2008 NIGER RIVER FESTIVAL TOUR.
(11 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 – MOPTI
After breakfast check out and depart your hotel for a scenic drive through the Malian capital city, Bamako to Mopti otherwise known as “The Venice of Mali”. Enjoy a sunset sail on the Niger River using a pinasse (traditional boat).  Return to hotel in Mopti for dinner and overnight.

DAY 3                            DAY TRIP TO 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 Monday Market day, when Djenne is at the colourful best; see the world’s largest mud brick mosque. After lunch return to Mopti. Have dinner and overnight at hotel in Mopti.

DAY 4                       MOPTI – DOGON COUNTRY
After breakfast depart for a city tour of Mopti, the Venice of Mali: see the fascinating mix of Malian cultures: Bambara, Bobo, Bozo, Dogon, Fulani, Tuareg, the fishing port and the bustling market, where you can shop fro gold or silver jewelry, Tuareg, leatherwork, or Fulani blankets of cotton or wool. After lunch, depart for Dogon country; visit Songo village, renowned for its circumcision grotto with rock paintings; continue to Sangha and enjoy a walking tour of this large collection of 13 small dogon villages. After a long day excursion return to Sangha for dinner and overnight.

DAY 5                       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, yhave a visit to the Dogon village along the cliff; witness a spectacular Dogon Mask dance, performed in one of the villages; which depart for Mopti for dinner and overnight.

DAY 6                    SEGOU / NIGER RIVER FESTIVAL
After breakfast, depart for a drive to Segou, Mali’s second largest city and former Colonial center; check into your hotel, then enjoy the Festival opening ceremonies and the evening activities (Concert, story – telling, traditional dances); dinner and overnight at hotel in Segou.

DAY 7 to 9          NIGER RIVER FESTIVAL
After breakfast, depart for a drive to take part in a full day of activities at the River Festival activities: speakers, demonstrations, expositions, music and traditional dance. Return back to hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 10               NIGER RIVER FESTIVAL - BAMAKO
Check out after breakfast for an excursion to the nearby cultural sites: Kalabougou - the Pottery village and Sekoro - the old Segou (former Capital of the Bamako kingdom). Make a return visit to catch the closing ceremonies for the river festival activities. Take a drive to Bamako, where you will check into your hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 11                                  DEPARTURE
Depart for a city tour of Bamako which includes the National Museum, Maison des Artisans (Handcrafts Centre); in the evening, transfer to the airport for your final departure back home.