Info

Included

Meeting and assistance upon arrival and departure, roundtrip airport/hotel transfer, accommodation in the properties listed, domestic airfare to Timbuktu, tours in private vehicle, experienced English-speaking tour guide, admission to all listed sites, meals as indicated

Not included

International flight to Africa, travel insurance, visa fees, gratuities, festival entry fees

Day 1 Arrive Bamako, Mali

International flight arrive Bamako, Mali. You will be met, assisted and transferred to your hotel. Evening at leisure. Overnight in Bamako. Overnight at Hotel Grand or similar.

Overnight at Azalai Grand Hotel or Similar

Day 2 Bamako

After breakfast explore this capital city. Bamako is situated on the Niger, one of Africa’s great rivers which flow through Mali. The city was founded in 1640, but didn’t really start to grow until the French colonial period began in 1898. Mali is a country of many tribal peoples, each with their own exuberant styles of clothing and jewelry. There is nowhere better to see this colorful diversity than in the streets and markets of Bamako. Bamako has a large art and craft center where sculptors, weavers, leather workers, jewelers and metal workers exhibit wares and skills. Another highlight of your tour is the Grand Marche, 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 too traditional African medicines. Here you’ll find the freshly shrunken heads of birds, monkeys, and crocodiles, along with lizard skins and other gruesome treatments.

Overnight at Azalai Grand Hotel or Similar

Day 3 Timbuktu

This morning take an early flight to legendary Timbuktu. Located near the River Niger, and 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. See the houses of the various 19th century European explorers who used Timbuktu as a base. Overnight in Timbuktu at Hotel Colombe.

Overnight at Hendrina Khan Hotel or Similar

Day 4 Mopti

This morning you leave a place whose name is synonymous with somewhere unreachable, “Timbuktu”, and fly to 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.

Overnight at Hotel Kanaga or Similar

Day 5 Dogon Country

Dogon Country is 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. Overnight in Sangha.

Overnight at Hotel Campement or Similar

Day 6 Segou/ Festival On The Niger

After breakfast, drive to Segou, Mali's second largest city and former colonial capital. This drive takes you through varying rural villages where you can observe the traditional way of life. Along the drive you have the opportunity to stop and visit local markets. Arrive in Segou late afternoon. Enjoy the festival opening ceremonies and the evening activities (concert, story-telling, traditional dances)

Overnight at Hotel Independence or Similar

Day 7 Segou/ Festival On The Niger

Two full days of festival activities: speakers, demonstrations, expositions, music and dance.

Overnight at Hotel Independence or Similar

Day 8 Segou / Festival On The Niger

Excursions to nearby cultural sites including: Kalabougou, the pottery village, and Sekoro, the old-Segou, former capital of the Bambara kingdom. Festival closing ceremonies.

Overnight at Hotel Independence or Similar

Day 9 Djenne

This morning you will travel to Mali’s architectural jewel, Djenne. Founded in the fourth century, Djenne has scarcely changed since the Middle Ages. The atmosphere in the streets transports you back to Medieval times. Visit Djenne’s colorful and bustling market. Overnight in Djenne at Hotel Campement

Overnight at Hotel Campement or Similar

Day 10 Bamako/ Depart

After breakfast, drive to Bamako where you will relax in your day-room until it is time to transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

Tour prices

November - April

Tour hotels