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Journey to Timbuktu - Your Itinerary
13 days
From: £3045
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What's included:
- Scheduled flights, including all U.K. and overseas airport taxes and applicable fuel surcharges
- The services of an experienced Bales Tour Manager from London, who takes care of all the tipping on your behalf
- Private air-conditioned coach, exclusive to the Bales group, plus 4-wheel-drive vehicles as detailed
- Sightseeing As detailed, including entrance fees
- Accommodation and meals First class hotel in Bamako. Best available elsewhere.
- 11 breakfasts, 9 lunches and 10 dinners
- Average group size 12 passengers
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Day 1
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 Day 1
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Evening flight from London Heathrow by Royal Air Maroc via Casablanca (3 hours 15 minutes) to Bamako (3 hours 35 minutes), Mali’s capital city on the River Niger.
Meals:
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Day 2
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 Day 2
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On arrival in the early morning, transfer to the Hotel Salam (15 KM/approximately 20 minutes). Bales have reserved your rooms for immediate occupancy, to relax, before an afternoon tour of the city. We visit the excellent Musée National, one of the finest in West Africa, as well as the lively artisan market. Dinner tonight provides the opportunity to meet your fellow travellers.
Meals: B & D
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Day 3
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 Day 3
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Leave by road to Segou (241 KM/approximately 4 hours with sightseeing en route), located in one of Mali’s most fertile regions. En route we visit the village of Segoukoro (old Segou) which in the 18th century was capital of the powerful Bambara Kings whose rule stretched for thousands of kilometres across West Africa. Afternoon sightseeing in Segou, and overnight stay at the Hotel L’Auberge.
Meals: B, L & D
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Day 4
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 Day 4
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This morning we drive to Mopti (402 KM/approximately 4 hours 30 minutes). Afternoon sightseeing of the city, followed by a relaxing cruise on the River Niger at sunset. Overnight at the Hotel Kanaga.
Meals: B, L & D
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Day 5
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 Day 5
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A fascinating journey by 4-wheel-drive vehicles, with a picnic lunch, to the gates of the legendary city of Timbuktu (523 KM/approximately 8 hours including stops), which needs no introduction as one of the most famous destinations in the world. Stay at the Hendrina Khan Hotel.
Meals: B, L & D
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Day 6
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 Day 6
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This morning we take a walking tour through the old town of Timbuktu, visiting the mosques, the houses of famous explorers and other buildings of historical interest. In the late afternoon we take a camel ride (those who prefer can travel in their vehicle) to visit a Tuareg camp in the Sahara Desert. It was Tuareg nomads that founded Timbuktu at the beginning of the 12th century, and they still inhabit this strategic region where the desert meets the northern bend of the River Niger. Our day ends with a special desert barbeque.
Meals: B, L & D
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Day 7
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 Day 7
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Early morning departure via the same route back to Mopti, for your stay at the Hotel Kanaga.
Meals: B, L & D
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Day 8
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 Day 8
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A full day excursion to one of Mali’s principal attractions, the amazingly well-preserved old town of Djenné. In 1988, Djenné was named a World Heritage Site to protect its unique architecture; its traditional buildings are constructed by expert masons whose secret techniques are closely guarded and have been kept within selected families since the 15th century. Djenné’s most famous building is the beautiful Konboro Mosque, the largest mud structure in the world. The interior of the mosque is closed to foreigners, but it is the exterior, with its 3 distinctive minarets, that captures the imagination. Our visit to Djenné is planned to coincide with the town’s colourful weekly Monday market.
Meals: B, L & D
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Day 9
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 Day 9
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The Bandiagara escarpment is home to the mysterious Dogon peoples whose unique way of life is a treasure-trove for the anthropologist – animist beliefs, ancestor worship and strange death rituals. We travel this morning into the heart of this region, where the Dogon live in isolated cliff villages following a way of life that has changed little through the centuries. A stop is made at nearby Songo, famous for its rock-paintings, en route to the village of Sanga (80 KM/approximately 4 hours with stops) where we stay at the Hotel Campement.
Meals: B, L & D
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Day 10
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 Day 10
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We remain in our 4-wheel-drive vehicles to explore this unusual and beautiful destination. At Tereli we will witness a thrilling Mask Dance, whilst in the village of Amani we see the sacred caimans (crocodiles). Also visited are the spectacular cliff villages of Banani and Ireli (see Important Notes).
Meals: B, L & D
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Day 11
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Day 11
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Return to Segou (523 KM/approximately 6 hours) where we overnight at the Hotel L’Auberge.
Meals: B, L & D
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Day 12
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 Day 12
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Continue to Bamako where rooms have been reserved at the Hotel Salam until your late evening transfer to the airport.
Meals: B
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Day 13
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 Day 13
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Early morning flight on Royal Air Maroc via Casablanca, arriving at London Heathrow this afternoon.
Meals:
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