| Duration: | 6 Day(s) - 5 Night(s) |
| Tour Category: | Archaeological Tours |
Day 1: Arrival – Bamako (Friday)
Your international flight arrives in Bamako, where you will be met, assisted, and transferred to your hotel.
Tour orientation with your tour guide, followed by the rest of the afternoon at leisure.
Day 2: Bamako – Ségou
Drive to Ségou, a former colonial administrative center.
Admire the beautiful Sudanese-style colonial architecture and visit the pottery market, traditional weavers, and other artisans. See and experience how traditional mud cloth is made. Visit Sékoro Village, the former capital of the Bambara Kingdom, where you will see the tomb of King Biton Coulibaly, the founder of the Bambara Kingdom, and the mosque that is older than the village.
In the afternoon, enjoy a cruise in a traditional pinasse on the Niger River to the Bambara village of Kalabougou. The village is known for its pottery, and you may see women shaping and firing the clay.
Meal(s) included: Breakfast
Day 3: Ségou – Djenné
This morning, we completed our visit to Ségou and traveled to Mali’s architectural jewel, Djenné.
En route, visit San to see the local mosque, designed as a replica of the Djenné Grand Mosque.
Founded in the fourth century, Djenné has scarcely changed since the Middle Ages. As you stroll through its streets and bazaar, you will be transported back to medieval times. The evening is at leisure.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 4: Djenné (Monday – Market Day)
Today is Monday, Djenné’s weekly market day, when the town is at its most colorful. Visit the magnificent Grand Mosque—the largest mud-brick structure in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the museum, where a representative of the Mission Culturelle will guide you to the archaeological site of Djéno Djenné, the original ancient settlement.
You will learn about the rich history of the ancient city of Djenné. Overnight in Djenné.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 5: Djenné – Bamako
After breakfast, enjoy a scenic drive of approximately seven hours back to Bamako. Arrive in time to check in at your hotel.
The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 6: Bamako – Departure
Today, explore the capital city of Bamako, situated along the Niger River, one of Africa’s greatest rivers.
Mali is home to many tribal communities, each with its own vibrant styles of clothing and jewelry. There is no better place to observe this cultural diversity than in the streets and markets of Bamako.
Begin at Point G for a panoramic view of the city, then visit the National Museum, which provides an excellent introduction to the country’s ethnic diversity.
Bamako also has a large arts and crafts center where sculptors, weavers, leatherworkers, jewelers, and metalworkers display their skills. One section of the market is devoted entirely to traditional African medicine, where you will see dried animal parts, herbs, and other traditional remedies. Visit the main market as well as the recycling market.
Overnight in Bamako.
You will be transferred from the hotel to the airport for your departure flight.
Meal(s) included: Breakfast
Tour Price Includes:
Round-trip airport-to-hotel transfers; accommodations in the listed properties or similar; tours in a private vehicle; experienced English- and French-speaking guides; admission to all listed sites and activities; luggage transfers; and meals as indicated.
Tour Price Does Not Include:
International airfare to Mali; travel insurance; meals not listed; personal expenses such as telephone and laundry; visa fees; and gratuities for drivers and guides.
