Info

October 6- 30 2011

December 1-  15, 2011

February 9 - 23, 2012

March 8 - 22, 2012

July 5 - 19, 2012

August 2- 16, 2012

September 6 - 20, 2012

October 4 - 18, 2012

TOUR INCLUDES
• Meeting and assistance upon arrival and departure
• Roundtrip airport/hotel transfers
• Hotel accommodation in the indicated properties
• Transportation in private vehicle 
• Experienced tour guide
• Admission to listed sites and events
• Meals indicated by  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

TOUR DOES NOT INCLUDE
• Cost of visa
• Meals not listed
• Travel Insurance
• Gratuity to driver and guide

Day 1 Bamako, Mali

Arrive Bamako; meet assist and transfer to Hotel.

Overnight at Azalai Grand Hotel or Similar

Day 2 Bamako

Bamako city tour: start at Point G and the panoramic overview of the city; visit the National Museum, the city market and the artisans' village, where you will see local craftsman at work: silversmiths, woodcarvers, weavers, and leatherworkers.

Overnight at Azalai Grand Hotel or Similar

Day 3 Timbuktu

Early morning transfer to the airport for the flight to Timbuktu. Check into your hotel then visit the legendary city with a name synonymous with 'The End of the Earth': See the ancient mosques (built in the XIVth century) and former universities, the museum, the explorer's houses, the city market which received the Azalais, salt caravans from the desert. In the afternoon, excursion into the Sahara Desert by camel caravan to visit a Tuareg camp. Enjoy tea on the dunes with your Tuareg hosts, the Princes of the Desert. Return to and overnight at Hendrina Khan Timbuktu.

Overnight at Hendrina Khan Hotel or Similar

Day 4 Mopti

Mid morning transfer to the airport for flight to Mopti, the Venice of Mali, nestled between the Niger and the Bani rivers. Mopti city tour. Including the fishing port, the bustling market where many of Mali's cultural groups can be seen: Bambara, Bobo, Bozo, Dogon, Fulani, Tuareg and Songhay. Enjoy a sunset sail on the Niger River in a traditional pirogue.

Overnight at Hotel Kanaga or Similar

Day 5 Djenne/Mopti

This morning you travel from Mopti to Mali's architectural jewel, Djenne, founded in the fourth century has scarcely changed since the Middle Ages. The atmosphere in the streets transports you back to Medievil times. Visit Djenne's colorful and bustling market on its legendary Monday Market Day. In the afternoon return to Mopti for dinner and overnight.

Overnight at Hotel Kanaga or Similar

Day 6 Dogon

After breakfast, drive to Mali's fascinating Dogon country, visit the Dogon village of Songo, renowned for its rock paintings and circumcision grotto; continue to Sangha, comprised of 10 distinct Dogon villages - some are traditional animist and others have converted to Islam, descend the Bandiagara escarpment and visit the village of Banani; you will see ancient Tellem cave dwellings in the cliff face, continue to the villages of Ireli and Amani, site of a sanctuary for crocodiles which are sacred to the Dogon people. You may bear witness to a traditional Dogon Mask Dance. Return to and overnight in Sangha on the edge of the Bandiagara escarpment.

Overnight at Campement Hotel Sangha (Bandiagara) or Similar

Day 7 Dogon

Your tour of Dogon Country continues with a visit to the Dogon village Songo. See its renowned rock paintings and circumcision grotto, visit Sangha, Ogols, and Bongo, see the women's house, the shrine of the Hogon (the Dogon people's spiritual leader), visit Dogon elders and the natural tunnel in Bongo. Return to and overnight in Sangha.

Overnight at Campement Hotel Sangha (Bandiagara) or Similar

Day 8 Segou

After breakfast drive to Segou, Mali's second largest city and former colonial administrative center; en route, visit Terekongo village, site of a sacred well inhabited by protector spirits of the Bobo people.

Overnight at Hotel Independence or Similar

Day 9 Segou & Sikasso

Visit Segou and and Sokoro village (the "old Segou"), capital of the Bambara kingdom; see the tomb of King Biton Coulibaly; after lunch, drive to Sikasso; overnight at Hotel Zanga Sikasso.

Overnight at Hotel du Cinquantenaire or Similar

Day 10 Sikasso & Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso

Visit Sikasso, in Mali's green belt; see the remnants of the Tata, ancient palisade that encircled the city and for a time held off the French colonial army; visit the Mamelon, residence of the kings of Sikasso; in the afternoon, depart Mali and cross into Burkina Faso; overnight at Hotel Auberge Bobo Dioulasso.

Overnight at Hotel Auberge or Similar

Day 11 Bobo Dioulasso / Banfora

Tour Bobo Dioulasso, ("house of the Bobo merchants"), Burkina Faso's second largest city; see the old mosque and visit the old Kibidwe artisans' district, where you will see blacksmiths, potters, and dyers at work; in the afternoon drive to Banfora; visit the Karfiguela waterfalls and Lac Tengrela; overnight at Banfora.

Overnight at Fara Hotel or Similar

Day 12 Banfora / Gaoua

Depart Banfora and visit the mysterious stone ruins of Loropeni, whose origins are unknown but the local Gan people call them the "house of refusal"; Loropeni is also the site of a large and diverse market held every five days.

Overnight at Hala (Ala)Hotel or Similar

Day 13 Gaoua / Ouagadougou

After breakfast, visit the Poni Museum, dedicated to the Lobi culture; see the distinctive, fortress-like Lobi architecture; then drive to Ouagadougou

Overnight at Hotel Residence La Palmeraie or Similar

Day 14 Ouagadougou

Full day to explore Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso's capital city; visit the Grand Market and the National Museum, with its interesting collection of regional clothing, masks, household utensils, and ancestral statues; visit the craft market at the Artisans' Center where you will find basketry, batik fabrics, wooden statues, and masks, jewelry, leatherwork and bronze castings.

Overnight at Hotel Residence La Palmeraie or Similar

Day 15 Ouagadougou / Depart

Today decide on your tour and activities with the assistance of your driver and guide. Later today, transfer to the airport for your flight or extend your tour.

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January - December

Tour hotels