Mali · Burkina Faso · Niger

Day 1 Thursday: Arrival in Bamako, MALI

International flight arrives in Bamako in the evening; airport-to-hotel transfer; overnight in Bamako (Grand Hotel, or similar)

Day 2 Friday: Bamako

Leisurely first day in West Africa, to adjust the time change and climate difference; city tour of Bamako: begin with a panoramic overview of this sprawling city from Point G; then visit the National Museum, the city market, the artisans' village, and the fetish market for traditional medicine; overnight in Bamako (Grand Hotel, or similar)

Day 3 Saturday: Bamako - Timbuktu

Transfer to the airport for the early morning flight to the legendary city of Timbuktu, gateway to the Sahara Desert; city tour of Timbuktu: 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 — historically salt from the north was exchanged for gold and slaves from the south; in the afternoon, excursion into the great Sahara Desert by camel caravan to visit a Tuareg camp; the Tuareg people are known as the Blue Men of the Desert, for the blue tinge on the skin from their indigo-dyed robes; return to Timbuktu for overnight (Hotel Hendrina Khan, or similar)

Day 4 Sunday: Timbuktu - Mopti

Airport transfer for the early morning flight to Mopti, the Venice of Mali, nestled between the waters of the Niger and the Bani rivers; Mopti city tour: see the beautiful Sudanese-style 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 relaxing sunset sail on the Niger River in a traditional pirogue; overnight in Mopti (Hotel Kanaga, or similar)

Day 5 Monday: Mopti - Djenne (130 km; ~1½hr) - Dogon country (230 km; ~3½hrs)

Excursion to Djenne, historic sister-city of Timbuktu, on its weekly market day, when Djenne is at its colorful best; stroll around the market stalls, spread out before the magnificent Great Mosque — originally constructed in the XIIIth century, it is the world's largest mud brick architecture and one of Unesco's World Heritage sites; in the afternoon, onward drive to Dogon country; overnight in Sangha (Hotel Campement Guina, or similar)

Day 6 Tuesday: Dogon country

Full day in Mali's fascinating Dogon country; explore magnificent villages clinging to the walls of the Bandiagara cliff, and see many examples of the unique traditional architecture and fetishes; visit Dogon seers, and perhaps witness a divination ceremony; overnight in Sangha (Hotel Campement Guina, or similar)

Day 7 Wednesday: Dogon country

Continue visiting Dogon villages, including Songo village, renowned for its rock paintings and circumcision grotto; this is the site of traditional circumcision ceremonies, held every three years for all Dogon boys aged 9-14 years; observe the old (and new) rock paintings in the grotto, these are historical representations of noble Dogon families; overnight in Bandiagara (Hotel La Falaise, or similar)

Day 8 Thursday: Dogon country - Ouagadougou, BURKINA FASO (365 km; ~5hrs)

Depart Dogon country, driving through picturesque villages and cross into Burkina Faso; arrive in Ouagadougou; overnight in Ouagadougou (Hotel Silmande, or similar)

Day 9 Friday: Ouagadougou

Full day to explore Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso's capital city; start with a visit to the Moro Naba's palace, and on to the Grand Market and the National Museum, with its interesting collection of regional clothing, masks, household utensils and ancestral statues; visit the Musee de la Musique, and the crafts markets at the Artisans' Center, where you will find basketry, batik fabrics, wooden statues and masks, jewelry, leatherwork and bronze castings; overnight in Ouagadougou (Hotel Silmande, or similar)

Day 10 Saturday: Ouagadougou / Tiebele (180 km; ~2hrs) - Ouagadougou

In the morning, visit the Parc Urbain Bangr-Weoogo; afternoon excursion to Tiebele village, in Burkina's Gourounsi country; visit magnificent fortress-like houses and compounds, colorfully painted with traditional motifs; return to and overnight in Ouagadougou (Hotel Silmande, or similar)

Day 11 Sunday: Ouagadougou - Niamey, NIGER (500 km; ~6hrs)

After breakfast, depart Burkina Faso for Niger; observe the Sahelian countryside and rural villages; lunch in Fada N'Gourma; overnight in Niamey (Grand Hotel, or similar)

Day 12 Monday: Parc National du W (150 km one-way; ~2½hrs)

(Nov-April) Excursion to the Tapoa Reserve, in the Niger portion of the Parc National du W; game drive in the park — perhaps see elephants, buffalo, antelope, wild boars, monkeys and many species of birds; return to Niamey for overnight (Grand Hotel, or similar)

Day 13 Tuesday: Niamey - final departure

City tour of Niamey, including the National Museum, the large city market, and the artisans' village Wadata; in the evening, transfer to the airport for your final departure