Expedition to the mysterious Timbuktu, to the heart of ancient African Empires and to Sanke Mo Festival in San

MALI




June 1 – 10, 2025 (June 1 – 12, 2025)
Tour to Mali

expedition to Mali tour to Dogon Timbuktu Djenne mosque Mopti trip to Mali West Africa

tour to Congo, tours to Africa, trekking gorillas
The mysterious Dogon people and crowded festival of Sanke Mo, famous adobe mosques in Sahel style and extraterrestrial landscapes of Malinke Empire, the majestic Niger River and the African Venice of Mopti that has preserved its culture through the centuries, animistic rituals and fascinating mask dances.

On this expedition we will meet representatives of the Mandinka, Bobo, Bozo, Fulani, Senoufo, Songhai tribes and witness the famous Dogon, Mandinka, Senoufo and Bambara dances, visit the iconic fishermen festival in San and reach the travel Mecca of Timbuktu!

The mysterious Timbuktu and the famous clay mosque in Djenne, the majestic Niger River and the Dogon Country that has preserved its culture through the centuries, the sands of the mighty Sahara Desert, animistic rituals and ceremonies.
On this expedition we will meet representatives of the Bambara, Bobo, Bozo, Fulani, Tuareg, Songhai tribes and witness the famous Dogon dances.

SCHEDULE AND COST:

Dates: June 1 – 10, 2025 (June 1 – 12, 2025)

Duration: 10 days / 9 nights (12 days / 11 nights)

Number of participants: 6 – 12

Cost FOR MAIN PROGRAM, per person:
– 2 750 EUR subject to 12 participants,
– 2 850 EUR subject to 10 – 11 participants,
– 3 190 EUR subject to 8 – 9 participants
– 3 390 EUR subject to 6 – 7 participants.

Cost FOR TIMBUKTU EXTENSION PROGRAM, per person:
– 1 390 EUR subject to 11 – 12 participants,
– 1 440 EUR subject to 10 participants,
– 1 490 EUR subject to 8 – 9 participants
– 1 590 EUR subject to 7 participants.

* 10% early booking discount (in case you book before February 1, 2025)

Everything is included except for:
- international flight to Bamako roundtrip,
- international medical insurance,
- lunches and dinners, beverages,
- Mali visa (to be obtained at the consulate in Moscow or another city for 50 EUR. The cost may change).

Estimated cost of the flight Moscow – Bamako – Moscow: 900 – 1300 EUR (usually purchased on your own. We advise on purchasing tickets)
Estimated cost of the flight Istanbul – Bamako – Istanbul: from 700 EUR (usually purchased on your own. We advise on purchasing tickets)
Estimated cost of the flight Paris – Bamako – Paris: from 700 EUR (usually purchased on your own. We advise on purchasing tickets)

Single supplement: 400 EUR (provided throughout the entire itinerary)



TRAVEL PROGRAM: TOUR TO MALI


Day 1. June 1, 2025 (Sunday). Arrival in Bamako

Arrival in Bamako with international flight, pick-up from the airport transfer to the hotel for rest. There is nice swimming pool in the hotel to fresh yourself after the long way.

Accommodation: Hotel Columbus
Meals included: no

* Recommended flights to Bamako:
— Turkish Airlines, depart from Moscow at 14:30 on June 1, stopover in Istanbul 1 hour 35 minutes, arrived in Bamako at 0:15 a.m. on June 2, or
— Turkish Airlines, depart from Istanbul at 20:15 on June 1, arrives in Bamako at 0:15 a.m. on June 2, or
— Royal Air Maroc, departs from Moscow at 7:35 am on June 1, layover in Casablanca 10 hours 55 minutes, arrival in Bamako at 1:05 am on June 2, or
— Corsair International, departs from Paris at 14:20 pm on June 1, arrival in Bamako at 22:30 on June 1, or
— any other flight with arrival in Bamako anytime on June 1, or in the night from June 1 to June 2.


Day 2. June 2, 2025 (Monday). Bamako – Sekoro – Ségou – San

Morning drive to Segou. Visit the ancient village of Sekoro (Segoukoro) on the way and get a look at the beautiful adobe mosque of Biton Coulibaly's mother, as well as his own tomb and former Palace. At midday the sun rays blaster the space of the palace and you will take your best pictures. We will start our visit of Sekoro with the meeting the king (chief).
Arrival in Segou, visiting the bagolan factory and French colonial heritage buildings designed in Sudanese style.
Sunset walk across on the Niger quay where you can catch beautiful pictures. The final activity is a dinner and musical evening in the hotel in appropriate atmosphere after an emotional day.

Accommodation: Hotel Santoro
Meals included: breakfast


Day 3. June 3, 2025 (Tuesday). Sanke Mô Festival in San

After breakfast, we participate in interesting annual festival Sanke Mo, which normally takes place in early June. Enormous crowds of locals from different areas come together, in order to catch with their own baskets the biggest fish in the drying lake.
After lunch at Terya restaurant, we visit the big mosque in afternoon, the local market and village around. In the evening, we attend local traditional dance organized by the local people in the village of San.

Accommodation: Hotel Santora
Meals included: breakfast


Day 4. June 4, 2025 (Wednesday). San – Bla village of Bozo – Ganga village of Bobo – Mopti

After breakfast, departure to Mopti with short stop on the bridge over the Bani river in the village of Bla, where we can meet Bozo people – traditional fishermen of Mali.
Halt in Ganga village. Here we will get into acquaintance with Bobo people, who are pejoratively called "dog eaters". Being animists, Bobo live in traditional dwelling built among beautiful granaries, hidden graveyards, mud brick common houses and mighty baobab trees.
Arrival in Mopti well before sunset and drive directly to the harbor area. Boat trip along the Bani and Niger rivers until sunset. We will see Sudanese style mosque made of banko in one of the small villages on the opposite bank, and thousands of traditional boats. Today you will come up with an idea why we call it "Malian Venice".
Late swim in the pool, dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Hotel Flandre or similar
Meals included: breakfast


Day 5. June 5, 2025 (Thursday). Mopti – Dogon mask dance near Sevare

After breakfast, early check-out from our hotel and short drive to the Mopti city center, before it gets hot.
Visit Mopti – «the melting pot» of Mali. This beautiful city attracts many visitors with its river port which remains an inevitable crossroads for trade. Visiting canoe workshops and see the process of making pirogues by the local's hands. Walking across the river port and the bustling fish market where many of Mali's ethnic groups come to trade: Bambara, Bobo, Bozo, Dogon, Fulani, Tuareg and Songhay. Visit to the Djuma Mosque of Mopti – one of the finest examples of adobe architecture. We can also see it from one of the neighboring roofs of the local houses.
After lunch we will attend the Dogon mask dance in a small village or on the hillside near Sevaré.
Bandiagara is not safe nowadays, that is why Dogon perform their Dogogo dance here.
Dogon being named “people from the Sirius” is one of the most unique tribes in Africa. Their animistic beliefs and masks and costumes are one of the most remarkable in the world and look really extraterrestrial. You will see very special dance and will be explained about all masks that participate.

Accommodation: Flandre Hotel or similar
Meals included: breakfast


Day 6. June 6, 2025 (Friday). Mopti – Koutiala – Sikasso - Kenedougou

After breakfast departure to Sikasso.
Halt in Koutiala to visit the local market and people, with possibility to eat local food.
Continuation to Sikasso, second biggest city of Mali, arrival and check-in at the hotel.
In the evening, we attend Senoufo mask dance or the Balafon dance with the troops of the son of the famous Neba Solo. That day you will see exactly how the balafon is danced in the middle of the Kenedougou.

Accommodation: Hotel Cinquentenaire
Meals included: breakfast


Day 7. June 7, 2025 (Saturday). Sikasso – Bougouni – Bambara mask dance in Dogodouma – Bamako

After breakfast, visit to the royal vestibule, the Senoufo museum, the big market of Sikasso and continuation to Bamako. Lunch in Bougouni, then departure to Bamako.
Arrival and transfer directly to Dogodouma for Bambara mask dance. Dogodouma, a small village around of Bamako where we will organize the traditional mask dance of Bambara during 1-2 hours. The organization of this event will coincide with sunset which can allow us to take beautiful pictures before returning to the hotel in the evening.

Accommodation: Hotel Colombus
Meals included: breakfast


Day 8. June 8, 2025 (Sunday). Bamako – Tiébletié dance in Fanssira village – Bamako

After breakfast at hotel at 8:00 a.m., we start our day with walking tour in direction of peace and independence monument. Continuation to the national museum of Bamako, arrival and visit with local team of museum. After, we continue to the craft market and the vegetable market of N’Golonina then we return to the hotel for lunch around 1:30 p.m. We will reach very photogenic place – the shores of Niger River in the suburbs of Bamako to see how local Bozo tribe extracts sand for construction in a traditional way.
Back to Bamako to visit the city center, famous fetish market, the artisanal market for masks and other souvenirs.
In the afternoon, we drive to the north from the capital, to Beledougou district, where the village of Fanssira we will witness Tiebletié dance. This dance is not that old, but is performed in masks and based on great acrobatic techniques. The villagers get around in the shade under the huge tree to stare the dance and listen to traditional balafon music.
Back to Bamako late in the evening, chance to have best ice cream in Mali.

Accommodation: Hotel Colombus
Meals included: breakfast


Day 9. June 9, 2025 (Monday). Bamako – Siby – Yuguba mask dance – Bamako

After breakfast, we drive to Siby.
Reach Siby town, Malinke (or Mandinka) Country. The Malinke are descendants of Mali Empire that extended from present day Senegal to Niger.
Upon arrival, we take a walk in the village. While lunch, between the Mandingo Mountains and the mango tree, we will have the opportunity to learn the history of the king who founded the empire of Mali.
After lunch, we explore natural wonders, such as the Arch of Kamadjan and the Consultation Cave. We do small hike to the arch, the panoramic point, and the sacred caves under the arch of Kamadjan.
We will attend the Yuguba mask dance of Mandinka people. This dance will be performed in front of famous Arch of Kamadjan until sunset, with the possibility of taking best panoramic photos. Comeback to Bamako in evening.

Accommodation: Hotel Colombus
Meals included: breakfast


Day 10. June 10, 2025 (Tuesday). Bamako – Departure flight back home

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for an international flight back home.

*Or 2 days extension program for Timbuktu is possible.

Accommodation: no
Meals included: breakfast

* Recommended flights from Bamako:
— Royal Air Maroc, departs from Bamako at 02:05 a.m. on June 10, stopover in Casablanca 15 hours 55 minutes, arrives in Moscow at 06:25 am on June 11, or
— Air Algerie, departs from Bamako at 0:40 a.m. on June 10, stopover in Algiers 14 hours 30 minutes, arrives in Moscow at 03:10 am on June 11, or
— Corsair International, departs from Bamako at 19.15 pm on June 10, arrives in Paris at 07:35 on June 11,
— or any other flight which departs from Bamako to any city any time on June 10.



EXTENSION PROGRAM FOR TIMBUKTU

Day 10. June 10, 2025 (Tuesday). Bamako – Timbuktu

Breakfast in our hotel in Bamako and early flight to Timbuktu. At 10 in the morning arrival – one of the mysterious desert cities in Africa. Reception by our local guide and transfer to the hotel.
After lunch at the restaurant or with local family, city tour with the armed security.
Nowadays, like centuries ago – the city is surrounded by a heavy mist of mystery. Almost no tourists get there anymore since the Tuareg started demanding their own independent country.
We will attend a traditional dance of «Takamba» in the evening.

Accommodation: Hotel Hendrina Khan
Meals included: breakfast


Day 11. June 11, 2025 (Wednesday). Timbuktu – City Tours

After breakfast, exploring the city of «333 saints» with the great Djigareiber mosque and walking through Sankoré Madrasa – one of three ancient centers of learning located in Timbuktu. Visit the Hamed Baba cultural center, Koranic schools and architectural houses of Timbuktu. Unique experience in sanctum sanctorum for every traveler!

Accommodation: Hotel Hendrina Khan
Meals included: breakfast


Day 12. June 12, 2025 (Thursday). Timbuktu – Bamako – Departure flight back home

After breakfast, transfer to the airport and flight to Bamako (1 hour flight).
Upon arrival in Bamako, you could stay in the airport for your international fight or come to hotel Columbus for waiting for your evening flight (no check-in included this day, but you are welcome to use nice hotel’s swimming pool).

Accommodation: no
Meals included: breakfast

* Recommended flights from Bamako:
— Royal Air Maroc, departs from Bamako at 02:05 a.m. on June 13, stopover in Casablanca 15 hours 55 minutes, arrives in Moscow at 06:25 am on June 14, or
— Turkish Airlines, depart from Bamako at 1:25 am on June 13, stopover in Istanbul 3 hours, arrives in Moscow at 17:55 on June 13,
— Turkish Airlines, depart from Bamako at 1:25 am on June 13, arrives in Istanbul at 11:10 on June 13,
— Ethiopian Airlines, departs from Bamako at 11 am on June 13, stopover in Addis Ababa 2 hours 50 minutes, arrives in Moscow at 7:40 am on June 14 (extra night in Bamako needed), or
— Corsair International, depart from Bamako at 23:55 pm on June 12, arrives in Paris at 07:55 on June 13,
— or any other flight which departs from Bamako to any city not earlier than at 19:00 on June 12.


* The operator reserves the right to change the order of executions, visits and activities of the program subject to keeping of all activities if possible. It would mainly depend on the flights schedule, weather conditions, actual security situation, as well market days, ceremonies and festivals availability (if any). If some visits and/or tours could not be done due to external conditions, they will be replaced when possible.

** Visit of Timbuktu is subject to current security situation in the region.
Cost includes:

• Accommodation in air-conditioned hotels based on TWIN/DBL occupancy
• Breakfasts
• Drinking water along the route
• All airport transfers
• All transportation according to the program along the entire route: Bus Toyota Coaster in case of 9 participants or more, Toyota Hiace in case of 8 or less participants, with working AC and experienced driver
• All boats according to the program
• Experienced English speaking guide
• Russian and English speaking team leader
• All permits and police documents
• All dances and performances with masks according to the program
• Visits to museums, palaces and excursions, all payments to the local communities
• Visa support
• Domestic flight to Bamako – Timbuktu – Bamako
• Armed security in Timbuktu


Cost excludes (to be additionally paid):

  • International air ticket to Bamako roundtrip
  • Medical insurance
  • Mali visa (to be obtained at the consulate in Moscow or another city for 50 EUR. The cost may change).
  • Lunches and dinners
  • Beverages
  • Tips for guides and drivers


To take with:

• set of clothes fitting weather conditions, one warm set
• long sleeve wear set,
• repellents (is a must!),
• mosquito net for sleeping place (is a must!),
• comfortable closed shoes and open shoes,
• forehead torch,
• big backpack (or bag or small suitcase) for luggage,
• small backpack for personal items and camera,
• sunblock set (cream, sunglasses, cap),
• personal hygiene items (toilet paper, towel, wet tissues, hygiene lipstick etc.),
• personal medical kit (analgesics, sanitizers, antibiotics, your personal medicine),
• yellow fever certificate,
• antimalarial pills (up to you, but recommended)
• photo and video camera
• powerbank

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