The Road to Timbuktu Tour

Our journey takes us through the wonderful West African country of Mali, travelling through remote desert landscapes to the isolated town of Timbuktu. We trek through Dogon villages with fabulous views, camping overnight in friendly villages. We also board a 'pinasse' (local boat) for a beautiful river journey, stopping at small encampments along the way and even spend a night in a nomadic Tuareg tent in the Sahara. Facilities are limited but for the true traveller, there is no more exciting destination than the city of Timbuktu!

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Maximum Group Size: 15
Trek Grade A: Easy
Arrival Transfer: Airport transfer to hotel day 1
Fully Escorted: By local tour leader
Transport: Private bus, pinasse (local river boat), foot, camel, plane
Flight: Timbuktu to Bamako
Activities: Hiking in the Dogon country, river boat trip, camel ride to Tuareg camp
Accommodation: 7 nights tourist class hotels, 6 nights fully serviced camping
Meals: As per itinerary. B - Breakfast, L - Lunch, D - Dinner
Entrance fees: Included for all sites listed as part of the itinerary
Local Payment: Must be paid in cash on day 1 of your tour

IMPORTANT!: Conditions in Mali can be basic. Please be patient whilst your tour leader tries to sort out any problems.

AMENDED ITINERARY: An amended itinerary will apply for departures in January, when a visit to the Festival du Desert will be included (subject to confirmation for 2008).

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• Three day river cruise to Timbuktu
• Trek through remote and spectacular villages in the Dogon escarpment
• Explore fabled Timbuktu
• Overnight in a desert Tuareg settlement

BRIEF ITINERARY

Day 1, BAMAKO: Arrive in Bamako and check in to your hotel. No meals.

Day 2, BAMAKO - SEGOU: Morning city tour of Bamako. We visit the markets and a craft centre. In the afternoon we continue to Segou, passing many small villages on the way. (B)

Day 3, BAMAKO - DJENNE: Morning drive to Djenne, the ‘Queen of the Delta’, where we have time to explore the fascinating Monday market with its profusion of colour and produce. We also visit the mosque, the largest mud building in the world, and wander through the old part of town with its mud brick houses and narrow streets. (B)

Day 4, DJENNE - DOGON VILLAGES: Drive to the Dogon area where we start our trek through this fascinating tribal region of mud brick villages at the edge of the stunning Bandiagara Escarpment. Overnight camping. (BD)

Day 5, DJENNE - DOGON COUNTRY: A morning wake up call from the donkeys and roosters before we continue hiking through picturesque villages. We visit a number of the most spectacular but least visited villages. Overnight camping. (BLD)

Day 6, DOGON COUNTRY - SEVARE: Hike through more beautiful villages gaining an insight into the life of the Dogon villagers. Later we meet our bus and drive to Sevare. (BL)

Days 7-9, MOPTI - NIGER CRUISE: We spend the morning exploring the colourful markets of Mopti spread along the banks of the Niger. Later we board small ‘pinasse’ river craft and begin our three day journey along the Niger towards Timbuktu. Along the way we visit several Bozo and Peul villages and enjoy the hive of activity surrounding the river - spend your time watching colourfully dressed villagers walking to market or washing clothes, children playing and cattle sunning themselves on the river bank. We spend the nights camped on the side of the river. (BLD)

Day 10, TIMBUKTU: Arrive in Korioume and transfer to Timbuktu. Meet our Tuareg guide and climb aboard our camels for a ride to a nearby Tuareg settlement where we have dinner. Overnight camping. (BLD)

Day 11, TIMBUKTU: Morning camel trek. In the afternoon we take a city tour of Timbuktu. (B)

Day 12, TIMBUKTU - BAMAKO: Transfer to the airport for our flight back to Bamako. (B)

Day 13, BAMAKO: A full free day to explore the wonderful town of Bamako which has arguably the best market in West Africa. Wander through streets lined with vendors selling indigo cloth, African music, traditional medicines and much much more. There is also time to visit the Musee National, an excellent ethnographic museum. (B)

Day 14, BAMAKO: Tour ends after breakfast. (B)

DEPARTURE DATES

*Coincides with the Festival au Desert-amended itenary is in place. Supplement will apply.

TRAVEL STYLE

You love to experience the culture and tradition of a destination but with a level of comfort and organisation that won't test your endurance. Explore without roughing it.

Maximum Group Size - 15: You love to experience the culture and tradition of a destination but with a level of inclusions, comfort and organisation that won't test your endurance. You enjoy the freedom of using privately charted vehicles but also understand that sometimes the best way to go is 'local'. Whether a seasoned or a first time traveller, you love to explore without roughing it.
Tour Extensions: Traveller-class Extension tours are non-group tours, available on request.
Included: All accommodation (usually in comfortable tourist class hotels on a twin share basis), transportation, many meals, and all entrance fees as included in the itinerary.
Single Supplement: (applicable to single travellers who wish to have their own room) Usually available and usually not compulsory (check your specific tour for details). Please note: Single supplements do not apply on all boats, overnight train journeys and whilst camping.[Read more about Imaginative Traveller travel styles]