Mali and Burkina Faso - The Land of the Dogon
There’s hardly as exotic and remarkable place on earth as the heart of the Sahara.
During this trip we’ll take you to these two fascinating countries, inhabited by the proud and dreadful Tuareg and the isolated Dogon, who created the most mysterious myths about the creation of the world. We will visit the once forbidden and still mystical Timbuktu and see places that have resisted all foreign influence. We enter a world of small fortresses and enormous mud mosques, where we will stand face to face with Mali’s most famous rock formation – The Hand of Fatima and enjoy a cruise along the Niger River.
Highlights:
♦Timbuktu – a mystical desert city, a market town from the Middle Ages and a cultural and spiritual center.
♦The Hand of Fatima – a famous rock formation, attracting climbers from all over the world.
♦The Dogon – the tribe, famous for its unique myths, impressive art, and exceptional architecture.
♦Djenné – the town with the mud houses and the largest mud mosque in the world
♦Cruise along the Niger River
Itinerary:
Day 1. Departure – Ouagadougou
Arrival at Ouagadougou airport and transfer to the hotel.
Day 2. Ougadougou – Ouahigouya
City tour in Ouagadougou and visit to the Museum of Music. Transfer to Ouahiguya, we make a stop in Konguisi for lunch. We visit the chief in Tikare. We arrive in Ouahigouya in the afternoon, where we visit the Mossi King's palace. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 3. Ouahigouya – Land of the Dogons
Breakfast and transfer to Mali border. After the border formalities, transfer to Dash. We stop in several Dogon villages on the way. We'll watch a mask dance in Tirelli. We'll have a picnic lunch and then drive to Kundu. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 4. Kundu – Sangha – Bandiagara
We start the day with walking tour, we'll visit three neighborhoods in the village of Youga. Transfer to Sangha and lunch. In the afternoon we have time to take a closer look at Sangha and become more familiar with the Dogon culture. Transfer to Bandiagara. Dinner at the hotel.
Days 5 & 6. Bandiagara – Konna – River cruise
Breakfast and transfer to Konna via Mopti. From Konna we begin a two-day trip on the Niger river, during the trip we'll visit Bozo – a fishing village, and Fulani – the village of the nomadic shepherds, and we'll enjoy the sight of hippos in the water and the colorful birdlife, that live along the delta. There is a professional cook on board, and we'll sleep in tent camps on shore.
Day 7. Arrival in Timbuktu
Breakfast on board before we set sail towards our destination. Lunch on board before we leave the ship at the harbor in Timbuktu. Transfer to the hotel.
Day 8. Timbuktu – Hombori
Breakfast and transfer to Duentsa I Sahel. On the way we'll visit a nomad camp and discover life and that region of the Sahara. After lunch in Duentsa, transfer to Hombori. Accommodation at the hotel. Dinner.
Day9. Hombori – Mopti
We'll have breakfast and watch the sun rise over The Hand of Fatima. We'll visit Hombori and than we'll drive to Mopti – the picturesque trade center with its hundreds of canoes in the river. We'll visit the harbor, the mosque, the market and we'll have lunch at Boro, a bar with a nice view towards the river. In the afternoon we'll have time to relax at the hotel and to shop in Moptis art galleries. Dinner at the hotel
Day 10. Mopti – Djenné.
Walking tour of the city. We visit the largest mud mosque in the world, a Muslim school and we'll walk along the narrow streets. Dinner and breakfast at the hotel.
Day 11. Djénne – San - Ségou
Breakfast. Transfer to San. On the way we visit the traditional Bobo village of Kanga with its interesting granaries. We'll visit the mosque in San. Lunch. Transfer to Ségou. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 12 Ségou- Bamako – Departure
After breakfast we'll have a sightseeing tour in Ségou – the harbor and the colonial buildings. We'll visit the Bambara district, where we can watch the process of millet beer brewing. Transfer to Bamako. We visit the National museum, handcraft market and other monuments, important for the history of the country. Lunch. We'll have some time to relax and then we'll have a transfer to the airport for departure.
The price includes: ►accommodation at 4**** hotels ( 2 nights Kanaga & Splendid), ► accommodation in camps during the cruise along the Niger river and in the Dogon villages (tent) - 4 nights ► 1 night at a 1* hotel in Hombori (shared facilities) ► rest of the nights are at 2** and 3*** hotels ► 9 days on half borad and 3 days on full board – breakfast, lunch and dinner during the sailing trip on Niger ► transportation ► entrance fees ► cruise along the Niger river ► local English speaking guide ► tour leader from Penguin Travel
Not included: ► Drinks ► mineral water ► tips ►other personal expenses
Other expenses: ► Single room supplement: 270 EUR
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