Info

Included

• Meeting and assistance upon arrival
• Roundtrip airport to hotel transfers and luggage handling
• Hotel accommodation in the indicated properties
• Transportation in private vehicle
• Experienced tour guides
• Meals indicated (10 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 7 dinners)
• Admission to sites listed
• Domestic airfare within Africa

Not included

• International flight to Mali
• Travel insurance
• Cost of Visa
• Gratuities for driver and guide
• Festival entry fees

Day 1 Arrive in Bamako - Thursday, February 9, 2012

Arrive in Bamako; meet assist and transfer to hotel.

Overnight at Hotel Mirabeau or Similar

Day 2 Bamako – Friday, February 10, 2012

After breakfast go on a city tour of Bamako which is situated on the Niger River, Africa’s 3rd longest. 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 the capital. In 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 entirely devoted to traditional African medicines. Here you'll find the freshly shrunken heads of birds, monkeys, and crocodiles, along with lizard skins and other items.

Overnight at Hotel Mirabeau or Similar

Day 3 Timbuktu – Saturday, February 11, 2012

After breakfast, fly to the legendary city of Timbuktu. Located near the River Niger, 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 at Hotel La Palmeraie or Similar

Day 4 Timbuktu/ Mopti/ Dogon – Sunday, February 12, 2012

After breakfast, you will leave a place whose name is synonymous with somewhere unreachable, “Timbuktu”, and fly to Mopti. In Mopti you will be met and transported to Mali's fascinating Dogon country. First stop in Songho, renowned for its rock paintings and circumcision grotto, then continue to the villages of Sangha, Ogols and Bongo to see the traditional women's house, and the sacrificial altar of the Hogon (the Dogon people's traditional and religious leader).

Overnight at Campement Hotel Sangha (Sangha) or Similar

Day 5 Dogon Country – Monday, February 13, 2012

After breakfast, descend to the Bandiagara escarpment to visit the villages of Banani (noted for its ancient Tellem cave dwellings in the cliff face), Ireli, Amani (noted for its sacred crocodile sanctuary), and Tireli, where you may see a traditional Dogon Mask Dance. (min 6 needed to guarantee dance)

Overnight at Campement Hotel Sangha (Bandiagara) or Similar

Day 6 Dogon/ Mopti – Tuesday, February 14, 2012

After breakfast, travel to Mopti. Afterwards go on a city tour of Mopti. You will see the fascinating mix of Malian cultures: Bambara, Bobo, Bozo, Dogon, Fulani, Tuareg, Songhay 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 at Hotel Ambedjele or Similar

Day 7 Mopti/ Djenne/ Mopti – Wednesday, February 15, 2012

After breakfast, drive to Djenne, Timbuktu's ancient sister-city on the Bani River. See the magnificent Grand Mosque, the largest mud-brick architecture in the world and one of UNESCO's World Heritage sites. You also will visit the museum. Wander through the narrow streets of Djenne discovering this beautiful architectural city.

Overnight at 3-star hotel

Day 8 Segou, Festival on the Niger – Thursday, February 16, 2012

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 traditional ways of life. Along the drive you have the opportunity to stop and visit local markets. After arriving in Segou in the late afternoon, this evening participate in and enjoy the activities (concert, story-telling, traditional dances).

Overnight at Hotel Independence or Similar

Day 9 Segou, Festival on the Niger – Friday, February 17, 2012

After breakfast, go on excursions to nearby cultural sites including: Kalabougou, the pottery village; and Sekoro, the old-Ségou, former capital of the Bambara kingdom. Activities include demonstrations, exhibitions, music and dance.

Overnight at Hotel Independence or Similar

Day 10 Segou, Festival on the Niger – Saturday, February 18, 2012

Continue excursions in Segou and surrounding areas.

This evening enjoy the festival activities.

Overnight at Hotel Independence or Similar

Day 11 Segou – Bamako – Depart – Sunday, February 19, 2012

After breakfast, complete your tour of Segou before returning to Bamako.

In Bamako decide on your activities with the assistance of your driver and guide, in the evening, transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

Overnight at 3-star hotel

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January - December

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