Authentic Mali (12 days 11 nights)
Bamako Djenné Dogon country Timbuktu the Niger river Mopti Ségou

6 nights in hotel, 4 nights in hotel-camp, 1 night camping (tent & mattress)
4WD’s vehicle, river cruise, easy walkabout in Dogon country

Day 1 : Paris - Bamako
Arrival at Bamako Airport. Welcome by our team and transfer to hotel. Meals not included. Overnight in hotel in Bamako.

Day 2 : Bamako - Djenné B D
Drive to Djenné (9 hours). Ferry on the Bani river. Dinner and overnight in hotel in Djenné.

Day 3 : Djenné - Bandiagara B D
Visit with a local guide the old town : the Grand mosque (outside only), the tiny streets to learn about the maroco-soudanese architecture. Drive to Sévaré and Bandiagara (3 hours) in Dogon country. Visit Songo, a brief hike to see rock art and scenic views of the village. Dinner and overnight in hotel-camp (simple room with mosquito net and private bathroom) in Bandiagara.

Day 4 : Dogon country B D
Drive to the south part of the escarpment (the less touristic and more authentic) to visit the animist village of Digui bombo, see the mud mosque (outside) in Kani Kombole, see the best preserved Tellem troglodyths in Teli and the bogolan capital village of Ende. Dinner and overnight in hotel-camp (mattress on terrace or in simple mud room with mosquitoe net, outside toilets and shower, petrol lamps) in Ende.

Day 5 : Dogon country B D
Drive along the escarpment through the sand dunes of the Dogon plain to visit the best preserved villages of Tireli, Amani (sacred crocodile pond) and Neni. Walk up to Yougonah (20min). Dinner and overnight in eco-tourism hotel-camp (mattress on terrace or in simple mud room with mosquitoe net, shower with bucket, « dry » toilets, solar power system) in Yougonah.

Day 6 : Dogon country – Douentza – Hombori B D
If you are fit, the trek through the 3 Youga monolith will never be forgotten (4/5 hours walk). If not, visit the village of Yendouma Ato (easy walk 3h). Drive along the cliff with your 4WD to Bamba and Douentza before driving through the magnificent monoliths (far west views) of Hombori. Dinner and overnight in hotel-camp (simple room with mosquitoe net, outside shower and toilets) in Hombori.

Day 7 : Hombori - Timbuktu (8 hour drive) B D
Drive through the Gourma desert. Picnic not included. Cross the Niger river with the ferry (1 hour). Arrival in the mythic desert city of Timbuktu. Dinner and overnight in hotel in Timbuktu.

Day 8 : Timbuktu B D
City walking tour through the sandy streets with your local guide. Visit the private museum, then continue to the houses where various European explorers stayed and look at the Djingareyber and Sankore Mosques (in Mali it is not allowed to enter the mosques for non muslim). Visit the private library to see ancient arabic texts. Have an afternoon excursion out into the Sahara Desert with the camel. Have tea with your Tuareg Guide. Dinner and overnight in hotel in Timbuktu.

Day 9 : Timbuktu – Douentza – Kona Cruise on the river B D
Early ferry across the river. Return to Douentza (lunch not included) and Kona. Set out by pinasse boat to explore the country by water on the Niger river. Disembark to explore Bozo fishing village and Fulani village. Dinner and overnight camping along the river (tent, mattress, table, folding chairs, saharian shower « bucket », petrol lamps).

Day 10 : Kona - Mopti – Cruise along the Niger river B L D
Continue your cruise on the river (may be you will spot « hippos ») until Mopti. Lunch on the « pinasse ». Visit the buzzling Mopti : some of the local daily markets, the port where fish is sorted and see blacksmiths making nails used to build the pirogues and pinasse boats. Transfer to hotel. Dinner and overnight in hotel in Sévaré.

Day 11 : Mopti – San – Teryabugu B D
Drive to Teryabugu, eco-tourism lodge along the Bani river. Visit the farm, the museum. Relax around the swimming pool. Dinner and overnight in hotel in Teryabugu.

Day 12 : Teryabugu – Ségou – Bamako B
Drive to Ségou. Visit the city : the pottery market, the port, the streets with ancient colonial homes. Meals not included. Drive to Bamako (4 hours). Airport transfer. Flight back home.

Price per person : 1240 Euros (base 4 persons)
Price per person : 1480 Euros (base 3 persons)
Price per person : 1980 Euros (base 2 persons)

The price includes :
Airport transfers in Bamako, 11 nights in hotels (ensuite), hotel-camp, camping as mentioned in program. Meals as mentioned continental breakfasts (B) Lunches (L) dinners (D) please note that breakfast in Mali is very simple : coffee or tea, powdermilk, bread with butter and jam). No juice, no cereals, no milk, no fruits. Please note that our dinners are prebooked (fixed menus). If you have any special diet or requirements, mention it on your request. You will eat a lot of rice, couscous, pasta with meat sauce (beef or chicken). We don’t have many vegetables (except in Bamako), no milky products, no cheeses, not too many deserts. Transportation by Toyota Landcruiser 4WD HDJ80 with a french speaking driver, a local english speaking guide, entrances fees for visits mentioned in program, cruise on the river Niger on a private « pinasse » in Mopti, camel ride in Timbuktu.

The price doesn’t include :
All lunches and all meals in Bamako as mentioned in program. Mineral Water (please note a bottle of 1,5 l costs between 1,5 € & 2 €) and drinks (beer, soft drink, coffee, tea). Tips (30 € for driver and guide). Personal expenses and phone calls.
Entry visa cost (to do overseas, not possible in Mali). International airline ticket and airport taxes. Medical cover insurance.