Last updated: 2011-10-05

Day by day

Day 1

Gathering at the hotel in Bamako.

Day 2

By rented mini bus to Sagou, the capital during the colonial era. Walk along the River Niger's beach and see the beautiful pottery that is for sale.

Day 3

In the morning you see how the fantastic textiles are made. The thick cotton textile is weaved by hand and died with plants, sap and clay. On to San.

Day 4

By bus to Djenné. The mosque is a masterpiece and is said to be the biggest building built entirely out of adobe. It is built in the 12^th century, with reparations after each rain season. The city is a UNESCO world heritage sight, and all new houses must be built in abode.

Day 5

By donkey cart to a nearby village. You stay in a campement by the River Bani.

Day 6

You visit the villages with an interpreter and talk to people, fishers, get invited to tea, take pictures, maybe take a ride on the river with a Bozo, fisherman, help the Bambara, farmers, with the harvest or learn how to milk cows with the Fulani, cattelers.

Day 7

Bus to Songu where the Dogon live.

Day 8

Bus to Begnemeto at the huge fault along which the Dogon villages lie. Some up on the plateau, other below the 100 m precipitous cliff. You trek for four days between the villages and sleep and eat in a campement.

Day 9-12

This day you trek on the the flat plateu to Nombori and Kokomani, two famous Dogon villages. Then along the millet fields to the village Tirelli. High up you see the remains of Tellem, ancient mystical people that built their houses in cavities high up in the vertical cliff. The third day we arrange a dance performance: the famous mask dance. The last day up the cliff to Sangha on the plateau. There are two ways; one easy and a bit difficult. You stay at a luxurious campement.

Day 13

Mopti by the River Niger. The river harbor is very lively. Big transport boats (pinasse) arrive loaded with all kind of things, especially with dried fish. The River Niger gives the dry country life, it waters big areas and it gives enough fish for export.

Day 14-15

You travel downstream the peculiar River Niger in a big pinasse passing boats, fishers and villages. As well as birds and probably hippopotamus. The river widens to a giant lake. The landscape becomes dryer on both sides. You sleep in tents on the beach.

Day 16-17

Finally you reach Timbuktu. Timbuktu is the spitting image of a fairytale town, know already during the medieval Europe. Walk around the sandy streets and see the beautiful mosques in adobe. Outside the town Sahara begins. You ride on dromedaries out into the desert with a guide and a Tuareg, who takes you to his home village. You are invited to eat and sleep under the stars. Back to Timbuktu, on dromedar.

Day 18

Early morning to the airport and then flight back to Bamako. Bus south to Kangaba. You stay in the village Kela, inhabited by Grios, the groups of traditional musicians that have made Malian music famous all over the world.

Day 19

The gold fields in Cocoyo where 3000 gold diggers search for happiness. An impressive sight, a bit scary. You can try your own luck as well.

Day 20

A music show in the morning, perhaps some dance. Bus back to Bamako.

Day 21

The National Museum is one of the finest in Africa. The Recycling market is very exciting and gives strong shopping impulses. The journey is finished.