9-Day Mali Timbuktu, Djenne, Mopti and Segou from Bamako

What to Expect

Day 1: Arrival in Bamako

Arrive in Bamako and spend the rest of the day at your leisure. The hotel will not be included on your first night in Mali.

Day 2: Explore Bamako 

Today we explore the capital city of Bamako and the local markets within the city. In the city’s craft bazaar, experience sculptors, weavers, leather workers, jewelers, and metal workers exhibiting their wares and displaying their skills. Explore traditional African medicines, including but not limited to shrunken heads of birds, monkeys, and crocodiles, and lizard skins. Later visit the National Museum. Time permitting we will visit the recycling market of Bamako. Sleep in Bamako tonight. (Hotel not included)

Day 3: Bamako – Ségou 

Depart for Segou and spend the afternoon visiting some of its best-known spots the village of Ségou-Koro, the former seat of the Bambara Empire where the body of the late King Biton Coulibaly lies. During the tour, you will also visit three artisans' impressive studios, showcasing the talents and skills of local artists in the town. The village is known for its pottery and we may see the women creating and kilning them.

Spend the night in Hotel Djoliba or a similar hotel in Segou. 

Day 4: Ségou – Djenné

This morning we will complete our time in Ségou and depart for Djenné. En route this morning we will visit San to see the local mosque, designed as a replica of the Djenné Grand Mosque. As we stroll through the streets and the bazaar we will be transported back into medieval times. This evening is at leisure. Sleep in Djenne tonight. 

Day 5: Djenné - MONDAYS

Assuming your schedule has allowed some flexibility to plan on being in Djenne for the Monday market, we will visit Djenné when it is at its colorful best and today also see the magnificent Grand Mosque, the largest mud-brick architecture in the world and one of Unesco's World Heritage sites, visit the museum where a representative of ‘Mission Culturelle’ will take you to the site of Djéno Djenné being the old Djenné. Sleep in Mopti tonight.

Day 6: Mopti - Timbuktu

This morning around 10am we will depart mopti for Timbuktu via speedboat (about 22 hours in total). The journey will take all day and night arriving in Timbuktu around 9am. The speedboat is only available from September - February in which case the only other option is by road. Sleep on the boat tonight. 

Day 7 + 8: Welcome to Timbuktu

This morning as you arrive in Timbuktu you will begin exploring right away. Today will include a visit to the museum of explorers, big museum, the mosque of Djingueray-Ber, Sankoe Koranic University, and Ahmed Baba Library where ancient manuscripts are on display. Sleep in Timbuktu night 8.

Day 9: Depart Timbuktu for Bamako

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Bamako this morning; check into your hotel upon arrival and have the rest of an hour after heading to Siby (arch and waterfalls) / transfer to airport for evening departure flight. 

Includes

• Airport transfers
• Domestic flight Bamako-Timbuktu one way
• Accommodations as listed in the program (bamako accommodation not included)
• Transportation as listed within the program
• Road tolls
• Ferries where required
• English speaking guides
• Timbuktu: tourist tax, entrance fees, camel ride and traditional entertainment
• Mopti: entrance fees and pinasse excursion on the river
• Djenne: tourist tax, local guide, ferry and entrance fees
• Segou: entrance fees and Segou-koro village tax
• Bamako: National Museum and Recycling Market visit
• Siby visit

• Visa and visa application fees
• Travel insurance and immunizations
• Drinks including water
• Lunch or dinner
• Tips and gratuities
• Personal expenses

• A Thursday start date would be required if guests would like to visit the Djenne market which is on a Monday (the most interesting day to visit Djenne) - but not necessary if seeing the Market isn't a priority.