Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Bamako, Mali. International flight arrives in Bamako in the evening; airport-to-hotel transfer; overnight in Bamako (Grand Hotel, or similar).
Day 2: Bamako - Segou (235 km). Begin your West African journey with a city tour of Bamako: overview of the sprawling city from Point G, then visit the National Museum, the city market, the artisans' village, the fetish market for traditional medicine; in the afternoon, drive to Segou for overnight (Hotel Independance, or similar) with Breakfast.
Day 3: Segou - Djenne (335 km) - Mopti (130 km). Drive to Djenne, Timbuktu's historic sister-city, arriving in time to see the bustling weekly market, when Djenne is at its colorful best; stroll around the market stalls, spread out before the magnificent Great Mosque—this is the world's largest mud brick architecture, originally constructed in the XIIIth century, one of Unesco's World Heritage sites; in the afternoon, drive to Mopti for overnight (Hotel Kanaga, or similar) with Breakfast.
Day 4: Mopti - Timbuktu (450 km). City tour of Mopti, the Venice of Mali, nestled between the waters of the Niger and the Bani rivers; Mopti city tour: see the beautiful Sudanese-style mosque, the fishing port, and the lively market where many of Mali's cultural groups can be seen: Bambara, Bobo, Bozo, Dogon, Fulani, Tuareg and Songhay; then drive across the Sahel, to the legendary city of Timbuktu, at the edge of the Sahara Desert ! overnight in Timbuktu (Hotel Hendrina Khan, or similar) with Breakfast.
Day 5: Timbuktu / Sahara Desert. Visit the ancient city of Timbuktu, gateway to the Sahara Desert; city tour of Timbuktu: see the old mosques (built in the 14th century) and former universities, the museum and Ahmed Baba Institute's collection of scholarly Islamic manuscripts, the explorers' houses, the city market which receives the azalaïs, the salt caravans from the desert — historically salt from the north was exchanged for gold and slaves from the south; in the afternoon, excursion into the great Sahara Desert by camel caravan to visit a Tuareg camp; the Tuareg people are the Princes and masters of the Desert; overnight in Timbuktu (Hotel Hendrina Khan, or similar) with Breakfast.
Day 6: Timbuktu - Mopti (450 km) / Niger River. Return drive across the Sahel, to Mopti; enjoy a tranquil sunset sail on the Niger River in a traditional pirogue; overnight in Mopti (Hotel Kanaga, or similar) with Breakfast.
Day 7: Mopti - Dogon country (120 km). Onward to Mali's fascinating Dogon country; explore magnificent villages clinging to the walls of the Bandiagara cliffs, and see many examples of the unique traditional architecture and fetishes; visit Songo village, site of a rocky grotto where circumcision ceremonies are held every three years; note the old and new rock paintings which represent noble Dogon families; overnight in Bandiagara (Hotel La Falaise, or similar) with Breakfast.
Day 8: Dogon country - Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (365 km). After breakfast depart Mali's Dogon country for Burkina Faso's capital city, Ouagadougou; afternoon city tour of Ouagadougou: visit the Grand Market and the National Museum, with its interesting collection of regional clothing, masks, household utensils and ancestral statues; also visit the crafts markets at the Artisans' Center, where you will find basketry, batik fabrics, wooden statues and masks, jewelry, leatherwork and bronze castings; overnight in Ouagadougou (Hotel Silmande, or similar) with Breakfast
Day 9: Ouagadougou - Tiebele (180 km) - Tamale, Ghana (280 km). Depart Burkina Faso for Ghana, with a visit en-route to Tiebele village, in Gourounsi country; visit magnificent fortress-like houses and compounds, colorfully painted with traditional motifs; onward to Tamale for overnight (Gariba Lodge, or similar) with Breakfast.
Day 10: Tamale - Kumasi (390 km). Onward drive through the countryside to Kumasi, in Ghana's Ashante country; visit Kumasi: the National Cultural Center, the Manhyia Palace, and the Kejetia market, the largest market in West Africa, an unforgettable melange of colors and sounds; overnight in Kumasi (Hotel Georgia, or similar) with Breakfast.
Day 11: Kumasi - Cape Coast/Elmina (225 km) - Accra (150 km). Continue your southerly drive to Cape Coast; visit the Cape Coast Castle, former bastion of the Atlantic slave trade, now a Unesco World Heritage site; excursion to nearby Elmina, to visit the fishing harbor and the original old town; enjoy a walking tour of St. George's Castle; finish with a stroll to St. Jago Hill for a panoramic overview of historic Elmina; drive to and overnight in Accra (Novotel Accra, or similar) with Breakfast.
Day 12: Accra - final departure. City tour of Accra, including the National Cultural Center, the National Museum, and the Nkrumah Mausoleum; walking tour of James Town, and shop for local crafts at the Trade Fair Centre; in the evening, transfer to the airport for your final departure with Breakfast.
Member discount:
10% discount for InfoHub customer. Request a free gift certificate.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- 11 nights hotel, double occupancy, with breakfast
- ay-room in Accra on the final day
- Private ground transportation by 4x4 vehicle, with driver and fuel
- Sahara Desert excursion by camel caravan to visit a Tuareg camp on the dunes
- Sunset sail on the Niger River
- Experienced English-speaking guide throughout
- Airport transfers upon arrival in Bamako and departure in Accra
- All hotel taxes and local tourism taxes
- All site visit, excursion and entry fees as per tour program.
Price Excludes:
- Tourism visas (Mali, Burkina Faso, Ghana)
- Lunches, dinners, drinks/bottled water
- Optional Dogon mask dance
- Tips and personal expenses.
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
Mali
Burkina Faso
Ghana
Local Culture
Cultural Journey
Crafts Tours
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