Arrive Bamako; meet assist and transfer to Hotel.

Meal(s) Included: No

Overnight at Hotel Mirabeau or Similar

Bamako Market

Today, explore the capital city of Bamako, situated on the Niger, one of Africa's great rivers. Mali is a country of many tribal peoples, each with their own exuberant styles of clothing and jewellery. There is no place better to see this colourful diversity than in the streets and markets of Bamako. Start at Point G for a panoramic view of the city and visit the National Museum which provides an excellent introduction to the ethnic diversity of the country. Bamako has a large arts and craft centre where sculptors, weavers, leather workers, jewellers and metal workers exhibit their wares and skills. One area of the market is devoted entirely to traditional African medicines. Here you'll find the freshly shrunken heads of birds, monkeys and crocodiles, along with lizard skins and other gruesome treatments. We will also visit the recycling market, where Malians have recreated what most would consider trash into treasures. Overnight in Bamako.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at Hotel Mirabeau or Similar

The Mamelon of Sikasso

After breakfast, drive to Sikasso and pass by the rich agricultural lands of southern Mali. Sikasso is considered to be Mali's 'breadbasket' as it is a a major agricultural area in Mali which receives much rainflall, it is also considered Mali's 'green belt'. Observe the remnants of the Tata, an ancient palisade that encircled the city which, for a time, held off the French colonial army. Visit the Mamelon, the residence of the kings of Sikasso, and the cultural centre of Sénoufo's tribal homeland to learn about this brave tribe and their magnificent heritage. Overnight in Sikasso.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at Hotel du Cinquantenaire or Similar

Building where Mud-cloth is made in Segou

Before departing Sikasso, visit the Missirikoro Grotto where Muslims and animists worship side by side. After, drive to Ségou, the former colonial administrative center. Admire the beautiful Sudanese-style colonial architecture and visit the pottery market, the traditional weavers and other artisans. See and experience how to make a traditional mud cloth. Visit Sékoro village, the former capital of the Bambara kingdom where you will see the tomb of King Biton Coulibaly the founder of the Bambara Kingdom and the mosque that is older than the village. Take an afternoon cruise in a traditional pinasse on the River Niger to the Bambara village of Kalabougou. The village is known for its pottery. You may withness the women creating and kilning pottery.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at Hotel Auberge or Similar

Grand Mosque of Djenne

This morning complete your tour of Ségou then, travel to Mali's architectural jewel, Djenné. En route, visit San to see the local mosque, designed as a replica of the Djenné Grand Mosque. Continue to Djenné which was founded in the fourth century it has scarcely changed since the Middle Ages. Stroll through the streets and the bazaar and be transported back to medieval times. This evening is at leisure.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at Hotel Campement or Similar

Djenne Monday Market

Today is Monday, on its weekly market day visit Djenné when it is at its colorful best. See the magnificent Grand Mosque, the largest mud-brick architecture in the world and one of UNESCO's World Heritage sites. Visit the museum where a representative of ‘Mission Culturelle' will take you to the site of Djéno Djenné,the old Djenné.
You will learn about the history of that ancient city of Djenné. After, drive to Mopti to overnight.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at Hotel Kanaga or Similar

Camel Ride in the Sahara

This morning, drive to 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 African merchants traded salt pound-for-pound for gold and ivory that were brought along the Niger from the heart of Africa. Overnight in Timbuktu.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at La Maison or Similar

Djinguiraiber Mosque in Timbuktu

Tour that mystery city located at the terminus of the great trans-Saharan caravan route. Wander the dusty streets of Timbuktu, admiring such magnificent mud-brick structures as the Djinguiraiber Mosque, the Mosque of Sankoré, Mosque of Sidi Yehia and the Palace of Bouctou. Visit to the ethnological museum and Maison des Artisans. See the houses of the various 19th century European explorers who used Timbuktu as a base. In the afternoon, experience camel ride around the city and enjoy tea on the dunes with your Tuareg hosts, the Princes of the Desert.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast

Overnight at La Maison or Similar

Villagers on the way to market

After breakfast, drive back to Mopti.  En route, stop at points of interest and admire the landscape. Overnight in Mopti.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at Hotel Kanaga or Similar

Fishermen's huts on the banks of the river

After breakfast, embark on a seven hour cruise on the Niger River to Kona (55 Km). On your way, stop at Kotaca and see its beautiful mosque.  Visit other villages built of the banks of the Niger and and observe the fishermen hauling in their catch. Have a traditional African lunch on the boat. Upon arrival in Kona, you will drive back to Mopti for a city tour. Witness 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 jewellery, Tuareg leatherwork, or Fulani blankets of cotton or wool. Overnight in Mopti.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight at Hotel Kanaga or Similar

Overhead Shot of a Dogon Village

Today, drive to Dogon Country. With its fascinating rocky, Sahelian landscape, the Dogon Country is considered to be one of the most extraordinary places on Earth. Experience the unique village life and marvel at ancient Tellem cave dwellings. The Dogon are a group of people living in the central plateau region of the country, south of the Niger bend near the city of Bandiagara in the Mopti region. The Dogon are best known for their mythology, their mask dances, their wooden sculpture and their architecture.
The principal Dogon area is bisected by the Bandiagara Escarpment, a sandstone cliff of up to 500m (1,640 ft) high, stretching for about 150km (almost 100 miles). 
Tribal life is centered around sacred rights and rituals which take place in the hollow cliffs of the escarpment on which the Dogon houses are built. Their culture is surrounded by mysticism and intrigue with an astonishing knowledge of the solar system to the unique structure of Dogon villages. We will visit the Dogon village of Songho, renowned for its rock paintings and circumcision grotto and drive to Sangha comprised of 10 distinct Dogon villages - some of which are traditional animists, while others have converted to Islam. Tour the women's house and have a special visit with the Dogon's spiritual leader, Le Hogon. Overnight in Sangha.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight at Campement Hotel Sangha (Sangha) or Similar

Dogon Mask Dancer

Following breakfast, descend the Bandiagara escarpment and visit the village of Banani where we 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 witness to a traditional Dogon Mask Dance. We will drive to Bandiagara for overnight.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight at Hotel La Falaise or Similar

Chalets in Teriya Bugu

Depart Dogon for a drive to Teriya Bugu, "the hut of friendship," and the headquarters of the Association for Rural Development (332 Km). 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. Overnight at Teriya Bugu' hotel.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast

Overnight at Hotel Teriya or Similar

Garden in Teriya Bugu

After breakfast, take a morning excursion to the small village of N'Goron and fish alongside the villagers. We will learn about the history of Priest Bernard Verspieren and a Somono fisherman, Lamine Samaké, and discover how this project is supporting hundreds of families. In the afternoon, take a 4 hour drive back to Bamako. On arrival, check into the hotel. This afternoon is at leisure.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at Hotel Teriya or Similar

Have the day at leisure or shop for souvenirs with your tour guide and driver. Later, transfer from hotel to airport for departure flight.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast

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

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