After breakfast, departure to Siby for a visit to the Mandingo King and excursions to sacred rocks tied to the region’s mythology. We will meet a shaman at the sacrificial cave near the Camaján Arch.

At sunset, we will witness an impressive traditional Mandinka mask dance.

Return to our hotel in Bamako.

🛏️ Accommodation: hotel in Bamako
🍽️ Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Early breakfast and transfer to the airport for a domestic flight to Timbuktu.

Arrival in Timbuktu, a legendary city on cultural and economic routes between the Mediterranean and the Gulf of Guinea and a hub for desert-crossing caravans. We will spend the day exploring the city and visiting each of its neighbourhoods. Visits include the tombs of Muslim saints, Sudanese-style mosques, and a Tuareg community to learn about their life in the Sahara.

🛏️ Accommodation: hotel in Timbuktu
🍽️ Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

At dawn, we embark on a boat to navigate the Niger River to Mopti (approximately 450 km). We will see incredible landscapes and fishing communities, including Bozo (fishermen), Peul (herders), and Sonrai (farmers). Along the riverbanks and on small islands, we will observe camps with reed and palm leaf huts. We will make stops to visit some of these villages.

Overnight in tents.

🛏️ Accommodation: camp
🍽️ Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

We will cross Lake Débo, the largest and most important fishing region in Mali, observing many fishermen casting their nets in search of a good catch (mainly Nile perch).

Arrival in Mopti and transfer our hotel.

🛏️ Accommodation: hotel in Mopti
🍽️ Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

After breakfast we will go on an excursion to visit a fishing camp. After the visit, we return to Mopti in the afternoon. We will explore the local market and the port and also see Mopti Mosque.

🛏️ Accommodation: hotel in Mopti
🍽️ Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

We will leave for Djenné after a fulfilling breakfast.

There are beautiful landscapes along the way, with stops and visits to the local villages.

In Djenné, our planned visits include the tomb of the young maiden sacrificed for the city’s prosperity in the 12th century, the great mosque from 1906, and cooperatives producing traditional scarves known as Bogolan, dyed with natural tree bark colours. We will stroll through alleys and Quranic schools where children learn Quranic verses.

Our visit will align with the weekly market day, if possible. Afterwards, we proceed to Ségou, Mali’s former colonial capital, known for its blend of traditional and colonial architecture.

Note: Currently, Djenné is closed to tourists. However, the Malian government recently announced plans to reopen the city to visitors. If this does not happen, we will head directly to Ségou.

🛏️ Accommodation: hotel in Ségou
🍽️ Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Today we will discover Ségou, the capital of the former Bambara Empire, one of Mali’s most pleasant cities with tree-lined avenues, a colonial neighbourhood, a river port, and diverse districts. We will explore the city, including notable Sudanese-style colonial heritage buildings. In the afternoon, we head to Bamako.

🛏️ Accommodation: hotel in Ségou
🍽️ Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

After breakfast, we head to Banantoumou, located 130 km from Bamako. Due to the armed conflict affecting the Dogon Country, part of the community moved here with their sacred masks. Upon arrival, we visit the village, an intriguing mix of Dogon and Bambara cultures.

At sunset, we will enjoy the great Dogon mask dance and return to Bamako.

🛏️ Accommodation: hotel in Bamako
🍽️ Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Today we travel to Fansira Koro, a small village about 70 km north of Bamako. Here, we will witness the traditional Bambara dance “Tiebletie,” characterized by acrobatics and unique movements accompanied by traditional music. Return to Bamako at sunset.

🛏️ Accommodation: hotel in Bamako
🍽️ Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

We dedicate today to exploring Bamako and its points of interest, including the Artisan Market with its amulet and fetish stalls, the Grand Bamako Market, the Grand Mosque, and the National Museum.

🛏️ Accommodation: hotel in Bamako
🍽️ Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

A driver will take you from the accommodation to the airport.

We hope you enjoyed exploring Mali with us and hopefully will see you soon on another expedition!

🛏️ Accommodation: –
🍽️ Meals: breakfast