Timbuktu 12 Day Festival
12 days festival in the desert
Festival of desert overland program 2011:
Mali is a country of many tribal peoples, each with your own exuberant styles of clothing and jewellery. There is nowhere better to see this colourful diversity than in the streets and markets of Bamako.
By the way for Timbuktu we pass by Ségou the former capital of Bambara kingdom then we will leave for a pilgrimage because the discovery of Dogon Country is a real pilgrimage, where you can enjoy a Dogon mask dance. We will also visit Djenne, a beautiful World Heritage island city with the largest mud building in the world - The Grand Mosque.
This tranquil, timeless city will erupt in the morning with the cacophony of sounds, colours and smells of one of West Africa’s largest and most vibrant markets. Then we will continue to Timbuktu via Mopti for Located at the terminus of the great trans-Saharan caravan route, Timbuktu became fabulously wealthy in the 16th century. Loaded with blocks of salt and other trade goods, huge convoys of camels would spend weeks crossing the unforgiving Sahara to reach Timbuktu.
It was here that they would trade salt, pound-for-pound, with African merchants bringing gold and ivory along the Niger from the heart of Africa. You will have a day either side of the Festival to explore the city after enjoying the festival. From Timbuktu we take a journey into the desert for the ultimate destination of this trip: Essakane and the spectacular Festival in the Desert.
Mali is a country of many tribal peoples, each with your own exuberant styles of clothing and jewellery. There is nowhere better to see this colourful diversity than in the streets and markets of Bamako.
By the way for Timbuktu we pass by Ségou the former capital of Bambara kingdom then we will leave for a pilgrimage because the discovery of Dogon Country is a real pilgrimage, where you can enjoy a Dogon mask dance. We will also visit Djenne, a beautiful World Heritage island city with the largest mud building in the world - The Grand Mosque.
This tranquil, timeless city will erupt in the morning with the cacophony of sounds, colours and smells of one of West Africa’s largest and most vibrant markets. Then we will continue to Timbuktu via Mopti for Located at the terminus of the great trans-Saharan caravan route, Timbuktu became fabulously wealthy in the 16th century. Loaded with blocks of salt and other trade goods, huge convoys of camels would spend weeks crossing the unforgiving Sahara to reach Timbuktu.
It was here that they would trade salt, pound-for-pound, with African merchants bringing gold and ivory along the Niger from the heart of Africa. You will have a day either side of the Festival to explore the city after enjoying the festival. From Timbuktu we take a journey into the desert for the ultimate destination of this trip: Essakane and the spectacular Festival in the Desert.
Price
From: USD2490 per person (12 Days)
Price Includes
- 8 nights of hotel accommodation (double occupancy) and breakfast
- 3 nights of Tuareg tents accommodation during the festival
- Ground transportation in an air condition 4WD vehicle to all listed sites
- Full board pension prepared on the festival site ( 3 breakfast, 3 lunch, and 3 dinner)
- Mineral water
- Camel ride on the festival dunes
- An experienced English – speaking guide
- Dogon mask dance
- International flight Domestic flight Festival fees
Departure Dates
Sun Dec 29 2010 Timbuktu - USD 2490
Day1: December 29th 2010 Arrive in Bamako International flight arrives in Bamako. You will be met, assisted and transferred to your hotel. Hote Wassulu or similar
Day2: December 30th 2010 Bamako
Today you will explore this capital city of Bamako situated on the Niger, one of Africa's great rivers. Mali is a country of many tribal peoples, each with your own exuberant styles of clothing and jewelry. There is nowhere better to see this colorful diversity than in the streets and markets of Bamako. Bamako has a large art and craft centre where sculptors, weavers, leather workers, jewelers and metal workers exhibit their wares and skills. You will visit the Grand Marché, or 'Great Market', where you can spend hours exploring the hundreds of stalls. From carvings and cassettes, to fabrics, beads, brass and gold, the variety of goods is staggering. One area of the market is devoted entirely to traditional African medicines. Here you'll find the freshly shrunken heads of birds, monkeys and crocodiles, along with lizard skins and other gruesome treatments. Accommodation at Hotel Wassulu or similar. Includes: (B).
Day3: December 31 2010 Bamako / Segou
Breakfast, then drive to Segou, Mali's second largest city and former colonial administrative center; admire the beautiful Sudanese-style colonial architecture, visit the port, the pottery market, traditional weavers and other artisans. Overnight in Segou. Accommodation at Esplanade Hotel or similar. Includes: (B).
Day4: January 1rst 2011 Dogon Country
Drive to Dogon Country, considered one of the most extraordinary places on earth. Built up high on the narrow ledges of the cliffs are the villages of the Dogon people. In the 11th century, the Dogons fled the advancing Arabs coming from the north, and found shelter in one of West Africa's most inhospitable areas. This is such a unique place that the United Nations has declared it a World Heritage site. Visit the village of Songo, renowned for its rock paintings and circumcision grotto Overnight at Hotel Guina or similar. Accommodation at Hotel Guina. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day5: January 2nd 2011 Dogon Country
Continue tour of Dogon Village. The Dogons are animists, worshipping their ancestors and the spirits of nature. Having preserved their traditions down through the centuries, they are considered to be one of the most original civilizations of West Africa. Today’s sightseeing involves walking over rough ground to visit some of the villages, and fairly steep and rough paths have to be negotiated. Experience the authentic traditional Dogon Mask Dance. Early evening drive to Bandiagara for overnight. Accommodation at Cheval Blanc or similar. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day6: January 3rd 2011 Dogon / Dejenne / Mopti
Drive to Djenne, Timbuktu's ancient sister-city on the Niger; visit Djenne on its weekly market day, when Djenne is at its colorful best; see the magnificent Grand Mosque, the largest mud brick architecture in the world and one of UNESCO’S World Heritage sites; Return to Mopti for overnight. Accommodation at Hotel Flandre Or similar. Includes: (B).
Day7: January 4th 2011 Mopti
Mopti city tour (you will see the fascinating mix of Malian cultures: Bambara, Bobo, Bozo, Dogon, Fulani, Tuareg, Songhaï and Hausa): visit the beautiful mosque, the fishing port and the bustling market, where you can shop for gold or silver jewelry, Tuareg leatherwork, or Fulani blankets of cotton or wool. Overnight in Mopti. Accommodation at Flandre Hotel Or similar. Includes: (B).
Day8: January 5th 2011 Mopti / Timbuktu
This morning take an early drive to legendary Timbuktu. Located at the terminus of the great trans-Saharan caravan route, Timbuktu became fabulously wealthy in the 16th century. Loaded with blocks of salt and other trade goods, huge convoys of camels would spend weeks crossing the unforgiving Sahara to reach Timbuktu. It was here that they would trade salt, pound-for-pound, with African merchants bringing gold and ivory along the Niger from the heart of Africa.
Wander the dusty streets of Timbuktu, admiring such magnificent mud-brick structures as the Djinguiraiber Mosque, the Mosque of Sankore, and the Palace of Bouctou. See the houses of the various 19th century European explorers who used Timbuktu as a base. Accommodation at La Colombe Hotel or similar. Includes: (B).
Day9,10,11: January 6th, 7th, 8th 2011 Festival in the Desert
Drive to Essakane and enjoy 3 days of world music, dancing, camel races and other activities. Meals prepared by private chef. Accommodation in Private tents. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day12: January 9th 2011 Return to Timbuktu and fly to Bamako for departure or extended tour begins. Includes: (B).
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Day2: December 30th 2010 Bamako
Today you will explore this capital city of Bamako situated on the Niger, one of Africa's great rivers. Mali is a country of many tribal peoples, each with your own exuberant styles of clothing and jewelry. There is nowhere better to see this colorful diversity than in the streets and markets of Bamako. Bamako has a large art and craft centre where sculptors, weavers, leather workers, jewelers and metal workers exhibit their wares and skills. You will visit the Grand Marché, or 'Great Market', where you can spend hours exploring the hundreds of stalls. From carvings and cassettes, to fabrics, beads, brass and gold, the variety of goods is staggering. One area of the market is devoted entirely to traditional African medicines. Here you'll find the freshly shrunken heads of birds, monkeys and crocodiles, along with lizard skins and other gruesome treatments. Accommodation at Hotel Wassulu or similar. Includes: (B).
Day3: December 31 2010 Bamako / Segou
Breakfast, then drive to Segou, Mali's second largest city and former colonial administrative center; admire the beautiful Sudanese-style colonial architecture, visit the port, the pottery market, traditional weavers and other artisans. Overnight in Segou. Accommodation at Esplanade Hotel or similar. Includes: (B).
Day4: January 1rst 2011 Dogon Country
Drive to Dogon Country, considered one of the most extraordinary places on earth. Built up high on the narrow ledges of the cliffs are the villages of the Dogon people. In the 11th century, the Dogons fled the advancing Arabs coming from the north, and found shelter in one of West Africa's most inhospitable areas. This is such a unique place that the United Nations has declared it a World Heritage site. Visit the village of Songo, renowned for its rock paintings and circumcision grotto Overnight at Hotel Guina or similar. Accommodation at Hotel Guina. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day5: January 2nd 2011 Dogon Country
Continue tour of Dogon Village. The Dogons are animists, worshipping their ancestors and the spirits of nature. Having preserved their traditions down through the centuries, they are considered to be one of the most original civilizations of West Africa. Today’s sightseeing involves walking over rough ground to visit some of the villages, and fairly steep and rough paths have to be negotiated. Experience the authentic traditional Dogon Mask Dance. Early evening drive to Bandiagara for overnight. Accommodation at Cheval Blanc or similar. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day6: January 3rd 2011 Dogon / Dejenne / Mopti
Drive to Djenne, Timbuktu's ancient sister-city on the Niger; visit Djenne on its weekly market day, when Djenne is at its colorful best; see the magnificent Grand Mosque, the largest mud brick architecture in the world and one of UNESCO’S World Heritage sites; Return to Mopti for overnight. Accommodation at Hotel Flandre Or similar. Includes: (B).
Day7: January 4th 2011 Mopti
Mopti city tour (you will see the fascinating mix of Malian cultures: Bambara, Bobo, Bozo, Dogon, Fulani, Tuareg, Songhaï and Hausa): visit the beautiful mosque, the fishing port and the bustling market, where you can shop for gold or silver jewelry, Tuareg leatherwork, or Fulani blankets of cotton or wool. Overnight in Mopti. Accommodation at Flandre Hotel Or similar. Includes: (B).
Day8: January 5th 2011 Mopti / Timbuktu
This morning take an early drive to legendary Timbuktu. Located at the terminus of the great trans-Saharan caravan route, Timbuktu became fabulously wealthy in the 16th century. Loaded with blocks of salt and other trade goods, huge convoys of camels would spend weeks crossing the unforgiving Sahara to reach Timbuktu. It was here that they would trade salt, pound-for-pound, with African merchants bringing gold and ivory along the Niger from the heart of Africa.
Wander the dusty streets of Timbuktu, admiring such magnificent mud-brick structures as the Djinguiraiber Mosque, the Mosque of Sankore, and the Palace of Bouctou. See the houses of the various 19th century European explorers who used Timbuktu as a base. Accommodation at La Colombe Hotel or similar. Includes: (B).
Day9,10,11: January 6th, 7th, 8th 2011 Festival in the Desert
Drive to Essakane and enjoy 3 days of world music, dancing, camel races and other activities. Meals prepared by private chef. Accommodation in Private tents. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day12: January 9th 2011 Return to Timbuktu and fly to Bamako for departure or extended tour begins. Includes: (B).
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Accommodation Details
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