Explore Mali 10 Days

Excursion in Bamako

Languages: English

Starting from Bamako, Mali, you will get unexpectable feelings exploring Mali for days. I bet you have never seen so much cities of Mali such as Bamako, Timbuktu, Mopti, Djenne, Dogon, Segou, Sikasso, ets.

DAY 1 - Friday - ARRIVE BAMAKO, MALI

International flight arrives in Bamako in the evening, airport-to-hotel transfer; Overnight in Bamako at Grand hotel (B)

DAY 2 - Saturday - TIMBUKTU

This morning take an early flight to legendary Timbuktu. Located near the River Niger, and at the terminus of the great trans-Saharan caravan route, Timbuktu became fabulously wealthy in the 16th century. Loaded with blocks of salt and other trade goods, huge convoys of camels would spend weeks crossing the unforgiving Sahara to reach Timbuktu. It was here that they would trade salt, pound-for-pound, with African merchants bringing gold and ivory along the Niger from the heart of Africa. Wander the dusty streets of Timbuktu, admiring such magnificent mud-brick structures as the Djinguiraiber Mosque, the Mosque of Sankore, and the Palace of Bouctou. See the houses of the various 19th century European explorers who used Timbuktu as a base. Overnight at Hendrina Khan Hotel or similar. (B)

DAY 3 - Sunday - MOPTI

This morning you leave a place whose name is synonymous with somewhere unreachable, "Timbuktu", and fly to Mopti. Mopti city tour (you will see the fascinating mix of Malian cultures: Bambara, Bobo, Bozo, Dogon, Fulani, Tuareg, Songhaï and Hausa): visit the beautiful mosque, the fishing port and the bustling market, where you can shop for gold or silver jewelry, Tuareg leatherwork, or Fulani blankets of cotton or wool. Overnight at Kanaga Hotel or similar. (B)

DAY 4 - Monday - 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 at hotel Campement. (B)

DAY 5 - Tuesday - DJENNE - DOGON

Continue to Mali's fascinating Dogon country Overnight at hotel Guina (B, L, D)

DAY 6 - Wednesday - DOGON COUNTRY

Visit Songo village, renowned for its rock paintings and circumcision grotto; continue to Sangha, comprised of 10 distinct animist and Islamic villages, in peaceful coexistence; walking tour of Sangha; Overnight in Sangha at Hotel Guina (B,L,D)

DAY 7 - Thursday - 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; Continue exploring magnificent Dogon villages, and by day's end, return Bandiagara. Overnight at hotel Cheval Blanc (B,L,D)

DAY 8 - Friday - DOGON - 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 at hotel Independence (B)

DAY 9 - Saturday - SEGOU - SIKASSO/ BAMAKO

Drive to Sikasso, in Mali's green belt; visit Sikasso: see the Mamelon (residence of the former kings of Sikasso), the Tata (remnants of a large palisade that encircled the city and for a time held off the French colonial army). Return to Bamako. Overnight at Hotel Grand (B)

DAY 10 - Sunday - BAMAKO - FINAL DEPARTURE

Tour Bamako: panoramic overview of the city from Point G; 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:

• Accommodations in properties listed
• meals indicated by B,L, D
• Private ground transportation
• Flights within Africa
  
• experienced English-speaking guide throughout
• airport transfers upon arrival and departure
• 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