Mali Cycling through Culture Holiday
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Location: Mali
Date: Oct 23 - Nov 5 2011
Duration: 14 days
Group size: 6+
Price: From £968 (less than six people add £65) including lodging, two meals/day, guide, museum fees and more. Not including travel to Mali and Timbuktu extension.
Average out of pocket expenses per program £65 plus or minus £30.
Date: Oct 23 - Nov 5 2011
Duration: 14 days
Group size: 6+
Price: From £968 (less than six people add £65) including lodging, two meals/day, guide, museum fees and more. Not including travel to Mali and Timbuktu extension.
Average out of pocket expenses per program £65 plus or minus £30.
What will I be doing on this trip?
For those seeking an escape from the Western World and experience a small dose of adventure, while meeting people and gaining a better understanding of the world, Mali is an excellent destination. This bicycle tour does all of this. Program participants stay in rural villages, get off the beaten track and learn about day-to-day life in central west Africa. Meet artisans, health care personnel and educators, visit historic and cultural sites, and relax under mango trees and on the river. Highlights of the program include visits to Mopti and Djenne (a World Heritage Site), wandering in multiple markets featuring local produce, handmade textiles, traditional medicine and much more, exploring the fascinating escarpment and enclaves of the Dogon people (with its many sacred sites) (a World Heritage Site) and a truly extraordinary riverboat trip on the Niger River.
For those seeking an escape from the Western World and experience a small dose of adventure, while meeting people and gaining a better understanding of the world, Mali is an excellent destination. This bicycle tour does all of this. Program participants stay in rural villages, get off the beaten track and learn about day-to-day life in central west Africa. Meet artisans, health care personnel and educators, visit historic and cultural sites, and relax under mango trees and on the river. Highlights of the program include visits to Mopti and Djenne (a World Heritage Site), wandering in multiple markets featuring local produce, handmade textiles, traditional medicine and much more, exploring the fascinating escarpment and enclaves of the Dogon people (with its many sacred sites) (a World Heritage Site) and a truly extraordinary riverboat trip on the Niger River.
This program is a perennial favourite because of its distinctive, friendly and flourishing indigenous cultures. Early in the trip you spend a couple days taking a lift down the Niger River on a working riverboat. As you make friends with our fellow passengers, some heading for Timbuktu, the boat stops in town and village along the way delivering goods and picking up local produce -- to be dispatched further on. It is a fascinating and unique experience that you will remember for a lifetime. The bicycling is in a historic/cultural triangle bounded by Mopti, Djenne and Bankas, which only shows serious marks of Western culture at the corners. The area is also the confluent of multiple ethic groups.
You will travel from village to village, sharing roads and tracks with, and learning about, the Bambara, Dogon, Peule, Songhai, Bobo, Bozo and people of other local ethnic groups. Traditionally, each group had a distinctive role in economic life. The architecture, lifestyle, and human activity are all incredible “eye-candy” to look at. Making our way through this largely non-motorized society by our own non-motorized transport is a moving experience. There is no better way to immerse yourself in the heart of Africa. After the program participants can expand their exploration of Mali with a visit the historic city of Timbuktu (a World Heritage Site).
My holiday itinerary...
Day 1-2
Explore Bamako.
Day 3-5
Travel by riverboat on the Niger River to the commercial center of Mopti. This is one of the world's most fascinating boat trips.
Day 6-7
Cycle to and visit historic Djenne, see its renowned market and mosque.
Day 8-12
Cycle and walk through the isolated and beautiful Dogon country, staying in villages.
Day 13-14
Return to Bamako.
(If you opt to try and visit Timbuktu - Day 14-15: fly to the ancient city of Timbuktu (Tombouctou) and return to Bamako.)
Day 1-2
Explore Bamako.
Day 3-5
Travel by riverboat on the Niger River to the commercial center of Mopti. This is one of the world's most fascinating boat trips.
Day 6-7
Cycle to and visit historic Djenne, see its renowned market and mosque.
Day 8-12
Cycle and walk through the isolated and beautiful Dogon country, staying in villages.
Day 13-14
Return to Bamako.
(If you opt to try and visit Timbuktu - Day 14-15: fly to the ancient city of Timbuktu (Tombouctou) and return to Bamako.)
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Additional information
Starting/Ending Point: Bamako, Mali. Skill Level: Suitable for fit Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced. Mileage Daily / Total: 18-55 miles / 500km, 300 miles Cycling Conditions: Flat, 60% paved roads, 40% dirt/sand/rock, some rough roads. Accommodations: Small hotels and "village camping" (some rustic conditions), no bush camping. This is one of our most "off-the-beat-track" programs and will take you furthest from the influences of western civilization. Van Support: None. Local transport is generally available. Meals Included: Two meals per day, generally breakfast and dinner (meat, chicken, rice, beans, pasta, potatoes, tomatoes). Other Activities: river boat, local canoe, walking (5km, 3 miles), bus Bike: Mountain bike recommended. Bike Rental: Not available. |
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How does this holiday make a difference?
The structure
The operator offers small group (12 people max.) exploration of fascinating cultures, ethnic diversity, and the natural and social complexity of the world. To enhance their contact with the areas they visit, the primary mode of travel is bicycle. Thus they have a ground level view culture, historic sites, museums, architecture, religion, ecological niches, and the realities of daily life. They meet with unique local people and enjoy bicycling beautiful backroads. The programs are designed to be environmentally friendly, economically beneficial, educational, enriching and culturally sensitive, and accessible to ordinary active people who seek moderate adventure.
Guides with a broad knowledge of the destination accompany each group. Topics range from art to zoology - while local culture, ecology, economics, and history are also explored. You will return with hours of stories to tell.
The operator offers both the resources and social opportunities of group travel and the flexibility to pursue individual interests. If you are new to this type of travel or bicycling, the program will build your self-confidence and self-sufficiency. You gain new insights and positive feelings about yourself and the world.
Defining the program
The term ecotourism is rarely used in any of of the operators publicity. They have long been uncomfortable with the term because it has been used to embrace ANY travel that includes "nature" - getting out of a city - even when getting there by a gas guzzling SUV (sport-utility vehicle or four-wheel drive) and ripping up the savannah in the process.
As an alternative they try to practice what they have come to call "E3 Programs"; environmentally friendly (using primarily non-motorized transport, but reflecting all aspects of the projects including printing, selection of energy efficient lodging and local produced food and goods), economically beneficial (supporting the decentralized, indigenous economy, including local produced food and goods) and educational/enriching (exploring the diversity and complexity of the local natural and human ecosystem.) If you draw these as a triangle, each element reinforces the others. The use of non-motorized transports virtually mandates patronizing local business and the increased exposure to the local culture, economy and environment inherently leads to enhanced educational and enriching experiences. Aiming for a well rounded educational experience, is a natural for getting into the community and supporting local businesses and argues for eliminating the barriers of glass, steel and speed that go with motor vehicles. Including as a goal supporting local suppliers of goods and service dictates increased interaction with the cultural and enriching experiences and the use of non-motorized transport virtually assures that the benefits will be decentralized and widely beneficial.
Within the E3 structure a bike ride and lecture in an urban historic district, a work project in a village and a forest walk learning about ethno-botany and looking for primates all have the same weight.
The structure
The operator offers small group (12 people max.) exploration of fascinating cultures, ethnic diversity, and the natural and social complexity of the world. To enhance their contact with the areas they visit, the primary mode of travel is bicycle. Thus they have a ground level view culture, historic sites, museums, architecture, religion, ecological niches, and the realities of daily life. They meet with unique local people and enjoy bicycling beautiful backroads. The programs are designed to be environmentally friendly, economically beneficial, educational, enriching and culturally sensitive, and accessible to ordinary active people who seek moderate adventure.
Guides with a broad knowledge of the destination accompany each group. Topics range from art to zoology - while local culture, ecology, economics, and history are also explored. You will return with hours of stories to tell.
The operator offers both the resources and social opportunities of group travel and the flexibility to pursue individual interests. If you are new to this type of travel or bicycling, the program will build your self-confidence and self-sufficiency. You gain new insights and positive feelings about yourself and the world.
Defining the program
The term ecotourism is rarely used in any of of the operators publicity. They have long been uncomfortable with the term because it has been used to embrace ANY travel that includes "nature" - getting out of a city - even when getting there by a gas guzzling SUV (sport-utility vehicle or four-wheel drive) and ripping up the savannah in the process.
As an alternative they try to practice what they have come to call "E3 Programs"; environmentally friendly (using primarily non-motorized transport, but reflecting all aspects of the projects including printing, selection of energy efficient lodging and local produced food and goods), economically beneficial (supporting the decentralized, indigenous economy, including local produced food and goods) and educational/enriching (exploring the diversity and complexity of the local natural and human ecosystem.) If you draw these as a triangle, each element reinforces the others. The use of non-motorized transports virtually mandates patronizing local business and the increased exposure to the local culture, economy and environment inherently leads to enhanced educational and enriching experiences. Aiming for a well rounded educational experience, is a natural for getting into the community and supporting local businesses and argues for eliminating the barriers of glass, steel and speed that go with motor vehicles. Including as a goal supporting local suppliers of goods and service dictates increased interaction with the cultural and enriching experiences and the use of non-motorized transport virtually assures that the benefits will be decentralized and widely beneficial.
Within the E3 structure a bike ride and lecture in an urban historic district, a work project in a village and a forest walk learning about ethno-botany and looking for primates all have the same weight.
Where is it?
Click here to enquire about or book this holiday!
To discover other Responsible Tourism projects, click here.
To discover more about Mali, click here.
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