Mali boat cruise to Timbuktu holiday
Click here to enquire about or book this holiday!
Basic information
Location: Mali: Bamako, Timbuktu, Mopti, Pays-Dogon, Djenne, Segou.
Departures: January - December
Duration: 14 days
Group size: 2+ people
Price: From £1320, including: Hotel accommodation, meals as listed, private ground transportation, flights between sites, experienced English and French-speaking guide, airport transfers upon arrival and departure, all hotel taxes and local tourism taxes, all site visits and entry fees. Excluding: International flight to Mali, travel insurance, visa fees, drinks, and gratuities.
What will I be doing on this trip?
Associated activities: Cultural visit and exchange, trekking, participation in mud-cloth making, pottery making, attending a traditional Dogon dance, boat cruise on the Niger River, visit Djenne’s world renowned Monday market, visit orphanages at ASE-Mali and the Village D’Enfant SOS, tree planting.
Location: Mali: Bamako, Timbuktu, Mopti, Pays-Dogon, Djenne, Segou.
Departures: January - December
Duration: 14 days
Group size: 2+ people
Price: From £1320, including: Hotel accommodation, meals as listed, private ground transportation, flights between sites, experienced English and French-speaking guide, airport transfers upon arrival and departure, all hotel taxes and local tourism taxes, all site visits and entry fees. Excluding: International flight to Mali, travel insurance, visa fees, drinks, and gratuities.
What will I be doing on this trip?
Associated activities: Cultural visit and exchange, trekking, participation in mud-cloth making, pottery making, attending a traditional Dogon dance, boat cruise on the Niger River, visit Djenne’s world renowned Monday market, visit orphanages at ASE-Mali and the Village D’Enfant SOS, tree planting.
To fully experience the grand country of Mali, travel from the vibrant capital city of Bamako to legendary Timbuktu connecting with cultures through their history, arts, and landscapes. Meet with local artisans, witness the mystics of Dogon Country, stand in awe at the banks of the Niger River; enjoy the sand dunes near the legendary Timbuktu and gaze at the architectural ingenuity of the “Great” Mosque of Djénné. This tour allows for extended visits in mysterious Timbuktu, legendary Dogon Country so our guests can fully benefit from the cultural richness of Mali.
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My holiday itinerary...
Day 01: Bamako
Upon arrival at Bamako-Sénou International Airport, your tour guide and your driver assist with airport formalities and transfer to the hotel.
Day 02: Bamako
Take a city tour of Mali’s vibrant capital city of Bamako. Visit the national museum, women’s museum and Médine recycling market. After lunch visit the handicraft centre and enjoy a panoramic view from “the hill of knowledge.” A visit to Bamako is hardly complete without a trip to its world-renowned “Great Market” in the heart of the city. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 3: Bamako- Ségou
After breakfast, drive to Ségou, the region of the largest ethnic group in Mali, the Bambara people. Stop in Sékoro the former capital city of the 18th century Bambara Kingdom. Enjoy new sights, sounds and smells at the vegetable market, the harbour and pottery market where a beautiful sunset on the Niger River awaits. Ségou displays the beautiful Sudanese-style architecture at its best. Visit traditional weavers and mud cloth artisans to witness the making of one of Mali’s most exciting products the “Bogolan” Cloth. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 4: Ségou - Djénné
From Ségou travel to Djénné through cotton and calabash fields. Stop in Térékoungo to visit the animist sanctuary and the Bobo sacred well. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 01: Bamako
Upon arrival at Bamako-Sénou International Airport, your tour guide and your driver assist with airport formalities and transfer to the hotel.
Day 02: Bamako
Take a city tour of Mali’s vibrant capital city of Bamako. Visit the national museum, women’s museum and Médine recycling market. After lunch visit the handicraft centre and enjoy a panoramic view from “the hill of knowledge.” A visit to Bamako is hardly complete without a trip to its world-renowned “Great Market” in the heart of the city. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 3: Bamako- Ségou
After breakfast, drive to Ségou, the region of the largest ethnic group in Mali, the Bambara people. Stop in Sékoro the former capital city of the 18th century Bambara Kingdom. Enjoy new sights, sounds and smells at the vegetable market, the harbour and pottery market where a beautiful sunset on the Niger River awaits. Ségou displays the beautiful Sudanese-style architecture at its best. Visit traditional weavers and mud cloth artisans to witness the making of one of Mali’s most exciting products the “Bogolan” Cloth. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 4: Ségou - Djénné
From Ségou travel to Djénné through cotton and calabash fields. Stop in Térékoungo to visit the animist sanctuary and the Bobo sacred well. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 5: Djénné-Sangha Dogon Country
Take a walking tour of Djenné, the twin city of Timbuktu and see its hundred-year-old adobe mosque, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Great Mosque of Djénné is the biggest mud building in the world. Visit some of the 44 Koranic schools as well as the old Moroccan district. The colorful Monday market will be an unforgettable experience. After lunch, depart for Dogon country. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner |  |
Day 6 and 7: Hike up the Dogon cliffs
The exploration and trekking of the fascinating Dogon universe starts early in morning. The cliffs, also known as Mali’s “Grand Canyon” were settled by a mystic people of Africa whose age-old traditions and customs are still very much alive. The Dogon fled from their homes in the Mandingo counties around the 13°C, to escape the Islamic invasion and built houses clinging about 200 m to the cliffs for their protection. Stop by different villages where time has stood still to experience the daily lives of the Dogon people. Meals provided include picnic lunches and dinners and nights are spent in tents under the vast and starry Malian sky. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 8: Dogon country-Mopti
On the way back to Mopti, visit the sacred rock paintings in Songho, the circumcision grotto, and eat lunch at the lovely Bozo restaurant in Mopti. A tour of Mopti, which means, “meeting place” in the Fulani language shows the rich ethnic diversity of Mali. Mopti, a melting pot of various ethnic groups is home to the Bozo, Fulani, Songhai, Bobo, Bambara, Mossi, Bella, and Tuareg peoples who all live in harmony. Witness the importance of the Niger River and visit Bozo fishermen's villages, nomadic Fulani camps, the old district, and the souvenir market. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Days 9-10 and 11: Boat cruise to Timbuktu
While cruising on the Niger River, witness its importance in the daily lives of the people of the delta. Shepherds herding hundreds of cattle, fishing and trading boats and fishermen casting or hauling in their nets are some unique features of this tour. Interact with Bozo fishermen and Fulani shepherds while you visit their villages. The lively scenes of people going about their business as well as the extensive bird and animal species on the river are a photographer’s or wildlife enthusiast’s dreams come true. Spend the nights camping out on the bank of the river. Arrive and transfer from the port to hotel in Timbuktu on day 11. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner (O/N)
Day 12: Timbuktu, the mysterious city of the 333 saints
Timbuktu is the ultimate destination for most visitors to Mali because of its importance in medieval times. Be immersed in Tuareg culture in the heart of the Sahara Desert on this visit to legendary Timbuktu. Explore ancient mosques and universities where centuries ago scholars came from around the world to study the Koran, math and medicine. Visit the museum and Ahmed Baba Institute where Islamic manuscripts are archived and preserved. Walk in the footsteps of the explorers Réné Caillé, Gordon Laing, and Mungo Park and Djingareïber, the mosque built by Emperor Mansa Moussa in the 14th century after his famous pilgrimage to Mecca. Visit the markets where blocks of salt from the camel caravans are displayed just like they were centuries ago. Take a camel back ride with a camel caravan into the deep desert to visit a Tuareg camp. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 13: Timbuktu-Bamako
Fly from the Timbuktu airport to Bamako for mid-morning arrival. Transfer to hotel for lunch. Spend the afternoon relaxing or exploring the city. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner (O/N)
Day 14: Bamako- Departure
Excursion to the Mandingo mounts. Explore the prehistoric cave of Kourukorokalé, Faraba a typical Mandingo village and the sacred hut of Kangaba, which houses sacred stones and other items. Learn about the history of the Manding Empire from the traditional wordsmiths, the griots. Have lunch in Kangaba then return to Bamako to spend the rest of the day relaxing and transfer to airport for your international flight back. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner (O/N)
Additional information
How to get to us: Available airlines to Mali are Air France, Royal Air Maroc, Point Afrique Voyage
Services: We stay at 3 star hotels, guest houses, or campgrounds that provide excellent services to our guests. These facilities are well-maintained and offer great amenities such as internet and long distance calls, entertainment, etc.
Family friendly: Our tours are family-friendly! We are very good at being flexible and innovative to incorporate activities for all members of the group. Whether it is by inviting local children for an informal soccer or basketball match we make sure youth in our group are as excited as their parents.
How does this holiday make a difference?
We provide interesting inter-cultural exchanges based on mutual respect and understanding. We provide our tours in a manner that respect s local cultures and are not invasive to people’s day-day lives.
The exploration and trekking of the fascinating Dogon universe starts early in morning. The cliffs, also known as Mali’s “Grand Canyon” were settled by a mystic people of Africa whose age-old traditions and customs are still very much alive. The Dogon fled from their homes in the Mandingo counties around the 13°C, to escape the Islamic invasion and built houses clinging about 200 m to the cliffs for their protection. Stop by different villages where time has stood still to experience the daily lives of the Dogon people. Meals provided include picnic lunches and dinners and nights are spent in tents under the vast and starry Malian sky. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 8: Dogon country-Mopti
On the way back to Mopti, visit the sacred rock paintings in Songho, the circumcision grotto, and eat lunch at the lovely Bozo restaurant in Mopti. A tour of Mopti, which means, “meeting place” in the Fulani language shows the rich ethnic diversity of Mali. Mopti, a melting pot of various ethnic groups is home to the Bozo, Fulani, Songhai, Bobo, Bambara, Mossi, Bella, and Tuareg peoples who all live in harmony. Witness the importance of the Niger River and visit Bozo fishermen's villages, nomadic Fulani camps, the old district, and the souvenir market. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Days 9-10 and 11: Boat cruise to Timbuktu
While cruising on the Niger River, witness its importance in the daily lives of the people of the delta. Shepherds herding hundreds of cattle, fishing and trading boats and fishermen casting or hauling in their nets are some unique features of this tour. Interact with Bozo fishermen and Fulani shepherds while you visit their villages. The lively scenes of people going about their business as well as the extensive bird and animal species on the river are a photographer’s or wildlife enthusiast’s dreams come true. Spend the nights camping out on the bank of the river. Arrive and transfer from the port to hotel in Timbuktu on day 11. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner (O/N)
Day 12: Timbuktu, the mysterious city of the 333 saints
Timbuktu is the ultimate destination for most visitors to Mali because of its importance in medieval times. Be immersed in Tuareg culture in the heart of the Sahara Desert on this visit to legendary Timbuktu. Explore ancient mosques and universities where centuries ago scholars came from around the world to study the Koran, math and medicine. Visit the museum and Ahmed Baba Institute where Islamic manuscripts are archived and preserved. Walk in the footsteps of the explorers Réné Caillé, Gordon Laing, and Mungo Park and Djingareïber, the mosque built by Emperor Mansa Moussa in the 14th century after his famous pilgrimage to Mecca. Visit the markets where blocks of salt from the camel caravans are displayed just like they were centuries ago. Take a camel back ride with a camel caravan into the deep desert to visit a Tuareg camp. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 13: Timbuktu-Bamako
Fly from the Timbuktu airport to Bamako for mid-morning arrival. Transfer to hotel for lunch. Spend the afternoon relaxing or exploring the city. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner (O/N)
Day 14: Bamako- Departure
Excursion to the Mandingo mounts. Explore the prehistoric cave of Kourukorokalé, Faraba a typical Mandingo village and the sacred hut of Kangaba, which houses sacred stones and other items. Learn about the history of the Manding Empire from the traditional wordsmiths, the griots. Have lunch in Kangaba then return to Bamako to spend the rest of the day relaxing and transfer to airport for your international flight back. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner (O/N)
Additional information
How to get to us: Available airlines to Mali are Air France, Royal Air Maroc, Point Afrique Voyage
Services: We stay at 3 star hotels, guest houses, or campgrounds that provide excellent services to our guests. These facilities are well-maintained and offer great amenities such as internet and long distance calls, entertainment, etc.
Family friendly: Our tours are family-friendly! We are very good at being flexible and innovative to incorporate activities for all members of the group. Whether it is by inviting local children for an informal soccer or basketball match we make sure youth in our group are as excited as their parents.
How does this holiday make a difference?
We provide interesting inter-cultural exchanges based on mutual respect and understanding. We provide our tours in a manner that respect s local cultures and are not invasive to people’s day-day lives.
We urge all our guests to give the "gift of a lifetime" by planting at least one tree in one the communities we visit and that we set-up volunteering opportunities for our guests with organizations in need.
We invest as much as 20% of our profits to local NGO such ASE-Mali, and Village D’Enfant SOS. We bring school and medical supplies to village schools during our visits. We support community-based organizations promoting health and environmental protection such as Mali Health Organization, and Ecova-Mali. Where is it? |  |
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