Day 1, Jan 2, 2011: Arrive Bamako. International flight arrives in Bamako. You will be met, assisted and transferred to your hotel. Overnight at 3-star hotel.
Day 2, Jan 3, 2011: Bamako/ Mopti (640 Km). Drive to Mopti. Tour Mopti city and witness the fascinating mix of Malian cultures: Bambara, Bobo, Bozo, Dogon, Fulani, Tuareg, Songhai and Hausa. Overnight at Hotel. Includes: (B).
Day 3, Jan 4, 2011: Mopti/ Dogon (120 Km). After breakfast, travel from Mopti to Dogon. Tour the Dogon villages, and experience one of the most extraordinary places on earth. The Dogon people built their villages high up on the narrow ledges of cliffs. In the 11th century, the advancing Arab combatants forced the Dogons to flee their homes in the north. They found shelter and adapted to one of West Africa's most unforgiving regions. This unique area is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit the village of Songo, renowned for its rock paintings and circumcision grotto. Overnight at Hotel. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 4, Jan 5, 2011: Dogon. After breakfast, descend along the Bandiagara escarpment. Walk through the rocky terrain to visit the villages of Banani, Ireli, Arou and Tireli. The Dogons are known for their mythology, full with rituals and worship of the spirits of nature. Their wooden sculptures are also a major attraction. Traditions have been preserved through the centuries, making Dogon one of the most original civilizations of West Africa. Witness a traditional Dogon Mask Dance (providing there are at least 8 travelers). Overnight at Hotel. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 5, Jan 6, 2011: Dogon/ Timbuktu (440 Km). After breakfast, drive to the legendary city of Timbuktu. This ancient city was the ending point of the great trans-Saharan caravan route. Timbuktu was extremely wealthy in the 16th century as convoys of camels carrying goods for trade spent weeks crossing the unforgiving Sahara to arrive in this famous metropolis. Picnic along the way, arriving in time to witness the magnificent sunset over the dunes. Overnight at Hotel. Includes: (B), (L).
Day 6, Jan 7, 2011: Timbuktu/ Essakane (approx. 2 hours). In the morning, tour the city of Timbuktu, admiring such magnificent mud-brick structures as the Djingarey Berre Mosque, the Mosque of Sankore, and the Palace of Bouctou. Observe the houses of the various 19th century European explorers who used Timbuktu as a base. Visit the ethnological museum and Maison des Artisans. In the afternoon, travel approximately 2 hours to Essakane, the site of the Festival in the Desert. Have leisure time in the encampment before the evening festivities begin. Overnight at Private Tents or Similar. Includes: (B), (D).
Day 7, Jan 8, 2011: Essakane. After last night’s entertainment, have a leisurely morning. In the afternoon, enjoy camel rides, traditional songs and games and interact with the musicians and traders before enjoying the music festival finale, which lasts all night long. Overnight at Private Tents or Similar. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 8, Jan 9, 2011: Essakane/ Timbuktu (approx. 2 hours). In the morning, return to Timbuktu and check into the hotel before continuing the tour of this legendary city whose name is synonymous with “a place unreachable.” Visit the old mosques and former universities, the museum and archives of ancient Islamic manuscripts, the city market and the artisans' center. Overnight at Hotel. Includes: (B).
Day 9, Jan 10, 2011: Timbuktu/ Mopti (392 km). After breakfast, drive to Mopti. Continue touring Mopti, where the Niger and Bani rivers meet. Mopti is Mali’s most important port city. Overnight at Hotel. Includes: (B), (L).
Day 10, Jan 11, 2011: Mopti/ Djenne/ Segou (440 Km). Drive to Djenne, Timbuktu's ancient sister-city on the Niger. Visit Djenne; see the magnificent Grand Mosque, the largest mud brick architecture in the world and one of UNESCO’S World Heritage sites. Later, travel to Segou. Overnight at Hotel. Includes: (B).
Day 11, Jan 12, 2011: Segou/Bamako (235 Km). Explore Segou, Mali's second largest city and former colonial administrative center; admire the beautiful Sudanese-style colonial architecture. Visit the pottery market, traditional weavers and other artisans, before continuing to Bamako. Overnight at 3-star hotel. Includes: (B).
Day 12, Jan 13, 2011: Bamako/ Depart. Day at leisure before your onward flight—or extended tour begins. Includes: (B).
Notes:
Price Includes: - Hotel accommodation as indicated in the itinerary - 2 nights camping in private tents with mats - All ground transportation by 4x4 vehicle - Hot Meals prepared at Festival site - Bottled water during the festival - Tours as outlined in the program - All other meals indicated - One tour guide per vehicle - Roundtrip airport to hotel transfers - All taxes and admission fees to included sites.
Price Excludes: - Travel insurance - International airfare to Mali - Meals not listed - Visa fees - Gratuity to driver and guide - Festival entry pass (approximately 150 Euros) - Sleeping bags (recommended).
People who are wanting the best tours in and around Mali, including Senegal and Burkina Faso. Run by Mr Coulibaly Baba, Balanzan Tours can offer week long itineraries to 21 days around Mali and neighbouring countries. Balanzan also offer you the possibilty of composing your own circuit as you wish or modify the existing ones.
Balanzan Tours offer a selection of escorted tours, with experienced guides, to Mali's highlights including Timbuktu, Dogon country & Segou. Along with this, Balanzan offer tours to Music Festivals in Mali including the famous festival on the Niger.
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