15-DAY TOUR: Bamako - Djenne - Mopti - Dogon Country - Timbuktu - 3-Day Niger River Boat Tour - Segou

15 Days, 14 Nights
Day 1: Welcome
Arrive at Bamako Airport; welcome and transportation to hotel; program briefing.
Day 2: Bamako - Djenne
Leave for Djenne by 4X4. Lunch at San, town of the Bobo people. Arrive in Djenne in the afternoon; check-in at hotel; take photos of the world's largest mud mosque in the afternoon light. Dinner at Chez Baba Restaurant.
Day 3: Djenne & Mopti
Tour of Djenne and its unique architecture, tomb of Tapama, museum, Koranic school, old town of Djenne Djeno, one of the first big cities in West Africa. Depart for Mopti; check-in and lunch at Restaurant Bozo; relax by the hotel pool. We finish the day at Mopti's lively port scene where venders from everywhere converge to sell their wares. What a spectacle! Watch the sunset over the river & eat dinner at the hotel for a peaceful night!
Day 4: Mopti
Mopti means "meeting," and all of Mali's ethnic groups are here at the 'Venice of Mali' and intersection of two vital African rivers. See the grand mosque, old city, spice market - a magnificent shock of African color! Lunch and siesta. Then take a short boat ride, visiting small Bozo fishing villages and Peulh cattle herders. Watch the sunset on the Niger, dinner and a peaceful sleep!
Day 5: Mopti - Dogon Country
Drive by 4x4 to Dogon Country - Bandiagara, Sangha or Djiguibombo. Begin trek on escarpment and plateau. Visit authentic Dogon villages, meet local people, lunch at one of the villages. Rest in the afternoon & spend the night in a charming campment either in a room or on the terrace under the stars!
Day 6: Dogon Country
Trekking in the a.m. Visit a guinna where the eldest villager lives; meet the hogon village chief and visit a toguna, the traditional Dogon meeting house where all laws and community decisions are made. Lunch at one of the villages. In the afternoon, voluntary planting of trees to help fight desertification (Mali Experience Tours will give each volunteer a tree to plant). Spend the night either at Sangha Hotel or Bandiagara Hotel, depending on where your trek began.
Day 7: Dogon Country - Timbuktu
Head for Timbuktu in 4x4 with a short stop in Douentza to stretch. We will have the opportunity to observe the superb countryside and stop for a picnic lunch in the shade. Arrive in the early afternoon, check-in at hotel, free afternoon. Dinner at Restaurant Hendrina Khan.
Day 8: Timbuktu
Visit Timbuktu the Mysterious, town of 333 Saints, situated at the door of the Sahara Desert. See the museum of explorers, big museum, mosque of Djingueray Berre, Sankore Koranic University and Ahmed Baba Library where ancient manuscripts are on display. Afternoon camel ride to visit Tuareg camps. Watch the sunset on the dunes; dinner and a peaceful night!
Day 9: Timbuktu & Niger River Trip
Embark on a 3-day river trip by wooden pinasse, navigating the Niger River, Mali's cherished lifeline. Visit camps of Bozo fishermen, Peulh cattlemen, and Sarakole farmers - spectacular! Your cook will prepare a lunch fresh from the fishermen. At sunset, we set up tents on the beach and eat dinner. Mali Experience Tours can supply fishing rods for those who want to go fishing on the river. Or spend your evening on the river banks under the stars!
Day 10: River Trip
Continue the river tour, stopping occasionally for visits; set up camp and spend the night under the tents on the edge of Lake Debo.
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Prices do not include: International airfare, bottled water or other beverages, mask dances, tips.
Day 11: River Trip
Continue the river tour; visit Kotaga and its beautiful mosque where you may even visit the inside as they accept all visitors; in the afternoon, arrive in Mopti. Eat dinner at the hotel, go for a swim in the pool and have a peaceful night!
Day 12: Mopti - Segou
Breakfast; depart for Mopti, passing by San and reaching Segou around noon. Check in at the hotel, eat lunch, enjoy the swimming pool and have a free afternoon. Dinner at Restaurant Poulet D'Or.
Day 13: Segou
Visit Segou, ancient capital of the Bambara kingdom. See the port, Kalabougou pottery, spice market, colonial quarter featuring Sudanese architecture, artists cooperative where you can learn the art of bogolan (mud cloth dye). Eat lunch and siesta. Meet for dinner & a peaceful sleep!
Day 14: Segou - Bamako
Depart for Bamako, Mali's capital. Arrive and check in, eat lunch and take a rest. In the afternoon, see the city, visit the national museum, have dinner and relax for a restful evening.
Day 15: Bamako Tour & Farewell
Visit Maison des Artisans and Marche Rose, have lunch at Santoro, and we finish the tour at the crafts market where you can buy last-minute souvenirs and gifts; in the evening, transportation to the airport and farewell. Mali Experience Tours wishes you a safe trip and pleasant memories of Mali!
African Travel & Tours
Mali Experience Tours
African Travel & Eco-Tours
B.P. 55
Mopti, Mali
tel/fax: +223 2143 1409
cell: +223 7621 3283
email: info@maliexperience.com
Copyright © 2007-2012 Mali Experience Tours/All Rights Reserved
Mali Experience Tours
© Patricia Lanza
© Patricia Lanza
© Patricia Lanza