This cultural appointment constitutes a real combination of two kinds of music: traditional and modern one. A cultural celebration which is characterized by arts, and crafts exhibitions (textiles, jewelery, sculpture, pottery), tales and legends from Mali and discussion forum to avoid the River ecological threat. The traditional dances, masks as well as puppet troupes and other festivities like hunting shows, canoe races on the River will amaze you. Plus this festival, we have molded a flexible itinerary focused on the more interesting sites in Mali.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Bamako. Arrive Bamako, you are met, assisted and transferred to your hotel; overnight (Bamako). Day 2: Bamako - Segou. After breakfast, Bamako city tour (the national and prehistory Museums, a panoramic overview of the city from ‘Koulouba’, the artisans’ village where you can see craftsmen silversmiths woodcarvers and leather workers at work, the rebuilt ‘Marche Rose’ burnt down in 1993 after lunch drive to Ségou to enjoy the festivities. In the afternoon, we'll arrive in Ségou, check into your hotel, and witness the festival’s opening, dinner and overnight Day 3: Segou – Festival (start and continuation). In the morning, visit of Ségou city, the ancient Kingdom of Bambara founded in 1852 (Sekoro village called the ‘old Ségou’, see the tomb of King Biton Coulibaly, the local brewery, colonial houses, the market place, etc). Witness the festival’s festivities’ continuation, dinner and overnight at hotel. Day 4: Segou (the end of the festival). After the festival closing, in the afternoon we take part to a River expedition through Kalabougou, a renowned potters’ village, dinner and overnight at hotel (Ségou). Day 5: Segou - Djenne. In the morning en route to explore Djenne, Timbuktu’s ancient sister city, arrival and installation; dinner and overnight. Day 6: Djenne - Mopti. Djenne city tour (the magnificent Grand mosque, the world’s largest mud brick architecture; some coranic schools, the colorful market … lunch in Djenne. After lunch, depart for Mopti the Venice of Mali located 130 km from Djenne; arrival, check into hotel, dinner and overnight (Mopti). Day 7: Mopti - Timbuktu. In the morning depart from Mopti to Timbuktu by vehicle 4WD through Douentza, sightseeing and lunch en route; arrival, dinner and overnight (Timbuktu). Day 8: Timbuktu - River Expedition. Timbuktu city tour (visit the ancient mosques, the city market, the explorers’ houses, the artisans’ center, the wonderful Hamed Baba centres etc). After visit depart for Mopti by pinasse (traditional boat), meals are served in the pinasse; enjoying a sunset sail on the River, we spend night under tents on the River shore.
Day 9: Continuation of River expedition toward Mopti, sightseeing villages along the river, all the meals are served in the pinasse, enjoying a sunset sail on the River, we spend night under tents on the River shore. Day 10: The End of the River Expedition - Mopti. End of villages’ visit at noon, lunch in the pinasse; arrival in Mopti the time for you to freshen up, dinner and overnight at hotel (Mopti) Day 11: Mopti – Dogon Contry (Sangha). In the morning depart from Mopti to Sangha through Songho, a Dogon village with a circumcision grotto and rock paintings, lunch in Badiangara arrive in Sangha, dinner and overnight at Campement hotel (Sangha). Day 12: Trekking in Dogon Country. Full day visit on foot in Dogon country from Sangha (a remarkable village comprising 10 distinct villages with all their religious beliefs) to the village Banani, lunch and we spend the night with the habitants. Day 13: Sangha - Segou. In the morning, drive to Ségou through San, the Bobos’ capital city where we can take a short visit of the mosque, arrive in Ségou; check into your hotel and overnight (Ségou). Day 14 - 15: Segou - Bamako. In the morning, depart from Ségou to Bamako, Mali’s capital city, arrival; farewell lunch in a typical African restaurant; check into your hotel to freshen up and in the evening transfer to the airport for home departure flight (End of the trip).
Notes: Airfare is not included in the tour price. Price Includes: - Transportation - Guide service - Meals - All the entry fees in the villages - Accommodation. Note: All the hotel rooms are for two persons. Single room on request and it is more expensive.
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.
Home
Quick Tours Search 
Guide: 
