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A
PASSAGE TO TIMBUKTU
A World Heritage Sites Tour of Mali |
 |
Few
know Africa and even fewer know ancient Africa. Timbuktu
exemplifies this best as it is so close to Europe and yet
it was only in 1828 that the first European set eyes on
this place that was founded in 1100AD. Timbuktu enjoys
a rich history starting with its incorporation into the
Mali Empire in the late 13th Century when it became a focal
point of the gold and salt trades. It continued to play
a vital role until its mysterious decline after 1591. Timbuktu,
living up to its name, is a remote outpost that is difficult
to access. This journey is our foray across the empire
that was Mali to pay homage to Timbuktu.
|
Tour
Summary
|
Map |
Days
|
Place
|
|
01
|
Bamako |
|
02
|
Bamako / Djenne |
| 03
& 04 |
Djenne
/ Bani River / Mopti (Boat) |
|
05
|
Mopti / Nombori |
|
06
& 07
|
Nombori
/ Tirelli |
|
08
|
Tirelli
/ Douantza |
|
09
|
Douantza
/ Timbuktu |
|
10
|
Timbuktu
|
|
11
|
Timbuktu
/ Homburi |
|
12
|
Homburi
/ Mopti / Segou |
|
13
|
Segou
/ Bamako / Departure |
|
|
 |
UNESCO
World Heritage Sites Visited
This tour has been tailored to include the following World
Heritage Sites |
|
World Heritage Sites in Mali covered on this tour |
|
Old Towns of Djenne (1988) |
Inhabited
since 250 B.C., Djenne developed into a market centre
and a link in the trans-Saharan gold trade. In the 15th
and 16th centuries, it became one of the spiritual centres
for the dissemination of Islam. Its traditional houses,
of which close to 2000 have survived, are built on hillocks
(toguere) and adapted to the environment of seasonal floods. |
| Timbuktu
(1988) |
Home
of the prestigious Koranic Sankore University and other
medersas, Timbuktu was in the 15th and 16th centuries
an intellectual and spiritual capital and a centre for
the expansion of Islam throughout Africa. Its three great
mosques, the Djingareyber, Sankore and Sidi Yahia, speak
of Timbuktu's Golden Age. Although restored in the 16th
century, these monuments are today threatened by the encroachment
of sand. |
| Cliff
of Bandiagara (Land of the Dogons) (1989) |
These
cliffs protect architectural structures of great beauty
(houses, granaries, altars, sanctuaries and toguna --
meeting places), which have been for centuries the soul
of traditional, secular Dogon culture. The Bandiagara
plateau is one of the most impressive geological and landscape
features in West Africa. |
| Detailed
Itinerary |
Day
1 Saturday: Arrive Bamako
On arrival in Bamako we are met and transferred to our hotel. Bamako is a brash
cacophony of music, motorbikes, and people buying, selling and trading under
the hot midday sun and is a lively place to visit. Unfortunately the colonial-style
Grand Marche Market burnt down in 1993. It is due to be rebuilt but until it
is the stallholders are simply conducting business alfresco on the pavements
and side streets around the old site. Here one can find everything here from
indigo cloth to gold to tapes of African music. There's also a traditional medicine
vendor should you find yourself running short of travel essentials such as porcupine
quills, dried birds and monkey heads. The Musee National is one of the best ethnographic
museums in West Africa with architectural features inspired by the old-mud brick
structures in Djenne and a wide range of tapestries, masks, funeral objects,
and weapons. The museum is desperately trying to hold onto its cultural treasures
but is fighting an uphill battle against collectors illegally buying ancient
terracotta figurines in Djenne for next to nothing. Bamako is on the north bank
of the Niger. The core city centre, where we find the main markets, shops, restaurants,
and some hotels, is the triangle formed by Ave du Fleuve, Blvd du Peuple and
Ave van Vollenhoven. The Grand Marche (or what used to be the Grand Marche before
it burnt down) is in the centre of this triangle.
Hotel Le Compagnard, Bamako (1 night)
Day 2 Sunday: Bamako / Djenne (Drive)
Today you will arrive to Djenne, a 14th century trading centre on the Niger
River dominated by the largest mud mosque in Mali. Djenne is often missed by
travellers because it lies off the main route between Bamako and Mopti but is
well worth the visit. It lies on the Niger River delta and is particularly picturesque
in the rainy season when it becomes an island surrounded by water. Djenne claims
to be the oldest city in West Africa and it appears that little has changed in
centuries. Djenne has elevated the childish past-time of mud-pie making to an
art form; they've built an entire town from the stuff! The mud houses with their
thatched roofs and wooden window shutters and doors decorated with paint and
metal objects give the town its otherworldly charm. The much-photographed Djenne
Mosque intensifies this air of strangeness. Built entirely out of mud, complete
with turret-like projection, it rises from the desert floor like an over-achiever's
sandcastle. It is, not unnaturally, the largest mud structure in the world and
is one of the finest examples of Sudanese architecture. The only drawback is
that it tends to melt in the rain and major mud-pie sessions are required after
the rainy season to keep it from disintegrating. Unfortunately, non-Muslim visitors
were banned from the interior after a fashion photographer and a horde of models
ran amok inside but you can still get an excellent view of the outer walls from
the roof of the Petit Marche opposite the mosque. Djenne is about 400km (248mi)
from Bamako and can be reached by bus or pinasse (large motorised canoe). The
Campement de Djenne is the best accommodation that can be found in Djenne. It
is basic, but adequate and there is a restaurant that serves simple food.
Camp, Djenne (1 night) (B)
Days 3 & 4 Monday & Tuesday: Djenne / Bani River / Mopti (Boat)
We continue by boat on Bani River to Mopti, arriving there the next day in the
morning. We visit the mosque, the largest mud building in the world and wander
through the old part of town with its mud brick houses and narrow streets.
Camp, Mopti (1 night) (B, L)
Day 5 Wednesday: Mopti / Nombori (Drive / Trek)
An early start for the drive to Dourou in the heart of Dogon country. We start
our hike to Nombori, following the escarpment with stunning views of villages,
gardens and sand dunes - an interesting mix!
Camp, Nombori (1 night) (B, L, D)
Days 6 & 7 Thursday & Friday: Nombori / Tirelli (Trek)
An early start to see the sunrise over the escarpment. We spend the morning trekking
through Dogon villages and in the afternoon have a more in-depth tour around
Tirelli village, known as the village of masks.
Camp, Tirelli (2 nights) (B, L, D)
Day 8 Saturday: Tirelli / Douantza (Drive)
After breakfast we take a short climb to the edge of the escarpment, with spectacular
views, and meet our cars. We continue by car to Douantza.
Camp, Douantza (1 night) (B, D)
Day 9 Sunday: Douantza / Timbuktu (Drive)
5 hours driving through the desert will take us to Timbuktu, in French "Tombouctou",
means, "well of the woman named 'Bouctou'. And "Bouctou" is a word that means, "belly
button". This was the meeting place for tradesmen who would travel across Africa
from the North, East and South, to barter their goods with the West Africans.
Hotel La Colombe, Timbuktu (2 nights) (B)
Day 10 Monday: Timbuktu
Our camels await us today to take us to a Tuareg camp where we will spend time
with these nomadic people observing their lifestyle. The ride will take about
2 hours in each direction. (B)
Day 11 Tuesday: Timbuktu / Homburi (Drive)
On a dusty road we will drive to Fatimas Hand the famous mountain known as Licke
Meka in Mali for all the alpine. Also Homburi has a biggest camel market in Mali.
Camp, Homburi (1 night) (B, L)
Day 12 Wednesday: Homburi / Mopti / Segou (Drive)
Today you will be driven to Segou. We will stop in Mopti for lunch and a visit.
Mopti began its transition from small Bozo fishing village to the commercial
hub of central Mali and the capital of the country's fifth region at the start
of the 19th century. Today it lives in the present rather than the past. Its
commercial importance and ideal river location mean that life is dominated by
the daily activity around the busy port, which is the essence of Mopti. The small
settlements on the other side of the river are Bozo fishing villages. They can
be reached by pirogue from the port or various points along the Mopti side of
the river. In the same way that Mopti inherited Djenne's trading functions, it
also tried to emulate its neighbor's beautiful architecture. These attempts are
best viewed in the quarter of Komoguel, which has retained many of the traditional
banco houses typical of Djenne. The town's main mosque is also in Komoguel.
Hotel Independence, Segou (1 night) (B)
Day 13 Thursday: Segou / Bamako (Drive)
An asphalt road will take us to Bamako, where we are transferred to the airport
for the departure flight. (B) |
|
B
= Breakfast
|
L
= Lunch
|
D
= Dinner
|
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|
Departure Dates |
|
2008
Jan 05 & 19, Feb 02 & 16, Mar 01 & 15, Apr
05 & 19, May 03 & 17, Jun 07 & 21, Jul 05 & 19, Aug 02 & 16, Sep
06 & 20, Oct 04 & 18, Nov 01 & 15, Dec
06 & 20
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| Prices |
| Season |
Tour
Price US$ / CA$ |
Single
Sup US$ / CA$ |
2008 |
2260 |
400 |
| Tour
Price Includes |
Tour
Price Does Not Include: |
•
Hotel accommodation as mentioned
• Meal plan as mentioned
• All sightseeing and transfers
• Necessary
visa supports
• Entrance
fees to museums and sites
• Local
English speaking guides
|
•
International Airfare / Departure Taxes
• Personal Insurances
• Visa Fees
• Drinks / Beverages with meals
• Tips / Gratuities to Drivers & Guides
• Compulsory local incidental charges of
$290.00
per person |
| Estimated
International Airfare(not
included in tour price) |
| East
Coast |
US $ / CA $
1400 |
| West
Coast |
US $ / CA $
1600 |
| Please
note:
This tour operates with a minimum of 02
and a maximum of 20
participants. |
| Other
Dates / Customized Itinerary / Languages |
In addition to our set programs we are also pleased
to offer customized tours.
Please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss your
individual needs.
Customized tours can be conducted in English, French,
German, Spanish or Italian. Each departure is conducted
in the designated language only. |
| Contact
Information |
|
|
Fax:
+1-604-264-7774
|
| 206–8678
Greenall Ave |
Phone:
+1-604-264-7378 |
| Burnaby
B.C., Canada |
Toll
Free (US & Canada): 1-800-663-0844 |
| V5J
3M6 |
Email:
bestway@bestway.com |
|
30
years in small group journeys
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Site
updated April 04, 2008
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