Festival au Desert 2011

The 2010 Festival in the Desert was fabulous — (and no security problems)

Join us in January 2011 — Rendezvous: Festival au Désert !

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The Festival in the Desert
(le Festival au Dιsert) is a Tuareg culture festival featuring traditional Tuareg music and world music,
to be held on 6, 7, 8 January 2011 in Essakane,
near Timbuktu, in the Sahara Desert.

The Festival in the Desert is a unique event modeled on traditional gatherings and celebrations of the nomadic Tuareg people, the "Blue Men of the Desert."

It is an opportunity to meet the Tuareg people hosting and attending the festival; the day-time festivities include traditional Tuareg music, singing, dancing, poetry, ritual swordplay, camel races and artisans' exhibits. The on-stage world-music concerts are held at night, with the lights and sound system powered by electrical generators.



Desert Festival Logistics


The 2011 edition of the Festival in the Desert will be held
in the desert oasis Essakane, 65 kilometers from Timbuktu.

Travel transportation is by 4x4 vehicles.

Accommodations consist of Tuareg tents and ground mats
(NB: there are no hotels); hot meals are prepared on-site.

There is no running water, but latrines and bucket-showers
are available.

Desert temperatures in January are hot during the day
(~35 C / 100 F), but quite cold at night (~5 C / 40 F) —
travellers must bring sleeping bags !



This is not a luxury holiday, but a unique cultural
travel experience that requires adapting
to local conditions.




Photos ©tOine.behind

10-day Express basic tour - click for itinerary 02–11 January 2011 6 nights hotel / 3 nights camping 3 full days at the Festival in the Desert 1 night in Timbuktu, with city tour Djenne city tour on colorful market day visit Dogon villages witness a traditional Dogon mask dance sfdsfdsdfsdfsfsfsfdsdfsgdgdgfdg

13-day Full basic tour - click for itinerary 01–13 January 2011 9 nights hotel / 3 nights camping 3 full days at the Festival in the Desert 1 day / 2 nights in Timbuktu; with city tour Djenne city tour on colorful market day visit Dogon villages witness a traditional Dogon mask dance Mopti city tour sunset sail on the Niger River city tour of Segou, Mali's colonial capital Bamako city tour, including the National Museum, city market and artisans' village sfdsfdsdfsdfsfsfsfdsdfsgdgdgfdg

15-day Sailing/camping Tour - click for itinerary 01–15 January 2011 7 nights hotel / 7 nights camping 3 full days at the Festival in the Desert 3 days sailing to Timbuktu; 2 nights camping 1 night in Timbuktu, with city tour Djenne city tour on colorful market day 2 days in magnificent Dogon country; with traditional Dogon mask dance; 2 nights camping Mopti city tour city tour of Segou, Mali's colonial capital Bamako city tour, including the National Museum, city market and artisans' village sfdsfdsdfsdfsfsfsfdsdfsgdgdgfdg NB: minimum 7, maximum 15 travellers

17-day Expanded Tour - click for itinerary 03–19 January 2011 13 nights hotel / 3 nights camping 3 full days at the Festival in the Desert 2 days / 3 nights in Timbuktu; with city tour Djenne city tour on colorful market day Dogon country adventure: 3 full days to explore Dogon villages along the Bandiagara escarpment, and experience the fascinating Dogon culture witness a traditional Dogon mask dance Mopti city tour full-day sailing excursion on the Niger River, with option to visit Bozo fishing villages and nomadic Fulani camps city tour of Segou, Mali's colonial capital Bamako city tour, including the National Museum, city market and artisans' village

NB:

These are promotional prices : non-commissionable, non-discountable.

Entry pass price is subject to change.

Saga Tours does not handle international air reservations or ticketing.

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Mali's entry requirements:

1. tourism visa
2. Yellow Fever immunization

Malaria prophylaxis is recommended; consult your physician.

See our Travel Tips page for Mali Embassy contact information, to apply for your Mali visa.
Saga Tours does not issue visas.

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Festival tour requirements:

1. a sleeping bag
2. soft luggage, such as a duffel bag; hard suitcases are not appropriate
3. summer clothing for days; a warm outfit for the desert nights; see our Travel Tips page for a suggested packing list, or our Desert Packing list for a more condensed and desert-focused list.

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2010 Festival in the Desert (BBC article)

See the BBC slideshow of the 2007 edition of the Festival in the Desert.

See the New York Times slideshow of the 2008 edition of the Festival in the Desert.

Essakane traveller Chuck Roberts has posted videos of his 2007 Desert Festival tour experience
with Saga Tours.

For more information on the music and culture Festival in the Desert (based on previous editions of the Festival in the Desert), see Condι Nast Traveler (Nov08), Vanity Fair, Boston Phoenix, BBC photos, Afropop, and SF Chronicle.

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The Festival in the Desert —
Tuareg culture and international music !

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