2008 MALI DESERT FESTIVAL

(13 Day Tour)

DAY 1                                   ARRIVE IN BAMAKO 
Arrive in Bamako, Mali. Transfer from airport to your hotel. Welcome drink and orientation. Dinner and Overnight at your Hotel in Bamako.

DAY 2                                         BAMAKO - DJENNE                                                         
After breakfast, depart for a day excursion to Djenne, Timbuktu’s ancient sister –city and one of UNESCO’s World Heritage sites, it is also referred to as the Jewel of the Niger River. Visit the world’s largest mud brick mosque. Have dinner and overnight at encampment in Djenne.

DAY 3                                  DJENNE – DOGON COUNTRY 
After breakfast, depart to continue the city excursion. Visit the Monday Market day, when Djenne is at the colorful best; try your bargaining skills here as you make purchases. In the afternoon drive to Dogon country. Have dinner and overnight at encampment in Sangha.

DAY 4             DOGON COUNTRY - MOPTI
After breakfast depart Sangha, and descend the Bandiagara escarpment, known to be the largest city and acts as a link between the plateau and the cliffs, have a visit to the Dogon village along the cliff; witness a spectacular Dogon Mask dance, performed in one of the villages; after which depart for Mopti for dinner and overnight in hotel.

DAY 5                                         MOPTI - TIMBUKTU
After an early breakfast, check out and transfer to airport to catch your flight to reach the legendary city of Timbuktu, most commonly referred to as the “Rome of the Sudan”, the “Athens of Africa”. This city stands as the most prestigious in humanity’s history. Timbuktu still serves as the gateway to the Sahara Desert much as it has done since the 11 th century. Upon arrival check into your hotel, and spend the rest of the day at leisure. Dinner and overnight in Timbuktu.

DAY 6                             DAY AT LEISURE IN TIMBUKTU
After breakfast, spend the rest of the day at leisure; or try your hands at a little bargaining with any of the local vendors. Dinner and overnight in Timbuktu.

DAY 7 - 9 DESERT FESTIVAL (ESSAKANE)
For the next three days spend them participating in the festival festivities: music, dance, poetry, arts and works, camel races and others. Dinner and overnight in private tents in the desert.

DAY 10                            TIMBUKTU – MOPTI CITY TOUR
After a very early breakfast at Essakane drive back to Timbuktu, and catch the short early morning flight from Timbuktu to Mopti. After your flight, check in to your hotel. Embark on a city of Mopti which includes its bustling harbor where you will find large wooden pinasses with canvas covers and colorful flags waving in the breeze. Moptis Grande Marche, Petit Marche and fish markets are all worth exploring. You will find variety of items including earthenware pottery and calabash products. Again visit the Grande mosque and old town with its narrow pedestrian streets and gray banco houses. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Mopti.

DAY 11                   MOPTI – TERIYA-BUGU - SEGOU
After breakfast depart Mopti for drive to Teriya-Bugu. Here you will find an oasis in the middle of the Bush surrounded by eucalyptus, orchards and fisheries. Some of the activities that can be found on the grounds include badminton, pedallo, a walk through the Arboretum, after lunch at the restaurant on the grounds. Depart for Segou, check in, and prepare for dinner and overnight.

DAY 12                 SEGOU - BAMAKO
After breakfast you will depart for Bamako where you will visit the national museum, have an overview of Bamako from Point G, the craft center, the colorful market, where you will be given the chance to try your hand at some bargaining skills. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 13                     DAY AT LEISURE / DEPARTURE
After being served with breakfast this morning, spend the rest of the day at leisure in preparation towards your journey back home. Transfer to airport for departure formalities.

** Please note: Landtours Ghana Ltd. is not an organizer of the Mali Desert Festival, and is not responsible for any possible changes in dates, venue, or entry fee. We will inform our registered participants of changes, if any, as they occur. We reserve the right to modify the tour itinerary if 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.