Main Navigation

Festival in the Desert

11 Days

Tuareg band performing at Festival in the Desert

Festival in the Desert, a musical and cultural event, showcasing the diversity and uniqueness of Mali especially the Tuareg ethnic group. Festival in the Desert is probably the best-kept secret in terms of musical and cultural events in the world and is held in the desert oasis of Essakane on the edge of mysterious Timbuktu. Since its inception in 2000, this annual musical extravaganza has reached legendary status. Some of Mali’s best musicians such as Oumou Sangaré, the late Ali Farka Touré, Habib Koité, and the sensational Tuareg band Tinariwen have performed there. It is also an opportunity to interact with the Tuareg people, as it is their event, and the festivities include traditional singing, dancing, swordplay, camel races and artisan exhibits. Contact us to sign up for this years Festival in the Desert. Accommodations consist of traditional Tuareg tents and ground mats; hot meals are prepared on-site. Desert temperatures in January are hot during the day (35 C / 100 F), but quite cold at night (5 C / 40 F) — Remember to bring a sleeping bag!

Day 1 Arrival in Bamako

International flight arrives in Bamako. Guide and driver will meet and assist with hotel transfer.

Day 2 Bamako

Explore the capital city of Bamako situated on the Niger River, one of Africa's great rivers. Mali is a country of many ethnic peoples, each with their own exuberant styles of clothing and jewelry. There is no better place to see this colorful diversity than in the streets and markets of Bamako. Bamako has a large art and craft center where sculptors, weavers, leather workers, jewelers and metal workers exhibit their wares and skills. Visit the Great Market and spend time exploring the hundreds of stalls including a vast array of woodcarvings, fabrics, beads, brass and gold.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 3 Bamako-Timbuktu

The terminus of the great trans-Saharan caravan route, Timbuktu became fabulously wealthy in the 16th century. Loaded with blocks of salt and other tradable goods, large caravans of camels from the north would spend weeks crossing the harsh Sahara to reach Timbuktu. Wander the streets of Timbuktu, admiring such magnificent mud-brick structures as the Djinguiraiber Mosque, the Mosque of Sankoré, and the Palace of Bouctou. Visit the houses of the various 19th century European explorers who used Timbuktu as a base and see the manuscripts of 16th century scholars who studied in Timbuktu.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 4, 5, and 6 Festival in the Desert

Drive to Essakane and enjoy 3 days of great music, dancing, camel races, swordplay, and other activities. Hot meals are prepared and served on site. Experience the true desert life by living in tents. Desert temperatures in January are hot during the day (40 C 129 F), but quite cold at night (~5 C / 40 F) — Remember to bring a sleeping bag!

Day 7 Timbuktu- Mopti-Dogon Country

Catch a flight from Timbuku to Mopti where you will travel via all terrain vehicles to Dogon Country. Visit of the mystic Dogon Country starts.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner (O/N)

Day 8, 9 Dogon Country

Tour Dogon Country one of the most extraordinary places on earth where houses cling to the narrow edges of cliffs hundreds of feet above the ground. In the 12th century, the Dogons fled the advancing Islamic invasion coming from the north, and found shelter in one of West Africa's most inhospitable areas. UNESCO has declared Dogon Country a World Heritage site. Visit the village of Songho, renowned for its rock paintings and circumcision grotto. Experience an authentic traditional Dogon Mask Dance. These 2 days will be exposed to the Dogon universe by visit several villages and places of high importance in the Dogon mystic.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner (O/N)

Day 10 Mopti-Djénné

Drive to Djénné, Timbuktu's twin city located on the banks of Niger River; visit Djénné’s vibrant weekly Monday market with its hustle and bustle; see the magnificent Grand Mosque (UNESCO World Heritage), the largest mud brick edifice in the world.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner (O/N)

Day 11 Djénné-Ségou

Early morning drive to Ségou, Mali's second largest city. Admire the beautiful Sudanese-style colonial architecture; visit the port, the pottery market, traditional mud-cloth and basket weavers and other artisans. Return to Bamako in the late afternoon for international departure flight.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 12 Ségou-Bamako

Morning drive to Bamako, visit of the city for last minute shopping, transfer to aeroport for return flight in the evening. Come back and bring friends along.