Festival In The Desert (overland), 12 Days

Click here for more Festival in the Desert information and itineraries.

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 (SATURDAY) 01.03.2009 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 (SUNDAY) 01.04.2009 BAMAKO/DJENNE (567 KM)

Photo: Pedro This morning, we shall leave our hotel and begin the journey eastward to Djenne, Timbuktu's ancient sister-city on the Niger River. We will stop in San for lunch. Arrive in Djenne early evening. Overnight: (Hotel) Meal(s) Included: Breakfast ^back to top

Day 3 (MONDAY) 01.05.2009 DJENNE/DOGON (205 KM)

Photo: Pedro We shall experience Djenne on its weekly market day when Djenne is at its colorful best. The market is set against the magnificent Grand Mosque, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the largest mud brick architecture in the world. After the market, we shall visit artisan Pama Sinatou’s workshop. After a late lunch, we shall drive three hours to Dogon Country, Mali’s standout highlight and homeland of the fascinating Dogon people and their unique houses and art forms. Overnight: (Hotel) Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner ^back to top

Day 4 (TUESDAY) 01.06.2009 DOGON

Photo: Pedro After breakfast, we shall descend along the Bandiagara escarpment. Dogon Country, another World Heritage site, is 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. We shall complete a walking tour of the villages of Banani, Ireli, Arou and Tireli, renowned for their rock paintings and circumcision grotto. We will likely witness a traditional Dogon Mask Dance (providing there are at least 8 travelers) Overnight: (Hotel) Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner ^back to top

Day 5 (WEDNESDAY) 01.07.2009 DOGON/MOPTI (120 KM)

We shall spend the morning walking to the villages of Songo, Teli, and Ende. This afternoon travel to Mopti where we will see the fascinating mix of Malian cultures: Bambara, Bobo, Bozo, Dogon, Fulani, Tuareg, Songhaï and Hausa. We shall visit the beautiful mosque, the fishing port and Centre d’Artisanat des Femmes, where gold and silver jewelry, Tuareg Leatherwork and Fulani blankets are sold. Overnight: (Hotel) Meal(s) Included: Breakfast ^back to top

Day 6 (THURSDAY) 01.08.2009 MOPTI/TIMBUKTU(392 KM)

After breakfast, we shall drive to the legendary city of Tombouctou. 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. We shall picnic along the way. Overnight: (Hotel) Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch ^back to top

Day 7 (FRIDAY) 01.09.2009 TIMBUKTU/ESSAKANE (APPROX. 2 HOURS)

This morning we shall tour the city of Timbuktu, admiring such magnificent mud-brick structures as the Djinguiraiber Mosque, the Mosque of Sankore, and the Palace of Bouctou. We shall see the houses of the various 19th century European explorers who used Timbuktu as a base. We will visit 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 8 (SATURDAY) 01.10.2009 ESSAKANE

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

Day 9 (SUNDAY) 01.11.2009 ESSAKANE/TIMBUKTU (APPROX. 2 HOURS)

This morning we shall travel back to Timbuktu where we will check into our hotel to freshen up, then continue our visit to this legendary city with a name synonymous with “a place unreachable” Visit the old mosques and former universities, the museum and archives of ancient Islamic manuscripts, the city market and the artisans' center. Overnight: (Hotel) Meal(s) Included: Breakfast ^back to top

Day 10 (MONDAY) 01.12.2009 TIMBUKTU/MOPTI (392 KM)

After breakfast we will drive to Mopti, the Venice of Mali which is nestled between the Niger and the Bani rivers. This evening you will enjoy a sunset sail on the Niger River in a traditional pirogue. Overnight: (Hotel) Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch ^back to top

Day 11 (TUESDAY) 01.13.2009 MOPTI/SEGOU/BAMAKO (640 KM)

This morning we will drive to Segou, one of Mali largest cities and former colonial administrative center. After lunch, we shall embark on our city tour of Segou as we walk through the tree-lined streets just back from the riverbank. This evening we will return to Bamako. Overnight : (Hotel) Meal(s) Included: Breakfast ^back to top

Day 12 (WEDNESDAY) 01.14.2009 BAMAKO/DEPART

Day at leisure before your onward flight—or extended tour begins. 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 • 2 nights camping in private tents with mats • All ground transportation by 4x4 vehicle • Hot Meals prepared at Festival site- • Bottled water during the festival; Tours as outlined 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, sleeping bags (recommended)

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

Price Per Person in US$

12-days
	Tour Cost
Number of Travelers per 4 X 4 vehicle	4	3
Per Person, Double Occupancy	$2,540	$2,850
Single Room supplement	$410	$410

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

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