Although the centerpoint of this trip is the Festival in the Desert in Essakane, the itinerary also includes more well-known Mali attractions such as Dogon country, Djenne, and Timbuctu. Billed as the "most remote music festival in the world" the Festival is a three-day Afro-pop powwow held by the Tuareg, the traditionally nomadic "blue people" of the Sahara. It's a tribe often feared for the banditry of its rebels and respected for the fact that it has never really been conquered. Combining traditional Tuareg music and dance, camel races, and competitions during the day, the Festival comes alive at night with modern Malian music, which is becoming popular the world over from incorporation into music as diverse as that of Robert Plant and Paul Simon. This is truly a one-of-a-kind experience!
The Bandiagara escarpment and Dogon country are reminiscent of the American Southwest and the ancient Anasazi cliff dwellings. The Djenne market and mosque are an excellent example of a culture that has changed very little in 500 years. Starting out in Bamako, we'll drive to Mopti, on the edge of the Bandagara Escarpment and Dogon country. The Dogon are famous for their complex and elaborate culture, their art forms, their multi-story houses, and their incredible knack for eking out a living under the harshest of circumstances. These are some of the most fascinating cultural experiences it is possible to have in West Africa. Attend the Festival in the Desert, near Timbuctu, and experience both traditional Malian music and dance, and the best of modern world music from musicians all over Africa - surrounded by the Sahara's desert sands!
Itinerary:
Day 1, Jan. 5, 2009, Monday BAMAKO
Arrival in BKO. Met by your english speaking guide and transfer to Hotel Rabelais. Overnight on BB basis (Nice hotel placed near the Central Market. Rooms with a/c, private toilet. Swimming pool.)
Day 2, Jan. 6 BAMAKO-SEGOU (235 kms, paved road)
After breakfast, discover Bamako, the Capital City of Mali. City tour: we drive along the river looking at the old and new buildings, across the crowded central market, we pass in the administrative area rich in colonial buildings. Then from the top of the hill we enjoy a full landscape of this Sahelian metropolis. Visit a community of blacksmiths - they are able to turn almost anything into…. something else!! Visit the National Museum of Mali. Lunch in restaurant. Afternoon drive to Segou. Overnight on HB basis at Hotel Auberge. (The best hotel in Segou. Rooms with a/c, private toilet. Very nice garden with swimming pool. Excellent food).
Day 3, Jan. 7 SEGOU-DJENNE (339 kms, paved road)
After breakfast, visit the town of Segou. Walk along the river, visit the colonial area, the catholic area, try some of the traditional "dolo" (millet beer). Visit the old town "Segoukoro", the ancient capital of the Bambara kingdom. Drive to San. Lunch in restaurant. In San we are invited to attend a Bobo dance, very amazing - and you'll feel right at home!! Continue to Djenné with arrival in the evening. Overnight on HB basis at Campement Hotel Djenné. (Hotel Campement Djenné is built with local materials. Very basic. Rooms with fan and private toilet.)
Day 4, Jan. 8 DJENNE-MOPTI-SEVARE (143 kms, paved road)
After breakfast, a good half day city-tour in Djenné with a local guide. We will see the Mosque and the different architectural styles in the village. We can also have a look to the small but interesting museum and to the ancient site of Djenné-Djenno. Lunch in restaurant. In the afternoon we continue to Mopti where we can have a short walk along the river at the sunset. Back to Sevare. Overnight on HB basis at Ambedjele Hotel. (Very nice hotel, in Dogon style. Room with a/c and private toilet. Nice garden with swimming pool. Very good food!!)
Day 5, Jan. 9 SEVARE-MOPTI-KONNA-SEVARE (84 kms, paved road)
Early in the morning, breakfast and transfer to Mopti where a pinasse (traditional covered boat) is waiting for a full-day boat excursion. Visit of Fulani and Bozo (fishermen) villages. Lunch will be served in the boat. Once in Konna, transfer back by car. Overnight on HB basis at Hotel Ambedjele.
Day 6, Jan. 10 SEVARE-SANGHA (77 kms of paved road, 45 kms by dirt road)
After breakfast we move to the Bandiagara Dogon Cliff. Visit 2 villages of the "plateau". Nice walks, not difficult. Lunch in restaurant in Bandiagara. Visit of the village and the sacred cave of Songho. Continue to Sangha. Overnight on HB basis at the Campement Hotel La Guinna. (Very basic Hotel. The only one in Sangha. Rooms with fan and private toilet).
Day 7, Jan. 11 SANGHA - TIRELI - KOUNDOU (40 kms by dirt road)
After breakfast we meet our Dogon local guide and some porters who will lead us down the cliff in an unforgettable half-day trekking and visiting Dogon villages (Banani-Ireli-Tireli). The walk is not very difficult. You need very comfortable walking shoes, hat and sunscreen. Whoever doesn't feel like walking may stay with the car. A trail/road connects all of these villages. The meeting point is in the garden of the traditional chief for lunch (picnic). In the afternoon, we are invited to attend a Dogon mask dance. Drive to Koundou to the opposite side of the cliff. We set our tents up in the Campement de l'Amitié Dogon. Dinner and overnight in tents. (The Campement has a very nice garden where you can install your tent. Toilet facilities are available. Food will be provided by the campement).
Day 8, Jan. 12 KOUNDOU - DOGON of THE PLAINS (60 kms by dirt road)
Early in the morning, breakfast and trek to the 3 youga's villages (difficult, no way to visit by cars). The most sacred among the Dogon villages. We come back to the campement for lunch. Then by car we continue to discover the Dogon villages of the plain. We drive back to Koundou. Overnight on HB basis in tents.
Day 9, Jan. 13 KOUNDOU - DOUENTZA (250 kms dirt road)
Morning breakfast and half-day drive to Douentza. Picnic lunch. Afternoon visit of the Gandamia Mountains. Short walk, not difficult. Drive back to Douentza. Overnight on HB basis in tents at the Campemant Gourma. (The Campement has a very nice garden where you can install your tent. Toilet facilities are available. Food will be provided by the campement).
Day 10, Jan. 14 DOUENTZA - TIMBUKTU (200 kms truck)
After breakfast we drive to Timbuktu. Arrival and lunch at the restaurant of the Hotel. In the afternoon we enjoy a city tour with a Tuareg guide. We will visit the 3 most important mosques, a Koranic school, houses of the first explorers.and a handicraft market. Overnight on HB basis at Hotel Azalai (Quite old and very basic but one of the best in town. Rooms with a/c and private toilet)
Day 11, Jan. 15 TIMBUKTU-ESSAKANE (80 kms of dirt road)
After breakfast we drive into the desert until we reach the Essakane festival. Each day you're at the festival, you can enjoy 2 different sorts of activities : traditional and scenic. The traditional ones start in the morning and go all day: camel rides, parades, tindés (traditional songs and dances), expositions, discussions and several different games. The scenic ones start when night falls: concerts and animations (skits or plays). FB basis camping on the dunes of the Sahara. The cars will be at your disposal in case of need. (Mobile camp, no toilet facilities)
Day 12, Jan. 16 ESSAKANE
Another full-day at the festival. FB basis camping on the dunes of the Sahara. The cars will be at your disposal in case of need.
Day 13, Jan. 17 ESSAKANE-TIMBUKTU (80 kms dirt road)
Half day in Essakane. Picnic lunch and transfer to Timbuktu. After the shower we will be invited to the house of our guide for the last dinner!! Overnight on BB basis at Hotel Azalai.
Day 14, Jan. 18 TIMBUKTU-BAMAKO (3 hour flight)
In the morning, transfer to the airport and MAE domestic flight to Bamako. Transfer in town. Rooms available at the Hotel Rabelais. Car at your disposal. No meals Transfer to the airport and end of services.
Price per person in dbl with a Group of 2-3 pax US $5050
Group of 4 people US $4045 (or $4500 if American co-leader accompanies group)
Group of 5-6 people US $3550 (or $3915 if American co-leader accompanies group)
With American co-leader accompanying:
Group of 7 people US $3650
Group of 8 or more $3350
Guide: English speaking guide with deep knowledge of people and places to be visited. Local guides as mentioned in the program, in Djenné, Dogon cliffs, Douentza, and Timbuktu and Essakane.
Transportation:
Group of 4 people - Toyota LC 4x4 with a/c for the whole trip.
Group of 5-6-7-8 - Minibus Toyota Hi Ace with a/c from BKO to Mopti (day 5) Toyota LC 4x4 with a/c for the rest of the trip (from day 6)
Group of 9-10-11-12 - Mercedes bus with a/c from BKO to Mopti
Toyota LC 4x4 with a/c for the rest of the trip (from day 6)
Over 12 persons- Coach 23-30 seat with a/c; Toyota LC 4x4 with a/c for the rest of the trip (from day 6) Minibus non a/c for the last day in Bamako. We use 4x4 with a max of 4 clients per car.
Meals: Full board basis treatment from the breakfast of day 2 to the breakfast of day 14
Meals as stated in the program. French and international cuisine sometimes mixed with local dishes in the restaurants and hotels. In the desert the meals will be provided by our own professional cook.
Domestic flight: A MAE domestic flight Timbuktu-Bamako is included in the price of trip, with apt taxes.
Accommodation: As stated or equivalent in case of no vacancies during the bookings. Igloo tents in every camp. Tents and mattresses will be provided by the agency. The price includes all visits as stated in the program. The price doesn't include any additional flights orapt taxes, drinks, tips, or services or visits not mentioned in the program.
Mali single entry visa is required
Yellow fever vaccination is required
Malaria prophylaxis is strongly recommended
The weather will be dry and hot during the day and cool in the night, in particular in the desert. We suggest bringing a warm sleeping bag and some warm clothes for your stay in the desert. Don't forget a flashlight, hat, sunscreen, comfortable clothes and walking shoes, and a water bottle.
Note: Prices and itinerary are tentative and subject to change according to Euro-USD exchange rates and any circumstances beyond our control.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Note: Prices and itinerary are tentative and subject to change according to Euro-USD exchange rates and any circumstances beyond our control.
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
Mali
Festival Tours
Desert Expeditions
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