Mali - West Africa*

with Alex Veit

*18 January- 1 February  2006

This very special tour which will be led by Yair and myself. Mali is an incredible ancient land that borders the Sahara Desert.  Mali is full of mysteries, magical cultures and amazing colorful people. The people of Mali are willing to share their music, dance, history, and wealth of talent in the arts and crafts...Alex

*Please note: Tour is now 13 overnights  in Mali !

Day 1: DEPT TLV: Wed- Jan 18^{th  :}   Fly to Mali. Arrival and transfer to the hotel . If  time permits introduction tour around Bamako. Overnight in Bamako.

 Day 2: Thu- January 19^th  : Bamako-Segou: Departure to Segou, on the way visit  the old village of Segoukoro where the first Bambara King is buried. In Segou: visit of Gneleny Women's association center for weaving woolen carpets. Next, the ancient quarter of  Bambara there we shall see the local beer production. See the stylish French colonizers houses located  along the river bank and more. In the afternoon, departure to the potter's village of Kalabougou and return to Segou.. ar.

 Day 3: Fri -January 20^th: Segou-San-Mopti: Drive to Mopti, on the way visit the village of San, where we shall see the best mud cloth makers of Mali,  almost in each families is involved this production. Continue to Mopti and overnight.

 Day 4: Sat -January 21^st : Mopti-Timbuktu: Following the footsteps of the 19^th century explorers: the Scots man: Mungo Park, the Frenchman: Rene Caille and others; we drive by 4x4  to Timbuktu. Timbuktu the legendary city at  the "end of the world was established in the 11^th century  by the Tuareg tribes (the "Blue Men" of the Sahara), and it became the cultural and religious center  for the region. We shall see : the Djingareber mosque, the Ahmed Baba Center’s where  more than five thousand manuscripts of the 12^th century  are kept.  The handicraft market with Tuareg where make shoes and hand bags from camel skins .  Drive by 4x4  in to the Sahara  Desert, where we shall go Camel riding and more.

Day 5: Sun- January  22^nd  :Timbuktu-Sévaré-Djenné by flight: Fly to  Sévaré. Drive to Farafina Tignè site of an African trade bead museum. Continue  to Djenné one of Africa's most interesting towns established in the 9^th Century. Also visit  the traditional villages of the Pulanya and Bozo tribes: Sirimou and Senonsa. Explore  Djenné Djeno, the ancient city of Djenné from the 4^th century where we can see the archeological ruins. We will visit the cultural center.

 Day 6: Mon- January 23^rd  : Djenné: We shall spend time at the colorful "Monday Market" , where villagers from different ethnic groups arrive once a week. We will see the Big Mosque built in 1906 in Soudanian style. See the grave of the young girl Tapma, according to the legend,  she was  buried alive to allow the settlement of  this area in the 9^th century. We shall meet with the local women who make the mud cloth with different figures which symbolize the daily occupation of different ethnic groups.

 Day 7: Tue-  January 24^th  :  Djenné-Dogon Country-Sangha: For three days we shall explore by  4x4 wheel drive vehicle the fascinating Dogon country. This region is located at the base of a 200 km cliff range. We shall  visit the Songo village, renowned for its circumcision grotto with rock paintings. Continue to Sangha, which comprises of 10 distinct Animist and Islamic villages.

 Day 8: Wed- January 25^th: Dogon country:  Continue our exploration of the Dogon villages along the Bandiagara escarpment, visiting the villages of Banani, Ireli, Amani and Tireli. We shall also see traditional weavers, dyers of indigo and mud cloth and much more.

 Day 9: Thu- January 26^th: Dogon country:  Continue our exploration of the Dogon villages along the Bandiagara escarpment, visiting the villages of Nombory, Yabatalu, Endé,, Kani Kombolé.

 Day 10: Fri- January 27^th  : Mopti : Full day in Mopti: We will see the old town with it's Komoguel Mosque, the market, the harbor crowded with pirogues. At the harbor we shall see the Bozo Fisherman who are involved in building pirogues (boats) and buying and selling fish.

 Day 11: Sat- January 28^th: Mopti  Niger river- Mopti: Full day's sailing excursion on the Niger River; visit Bozo fishing villages and nomadic Fulani camps; observe the large variety of Mali's birds, and perhaps see hippos in the river; return to Mopti for overnight .

Day 12: Sun- January 29^th  : Mopti-Segou: Depart to Segou, visit villages of Soufourlaye and Hamdallaye. See the Grave of the ancient King Fulani .

 Day 13: Mon- January 30^th:  Segou- Bamako:  Early departure for Bamako: visit the local  handicraft market, the big Mosque, the central market,  the National museum, the Women's museum, and  the Women's association  for weaving and  dying cloth.

 Day 14: Tue- January 31^th  : Bamako-TLV: Transfer to the airport for the departure:

Day 15:  Wed- February 1^{st :}   Arrive TLV- Ben Gurion Airport: 

*Familiarization trip:  This is first time that Alex and Yair are going to Mali, how ever, as always on Alex’s tours, all services will be provided at the best standards available.

Please note: The order of the daily program might change according to the domestic flight. Also you must note that changes might be made to the program, as traveling in Mali is not the same as traveling at home. The level of service and hotels are  much  lower than we are used to and a lot of patience and understanding  is called for.

* Please note: Tour is planned to cater both Israeli and English speaking clientele. Tours are guided in English, by specially chosen local guides - Alex does not translate what is said in to Hebrew.  How ever Alex will be bilingual, when it comes to his explanations which deal mainly with administrative aspects of the tour. 

Recommended reading: Lonely Planet - West Africa.

Price person in double room USD and Euro! Revised prices as of September 26, 2005 for 13 nights!!

Tour includes:

- All hotels and standards as written in the program with stars*.

-  13 Breakfasts, 13 Light lunches and 13  Dinners.

-  Flight to and from Tel-Aviv- Bamako : Group Ticketing: The final cost of ticket will  be based only on the day of issue.

-  All international and domestic flights as mentioned in the program incl. 20 Kg baggage. 

-  All airport and security taxes $113. (NOT FINAL!)   - Registration /cancellation fee: $47. 

- All tipping to guides, drivers, & hotel staff abroad: $60

-  Visa to Mali $50.                                             -  Air-conditioned coach transportation as per itinerary.

-  4x4 wheel drive for the trip to Timbuktu and the Dogon Country tour.

-  All entrance fees as mentioned in the itinerary. 

-  Escort Alex Veit , who will be *escorting the tour, [not guiding] in Hebrew and English.

-  Guiding by specially chosen local guides who guide in English.

Please check with your local health authority, what types of vaccinations are required such as:

 Against  malaria, Hepatitis B and A, Yellow Fever and any other requirements.  

 For full details and conditions please contact our office.

For all correspondence,  requests for full detailed programs including terms, cancellation policy,  prices and registrations,  please contact:  also please look at: Terms & Conditions

This site is dedicated to Paula Doryon, who loved people, music and travelling around the world...  

 press here: Paula Doryon

Tours are planned and escorted  by Alex Veit     -     תכנון ולווי : א ל כ ס  פ י י ט   

Licensed Travel-Expert: Ministry of Tourism License # 807 .m. 97      -      מומחה לנסיעות- רישיון משרד התיירות מס' 97 . מ . 807

e-mail:   alexveitours49@barak.net.il     

     Tel:  09- 8822981 : ' טל        Fax:  153-9-8822981  :  פקס

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