mercredi 8 juin 2011

8 DAY MALI PROGRAM

DAY 1: BAMAKO 

Meeting at Bamako airport and transfer to hotel. Check in and overnight.

DAY 2: BAMAKO - TIMBUKTU  

Early breakfast and transfer to airport for the Flight to Timbuktu.
10H: Arrival in Timbuktu.
We visit the different mosques, the explorers’ houses, the Museum, the ancient manuscripts, the bustling food market and the artisan market.
Lunch at hotel La Maison and relax, (Time for writing postcards).

In the afternoon, we'll have the camel ride or drive to the desert to visit the Touareg camps and explore life of the desert people (The Blue Men of the desert). 
Optional: Organization of the traditional folkloric Touareg dance and return to hotel. Dinner and overnight.

DAY 3: TIMBUKTU - MOPTI

AM: Breakfast and transfer to airport for the M.A.E Flight to Mopti (8H-9H).
Situated at the confluence of Bani and Niger rivers, Mopti is one of Mali’s liveliest trading centers with its harbor of hundreds of pirogues transporting both goods and people to and from neighboring villages. 


We will visit the port, the market, the mosque and have lunch at the “Bar Bozo”. (Local Restaurant situated in the heart of the port and overlooking the Niger River).
PM: Cruise ride on the Bani and Niger rivers to visit the Bozo villages. During this sunset cruise, we provide soft drinks for all passengers to enjoy on the boat.
Dinner at SIGUI restaurant and return to overnight in hotel La Maison Rouge.

DAY 4: MOPTI - DJENNE (Market Day) - BANDIAGARA
AM:  Early breakfast and drive to Djenné (2 hours driving) to catch the Monday market.
Founded in the 9th century Djenné is one of Africa’s oldest cities.
We take a walking tour of Djenné to visit the market, the famous mosque (the biggest mud monument in the world), the coranic schools and the narrow streets decorated with Moroccan designed

window doors on the Sudanese architecture.
PM: Early lunch and drive to Songho and visit the famous circumcision cave and rock paintings.
Continuation to Bandiagara and installation at La Falaise. 
Dinner and overnight.

DAY 5: BANDIAGARA - TIRELI - BANDIAGARA


After early breakfast and drive to Sangha (45km) today, we will have a full day excursion to the cliffs, taking us to the most beautiful Dogon villages perched on the cliff sides. 
Driving down the cliffs from Sangha, we will have a panoramic view over the beautiful villages on the face of cliffs and under the light of the sunrise: Banani, Irelli: UNESCO world heritage, Amani and Tirelli. 
In Tirelli, we will enjoy the spectacular Dogon mask dance (one of the most invigorating tribal dance found anywhere).
Lunch in Tirelli at the chief of the village's house. 
PM: Drive through the sand dunes in the plains and then up cliffs to Bandiagara to overnight.
DAY 6: BANDIAGARA - SAN - SEGOU

After breakfast, drive to Sévaré and continuation to San.
On the way, we will visit the authentic Bobo village with its picturesque granaries lined along the road. Continuation  and enjoy the very energetic Bobo Dance. Lunch at restaurant Teriya after a visit of the mosque in San.
In the aftnoon, drive to Segou. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Auberge.

DAY 7: SEGOU - BAMAKO 

After breakfast we'll have a morning walk along the river to visit the port and the colonial buildings).After that quick walking tour, we will drive to Kasobané (the cooperative of Bogolan fabric), visit of Kasobané to discover the techniques and process of the preparation of the mud cloth Bogolan, the Bassilan and the Indigo. 
NB: We will have an initiation party so that every participant leaves with a piece of Bogolan made by himself.
Lunch in Segou and contunious to Bamako, on the way, we'll visit some Bambara authentic villages.
Arrival in Bamako in late afternoon and installation in hotel.

DAY 8: BAMAKO - DEPART 

 After breakfast, we'll proceed to the sightseeing of Bamako: visit of the national museum (one of the best ethnographic museums in West Africa). Visit of the artisan market; the recycling market and the different monuments in town marking the history of the country. 
Lunch at Santoro (famous for its African specialities and art gallery).
Return to hotel for day rooms.
PM: Dinner and transfer to airport for the departure flight. 

END OF SERVICE


For any INFORMATION, please contact me at:



TRAVEL AND DISCOVERY
The Best specialist in Mali (Dogon Country, Djenne and the desert (Timbuktu & Gao)
Baba Kalidi KASSAMBALA "KASS"
International English speaking tour guide
and Translator
E-mail: bkass77@yahoo.fr
kassambala@gmail.com
www.Facebook/Baba Kalidi Kassambala
Skype:dreamalove
(00223) 79.30.80.08
(00223) 65.01.00.21
Bamako, MALI
(WEST AFRICA)


lundi 6 juin 2011

10 DAY MALI PROGRAM

DAY 1: BAMAKO:
Meeting at Bamako airport and transfer to Hotel. Installation and overnight.

DAY 2: BAMAKO - SEGOU 

After breakfast, drive to Segou. The capital city of the Bambara old kingdom.
On the way, we will visit Wolodo, an authentic Bambara village to see the Bambara rural women extracting Shea Butter.
Continuation to Segou with a visit of some other Bambara villages with the possibility of catching occasional marriage or naming ceremonies, hunter’s festivals or others.
Arrival in Segou and installation at hotel and Lunch at hotel and relax.

In the afternoon, visit of Kasobané (the cooperative of Bogolan fabric).
Visit Kasobané to discover the techniques and process of the preparation of the mud cloth Bogolan, and the Indigo.
NB: We will have a demonstration and initiation party so that every participant leaves with a piece of Bogolan made by himself. 
Return to hotel. Dinner and overnight.

DAY 3: SEGOU - BANDIAGARA (475Km)

AM: Breakfast at hotel and departure for Bandiagara. 
On the way, we will visit very traditional Bobo villages.

Continuation to Mopti and visiting other villages to see the local people in their daily seasonal activities (Watering gardens, repairing or building houses after the rainy season). 
Arrival and lunch in a local restaurant in Mopti.  
PM: Continuation of drive to Bandiagara (75km, 45 mn driving).
Check in Dinner and overnight in hotel. 

DAY 4: BANDIAGARA- SANGHA - TIRELLI - BANDIAGARA
AM: Early breakfast and drive to Sangha (45km) today, we will have a full day excursion to the cliffs, taking us to the most beautiful Dogon villages perched on the cliff sides. Driving down the cliffs from Sangha, we will have a panoramic view over the beautiful villages on the face of cliffs and under the light of the sunrise: Banani, Irelli: UNESCO world heritage, Amani and Tirelli. 
We will enjoy the spectacular Dogon mask dance (one of the most invigorating tribal dance found anywhere).
Picnic lunch in Tireli.

PM: Drive through the sand dunes in the plains and then up cliffs to Bandiagara. Upon arrival, installation Diner and Overnight. 

DAY 5: BANDIAGARA - SONGHO - MOPTI



AM: Breakfast and drive to Songho. Upon arrival we will hike for 5mn to have a good panoramic view over Songho and then visit the famous circumcision cave and rock paintings.
Continuation to Mopti and check in at Hotel. 
Situated at the confluence of Bani and Niger rivers, Mopti is one of Mali’s liveliest trading centers with its harbor of hundreds of pirogues transporting both goods and people to and from neighboring villages.
We will visit the port, the market, the mosque and have lunch at the “Bar Bozo”. (Local Restaurant situated in the heart of the port and overlooking the Niger River).

PM: Relax at hotel  visit the ancient Fullani quarter of Taikri and see the Fullani women with their big hearings. Return to hotel.
 Dinner and overnight at Hotel.

DAY 6: MOPTI - THE RIVER TO KONA - MOPTI 

AM: After breakfast, we embark our pirogue for a half day river excursion down the majestic Niger River.
This is a very relaxing voyage during which we will visit Bozo villages (fishermen), Fulani villages (nomadic herders) and occasional Hippos and colourful birds of the delta.
Lunchbox brought from hotel will be served (with drinks) on board of the pirogue before we meet our vehicle in Kona.
PM: Drive back to Mopti. Dinner and overnight at Hotel La Maison Rouge.


DAY 7: MOPTI - DJENNE - MOPTI


AM: Breakfast and drive to Djenné (2 hours driving).
Founded in the 9th century Djenné is one of Africa’s oldest cities.
We take a walking tour of Djenné to visit the famous mosque (the biggest mud monument in the world), the coranic schools and

the narrow streets decorated with Moroccan designed window doors on the Sudanese architecture.
Lunch at Hotel Campement in Djenné.
PM: Drive back to Mopti for overnight in hotel La Maison Rouge.

DAY 8: MOPTI - TIMBUKTU 


AM: Breakfast and transfer to Mopti airport for the flight to Timbuktu.
10H: Arrival in Timbuktu. Check in at hotel La Maison. 
This city was the crossroad of the West African trade route in the 16th century.
During this time, salt was as valuable as gold. The camel caravans and the commerce led to the establishment of one of the oldest universities in West Africa. We will visit the different mosques, the explorers’ houses, the Museum, the Library, the bustling food market and the artisan market. Lunch at hotel and relax. (Time for writing postcards)
PM: Drive jeeps to the desert to visit the Touareg camps and explore life of the desert people (The Blue Men of the desert) 
Camels will be available there for those clients who would like to try this experience of camels’ journey.
Organization of the traditional folkloric Touareg dance, followed by a barbecue dinner in the middle of the desert around a camp fire. After our Star gazing and Astrology talks, we drive back to hotel and overnight. 

DAY 9: TIMBUKTU - BAMAKO

AM : After breakfast & transfer to airport for the Flight to Bamako.
Transfer and Check in at hotel.
We proceed to the sightseeing of Bamako: visit of the national museum led by a museum curatort. 
Visit of the artisan market; the recycling market and the different monuments in town marking the history of the country. Lunch in town or at the restaurant of hotel.
PM: Relax at the pool of the Hotel
Dinner at Santoro (famous for its African specialities and art gallery) with the entertainment of a Griot (story teller).
Transfer back to hotel and overnight.

DAY 10: BAMAKO - DEPARTURE  

AM: Full day relax at Hotel. Lunch on your own.   
PM: Farewell dinner at hotel and transfer to airport for departure. 

END OF SERVICES


TRAVEL AND DISCOVERY
The Best specialist in Mali (Dogon Country, Djenne and the desert (Timbuktu & Gao)
Baba Kalidi KASSAMBALA "KASS"
International English speaking tour guide
and Translator
E-mail: bkass77@yahoo.fr
kassambala@gmail.com
www.Facebook/Baba Kalidi Kassambala
Skype:dreamalove
(00223) 79.30.80.08
(00223) 65.01.00.21
Bamako, MALI
(WEST AFRICA)





jeudi 26 mai 2011

15 DAY PROGRAM IN MALI (BAMAKO- MOPTI- DOGON LAND- DJENNE- TIMBUKTU- MOPTI- BAMAKO)















BAMAKO

DAY 1: Arrive at the international airport of Bamako, and transfer to the           hotel and sleep

DAY 2:
Visit of the big town of Bamako (the big market, the “marché Rose”, the national museum and the hill of Koulouba where the President of the republic lives) and spend the night in the hotel
DAY 3: 
After break fast, leave Bamako in 4x4 or in mini bus to go to sleep in the Kanaga hotel of Mopti
MOPTI
DAY 4:
Town visit: the town of Mopti is famous for its ship’s boat on the river Niger, the rummaging of the harbor and the pottery of the women of the town. Discover also the town of multiple colors where the Fulany and the Bozo people are mixed, discover also the markets and mosques.
The afternoon: excursion in pirogues on the Niger and Bani river to visit small Bozo, Fulany and Somono surrounding villages. Late in the after noon get back for diner and sleep in Kanaga hotel.

DOGON LAND

Come to discover the history of people that removes from the civilization to fold up it self in the cliffs and mountains. Discover also former times entering into the life of Tellems, first inhabitants of these cliffs before the DOGON PEOPLE whose traces are still reproduced on the partition walls of the cliffs. At last, Dogon country is an excellent place for trekking.
DAY 5: 
Early in the morning, leave Mopti for Sangha, passing through Bandiagara. Lunch in Sangha and relax, then the afternoon visit the village and leave Sangha to walk down to Banani, where we gonna spend our first night in the Dogon land.

DAY 6: 
After breakfast, visit the village of Banani and leave to visit Neni on the way to Ibi where we will have lunch and relax. Afternoon continue to Youga Na and sleep there.

DAY 7: 
Leave Youga Na after breakfast for Youga Piri for lunch and visit the village. Afternoon, leave Youga Piri still trekking to Yendouma for dinner and sleep.

DAY 8: 
After breakfast, leave Yendouma in 4x4 and go back to sleep in the Campement of Djenne.

DJENNE
DJENNE, twin sister of Timbuktu, figures among the oldest town founded in Africa. The history of its creation makes it a mythical town. It is famous for it’s architectural style, the beauty and availability of its roads.

DAY 9: 
Visit of the town of Djenne and the big mosque classified world patrimony by UNESCO.
DAY 10: 
Monday is the market day of Djenne and the most important day and we’ll visit the crowded market mixed by Bozo, Fulany, Somono and Dogon people. Then we’ll visit some ancient sites such as: Djenne-Djeno, the first settlement of Djenne. Back to the Campement hotel then leave Djenne for Mopti. Relax for few hours and leave Mopti also in pinasse (pirogue with motors) continuing to go to sleep in Guidjo, a small village near Debo lake.

DAY 11: 
Visit the Debo lake and possibility of seeing some hyppos, after pass and continue to Niafunke, the town of Malian Jazz singer Aly Farka TOURE to sleep in his Campement enjoying his music.

DAY 12: 
Leave Niafunke early after breakfast still by pinasse for Timbuktu where for the very first time you could celebrate the night of December 31 on the desert of Timbuktu with traditional Tuareg artists.

TIMBUKTU

Timbuktu, city of the 333 saints, mythical town which has crossed centuries. Let yourself guided by the magic of the Name, the ancient arab manuscripts, the mosque of Djingarei Ber built in the XIV century.

DAY 13: 
We will visit the town of the 333 saints in the morning, the big mosque Djingarey Ber, the cultural center Ahmed Baba, where are kept the ancient arab manuscripts.
The afternoon, we will ballad on camels around Timbuktu to spend the night on the desert in one of the Tuareg camps

DAY 14: 
Early in the morning, back to the town of Timbuktu and depart for Mopti in 4x4 and rest a little bit then continue to sleep in Segou, capital of Bambara kingdom.

DAY 15: 
Depart for Bamako and finally the shopping of last souvenirs of Mali. Rest in your hotel and in the afternoon, depart for the airport for your flight back to Europe.



The Best specialist in Mali (Dogon Country, Djenné, and the Desert (Timbuktu – Gao)
Baba Kalidi KASSAMBALA " KASS"
E-mail: bkass77@yahoo.fr
kassambala@gmail.com
Facebook/Baba Kalidi Kassambala
Skype: Dreamalove
(00223) 79.30.80.08
(00223) 65.01.00.21
BAMAKO, MALI
(WEST AFRICA)





dimanche 1 mai 2011

5 DAY TRIP PROGRAM (Bamako-Mopti-Dogon country-Djenné-Segou-Bamako)





Day 1: Leave Bamako early in the morning and drive to Mopti to sleep in La Maison Rouge, the best hotel in Mopti area.

Day 2: Visit of old town of Mopti, markets, mosque and fabrication of small and big pinasse (canoe). And lunch in Bar Bozo, most famous place for lunch in Mopti.
In the afternoon, boat ride on the Bani and Niger river to visit the Bozo (fisher men), Fulani (animal breeders) and Touareg (nomad people) camps.
Night in La Maison Rouge.

Day 3: After breakfast, drive to Dogon country (full, busy and trekking day), visit of the first Dogon village called Songho, very famous for its rock paintings. Then continous to Sangha for visit and lunch in Campement hotel of Sangha. In the afternoon, drive down the cliff to visit wonderful villages like Banani, Amani, Ireli and Tireli. In the late afternoon, back to Sangha and sleep in Campement hotel.

Day 4: After breakfast, Dogon ceremonial mask dance (in option) and depart Sangha for Djenné. 
Djenné, founded in 850 BC, is one of the oldest town in Africa and has classified world heritage since 1990 by UNESCO.
we'll visit the mosque which is the biggest mud mosque in the world, and the market. Lunch in Chez Baba. In the afternoon, visit of traditional mud cloth making.
Diner and sleep in the Campement of Djenné.

Day 5: After breakfast, drive to Segou. But on the way, visit of fascinating Bobo villages. Lunch in Segou, visit and continuation for Bamako. Diner and getting ready for to the airport for the flight. End of service.


The Best specialist in Mali (Dogon Country, Djenné, and the Desert (Timbuktu – Gao)
Baba Kalidi KASSAMBALA "KASS"
E-mail: bkass77@yahoo.fr
kassambala@gmail.com
Facebook/Baba Kalidi Kassambala
Skype: Dreamalove
(00223) 79.30.80.08
(00223) 65.01.00.21
BAMAKO, MALI
(WEST AFRICA)

Please Contact me for any Information and suggestions