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Travel philosophy | The "plus" of this tour | Itinerary | Travel conditions | Accommodation and meals | Insurance | Prices | Schedule | Information and reservation |
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Travel philosophy 
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 This trip has the particularity of plunging you feet first into traditional Dogon territory, following crossroads to reach overlooked villages. To the south-east of Mopti lies the Bandiagara plateau, the land of the Dogon people: a marvellous landscape around a cliff that extends over several dozen kilometres, in certain places reaching 600 m high. Troglodyte villages in rock offer a sublime sight. All around, the African savannah stretches as far as the eye can see, a breathtaking horizon... Here, it is thought that the world was created differently: there are 5 days in a week, original masks dance away from the eyes of the women, while the men gather together under the Toguna (case palabra) to decide on the future... perhaps the next great Dogon ritual (the Sigui) scheduled to take place in ... 2027! Dogon traditions are still living and veiled in mystery, well-guarded and preserved since the 13th century. Listed as world cultural heritage, the Dogon region never leaves its visitors indifferent! |
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The "plus" of this tour
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Itinerary
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Sunday | Arrival at Bamako The evening flight met on arrival at the international airport of Bamako, transfer to the Sofitel L'Amitié or River Lodge hotel, on the banks of the Niger. An information meeting and dinner. Monday | The Mandingue region: the origin of the Dogons Departure for the Mandingue mountains, tour of the prehistoric sites and villages of the ancient Mali Empire. Walking along hills and by waterfalls, picnic lunch under the "Arch". The history of the origin of the Dogons according to the oral tradition as recounted by the Griots (professional musicians or bards). Possibility of a via corda or rock climbing. Return to the hotel for dinner. Tuesday | Bamako-Mopti Departure for Mopti after breakfast. Crossing through the Savannah villages of Bambara and Bobo. Lunch along the way in the shade of the wild mango trees. Arrival in Mopti at the end of the afternoon, dinner and night in a hotel of exotic charm. Wednesday-Saturday | Dogon country: a world like no other We follow original itineraries, far from classic tourist routes. We discover this land, through several trips to villages of the plateau and the cliff, highlighting the cultures and skills of the Dogon ethnic group. We visit overlooked places reached by car, bicycle or traditional cart. Because we wish to protect these unusual places, we won't reveal any further details on our route! On the programme: Traditional reception and meetings with the wise men, depositaries of animist secrets. Explanation of the Dogon cosmogony and traditional rituals: the role of the Hogon (spiritual leader) and the Lébé (the sacred snake), the importance of masks, the secret of the women, the symbolic architecture of the houses, granaries and sacred places... Accommodation and meals in the encampment or the village home of the inhabitant. Arrival in Mopti/Sévaré in the afternoon of the last evening, dinner and night in a hotel of exotic charm. Sunday | Bamako Return to Bamako by plane at the beginning of the afternoon. Rest in the Malian capital at the Sofitel hotel (day use), free time... At the end of the day, transfer to the international airport for an evening flight. |
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Travel conditions
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 This tour is conducted in small groups (from 2 to 8 people). By car, you'll travel in a comfortable, air-conditioned 4x4, systematically undergoing technical checks and cleaned. The rhythm of the tour depends on your interests and desires.. You can stop to take photos or buy local products. You team up with another 4x4 vehicle that serves for logistics: meals, technical assistance, transport of bivouac equipment, etc. You travel with an experienced guide, a private chef and your drivers. |
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Accommodation and meals
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 Riverside offers you high-quality accommodations. The rest-stops are organised in optimal conditions of comfort:
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Insurance
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Repatriation insurance, obligatory when purchasing your holiday, covers the organisation of any health-related treatment and care you may require, along with your eventual repatriation during the course of your holiday. | |||||||||
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Prices
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8 days / 7 nights, full-board accommodation, outside of airline ticket 1,370 € Per personIndividual travel (single room and tent): +220 euros 20% discount for children -12 The price includes: transport by air-conditioned 4x4, hotel and encampment accommodations (room or double tent), full board and mineral water during meals at the Riverside encampment, supervision and assistance of the specialised team (multilingual guide, private cook), visits mentioned and eventual entry fees, transfers and local air transport, tourist taxes and visitor tax. The price does not include: international flights and airport taxes, insurance (medical, repatriation, lost baggage and cancellation costs), extras, drinks and mineral water in hotels and restaurants, extras and beverages additional to those served with meals at the Riverside encampment. Groups from 2 to 8 people. The price is the same and departures are ensured whatever the number of participants. |
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Schedule
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Trips are organised during the months of July, August, September, October: November, December, January, February, March. Departure from Paris every Sunday, return from Bamako the following Sunday. |
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Information and reservations
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contact@riverside-mali.com
Tel.: +(33) 01 42 39 88 74 |
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RIVER TREKKING - TOURS OFF THE BEATEN PATH - COMPANIES & INCENTIVES - MALI A LA CARTE |
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