Festival in the Desert 2009

3 nights camping / 13 nights hotel

17-day expanded tour — features Mali's Festival in the Desert and more !
- fascinating 3-day Dogon country adventure
- full-day sailing excursion on the Niger River
- as well as Timbuktu, Djenne, Mopti and Bamako

Go beyond the basics, and get the most out of your visit to Mali !

05 January 2009: Arrival in Bamako, Mali
International flight arrives in Bamako in the evening; airport to hotel transfer; overnight in Bamako (hotel)

06 January 2009: Bamako - Sevare (B)
Full day's drive to Sevare, with sightseeing en route; overnight in Sevare (hotel)

07 January 2009: Sevare - Timbuktu (B)
6-hour drive across the Sahel, to the legendary city of Timbuktu ! overnight in Timbuktu (hotel)

8, 9, 10 January 2009: Desert Festival days (BLD x3)
2-hour drive to Essakane and enjoy the festivities: music, dancing, sword-play, poetry, arts and crafts, camel races, and more ! overnight camping in Essakane

11 January 2009: Essakane - Timbuktu (B)
Return to Timbuktu; remainder of the day at leisure to relax, or explore this ancient city on your own; overnight in Timbuktu (hotel)

12 January 2009: Timbuktu (B)
City tour of legendary Timbuktu: the ancient mosques and former universities, the museum and archives of ancient Islamic manuscripts, the explorers' houses, the city market and the artisans' center; overnight in Timbuktu (hotel)

13 January 2009: Timbuktu - Mopti (B)
Return drive (6 hours) to Mopti; late afternoon walking tour of Mali's port city on the Niger; see the beautiful Sudanese-style mosque, the fishing port, the bustling local market; overnight in Mopti/Sevare (hotel)

14 January 2009: Niger River (BL)
Full day's sailing excursion on the Niger River; visit Bozo fishing villages and nomadic Fulani camps; observe Mali's varied bird life, and perhaps see hippos in the river ! return to and overnight in Mopti/Sevare (hotel)

15 January 2009: Mopti - Dogon country (BLD)
Drive to Mali's fascinating Dogon country; visit Songo village, renowned for its circumcision grotto with ancient and modern rock paintings; continue to Sangha, comprised of 10 distinct Dogon villages (animist and Islamic); walking tour of Sangha: observe many beautiful examples of the unique Dogon architecture and traditional fetishes; overnight in Sangha (hotel)

16 January 2009: Dogon country (BLD)
Descend the Bandiagara escarpment to visit some of the most beautiful Dogon villages: also see ancient Telem cave dwellings in the cliff face, and visit a sanctuary of sacred crocodiles; witness a spectacular Dogon mask dance, part of the Dogon people mourning ritual; return to and overnight in Sangha (hotel)

17 January 2009: Dogon country (BLD)
Explore Yenduma, and the triple Yuga villages (some hiking required), origin of the Sigi dance; overnight in Sangha (hotel)

18 January 2009: Dogon country - Djenne (BL)
Drive to the southern end of the escarpment, to visit Tely and Ende villages, including a visit to the Hogon, spiritual leader of the Dogon people, in his grotto; onward drive to Djenne, Timbuktu's ancient sister-city; overnight in Djenne (hotel)

19 January 2009: Djenne - Segou (B)
Experience Djenne's colorful weekly market day, with hundred of market stalls spread out before the magnificent Great Mosque, one of Unesco's World Heritage sites; in the afternoon, 3½-hour drive to Segou; overnight in Segou (hotel)

20 January 2009: Segou - Bamako (B)
Visit Segou, Mali's second largest city and former colonial administrative center; stroll through the pottery market along the waterfront; also visit Sekoro villge, former capital of the Bambara kingdom; 3-hour return drive to Bamako; overnight in Bamako (hotel)

21 January 2009: Bamako - final departure (B)
Bamako city tour: panoramic overview of the city from Point G; visit the National Museum, the colorful city market and the artisans' village; in the evening, transfer to the airport for your onward flight home (day-room)

• 13 nights hotel (double occupancy), including breakfast (B)
• day-room in Bamako on the last day
• 3 nights camping at the desert festival site; bring your sleeping bags for the cold desert nights; tents are provided
• all ground transportation by 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
• three days to explore Dogon villages along the Bandiagara escarpment
• all meals in Dogon villages: 3 breakfasts (B), 4 lunches (L), 3 dinners (D), excluding drinks
• traditional Dogon mask dance
• full-day sailing excursion on the Niger River, including box lunch
• camel ride on the dunes
• English-speaking guide for the entire tour
• airport transfers for Bamako arrival and departure (you will need to provide your Bamako arrival/departure flight details)
• all hotel taxes, local tourism taxes and site visit fees, as per itinerary