| Duration: | 12 Day(s) - 11 Night(s) |
| Tour Category: | Eco Tours |
DAY 1: ARRIVE IN BAMAKO, MALI
The international flight arrives in Bamako where you will be met, assisted, and transferred to your hotel.
DAY 2: BAMAKO
After breakfast explore this capital city which is situated on the Niger, one of Africa’s great rivers which flow through Mali. The city was founded in 1640 but didn’t really start to grow until the French colonial period began in 1898. Mali is a country of many tribal peoples, each with its own exuberant styles of clothing and jewelry.
There is nowhere better to see this colorful diversity than in the streets and markets of Bamako. Bamako has a large art and craft center where sculptors, weavers, leather workers, jewelers, and metal workers exhibit their wares and skills. Another highlight of your tour is the Grand Marche, or ‘Great Market’, where you can spend hours exploring the hundreds of stalls. From carvings and cassettes to fabrics, beads, brass, and gold, the variety of goods is staggering.
One area of the market is devoted entirely to traditional African medicines. Here you’ll find the freshly shrunken heads of birds, monkeys, and crocodiles along with lizard skins and other gruesome treatments. After the market, visit the national museum that will give you an introduction to the Malian culture and history.
From the museum, we take a walk in the renovated National botanic park. Time permitting, we will visit the recycling market of Bamako where local artisans change old metal for other products.
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 3: BAMAKO - SIKASSO
Drive to visit Sikasso on its weekly market day passing through the rich agricultural lands of southern Mali. Visit local villages and granaries on our way.
In Sikasso, Mali’s breadbasket, we shall see the remnants of the Tata, an ancient palisade that encircled the city and held off the French colonial army. In the Mamelon, the residence of the local kings and the cultural center of the Sénoufo tribe, we shall learn about this brave tribe. Afternoon visits the water cascades of Farako and sees tea farms.
Woroni: This place is located at approx 75 km from Sikasso on the road to Cote d’Ivoire. Going there will require us to spend 2 nights in Sikasso
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 4: SIKASSO - SÉGOU
Today drive to Segou, Mali’s second largest city and former colonial administrative center. Tour the city of Segou. Visit Sekoro, the “old Segou” and former capital of the Bambara kingdom. Observe the tomb of King Biton Coulibaly, the first king. Visit the Ndomo the place where you will learn and practice the process of dying mud clothes. Keep your sample as a souvenir. In the afternoon, cruise to Kalabougou to visit the pottery village. Overnight in Segou.
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast and Dinner
DAY 5: SÉGOU - MOPTI
Drive to Mopti visiting on your way Terekoungo, the sacred well of the Bo people, the fetish house, and the mosque of San. Arrive in Mopti and tour the city known as the Venice of Mali. Visit the port, the place where they dig the canoes, late afternoon experience a sunset sail on the Niger River in a traditional motorized canoe.
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast and Dinner.
DAY 6: DOGON COUNTRY
Start exploring the Dogon Country with its architecture, culture, custom, and beliefs.
Dogon Country is considered to be one of the most extraordinary places on earth. Please note that the road to Dogon Country is rough, dusty, and unpaved. Built up high on the narrow ledges of the cliffs are the villages of the Dogon people. In the 11th century, the Dogons fled the advancing Arabs coming from the north, and found shelter in one of West Africa’s most inhospitable areas. This is such a unique place that the United Nations has declared it a World Heritage site.
We will visit Nando, Niogonon, and Songho and overnight in Bandiagara
Dogon mask dance. Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 7: DOGON COUNTRY
The visit continues in Dogon. Visit villages such as Kani Bonzon, Teli, Ende. After the visit, drive back to Bandiagara overnight.
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
DAY 8: DOGON COUNTRY
We will see another part of the Dogon Country by visiting Dourou, Amani, Tirely, and Sangha. We shall organize a Mask Dance.
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 9: DOGON - DJENNÉ
Breakfast and drive to Koundou. After the visit, drive backward to Djenne
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 10: DJENNE - TERIYABOUGOU
Visit the ancient sister-city of Timbuktu. Observe the magnificent Grand Mosque, the world’s largest mud-brick architecture, and one of UNESCO’s World Heritage sites, the famous Djenne Monday Market, the site where the young virgin has been sacrificed for the prosperity of the city. After the visit drive to Teriyabougou overnight.
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 11: TERIYABOUGOU - BAMAKO
Wake up with the song of the birds. Have breakfast and tour Teriyabugu, a center of Ecotourism. Visit the museum of Father Vesperen, founder of the center. After the visit drives back to Bamako and relax.
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 12: BAMAKO – DEPART
Drive to the Manden Village of Sibi. Visit the Fanfaba grotto, the arc of Kamadjan. Return to Bamako for lunch. In the evening, you will be transferred to the airport for your final departure.
Meal(s) Included: Breakfast
TOUR INCLUDES (with a minimum of 2 travelers)
• Meeting and assistance upon arrival and departure
• Roundtrip airport/hotel transfers
• Hotel accommodation in the indicated properties
• Transportation in a private 4WD vehicle
• Experienced tour guide
• Admission to listed sites including Dogon masque Dance
• Meals indicated
TOUR DOES NOT INCLUDE
• Meals not listed
• Travel Insurance and visa fee
• Gratuity to driver and guide
• Flight tickets
