Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival in Bamako

   • Arrive in Bamako, where you will be assisted and transferred by our friendly driver guide to your hotel. The rest of the day will be at your leisure.

   Overnight at The Sleeping Camel or a similar hotel.

2. Day 2: Bamako

   • Start the day with an early morning hike at one of the top hiking trails of Bamako. Led by your professional guide, discover the beauty and mysteries of Manding country. 
   • After half a day of slightly strenuous but invigorating adventure, enjoy a visit to the National Museum of Mali, which offers ethnographic exhibits on the locals. Here, see many interesting items that represent the rich culture of Mali, including displays of masks, textiles, statues, and other contemporary art forms.

   Overnight at The Sleeping Camel or a similar hotel.

3. Day 3: Bamako

   • Enjoy a moderate hike in the morning at another hotspot for outdoor lovers to see picturesque traditional villages and impressive nature like no other. 
   • Then, cruise the Niger River and discover the Bozo fishermen's way of life along the riverbanks. If you are lucky, you may even spot some hippopotamus and other wildlife cooling down in the water. Your cruise concludes in the afternoon when you will see the mighty sun painting the sky and water below hues of yellow, orange, and pink as it sets over the horizon.

   Overnight at The Sleeping Camel or a similar hotel.

4. Day 4: Bamako - Segou

   • Go for another morning hike. Only this time, you have the option to choose a Djembe drumming experience or a fun Bogolon-making lesson instead. Otherwise, go ahead and explore other natural wonders of the capital on foot. 
   • After your morning activities, hop on an air-conditioned vehicle that will take you on a scenic 3-hr drive to Segou, a town northeast of Bamako on the right bank of the Niger River.

   Overnight at Hotel Djoliba or similar.

5. Day 5: Segou - Djenne- Mopti - Segou

   • Depart from Segou at around 6 am to Djenne, an ancient town that will take you back to Medieval times with its ancient Sudanese-style mud buildings. 
   • Upon arrival, visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Great Mosque, the biggest dried mud building in the world. In front of this building is a large square that turns into a colourful market every Monday. Here, locals from different corners of Mali gather to sell, buy, and exchange local produce, artworks, animals, and so much more. 
   • Travel to Mopti, where you visit the market and their Sudanese picturesque mosque. End the day with a transfer back to Segou.

   Overnight at Hotel Djoliba or similar.

6. Day 6: Segou

   • Dedicate this day to learning more about Segou traditions and arts. Visit the village of Ségou-Koro, the former seat of the Bambara Empire, where the body of the late King Biton Coulibaly lies. 
   • Then, appreciate the talent and skill of the artists in town as you explore several locally-owned ateliers or studios. 
   • In the afternoon, board a boat and take a scenic Niger River cruise, heading to the village of Kalabougou. This humble village is known for its craftsmanship, particularly pottery, of which the women of the village are traditionally employed. You may even purchase a pot or three from the locals as your souvenir from this unforgettable experience.

   Overnight at Hotel Djoliba or similar.

7. Day 7: Segou - Bamako

   • Depart from Segou in the morning and head back to Bamako. 
   • After lunch, go on another hiking adventure and maybe enjoy the sunset from an elevated part of the capital, making the sweeping scenery even more glorious than it already is.

   Overnight at The Sleeping Camel or a similar hotel.

8. Day 8: Bamako

   • Take an early morning hike, exploring caves and a string of laid back villages that are always happy to welcome visitors. 
   • In the afternoon, you have the option to enjoy and learn to play djembe, a rope-tuned skin-covered goblet drum played with bare hands, or try your hands at making bogolan, a handmade Malian cotton fabric traditionally dyed with fermented mud.

   The tour ends with a transfer back to the airport.