Mali Times tour / Travel in Mali

Saga Tours of Mali - West Africa Adventure Travel
Tel/Fax +223.2020.2708
Fax +223.2020.9002
sagatours@sagatours.com

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Mali Times tour - 8 days
Bamako · Segou · Djenne · Mopti · fabulous Dogon country

An unforgettable week in magnificent Mali !

7 nights hotel, no camping

Every tour is private, scheduled on dates of your choice, beginning and ending on a Saturday in Bamako, MALI; there are no fixed-date group departures.

Contact us for prices. Groups of any size are welcome. Be sure to specify the month/year of travel, and how many persons are in your party—prices are digressive, so a better value per person for a party of four than a party of two, etc.

Day 1 Saturday: 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 Sunday: Bamako - Mopti (640 km; ~7½hrs)
After breakfast, drive through the heartland of Mali, all the way to the port city of Mopti; with sightseeing en route; arrive in time to enjoy a sunset stroll along the banks of the Niger River; overnight in Mopti (Hotel Kanaga, or similar)
with Breakfast

Day 3 Monday: Mopti - Djenne (130 km; ~1½hr) - Mopti
Day-trip to Djenne, ancient sister-city of Timbuktu, on its colorful weekly market day - stroll around the market stalls, spread out before the magnificent Great Mosque, the world's largest mud brick architecture and one of Unesco's World Heritage sites; return to Mopti for overnight (Hotel Kanaga, or similar)
with Breakfast

Day 4 Tuesday: Mopti - Dogon country (120 km; ~2hrs)
Onward drive to Mali's fascinating Dogon country; visit Songo village, renowned for its circumcision grotto with rock paintings; continue to Sangha; walking tour of Sangha, where you will see many examples of the classic traditional Dogon architecture and contemporary fetishism; option to witness a traditional Dogon mask dance; overnight in Sangha (Hotel Campement Guina, or similar)
with Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 Wednesday: Dogon country - Mopti / Niger River (120 km; ~2hrs)
Visit beautiful Dogon villages along the Bandiagara escarpment: Banani, Ireli, and Amani (see the sanctuary of sacred crocodiles); in the afternoon, return drive to Mopti, arriving in time to enjoy a relaxing sunset sail on the Niger River; overnight in Mopti (Hotel Kanaga, or similar)
with Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6 Thursday: Mopti - Segou (405 km; ~4½hrs)
City tour of Mopti, the Venice of Mali, on its weekly market day: see the beautiful Sudanese-style mosque, the fishing port, and the bustling local market where many of Mali's ethnic groups come to trade: Bambara, Bobo, Bozo, Dogon, Fulani, Tuareg and Songhay; at mid-day, onward drive to Segou; overnight in Segou (Hotel Independance, or similar)
with Breakfast

Day 7 Friday: Segou - Bamako (235 km; ~3hrs)
City tour of Segou, Mali's colonial administrative center; stroll through the old pottery market on the banks of the Bani River; also visit Sekoro village, the "old Segou" and former capital of the Bambara kingdom; see the tomb of King Biton Coulibaly; return drive to Bamako; overnight in Bamako (Grand Hotel, or similar)
with Breakfast

Day 8 Saturday: Bamako - final departure
Bamako city tour: visit the National Museum, the city market, the artisans' village, and the fetish market for traditional medicine; in the evening, transfer to the airport for your final departure
with Breakfast

1 km ~ 0.6 mile; driving times are approximate, depending on local conditions and stops

NB: Hotels subject to availability. See proposed hotels description.

Tour package includes:

- 7 nights hotels, double occupancy, with breakfast
- day-room in Bamako on Day 8
- two lunches (L) and one dinner (D) in Dogon villages, excluding drinks
- private ground transportation by air-conditioned 4x4 vehicle, with driver and fuel
- sunset sail on the Niger River
- experienced English-speaking guide throughout
- airport transfers upon arrival and departure in Bamako
- all hotel taxes and local tourism taxes
- all touring, excursion and village entry fees, as per tour program

Tour package does not include: international airfare to/from Bamako; Mali visas; non-specified meals, drinks/bottled water; tips, optional Dogon mask dance, and personal expenses.

Option: traditional Dogon mask dance - upon request

NB: Posted itineraries are subject to change, and quoted prices are accordingly subject to change; itineraries and prices are locked-in when a tour is booked.

Please note: Saga Tours does not handle international air reservations and ticketing.

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