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7 nights hotel - Mali's basic sites, plus Timbuktu by air

ITINERARY

D1 Friday: Arrival in Bamako, Mali
International flight arrives in Bamako in the evening; airport to hotel transfer; overnight in Bamako (Grand Hotel, or similar)

D2 Saturday: Bamako - Timbuktu
Transfer to the airport for early morning flight to the legendary city of Timbuktu, gateway to the Sahara Desert; city tour: see the old mosques (built in the 14^th century) and former universities, the museum and the Ahmed Baba Institute archives of scholarly Islamic manuscripts, the explorers' houses, the city market which receives the azalaïs, the salt caravans from the desert; in the afternoon, excursion into the Sahara Desert by camel caravan to visit a Tuareg camp; enjoy tea on the dunes with your Tuareg hosts, the Princes of the Desert; return to and overnight in Timbuktu (Hotel Hendrina Khan, or similar) - with Breakfast
NB: due to security concerns we do not go deep into the desert.

D3 Sunday: Timbuktu - Mopti
Airport transfer for morning flight to Mopti, the Venice of Mali, nestled between the Niger and the Bani rivers; Mopti city tour: see the beautiful mosque, the fishing port, and the bustling market where many of Mali's cultural groups can be seen: Bambara, Bobo, Bozo, Dogon, Fulani, Tuareg and Songhay; enjoy a sunset sail on the Niger River in a traditional pirogue; overnight in Mopti (Hotel Kanaga, or similar) - with Breakfast

D4 Monday: Mopti - Djenne (130 km; ~1½hr) - Mopti / Niger River
Excursion to Djenne on its weekly market day, when Djenne is at its colorful best; stroll around the market stalls, spread out before the magnificent Great Mosque, the world's largest mud brick architecture and one of Unesco's World Heritage sites; return to Mopti overnight (Hotel Kanaga, or similar) - with Breakfast

D5 Tuesday: Dogon country (120 km; ~2hr) - Mopti
Day-trip to Mali's fascinating Dogon country; explore magnificent villages along the Bandiagara cliff, and see many examples of the unique traditional architecture and fetishes; option to witness a spectacular traditional Dogon mask dance; return to Mopti for overnight (Hotel Kanaga, or similar) - with Breakfast

D6 Wednesday: Mopti - Segou (405 km; ~4½hrs)
Visit the Farafina Tigne boutique and bead museum in Sevare; beautiful hand-made local jewelry is available for purchase; onward drive to Segou, with sightseeing en-route; in Segou, enjoy a sunset stroll along the banks of the Bani River, as you browse through the pottery market; overnight in Segou (Hotel Independance, or similar) - with Breakfast

D7 Thursday: Segou - Bamako (235 km; ~3hrs)
City tour of Segou, Mali's colonial administrative center; also visit Sekoro village, the "old Segou" and former capital of the Bambara kingdom; see the tomb of King Biton Coulibaly; return drive to Bamako; overnight in Bamako (Grand Hotel, or similar) - with Breakfast

D8 Friday: Bamako - final departure
Bamako city tour: visit the National Museum, the city market, the artisans' village, the fetish market for traditional medicine; in the evening, transfer to the airport for your final departure - with Breakfast

1 km ~ 0.6 mile; driving times are approximate, depending on local conditions and stops

NB: Hotels subject to availability.

NB: Domestic flights to/from Timbuktu are contingent upon availability. If flights are not available, overland transportation to/from Timbuktu may be provided; this will require modifying the itinerary and omitting some visits, due to time constraints.

The baggage allowance on domestic flights is 20 kg/passenger, plus one piece of hand-luggage maximum 5 kg. (1 kg = 2.2 pounds)

Tour includes the following:

• 7 nights hotels, double occupancy, with breakfast (B)
• day-room in Bamako on Day 8
• private ground transportation by air-conditioned 4x4 vehicle, with driver and fuel
• scheduled airfare Bamako-Timbuktu and Timbuktu-Mopti; flights subject to availability
• excursion into the Sahara Desert by camel caravan to visit a Tuareg camp on the dunes
• sunset sail on the Niger River
• experienced English-speaking guide throughout
• airport transfers upon arrival and departure in Bamako
• all hotel taxes and local tourism taxes
• all touring, excursion and village entry fees, as per tour program

Tour package does not include: international airfare to/from Bamako; Mali visas; non-specified meals, drinks/bottled water; tips, optional Dogon mask dance, and personal expenses.

Optional: traditional Dogon mask dance in a village

NB: Posted itineraries are subject to change, and quoted prices are accordingly subject to change; itineraries and prices are locked-in when a tour is booked.