Festival In The Desert, 7 Days

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For a sneak peak into Festival in the Desert, see "Showtime in the Sahara" on page 170 of the July 2007 issue of Vanity Fair Magazine.

Day 1 (Monday) 01.05.2009 ARRIVE BAMAKO

Photo: Pedro International flight arrives in Bamako. You will be met, assisted and transferred to your hotel. Overnight: ( 3 star hotel) ^back to top

Day 2 (Tuesday) 01.06.2009 TOUR OF BAMAKO

Photo: Pedro 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 their 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. 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. Overnight: (3-star Hotel) Meal(s) Included: Breakfast ^back to top

Day 3 (Wednesday) 01.07.2009 BAMAKO/TIMBUKTU ( 2 HOUR FLIGHT)

Photo: Pedro This morning take a morning flight 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. Overnight: (Hotel) Meal(s) Included: Breakfast ^back to top

Day 4 (Thursday) 01.08.2009 TIMBUKTU/ESSAKANE(APPROX. 2 HOURS)

Photo: Pedro This morning we shall continue our tour of Timbuktu, including a visit to the ethnological museum and Maison des Artisans. This afternoon we shall travel approximately 2 hours to Essakane, the site of the Festival in the Desert. We shall have leisure time in the encampment before the evening music begins. (Tent and mats) Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner ^back to top

Day 5 (Friday) 01.09.2009 ESSAKANE

After a musical evening, we shall have a leisurely Morning. In the afternoon, we will enjoy camel rides, traditional songs and games and interact with the musicians and traders before enjoying the music which lasts all night long. (Tent and mats) Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner ^back to top

Day 6 (Saturday) 01.10.2009 ESSAKANE

Activities in Essakane continue. Enjoy the music festival finale, which lasts all night long. (Tent and mats) Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner ^back to top

Day 7 (Sunday) 01.11.2009 ESSAKANE/TIMBUKTU/BAMAKO

After breakfast, return to Timbuktu early in the morning for your flight to Bamako where you will await your onward flight or extended tour begins. (Day room) Meal(s) Included: Breakfast ^back to top

* Single Supplement is the additional price paid for single occupancy of a room.

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Tour Price Includes:

• Hotel accommodation as indicated in the itinerary • Day-room (until 8:00 pm) in Bamako on the last day • 3 nights camping in private tents with mats • All ground transportation in 4x4 vehicle • Hot Meals prepared at the Festival site. • Bottled water during the festival; Tours as outline in the program • All other meals indicated, Tour guide • Roundtrip airport to hotel transfers • All taxes and admission fees to included sites

Tour Price Does Not Include:

Travel insurance, international airfare to Mali, Meals not listed, Visa fees, Gratuities, Festival entry pass, Domestic flights ($595), sleeping bag (recommended)

Prices are determined by the number of guests per vehicle, not including driver and guide/assistant.

Price Per Person in US$

7 DAYS
AIRFARE- BKO/TOM/BKO $595 (subject to change)	Tour Cost
Number of Travelers per 4 X 4 vehicle	4	3
Per Person, Double Occupancy	$1,870	$1,990
Single Room supplement	$310	$310

Single Supplement is the additional price paid for single occupancy of a room.

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Palace Travel can secure competitive airfare to various destinations in Africa.

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