums and the Hamed Baba Center where ancient manuscripts dating centuries are conserved. In the afternoon experience a Camel ride in the desert with the Touareg or "Blue Men of the Desert" and assist a local dance of Touareg people.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight at Hotel Colombe or Similar

Early morning flight to Mopti. Drive to the hotel on arrival where we will leave the luggage before a half day cruise on the Niger river.

In a traditional motorized boat, cruise on the Niger River to Kona (55 Km). Visit Kotaca a river bank village with its beautiful mosque and other villages, see fishermen working , your lunch will be prepared (African cooking) and eaten in the boat.

Upon arrival, you will be driven back to Mopti. In the afternoon visit the port, and Mopti city. You will have the chance to see a nice sunset while in a pinasse on the River Niger. Overnight in Mopti

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight at Hotel Kanaga or Similar

After breakfast , drive to Djenné which is Timbuktu's ancient sister-city on the Niger; visit Djenné on its weekly market day when Djenné is at its colourful best.

Djenné, Mali's architectural jewel founded in the fourth century, has scarcely changed since the Middle Ages. The atmosphere in the streets will transport you back to the medieval times. See the magnificent Grand Mosque built in the 12th century, the largest mud-brick architecture in the world and one of UNESCO's World Heritage sites.

Visit the site where the young virgin has been sacrificed for the prosperity of the city; visit the local Museum and conclude the day's tours by visiting Djenné Djéno the Old city which is today an archaeological site. Drive back to Mopti for overnight.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight at Hotel Kanaga or Similar

After breakfast, drive in 4X4 vehicles to Dogon Country. With its fascinating rocky, Sahelian landscape, the Dogon Country is considered to be one of the most extraordinary places on earth.

The Dogon are a group of people living in the central plateau region of the country, south of the Niger bend near the city of Bandiagara in the Mopti region. The Dogon are best known for their mythology, their mask dances, wooden sculpture and their architecture. The principal Dogon area is bisected by the Bandiagara Escarpment, a sandstone cliff of up to 500m (1,640 ft) high, stretching for about 150 km (almost 100 miles). Dogon life is centred on sacred rights and rituals which take place in the hollow cliffs of the escarpment on which the Dogon houses are built. Dogon culture is surrounded in mysticism and intrigue, from an astonishing knowledge of the solar system to the unique structure of Dogon villages.

On your way visit Songho known for its Rock paintings and grotto where kids are circumcised in groups every 3 years. Learn the ritual of that initiation that opens the door to manhood. From the top of the cliff enjoy a wonderful view on that Dogon village.

Visit Niogonon, supposed to be the most beautiful Dogon village. After visit, drive to Sangha, on the top of the Bandiagara escarpment.

After check in, visit the villages of Sangha, Ogols and Bongo; see the traditional women's house, the sacrificial altar of the Hogon (the Dogon people's traditional and spiritual leader).

Overnight in Sangha

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight at Campement Hotel Sangha (Sangha) or Similar

Today, we continue exploring the Dogon Country with a visit to Koundou, renowned for its sculptures and masks.

After Koundou we head to the Youga cliffs. We shall visit the 3 Youga cliffs: Youga Nah, Youga Piri and Youga Dogoro.

(Some villages required trekking). After visit drive back to Sangha.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight at Campement Hotel Sangha (Sangha) or Similar

Descend the Bandiagara escarpment and visit Banani, Amani and Irely. Enjoy a Dogon Mask Dance.

In the afternoon, drive to Mopti for the relaxation.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight at Hotel Kanaga or Similar

After breakfast drive to Ségou with stops at places of interest. Visit the sacred well of San and the fetish house with Dog's skulls.

Arrive in Ségou, check in your hotel and refresh. Time permitting visit the Bogolan workshop where you will learn how to make mud clothes. You can keep your sample as a souvenir. You will also see local women preparing beer and visit the pottery market along the river.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight at Hotel Independence or Similar

Breakfast and complete tour of Ségou and then continue to Sékoro, the former capital of the Bambara kingdom where you will see the tomb of King Biton Coulibaly the founder of the Bambara Kingdom, and the mosque that is older than the village.

Arrangements will be made for a reception with the chief. Continue to Bamako.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight at Radisson SAS Hotel or Similar

Today, drive to the Manden. We shall stop in Djoliba the village of one of Mali's most famous musicians, Salif Keita, then to Kirina where Soundiata, the king of Manden, defeated Soumaoro Kante in the battle of 1235. It is after that war the first constitution was created called the "Chart of Kourougan Fouga".

We continue to Kela, Home of Griots, guardians of Malian history. From centuries to present date, knowledge has been passed on from one generation to another by mouth to ear.

We will visit the chief Griot's house. We shall also visit the sacred house of Kangaba. The roof of that house rejects any straw brought by any person born out of wedlock during its renewal ceremony that is held every 7 years.

After visit drive back to Bamako.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight at Radisson SAS Hotel or Similar

After breakfast, start at Point G and the panoramic overview of the city.

Visit the National Museum, where you will be given an excellent introduction to the ethnic diversity of the country.

Visit the recycling market of Bamako where local artisan change old metal to other products. At the city's craft bazaar we shall see sculptors, weavers, leather workers, jewelers and metal workers exhibiting their wares and displaying their skills. One area of the market is devoted entirely to traditional African medicines. Here you'll find the freshly shrunken heads of birds, monkeys and crocodiles, along with lizard skins and other items.

Tour the handcraft centre and bargain with traders for a variety of products.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at Radisson SAS Hotel or Similar

Day at leisure until you are transferred to the airport for your onward flight.

Meal(s) Included: No

Schedule

March 4 - 20, 2012
October 14 - 30, 2012
November 11 - 27, 2012

TOUR INCLUDES

• Meeting and assistance upon arrival and departure
• Roundtrip airport/hotel transfers
• Accommodation in the properties listed
• Tours in  private vehicle
• Dogon Mask Dance
• Experienced tour  guide
• Flights to and from Timbuktu
• Admission to all listed sites
• Flight from Dakar to Bamako
• Meals indicated
• Bottled water on tour

TOUR DOES NOT INCLUDE

• International airfare to/from  Africa
• Travel insurance
• Visa
• Tips/gratuity to driver and guide
• Meals not listed