International flight arrives in Bamako, Mali. You will be met, assisted and transferred to your hotel. Evening at leisure. Overnight at Mande Hotel.

Meal(s) Included: No

Overnight at Hotel Mande or Similar

After breakfast explore this capital city. Bamako is situated on the Niger, one of Africa’s great rivers which flows 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 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. Overnight at Mande Hotel.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at Hotel Mande or Similar

Travel to the mountain village of Mande in the Western region of Mali, approximately 60 km from Bamako. Here you will learn about the history of Sundiata Keita, the legendary former king of the ancient Malian Empire. Several of Mali's ethnic groups including Dogon, Bambara, Maalinke, Kassonke, Minianka, Senoufo, and Bobo originate from this area. In Mande you will see the Fanfamba Grotto (the former meeting places of the village elders), the cave of Kamadian, with compartments for artisans including blacksmiths, hunters, traditional fortune tellers, and chiefs. There is a small sacred pool where sacrifices are made in and effort to achieve wealth and prosperity, better health and protection against evil.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at Hotel Mande or Similar

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.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at Hotel Colombe or Similar

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 at Hotel Ambedjele.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at Hotel Ambedjele or Similar

This morning you will travel from Mopti 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. In the afternoon return to Mopti for overnight at Hotel Ambedjele.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at Hotel Ambedjele or Similar

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 at Hotel Guina.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight at Hotel Campement or Similar

The Dogons worship their ancestors and the spirits of nature. Having preserved their traditions down through the centuries, they are considered to be one of the most original civilizations of West Africa. To reach some of the villages, fairly steep and rough paths have to be negotiated. Overnight at Hotel Guina.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight at Hotel Campement or Similar

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. En route you will have the opportunity to stop and visit places of interest. Overnight in Segou at Hotel Esplanade.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at Hotel Esplanade or Similar

Drive to Sikasso, in Mali's green belt; visit Sikasso: see the Mamelon (residence of the former kings of Sikasso), the Tata (remnants of a large palisade that encircled the city and for a time held off the French colonial army).

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at Hotel Zanga or Similar

You may spend the morning exploring the city of Sikaso before returning to Bamako or you may return to Bamako early morning. Later today transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast

Included

Meeting and assistance upon arrival and departure. Round trip airport to hotel transfers. Round trip domestic airfare to Timbuktu. Hotel accommodation in the properties listed. Tours in private vehicle. Experienced English-speaking tour guide. Admissions to all listed sites. Meals indicated by B,L,D.

Not included

International flight to Mali, Travel insurance, Visa fee, Meals not listed, Gratuities

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