Festival in the Desert (overland), 15 Days

Day 1 (Thursday) - Dec 31, 2009– ARRIVE BAMAKO

Arrive at any time. You are met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.

Meal(s) Included: No

Overnight at 3-star hotel

Day 2 (Friday) - Jan 1, 2010– BAMAKO

Today, explore the capital city of Bamako. Take a city tour of Bamako, which is situated on the Niger River, one of the greatest rivers in Africa which flows through Mali. The city was founded in 1640, however rapid growth did not take place until the French colonial period began in 1898. Mali is a country with many tribal people, each with its own exuberant styles of clothing and jewellery. There is nowhere better to see this colourful diversity than in the streets and markets of Bamako. Bamako has a recycling market, a large art, and craft center where sculptors, weavers, leather workers, jewellers and metal workers exhibit their wares and display their skills. Another highlight of the tour is the Grand Marche, or ‘Great Market', where you can stroll by the hundreds of stalls selling a variety of products including carvings, fabrics, beads, brass and gold. Later, take in a panoramic view of Bamako from atop the hill of Koulouba, before descending the snake road to visit the museum.                                                        

Photo: Market in Bamako 

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast

Overnight at Hotel

Day 3 (Saturday) - Jan 2, 2010– BAMAKO—SIKASSO (374 km)

Today, drive to Sikasso the green belt of Mali. Tour the capital, Kenedougou including the grotto of Missiri Koro where there is a natural mosque. Return to Sikasso and observe the remains of the Tata Wall that protected the city against enemy attacks; the colonial houses; the Tomb of Tièba Traoré the first King of Sikasso; the house of his General Kèlètigui Berthé; and the Mamelon, an unbelievable hill built in one day by the population for the King Tièba to see all the town from his Palace. End the visit of Sikasso with a tour of the Senoufo Cultural Center.

 Photo: The Mamelon of Sikasso

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at Hotel

Day 4 (Sunday) - Jan 3, 2010– SIKASSO—SEGOU (276 km)

After, breakfast drive to Ségou in the Bambara Kingdom. Learn and experience how to make a Bogolan (traditional cloth) and keep your sample as a souvenir. Observe how to prepare local beer. Continue your tour with visits to the port and the pottery market. Tour Ségou city with its Sudanese style architecture and learn the hidden secrets of the 4401 Balanzan trees. Drive to Sékoro (the old Ségou) capital of the Bambara Kingdom where the founder and first king Biton Coulibaly is buried. Visit the village and its mosque that is older than the village and still no one knows who built it.

 Photo: Sculpture in Segou

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight at Hotel

Day 5 (Monday) - Jan 4, 2010– SEGOU—DJENNE (332 km)

Drive to Djenné, Timbuktu's ancient sister-city on the Bani; visit Djenné on its weekly market day, when Djenné is at its colourful best; see the magnificent Grand Mosque, the largest mud brick architecture in the world and one of UNESCO's World Heritage sites.

 Photo: Grand Mosque of Djenne

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast

Overnight at Hotel

Day 6 (Tuesday) - Jan 5, 2010– DJENNE—DOGON (224 km)

After breakfast, drive to Mali's fascinating Dogon country with a first stop in Songho, renowned for its rock paintings and circumcision grotto; then continue to visit Niongonon supposed to be the most beautiful village in Dogon Country. Drive to Sangha where we will overnight.

 Photo: A Dogon Village

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight at Hotel

Day 7 (Wednesday) - Jan 6, 2010– DOGON COUNTRY

Breakfast and visit Sangha, comprised of 10 distinct Dogon villages - some are traditional animists and others have converted to Islam. Descend the Bandiagara escarpment to visit the villages of Banani (see the ancient Tellem cave dwellings in the cliff face), Ireli, Amani (visit the sacred crocodile sanctuary), and Tireli, where you may see a traditional Dogon Mask Dance (minimum 6 travellers). Climb the cliff, and then continue to Bandiagara for overnight.

 Photo: House of Fetich in Sangha

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight at Hotel

Day 8 (Thursday) - Jan 7, 2010– DOGON—TIMBUKTU (445 km)

Early morning, after breakfast, 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.
Lunch on the way. Arrive in the afternoon and get ready for a camel ride to the desert. Have tea with Tuareg and return to Timbuktu for overnight.

 Photo: Taking a ride on Tuareg camels

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight at Hotel

Day 9 (Friday) - Jan 8, 2010 – TIMBUKTU — ESSAKANE (approx. 2 hours)

After breakfast, wander through the streets of Timbuktu to discover its mysteries. Visit the mosques that have had great significance throughout the centuries, such as the Djingarey Berre and Sidi Yahia mosques. Tour the museum, the explorer's houses, the Ahmed Baba Center which houses the old manuscripts, the market and the craft center. In the afternoon, depart for Essakane for an evening of music and enjoyment at the Festival in the Desert.

 Photo: Festival in the Desert Concert

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight at Private Tent

Day 10 (Saturday) - Jan 9, 2010– ESSAKANE

After the evening'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.

 Photo: Fulani Dance at Festival in the Desert

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight at Private Tent

Day 11 (Sunday) - Jan 10, 2010– ESSAKANE—TIMBUKTU (approx. 2 hours)

Return to Timbuktu. Remainder of the day free to relax, or visit the artisans' center. Overnight in Timbuktu.

 Photo: Tuareg Camels in the Desert

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight at Hotel

Day 12 (Monday) - Jan 11, 2010– TIMBUKTU—MOPTI (392 km)

Drive across the Sahel to Mopti. Overnight in Mopti.

 Photo: Canoe Builders in Mopti

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at Hotel

Day 13 (Tuesday) - Jan 12, 2010– MOPTI—TERIYA BUGU (332 km)

Depart Mopti for Teriyabougou, "the hut of friendship," and the headquarters of the Association for Rural Development. The center is surrounded by thousands of eucalyptus plants, orchards, fisheries and a farm which supplies fresh food to its restaurant. Two beekeepers tend to 140 hives to produce honey.
Take a relaxing walk through mango trees and banana plants, watch birds, and see monkeys, camels, horses, crocodiles, peacocks and other wildlife in the on-site mini zoo. Visit the museum of Father Verspieren and breathe fresh air from the Bani River. Overnight in Teriyabougou.         

 Photo: A villa at Teriyabougou

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight at 3-star hotel

Day 14 (Wednesday) - Jan 13, 2010– TERIYA BUGU—BAMAKO (335 km)

Wake up this morning with the songs of the birds. After a leisurely breakfast and a few last minute visits of this Oasis, return to Bamako with stops at points of interest.
Arrive in Bamako late afternoon.

 Photo: Garden in Teriyabougou

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast

Overnight at 3-star hotel

Day 15 (Thursday) - Jan 14, 2010– DEPART BAMAKO

Relax before your transfer to the airport to catch your flight.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast

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