Excludes: International airfares to/from Bamako and any associated airport taxes, airport tax on domestic flight Timbuktu-Bamako, local payment to be paid to your tour leader on arrival, health requirements (yellow fever), any meals or sightseeing tours including folklore shows other than those specified, sleeping bag, pillow and towels, gratuities for drivers, guides and hotel staff, any item of a personal nature such as drinks, phone calls, laundry, personal insurance, etc., transfer to Bamako airport on departure, any service not stated in the itinerary.

Important Note:
All prices quoted are subject to change due to any unforeseen circumstance.
Tailor made tours can be made on arrangement.

ITINERARY:

Day 1 - BAMAKO On arrival in Bamako you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Later this evening you will have the chance to meet your tour leader and other members of the tour. No meals included today.

Day 2 - BAMAKO - SEGOU Morning city tour of Bamako visiting the markets and a craft centre. In the afternoon continue to Segou, passing many small villages on the way. Approx. 5 hours driving. All meals included.

Day 3 - SEGOU - DJENNE Morning drive to Djenne, the 'Queen of the Delta', where you have time to explore the fascinating Monday market with its profusion of colour and produce. You also visit the mosque, the largest mud building in the world and wander through the old part of town with it's mud brick houses and narrow streets. Approx. 2 hours driving. All meals included.

Day 4 - DJENNE - DOGON VILLAGES Drive to the Dogon area where you start your trek through this fascinating tribal area at the edge of the stunning Bandiagara Escarpment. Approx. 6 hours driving. Overnight camping including all meals.

Day 5 - DOGON COUNTRY A morning wake up call from the donkeys and roosters before you continue hiking through picturesque villages. A number of the most spectacular but least visited villages are explored. Overnight camping including all meals. Note: the exact duration and difficulty of the hikes will depend on the wishes and fitness of the group members. However, please note that it can get VERY hot in the Dogon country.

Day 6 - DOGON COUNTRY - SEVARE Hike through more beautiful villages gaining an insight into the life of the Dogon villagers. Later we meet our bus and drive to Sevare. Approx. 5 hours driving. All meals included.

Day 7-9 - MOPTI - NIGER CRUISE Spend the morning exploring the colourful markets of Mopti spread along the banks of the Niger River. Later board small 'pinasse' river craft and begin your three day journey along the Niger towards Timbuktu. Along the way we visit several Bozo and Peul villages and enjoy the hive of activity surrounding the river - spend your time watching colourfully dressed villagers walking to market, washing clothes, children playing and cattle sunning themselves at the river bank. Nights are spent camped on the side of the river. All meals included.

Day 10 - TIMBUKTU Arrive in Korioume and transfer to Timbuktu (+- 10 km). Meet your Tuareg guide and climb aboard camels for a ride to a nearby Tuareg settlement where you have dinner. Overnight camping. All meals included.

Day 11 - TIMBUKTU A full day to wander around this exotic city and visit the great mosque and museum. All meals included.

Day 12 - TIMBUKTU - BAMAKO Transfer to the airport for your flight back to Bamako. On arrival in Bamako you will be transferred to a hotel. All meals included.

Day 13 - BAMAKO A full day to explore the wonderful town of Bamako which has arguably the best market in West Africa. Wander through streets lined with vendors selling indigo cloth, African music, traditional music and much much more. There is also time to visit the Musee National, an excellent ethnographic museum. Breakfast only included today.

Day 14 - Your tour ends after breakfast (included). Airport transfers are not included in the package price but can be arranged on request.