Festival On The Niger, 11 Days

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 at Hotel Grand or similar. Overnight at Le Grand Hotel Or Similar ^back to top

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 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. Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner Overnight at Le Grand Hotel Or Similar ^back to top

Day 3 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 villages where you can observe the traditional way of life. Along the drive you have the opportunity to stop and visit local markets. Arrive Segou early afternoon. This evening enjoy the festival opening ceremonies and the evening activities (concert, story-telling, traditional dances). Meal(s) Included: Breakfast Overnight at Hotel Independence Or Similar ^back to top

Day 4 SEGOU / FESTIVAL ON THE NIGER

Full day of festival activities: speakers, demonstrations, expositions, music and dance. Meal(s) Included: Breakfast Overnight at Hotel Independence Or Similar ^back to top

Day 5 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. Meal(s) Included: Breakfast Overnight at Hotel Independence Or Similar ^back to top

Day 6 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 on its legendary Monday Market Day. In the evening continue to Mopti for dinner and overnight. Meal(s) Included: Breakfast Overnight at Hotel Kanaga Or Similar ^back to top

Day 7 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. Meal(s) Included: Breakfast Overnight at Hendrina Khan Hotel Or Similar ^back to top

Day 8 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 leatherwork, or Fulani blankets of cotton or wool. Meal(s) Included: Breakfast Overnight at Hotel Kanaga Or Similar ^back to top

Day 9 DOGON COUNTRY

The Dogons are animists, worshipping 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. Please note that part of today's sightseeing can involve walking over rough ground to visit some of the villages, and fairly steep and rough paths have to be negotiated. Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner Overnight at Campement Hotel Sangha Or Similar ^back to top

Day 10 MOPTI

This morning you will travel to Mopti where you will spend the day. 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 leatherwork, or Fulani blankets of cotton or wool. This evening you may enjoy a sunset cruise in a traditional Pinasse along the Niger River. Meal(s) Included: Breakfast Overnight at Hotel Kanaga Or Similar ^back to top

Day 11 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. ^back to top

If only one person travels, the price is $ 2,570

# of Travelers	November - April		May - October
	Price Per Person in US$
	Double Occupancy	Single Supplement *	Double Occupancy	Single Supplement *
0			$2,570	$390

Special children and group rates available.

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Tour Price Includes:

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.

Tour Price Does Not Include:

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

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