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10-day tour featuring Mali's Festival in the Desert,
plus Timbuktu, Djenne and Dogon country
The highlights of Mali !

NB: this is a group tour

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02 January 2011: Arrival in Bamako, MALI

International flight arrives in Bamako in the evening (hotel check-in 2:00 PM or later); airport to hotel transfer; overnight in Bamako (hotel)

03 January 2011: Bamako - Dogon Country (695 km; ~8hrs)

Begin your tour with a full day's drive through the heartland of Mali, to fascinating Dogon country; sightseeing en-route; overnight in Bandiagara/Sevare (hotel)

with Breakfast

04 January 2011: Dogon country - Sevare (120 km; ~2hrs)

Visit Dogon villages along the Bandiagara escarpment: Banani, Amani and Tireli, where you will witness a traditional Dogon mask dance; this spectacular ceremony is an authentic representation of one of the Dogon people's funerary rites; return to Sevare for overnight (hotel)

with Breakfast

05 January 2011: Sevare - Timbuktu (540 km; ~6hrs)

Interesting drive across the Sahel, to the legendary city of Timbuktu, gateway to the great Sahara Desert ! overnight in Timbuktu (hotel)

with Breakfast

06, 07, 08 January 2011: Desert Festival days

City tour of Timbuktu: visit the old mosques and former universities, the museum and the Ahmed Baba Institute's archives of ancient Islamic manuscripts, the explorers' houses, and the city market which receives the azalaïs, the salt caravans from the desert — historically, salt from the north was traded for gold and slaves from the south; then onward drive (~2 hrs) to Essakane and enjoy the three days of festivities: music at night, and during the daylight hours more music, dancing, sword-play, poetry, arts and crafts, camel races, and more ! overnight camping in Essakane

with Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner on the three festival days

09 January 2011: Essakane - Timbuktu - Mopti/Sevare

Return to Timbuktu, and continue across the Sahel to Mopti/Sevare; overnight in Mopti/Sevare (hotel)

with Breakfast

10 January 2011: Sevare - Djenne (570 km; ~7hrs)

Onward to Djenne, Timbuktu's ancient sister-city; experience Djenne's colorful weekly market—see hundreds of market stalls spread out before the magnificent Great Mosque; originally constructed in the XIIIth century, this is the world's largest mud brick architecture and one of Unesco's World Heritage sites; overnight in Djenne (hotel)

with Breakfast

11 January 2011: Djenne - Bamako / final departure (570 km; ~7hrs)

Return drive to Bamako; check into day-room to freshen up; transfer to the airport for your onward flight home (day-room)

with Breakfast

• 6 nights hotel (double occ.), including breakfast (B); check-in 2:00 PM, check-out 12:00 noon
• day-room in Bamako on the last day; check-out 6:00 PM
• 3 nights camping at the desert festival site; bring your sleeping bags for the cold desert nights; tents are provided
• all ground transportation by private 4x4 vehicle
• festival entry pass (priced separately, but included in tour package)
• all meals during the festival, prepared on-site: 3 breakfasts (B), 3 lunches (L), 3 dinners (D)
• bottled mineral water (3 liters/day/person) at the festival site
• traditional Dogon mask dance in a village
• experienced, English-speaking guide throughout
• airport transfers for Bamako arrival and departure
• all hotel taxes and local tourism taxes
• all site visit and entry fees, as per tour program

Please Know That:

since it is not included in the rate. AFTours can handle your international air reservations or ticketing...
add Your Request in the 'Enquiry Form' in the menu on your left.

Tour does not include:

>> international airfare to/from Bamako... apart that you do the reservation by AFTours

>> Mali visas

>> non-specified meals

>> drinks/bottled water

>> tips

>> personal expenses

>> sleeping bags

Mali's entry requirements:

1) tourism visa

2) Yellow Fever immunization

Malaria prophylaxis is recommended; consult your physician.

Festival tour requirements:

1) a sleeping bag

2) soft luggage, such as a duffel bag; hard suitcases are not appropriate

3) summer clothing for days; a warm outfit for the desert nights; see our Travel Tips page for a suggested packing list.

Please note:

AFTours is not an organizer of the Festival in the Desert, and is not responsible for any possible changes in dates or festival entry fee. We will inform our registered participants of changes, if any, as they occur. We reserve the right to modify the tour itinerary as and if it becomes necessary in our judgment to do so. If an itinerary change becomes necessary, we will offer and provide a comparable tour itinerary, within the constraints imposed by local conditions. Registered participants will be able to opt out at this time.

Here end's the: 13-day MALI Desert-Fastival Intro ...Make your booking now