Discover Mali 15 Days

Excursion in Bamako

Languages: English

15 Days: Bamako, Mali - Segou - Mopti - Sail the Niger River. Visit Timbuktu - Sahara Desert - Djenne - Dogon and other cities of Mali.

DAY 1 - ARRIVE BAMAKO, MALI

International flight arrives in Bamako, airport-to-hotel transfer; overnight in Bamako.

DAY 2 - BAMAKO - SEGOU

Breakfast, then drive to Segou, Mali's second largest city and former colonial administrative center; admire the beautiful Sudanese-style colonial architecture, visit the port, the pottery market, traditional weavers and other artisans; visit Sekoro village, former capital of the Bambara kingdom; see the tomb of King Biton Coulibaly; overnight in Segou. (B)

DAY 3 - SEGOU - MOPTI

Drive to Mopti, also known as the Venice of Mali, for its location between the Bani and the Niger rivers; visit Mopti: the Komoguel mosque, the fishing port (see pirogues being made), and the bustling market where many of Mali's ethnic groups come to trade: Bambara, Bobo, Bozo, Dogon, Fulani, Tuareg and Songhay; overnight in Mopti. (B)

DAY 4 & 5 - SAIL THE NIGER RIVER

Begin sailing down the mighty Niger River to Timbuktu; visit Bozo fishermen's villages and nomadic Fulani camps along the way; you will also see Mali's varied birdlife along the shore, and very likely see hippos in the river; meals and overnight camping on the riverbank (B,L,D)

DAY 6 - NIGER RIVER - TIMBUKTU

Final day of sailing to take in the sights and sounds of the Niger, and arrive in Timbuktu by day's end; transfer from the port to your hotel; overnight in Timbuktu (B,L,D)

DAY 7 - TIMBUKTU - SAHARA DESERT

Visit the legendary city of Timbuktu, gateway to the Sahara Desert: see the ancient mosques and former universities, the museum, the explorers' houses, and the market which receives the azalaïs, the salt caravans from the desert; in the afternoon, depart on your camel caravan into the desert to visit a Tuareg camp; the Tuareg people are known as the Princes of the desert; dinner and overnight camping on the dunes of the Sahara with your Tuareg hosts (B,L,D)

DAY 8 - SAHARA DESERT - TIMBUKTU

Return to Timbuktu; remainder of the day free to relax, or visit the artisans' center; overnight in Timbuktu (B, L)

DAY 9 - TIMBUKTU - MOPTI

Drive across the Sahel to Mopti; overnight in Mopti (B,L)

DAY 10 - MOPTI - DJENNE

Drive to Djenne, Timbuktu's ancient sister-city on the Niger; visit Djenne on its weekly market day, when Djenne is at its colorful best; see the magnificent Grand Mosque, the largest mud brick architecture in the world and one of UNESCO's World Heritage sites; overnight in Djenne (B)

DAY 11 - DJENNE - DOGON

Continue to Mali's fascinating Dogon country (B,L,D) Overnight in Bandiagara.

DAY 12 - DOGON COUNTRY

Visit Songo village, renowned for its rock paintings and circumcision grotto; continue to Sangha, comprised of several distinct Animist and Islamic villages. Overnight in Sangha (B,L,D)

DAY 13 - DOGON COUNTRY

Visit Dogon villages along the Bandiagara escarpment; see many examples of the typical Dogon architecture, and ancient Tellem cave dwellings in the cliff; overnight camping in a Dogon village. Continue exploring magnificent Dogon villages, and by day's end, return up the escarpment to Sangha; overnight in Sangha. (B,L,D)

DAY 14 - DOGON COUNTRY - BAMAKO

Return to Bamako stopping at points of interest en route. Overnight in Bamako (B,L)

DAY 15 - BAMAKO & FINAL DEPARTURE

Bamako city tour: visit the National Museum, the city market, and the artisans' village; in the evening, transfer to the airport for your final departure (B)

TOUR INCLUDES:

• 14 nights accommodation
• day-room in Bamako on day 15
• Meals indicated by B,L, D
• Transportation in private vehicle
• full day's excursion on the Niger River by private river boat (with outboard motor, fuel and crew)
• full day's excursion by 4x4 vehicle into the Sahara Desert to visit the Tuareg people (including desert guide)
• camel ride on the sand dunes
• experienced English-speaking guide throughout
• airport transfers upon arrival and departure in Bamako
• all hotel taxes and local tourism taxes
• All site visits and entry fees

Not Included: International flight to Mali, travel insurance, visa fees, gratuities

Additional information