Mali Timbuktu Tour

On arrival in Bamako, you will be met by your guide, who will transfer you to your hotel.

You would expect the capital city of one of the poorest countries in the world to be sullen and down-at-heel, but Bamako is a brash cacophony of music, motorbikes, and people buying, selling and trading under the hot midday sun. Despite its problems, it is a lively place to visit. Unfortunately, the colonial-style Grand Marché Market burnt down in 1993. It's due to be rebuilt, but until it is, the stallholders are simply conducting business alfresco on the pavements and side streets around the old site. This greatly increases the chances of getting lost as all the streets begin to look the same, but you can find everything here from indigo cloth to gold to tapes of African music. There's also a traditional medicine vendor should you find yourself running short of travel essentials such as porcupine quills, dried birds and monkey heads. The Musée National is one of the best ethnographic museums in West Africa with architectural features inspired by the old-mud brick structures in Djenné and a wide range of tapestries, masks, funeral objects, and weapons. The museum is desperately trying to hold onto its cultural treasures but is fighting an uphill battle against collectors illegally buying ancient terracotta figurines in Djenné for next to nothing. Bamako is on the north bank of the Niger. The core city center, where you'll find the main markets, shops, restaurants, and some hotels, is the triangle formed by Ave du Fleuve, Blvd du Peuple and Ave van Vollenhoven. The Grand Marché (or what used to be the Grand Marché before it burnt down) is in the center of this triangle. Overnight at Hotel Le Compagnard Hotel or similar.

Meals: Breakfast

Today you will arrive in Djenne, a 14th century trading center on the Niger River dominated by the largest mud mosque in Mali. Djenné is often missed by travelers because it lies off the main route between Bamako and Mopti, but is well worth the visit. It lies on the Niger River delta and is particularly picturesque in the rainy season when it turns into an island surrounded by water. It claims to be the oldest city in West Africa, and it appears that little has changed in centuries. The mud houses with their thatched roofs and wooden window shutters and doors decorated with paint and metal objects give the town its other-worldly charm. The much-photographed Djenné Mosque intensifies this air of strangeness. Built entirely out of mud, complete with turret-like projections, it rises from the desert floor like an over-achiever's sandcastle. It is, not unnaturally, the largest mud structure in the world and is one of the finest examples of Sudanese architecture. The only drawback is that it tends to melt in the rain and major rebuilding sessions are required after the rainy season to keep it from disintegrating. Unfortunately, non-Muslim visitors were banned from the interior after a fashion photographer and a horde of models ran amok inside but you can still get an excellent view of the outer walls from the roof of the Petit Marché opposite the mosque Djenné is about 400km (248mi) from Bamako and can be reached by bus or pinasse (large motorized canoe). The Campement de Djenne is the best accommodation that can be found in Djenne. It is basic, but adequate, and there is a restaurant that serves simple food. Overnight at Campement de Djenne.

Meals: Breakfast

We continue by boat to Mopti, arriving there the next day in the morning. Visit the mosque, the largest mud building in the world and wander through the old part of town with its mud brick houses and narrow streets. Overnight camping.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Depart early for the drive to Dourou in the heart of Dogon country. We start our hike to Nombori, following the escarpment with stunning views of villages, gardens and sand dunes. Overnight camping.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

You will have an early start to see the sunrise over the escarpment. We spend the morning trekking through Dogon villages. In the afternoon, enjoy a more in-depth tour around Tirelli village, known as the village of masks. Overnight camping.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, take a short climb to the edge of the escarpment, with spectacular views, and meet your vehicle. You continue by car to Douantza, where you will spend the night in the campement.

Meals: Breakfast

Five hours of driving through the desert and savannah will take you to Timbuktu, in French "Tombouctou," means "well of the woman named 'Bouctou.'" And "Bouctou" is a word that means, "belly button." This was the meeting place for tradesmen who would travel across Africa from the North, East and South, to barter their goods with the West Africans. Because Timbuktu is so remote, and so desolate, and incredibly difficult to get to -- not just because of the terrain and heat (110 degrees is common), but because of the bandits who used to rob everyone going in and out of the city -- rumors spread about the true nature of the city. It had been said that it was a land of wealth and gold, where everyone lived on high. But, it has rightfully retained its reputation as being the most distant place in the world. In fact, it wasn't until the 20th century that a European or an American ever made it back from Timbuktu. Overnight at Hotel La Colombe or similar.

Meals: Breakfast

Your camels will be waiting for you today to take you to a Tuareg camp, where you will spend time with these nomadic people observing their lifestyle. The ride will take about 2 hours in each direction. Overnight at Hotel La Colombe or similar.

Meals: Breakfast

On a dusty road, you will drive to Fatimas Hand, a famous mountain. You will then travel to Homburi , which is the biggest camel market in Mali. Overnight camping.

Meals: Breakfast

Today you will be driven to Segou. You will stop in Mopti for lunch. Mopti began its transition from a small Bozo fishing village to the commercial hub of central Mali and the capital of the country’s fifth region at the start of the 19th century. Today, it lives in the present rather than the past. Its commercial importance and ideal river location mean that life is dominated by the daily activity around the busy port, which is the essence of Mopti, which is sometimes called "The Venice of Africa." The small settlements on the other side of the river are Bozo fishing villages. They can be reached by pirogue from the port or various points along the Mopti side of the river. In the same way that Mopti inherited Djenne’s trading functions, it also tried to emulate its neighbor’s beautiful architecture. These attempts are best viewed in the quarter of Komoguel, which has retained many of the traditional banco houses typical of Djenne. The town’s main mosque is also in Komoguel. Overnight at Hotel Independance or similar.

Meals: Breakfast

An asphalt road will take you to Bamako, where you will arrive by lunchtime. You are on your own for the afternoon, before a late transfer to the airport for your departure.

Meals: Breakfast