Festival In The Desert (Overland), 12 Days
Jan 2, 2011 - Jan 13, 2011
Included
Not included
Call (718) 850-0057 for more information or to book today! Mention code 8951090
- Tour Operator
- Palace Travel Inc
- Offer
- Offer valid through 3/31/2010
- Duration
- 12 Days
- Escorted
- Escorted - Yes
| Day | Destination | Description |
| Day 1 | Bamako | International flight arrives in Bamako. You will be met, assisted and transferred to your hotel. Meal(s) Included: No Overnight at 3-star hotel |
| Day 2 | Mopti | Drive to Mopti. Tour Mopti city and witness the fascinating mix of Malian cultures: Bambara, Bobo, Bozo, Dogon, Fulani, Tuareg, Songhai and Hausa. Meal(s) Included: Breakfast Overnight at Hotel |
| Day 3 | Dogon | After breakfast, travel from Mopti to Dogon. Tour the Dogon villages, and experience one of the most extraordinary places on earth. The Dogon people built their villages high up on the narrow ledges of cliffs. In the 11th century, the advancing Arab combatants forced the Dogons to flee their homes in the north. They found shelter and adapted to one of West Africa's most unforgiving regions. This unique area is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit the village of Songo, renowned for its rock paintings and circumcision grotto. Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner Overnight at Hotel |
| Day 4 | Dogon | After breakfast, descend along the Bandiagara escarpment. Walk through the rocky terrain to visit the villages of Banani, Ireli, Arou and Tireli. The Dogons are known for their mythology, full with rituals and worship of the spirits of nature. Their wooden sculptures are also a major attraction. Traditions have been preserved through the centuries, making Dogon one of the most original civilizations of West Africa. Witness a traditional Dogon Mask Dance (providing there are at least 8 travelers). Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight at Hotel |
| Day 5 | Timbuktu | After breakfast, drive to the legendary city of Timbuktu. This ancient city was the ending point of the great trans-Saharan caravan route. Timbuktu was extremely wealthy in the 16th century as convoys of camels carrying goods for trade spent weeks crossing the unforgiving Sahara to arrive in this famous metropolis. Picnic along the way, arriving in time to witness the magnificent sunset over the dunes. Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch Overnight at Hotel |
| Day 6 | ESSAKANE | In the morning, tour the city of Timbuktu, admiring such magnificent mud-brick structures as the Djingarey Berre Mosque, the Mosque of Sankore, and the Palace of Bouctou. Observe the houses of the various 19th century European explorers who used Timbuktu as a base. Visit the ethnological museum and Maison des Artisans. In the afternoon, travel approximately 2 hours to Essakane, the site of the Festival in the Desert. Have leisure time in the encampment before the evening festivities begin. Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner Overnight at Private Tents or Similar |
| Day 7 | ESSAKANE | After last night's entertainment, have a leisurely morning. In the afternoon, 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. Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Overnight at Private Tents or Similar |
| Day 8 | Timbuktu | In the morning, return to Timbuktu and check into the hotel before continuing the tour of this legendary city whose name is 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. Meal(s) Included: Breakfast Overnight at Hotel |
| Day 9 | Mopti | After breakfast, drive to Mopti. Continue touring Mopti, where the Niger and Bani rivers meet. Mopti is Mali's most important port city. Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch Overnight at Hotel |
| Day 10 | Segou | Drive to Djenne, Timbuktu's ancient sister-city on the Niger. Visit Djenne; see the magnificent Grand Mosque, the largest mud brick architecture in the world and one of UNESCO'S World Heritage sites. Later, travel to Segou. Meal(s) Included: Breakfast Overnight at Hotel |
| Day 11 | Bamako | Explore Segou, Mali's second largest city and former colonial administrative center; admire the beautiful Sudanese-style colonial architecture. Visit the pottery market, traditional weavers and other artisans, before continuing to Bamako. Meal(s) Included: Breakfast Overnight at 3-star hotel |
| Day 12 | Bamako | Day at leisure before your onward flight-or extended tour begins. Meal(s) Included: Breakfast |
- Dates/Pricing
- Disclaimer
- Single Supplement $410
