Festival In The Desert (Overland), 12 Days

Day 1 (Sunday) - Jan 2, 2011 - ARRIVE BAMAKO

International flight arrives in Bamako. You will be met, assisted and transferred to your hotel.

Meal(s) Included: No

Overnight at 3-star hotel

Day 2 (Monday) - Jan 3, 2011 - BAMAKO/MOPTI (640 Km)

Drive to Mopti. Tour Mopti city and witness the fascinating mix of Malian cultures: Bambara, Bobo, Bozo, Dogon, Fulani, Tuareg, Songhai and Hausa.

 Photo: A Fulani Compound

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast

Overnight at Hotel

Day 3 (Tuesday) - Jan 4, 2011 - MOPTI/DOGON (120 Km)

After breakfast, travel from Mopti to Dogon. Tour the Dogon villages, and experience one of the most extraordinary places on earth. The Dogon people built their villages high up on the narrow ledges of cliffs. In the 11th century, the advancing Arab combatants forced the Dogons to flee their homes in the north. They found shelter and adapted to one of West Africa's most unforgiving regions. This unique area is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit the village of Songo, renowned for its rock paintings and circumcision grotto.                                            

 Photo: Tellem habitat on cliff, Barry Williams

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at Hotel

Day 4 (Wednesday) - Jan 5, 2011 - DOGON

After breakfast, descend along the Bandiagara escarpment. Walk through the rocky terrain to visit the villages of Banani, Ireli, Arou and Tireli. The Dogons are known for their mythology, full with rituals and worship of the spirits of nature. Their wooden sculptures are also a major attraction. Traditions have been preserved through the centuries, making Dogon one of the most original civilizations of West Africa. Witness a traditional Dogon Mask Dance (providing there are at least 8 travelers).

 Photo: Dogon Mask Dancer, Barry Williams

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight at Hotel

Day 5 (Thursday) - Jan 6, 2011 - DOGON/TIMBUKTU (440 Km)

After breakfast, drive to the legendary city of Timbuktu. This ancient city was the ending point of the great trans-Saharan caravan route. Timbuktu was extremely wealthy in the 16th century as convoys of camels carrying goods for trade spent weeks crossing the unforgiving Sahara to arrive in this famous metropolis. Picnic along the way, arriving in time to witness the magnificent sunset over the dunes.

 Photo: Camel Ride in the Sahara 

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight at Hotel

Day 6 (Friday) - Jan 7, 2011 - TIMBUKTU/ESSAKANE (approx. 2 hours)

In the morning, tour the city of Timbuktu, admiring such magnificent mud-brick structures as the Djingarey Berre Mosque, the Mosque of Sankore, and the Palace of Bouctou. Observe the houses of the various 19th century European explorers who used Timbuktu as a base. Visit the ethnological museum and Maison des Artisans. In the afternoon, travel approximately 2 hours to Essakane, the site of the Festival in the Desert. Have leisure time in the encampment before the evening festivities begin.

 Photo: Participants at Festival in the Desert

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at Private Tents or Similar

Day 7 (Saturday) - Jan 8, 2011 - ESSAKANE

After last night’s entertainment, have a leisurely morning. In the afternoon, enjoy camel rides, traditional songs and games and interact with the musicians and traders before enjoying the music festival finale, which lasts all night long.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight at Private Tents or Similar

Day 8 (Sunday) - Jan 9, 2011 - ESSAKANE/TIMBUKTU (approx. 2 hours)

In the morning, return to Timbuktu and check into the hotel before continuing the tour of this legendary city whose name is synonymous with “a place unreachable.” Visit the old mosques and former universities, the museum and archives of ancient Islamic manuscripts, the city market and the artisans' center.

 Photo: Djingareyber Mosque

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast

Overnight at Hotel

Day 9 (Monday) - Jan 10, 2011 - TIMBUKTU/MOPTI (392 km)

After breakfast, drive to Mopti. Continue touring Mopti, where the Niger and Bani rivers meet. Mopti is Mali’s most important port city.

 Photo: Sunset on Bani River

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight at Hotel

Day 10 (Tuesday) - Jan 11, 2011 - MOPTI/DJENNE/SEGOU (440 Km)

Drive to Djenne, Timbuktu's ancient sister-city on the Niger. Visit Djenne; see the magnificent Grand Mosque, the largest mud brick architecture in the world and one of UNESCO’S World Heritage sites. Later, travel to Segou.

 Photo: Grand Mosque of Djenne

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast

Overnight at Hotel

Day 11 (Wednesday) - Jan 12, 2011 - SEGOU/BAMAKO (235 Km)

Explore Segou, Mali's second largest city and former colonial administrative center; admire the beautiful Sudanese-style colonial architecture. Visit the pottery market, traditional weavers and other artisans, before continuing to Bamako.

 Photo: Pottery in Segou

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast

Overnight at 3-star hotel

Day 12 (Thursday) - Jan 13, 2011 - BAMAKO/DEPART

Day at leisure before your onward flight—or extended tour begins.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast

Please contact us for pricing details
Telephone: +1.215.471.8555
E-mail: info@palacetravel.com