Day 1 PARIS
-BAMAKO
On the regularly
scheduled (commercial airline) Transfer from air port to town, overnight
in hotel kempinski****
Day 2. BAMAKO- SÉGOU (235 KM)
In the morning we will visit the city of
Bamako, which contain an interesting mix of colonial buildings and some of the
typical, colourful markets in West Africa. Visit to the museum
the market. Lunch
and departure for Ségou. On the banks of the Niger River which has preserved much of its charm over
the centuries and was, for long periods of its history, the chosen residence of
the Bambara emperors. Overnight in hotel**
Day 3 SÉGOU-MOPTI (420 km)
Departure in the morning towards Mopti (
known as the Venice of Mali due its numerous waterways, The route takes us
through a wild beautiful African landscape dotted with giant baobab trees and
thorny bushes. Brief stop to admire the San Mosque and several Bambara and Bobo
villages Arrival mid afternoon Overnight in hotel kanaga***
Day 4 MOPTI-DJENNÉ-MOPTI (260 KM)
Departure towards the weekly market at
Djenné, a perfect opportunity to witness the wide variety of ethnic group who
live along the Niger River valley. This is also a good time to admire the
remarkable adobe forms of the so-called Sudanese architecture. Return to Mopti
in the afternoon. Overnight in hotel.
Days 5, 6 & 7. DOGON COUNTRY
Departure in
the morning by road to the Bandiagara Escarpment. During the next three days, we will go on a trek
around several of the villages built into the escarpment. You will be given the
opportunity to appreciate the enormous skill of the Dogon people and their
vibrant artistic expression: Masks, ritual figures and carved doors. Overnight in a typical house in the village or in a tent.
Return to Mopti on the banks of the Niger River
mid-morning on Day 7. Overnight in hotel kanaga***
Days 8, 9 & 10. MOPTI-NIGER
RIVER:
Trip in a traditional
covered-top pinasse boat (equipped with outboard motor). During the next three
days, you will discover the rich variety of peoples who inhabit the curve of
the Niger River: Bozo fishermen, Peul farmers
and the Touareg. We will spend two nights camping in the open (in igloo-type
tents), and in the afternoon of Day 10 we will reach the mythical city of Timbuktu. Overnight in hotel Colombe*
Day 11. TIMBUKTU.
Visit to the museum, the famous Djingareiber
Mosque and houses of the explorers. In the afternoon, Sahara desert camel trek
to visit a typical Touareg camp near Timbuktu.
Overnight in hotel colombe*
Day 12. TIMBUKTU-MOPTI (457 KM)
Departure in the morning to Mopti, passing
through the beautiful dune filled landscape of the Sahara,
scattered about with cactuses, solitary bushes and with cactuses, solitary
bushes and several villages of the Touareg). This visitor an idea of the
complex social organisations of the Touareg and Belas nomads Arrival late afternoon. Overnight in hotel kanaga***
Day 13. MOPTI
In the morning, we will visit canal laced
Mopti. This spectacular river port, set against the backdrop of majestic red
mud-brick Sudanese buildings, evokes the memory of the glorious 14th and 15th
century Mandingo empires, famous for their thriving trade between Timbuktu and Djenné. Visit
to the old Taikiri neighbourhood, the Sougouni market and the afternoon, we
will visit the craft market and stop off in a typical Bozo bar to and stop off
in a typical Bozo bar to observe the bustling life of the river port. Overnight in hotel kanaga***
Day 14 MOPTI- SÉGOU
Morning free to make last-minute purchases and departure to Ségou. Arrival late afternoon. Overnight in hôtel Auberge*
Day 15. SEGOU- BAMAKO-DEPARTURE (675 KM)
Departure in the morning towards Bamako. . Arrival in Bamako
and afternoon free. Lunch, visit museum artisanal market Evening
transfer to the airport