Festival au Desert | Festival in the Desert 2012

Saga Tours of Mali - West Africa Adventure Travel
Tel +223.6673.1631
Tel +223.7641.7383
tours@sagatours.com

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Festival in the Desert Tour 2011
15 days : 07-21 January 2012

This expanded tour features Mali's Festival au Désert and more !

– fascinating 3-day Dogon country adventure
– half-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 !

07 January 2012: Arrive in Bamako, MALI
International flights arrive in Bamako in the evening (hotel check-in 2:00 PM, or later); airport-to-hotel transfer; overnight in Bamako (hotel)

08 January 2012: Bamako - Segou (235 km; ~3hrs)
Leisurely first morning in Bamako, to adjust to the time and climate change; afternoon drive to Segou, Mali's former colonial capital; overnight in Segou (hotel)
with Breakfast

09 January 2012: Segou - Djenne (330 km; ~4hrs) - Mopti/Sevare (120 km; ~1½hrs)
Onward drive to Djenne, Timbuktu's ancient sister-city, arriving in time to experience Djenne's colorful weekly market day, with hundreds of market stalls spread out before the magnificent Great Mosque; originally built in the XIII^th century, this is the world's largest mud brick architecture, and one of Unesco's World Heritage sites; onward to Mopti/Sevare for overnight (hotel)
with Breakfast

10 January 2012: Mopti / Niger River
City tour of Mali's port city on the Niger; see the beautiful Sudanese-style mosque, the fishing port, the bustling local market, where Many of Mali's diverse ethnic groups come to trade: Bambara, Bobo, Bozo, Dogon, Fulani, Hausa, Songhay. Then enjoy your half-day sailing excursion on the Niger River; visit tranquil Bozo fishing villages and nomadic Fulani camps; observe Mali's varied bird life along the shore, and perhaps see hippos in the river ! (caution–do not approach the hippos) return to and overnight in Mopti/Sevare (hotel)
with Breakfast

11 January 2012: Mopti - Timbuktu (540 km; ~6hrs)
Interesting drive across the Sahel, to the legendary city of Timbuktu, gateway to the great Sahara Desert ! overnight in Timbuktu (hotel)
with Breakfast

12, 13, 14 January 2012: Desert Festival days
City tour of legendary Timbuktu: visit the old mosques and former universities, the museum and the Ahmed Baba Institute's archives of ancient Islamic manuscripts, the explorers' houses, and the city market which received the azalaïs, the salt caravans from the desert — historically salt from the north was traded for gold and slaves from the south; then, enjoy the festivities: full concerts at night, and during the daylight hours more music, dancing, sword-play, poetry, arts and crafts, camel races, and more ! overnight in Timbuktu (hotel)
with Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner on the three festival days

15 January 2012: Timbuktu - Dogon country (620 km; ~7hrs)
Return drive across the Sahel to Mali's fascinating Dogon country; overnight in Bandiagara (hotel)
with Breakfast

16 January 2012: Dogon country
Drive to and visit 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; visit traditional Dogon seers; overnight in Sangha (hotel)
with Breakfast, Lunch

17 January 2012: Dogon country
Descend the Bandiagara escarpment to visit some of the most beautiful Dogon villages: also see ancient Telem cave dwellings in the cliff face; visit Amani village, with its sanctuary of sacred crocodiles; visit Tireli village and witness a fascinating Dogon mask dance; this spectacular ceremony is an authentic representation of one of the Dogon people's funerary rites; return to and overnight in Sangha (hotel)
with Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

18 January 2012: Dogon country
Drive to the southern end of the escarpment, to visit Tely and Ende villages; if time permits also visit Nando and Niongono village (some hiking required); overnight in Bandiagara (hotel)
with Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

19 January 2012: Dogon country - Segou (480 km; ~5hrs)
Finish your time in Dogon country with a visit of Songo village, renowned for its circumcision grotto with ancient and modern rock paintings; circumcision ceremonies are held here every three years for all Dogon boys ages 9-14years old; the rock paintings are historical representation of noble Dogon families; drive to Segou for overnight (hotel)
with Breakfast, Lunch

20 January 2012: Segou - Bamako (235 km; ~3hrs)
Visit Segou, Mali's second largest city and former colonial administrative center; stroll through the pottery market along the waterfront; also visit Sekoro village, former capital of the Bambara kingdom, now just a sleepy village on the banks of the Bani River; see the tomb of King Biton Coulibaly; return drive to Bamako; overnight in Bamako (hotel)
with Breakfast

21 January 2012: Bamako - final departure
Bamako city tour: begin with a panoramic overview of this sprawling city from Point G; then visit the National Museum, the colorful city market, the artisans' village and the fetish market for traditional medicine; hotel day-room check-out 18h00/6:00 PM; at the appropriate time, transfer to the airport for your onward flight home
with Breakfast

1 km ~ 0.6 mile; driving times are approximate, depending on local conditions and stops; ferry crossings not included

15-day Desert Festival Tour includes:

14 nights hotel (double occupancy), including breakfast (B); check-in 2:00 PM, check-out 12:00 noon

day-room in Bamako on the last day; check-out 6:00 PM

all ground transportation by 4x4 vehicle

three days to explore Dogon villages along the Bandiagara escarpment

all meals in Dogon villages: 4 breakfasts (B), 3 lunches (L), 4 dinners (D), excluding drinks

traditional Dogon mask dance in a village

half-day sailing excursion on the Niger River, by private river boat

experienced, English-speaking guide throughout

airport transfers for Bamako arrival and departure

all hotel taxes and local tourism taxes

all site visit and entry fees, as per tour program

Tour does not include international airfare to/from Bamako; Mali visas; Festival tickets; non-specified meals, drinks/bottled water; tips, personal expenses and sleeping bags.

Please note: Saga Tours does not handle Festival tickets, international air reservations or visas.
See the Festival official website to purchase tickets, or get them at the Festival itself.

Mali's entry requirements:

tourism visa
Yellow Fever immunization

Malaria prophylaxis is recommended; consult your physician.

NB: Five-day entry visas are available upon arrival at Bamako airport; these must be extended to standard 30-day visas, in Mopti or in Timbuktu.
Saga Tours does not handle entry visas or visa extensions.

See our Travel Tips page for Mali Embassy contact information, to apply for your Mali visa prior to travel.
***We recommend obtaining visas prior to travel whenever possible, to avoid possibly being denied flight boarding by the airline, on the flight to Bamako.

Festival tour requirements:

a sleeping bag
soft luggage, such as a duffel bag; hard suitcases are not appropriate
summer clothing for days; a warm outfit for the desert nights; see our Travel Tips page for a suggested packing list.