Day 1
Arrival - Bamako:
Upon arrival in Bamako international airport, you will meet, assisted and transferred to your hotel and then stay overnight.
Day 2
Bamako –Ségou: 235 km
After breakfast, departure from Bamako to Segou, the capital or city of 4444 Balanzan considered as a mythic tree which is leafy in dry season and no leaves in the rainy season; the Balanzan “acacia albilda’ signify the bravery and the courage of the citizen of Segou. Capital of the Bambara Kingdom of Segou during the reign of Biton Coulibaly from 1712-1755, the village of Sekoro is at 8 km from the city of Segou. Conquested in 1862 by the Toucouleur El Hadj Omar Tall and occupied by the French colonist Archinard in 1891.The Bambara ethnic is very proud of their culture and tradition showed by the dance step (the “Bara” and the “Bondjalan”. The 4 th administrative region of Mali with around 1 675 358 inhabitants composed of Bambara, minianka, bwa and Soninke,Fulani , maure, somono and bozo shared in an area of 60 947 km2.
Overnight in Ségou.
Day 3
Ségou - Djenné: 332 km
After breakfast drive to Djenne the city classified as World Heritages because of its architecture. The city considered as the twin of Timbuktu because of its attachment on islam. Founded around the 10 th century by Soninkés , a religious city considered as one of the oldest city in Africa. The visit of children learning in Coranic school is worthy. Djenne is very famous by its colourful market and the biggest mud monument in the world. Visit of San on the way; the capital of Bobo land, an ethnic very attached to its culture as they are animists,the mosque a little similar to the one of Djenne. After lunch drive to Djenné. Overnight in Djenné (Campement)
Day 4
Djenné - Dogon Country: 226 km
Breakfast and visit of Djenné, the weekly market of Monday considered as the most colourful in West Africa, city tour to discover some Coranic schools, the beautiful architecture of the city, the biggest mosque, just near the market, built between 1906- 1907 on the place of the oldest one of 1280, considered as the biggest mud monument in the world. Every year the roughcasting of the mosque mobilised all the population of Djenne. After lunch drive to the Dogon country.
Day 5
Dogon country – Mopti: 120 Km
After breakfast in the morning, visit to explore Dogon villages on Bandiagara escarpement edge long of around 200 km, classified as world heritates on double tittle of nature and culture, visit of some villages like of Banani, Amani, Irely and Terely on the escarpement to discover deeply the Dogon culture, a population very attached into their secular tradition, the Hogon considered as the oldest and spiritual chief of the village, the House of Gouina where the Hogon sleep, the Toguna constituted of eight feet and eight roofs.It is the place where most decision from the villagers are taken. The number eight signify the number of ancestors who came from Mandé. Visit of the house of menstruation for women, the divinatory table, Tellem houses. After that, travel to Mopti, the Venice of Mali for its location between the Bani and Niger river, visit: the beautiful Soudanese style mosque, the fishing port, the bustling market where many ethnic group of Mali – Bambara, Fulani, Bozo, Bobo, Dogon, Sonrhaï, come to trade. Enjoy a sunset on the river and then stay overnight at your hotel.
Day 6
Mopti – Timbuktu: 400 Km
Depart from Mopti to reach the legendary city of Timbuktu, the city of 333 holy, the mysterious city or the doorway to the desert founded around the 11 th century by the touareg Imagcharen. In Timbuktu the tradition says: “gold comes the south, salt comes from the north, money comes from occident, but the speeches of God, holy things, wonderful stories can be found only in Timbuktu. The 6 th administrative capital of Mali, Timbuktu attracts many tourists who like to discover an exceptional cultural heritages, adventure landscape and and fabulous histories of the city. Timbuktu has maintained many ancient monuments you will visit like: Hotel and stay there overnight.
Day 7
Breakfast and Timbuktu City tour: the mosques, the museum and archives. The Mosque of Djinguareyber, built in 14th century by emperor Kankou Moussa on his way from the Pilgrimage; the mosque Sankore of the 15 th century which hosted many intellectuals from its University; the Mosque of Sidi Yahia built at the end of the 15 th century by an old woman of the city. Visit of the old Islamic manuscripts in the Baba Ahmed Institute, the houses of explorators Gordon Laing, Henri Barth, Mongo Park, and Rene Caille, the handicraft centre to discover the wonderful work of the touareg: the jewellery and the blankets.
Day 8 Timbuktu – Essakane festival 65 Km
Three days of festival in Essakane: You will spend three days enjoying the festival festivities to discover through music, dance, poetry, arts and works, camel races and others Malian culture in general and touareg culture in particular. The Festival is attracting thousands of people every year. Overnight in private tents
Day 9
Still enjoy the festival
Day 10 End of the festival
Day 11 Essakane - Timbuktu – Mopti: 465 Km
Drive back from Timbuktu to Mopti across the sahara, arrive and visit of Mopti “the Venice of Mali” considered as the melting pot of Mali because of the number of ethnics living in perfect harmony together, visit of the mosque built in around 1936 similar to the one of Djenne, the market where women sell condiments of many species; the handicraft centre with the object of Malian culture(Dogon, Bambara, Senoufo etc…) Pinasse in the afternoon to visit some touareg campements and undergo the sunset in Mopti . Overnight in the hotel.
Day 12 Mopti – Segou 410 km
Breakfast and departure for Segou the former Bambara Kingdom. By the way visit of San the capital city of Bobo land their mosque and the sacred well. Continuation to Segou, arrival and overnight at the Hotel.
Day 13 Ségou – Bamako 235 km
Breakfast and departure to Bamako the District, administrative, industrial, economic and political capital of Mali capital. Bamako which means” the pool of crocodile” name gave by its founder Seribadjan Niare who were looking for a place where he could find more fishes or animals. Bamako is also called the city of 3 crocodiles. By the way visit of Sekoro to discover the kings Biton tomb and the mosque built for its mothers who was a Muslim. Continuation to Bamako and free afternoon.
Day 14 Bamako:
This morning we will explore Bamako: the national museum, have an overview of Bamako from Point G, the craft centre, the colourful market. In the afternoon you will be transferred to the airport for your home departure.
Member discount:
10% discount for InfoHub customer. Request a free gift certificate.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
The festival tour includes :
- 9 nights of hotel accommodation (double occupancy) + breakfast,
- 3 nights of Tuareg tents accommodation during the festival,
- Ground transportation in an air condition 4WD vehicle to all listed sites,
- Full board pension prepared on the festival site ( 3 breakfast, 3 lunch, and 3 dinner)
- Mineral water,
- Camel ride on the festival dunes,
- An experienced English – speaking guide,
- Dogon mask dance.
N.B.: International flight is not included in the price.
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
Mali
Local Culture
Festival Tours
Dance, Music and Opera
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