Day 1:

ARRIVE IN BAMAKO, MALI

International flight arrives in Bamako,you will be met, and assisted, airport-to-hotel transfer.

Overnight at Le Grand Hotel Or Similar

Day 2:

BAMAKO – SEGOU

Breakfast, then drive to Segou, Mali’s second largest city and former colonial administrative center; admire the beautiful Sudanese-style colonial architecture, visit the port, the pottery market, traditional weavers and other artisans; visit Sekoro village, former capital of the Bambara kingdom; see the tomb of King Biton Coulibaly.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast

Overnight at Hotel Independence Or Similar

Day 3:

SEGOU – MOPTI

Drive to Mopti, also known as the Venice of Mali, for its location between the Bani and the Niger rivers; visit Mopti: the Komoguel mosque, the fishing port (see pirogues being made), and the bustling market where many of Mali’s ethnic groups come to trade: Bambara, Bobo, Bozo, Dogon, Fulani, Tuareg and Songhay

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast

Overnight at Hotel Kanaga Or Similar

Day 4:

MOPTI – TIMBUKTU

After breakfast drive to Timbuktu stopping at villages en route. Observe the varied wildlife.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight at Hendrina Khan Hotel Or Similar

Day 5:

TIMBUKTU – SAHARA DESERT

Visit the legendary city of Timbuktu, gateway to the Sahara Desert: see the ancient mosques and former universities, the museum, the explorers’ houses, and the market which receives the azalaïs, the salt caravans from the desert; in the afternoon, depart on your camel caravan into the desert to visit a Tuareg camp; the Tuareg people are known as the Princes of the desert; dinner and overnight camping on the dunes of the Sahara with your Tuareg hosts.

Accommodation in Tuareg Camp

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6:

SAHARA DESERT – TIMBUKTU

Return to Timbuktu; remainder of the day free to relax, or visit the artisans’ center; overnight in Timbuktu

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight at Hendrina Khan Hotel Or Similar

Day 7:

TIMBUKTU-MOPTI

Drive across the Sahel to Mopti.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight at Hotel Kanaga Or Similar

Day 8:

MOPTI-DJENNE

Drive to Djenne, Timbuktu’s ancient sister-city on the Niger; visit Djenne on its weekly market day, when Djenne 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

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast

Overnight at Hotel Kanaga Or Similar

Day 9:

DJENNE – DOGON COUNTRY

Drive to Mali’s fascinating Dogon country; visit Songo village, renowned for its rock paintings and circumcision grotto; continue to Sangha, comprised of 10 distinct animist and Islamic villages, in peaceful coexistence; walking tour of Sangha; overnight in Sangha

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight at Hotel Cheval Blanc Or Similar

Day 10:

DOGON COUNTRY

Visit Dogon villages along the Bandiagara escarpment; see many examples of the typical Dogon architecture and ancient Tellem cave dwellings situated on the cliff. Overnight camping in a Dogon village

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight at Campement Hotel Sangha Or Similar

Day 11:

DOGON COUNTRY – SIKASSO

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

Overnight at Hotel Zanga Or Similar

Day 12:

SIKASSO – BAMAKO

Visit the grotto of Misiri Koro, home of the protector spirits of the Mande people, then return drive to Bamako; overnight in Bamako

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast

Overnight at Le Grand Hotel Or Similar

Day 13:

BAMAKO

Bamako city tour: visit the National Museum, the city market, and the artisans’ village; in the evening.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast

Overnight at Le Grand Hotel Or Similar

Day 14:

BAMAKO – FINAL DEPARTURE

Decide on your itinerary and activities with the assistance of your driver and guide. Late evening transfer to the airport for your onward flight

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast

 

 

Tour Price Includes:

Hotel accommodation, Day-room in Bamako on the final day, Breakfast , lunch and dinner where indicated by B, L, D, Bottled mineral water provided with the camping meals, Private ground transportation by 4×4 vehicle, with driver, Overnight camel trek into the Sahara Desert, including Tuareg desert guide, Experienced English-speaking guide throughout, All site visits and entrance fees

Tour Price Does Not Include:

International flight to Mali, travel insurance, visa fees, gratuities

Single Supplement is the additional price paid for single occupancy of a room.