MALI


December 17 – 20, 2026
Mali
Tour to Mali

SCHEDULE AND COST:

Dates: December 17 – 20, 2026

Duration: 4 days / 3 nights

Number of participants: 6 – 12

Cost FOR MAIN PROGRAM, per person:
–1 990 EUR subject to 12 participants,
– 2 090 EUR subject to 10 – 11 participants,
– 2 350 EUR subject to 8 – 9 participants,
–2 590 EUR subject to 6 – 7 participants.

* 10% early booking discount (in case you book before February 1, 2025)

Everything is included except for:
- international flight to Bamako roundtrip,
- international medical insurance,
- lunches and dinners, beverages,
- Mali visa (to be obtained at the consulate in Moscow or another city for 50 EUR. The cost may change).

Estimated cost of the flight Moscow – Bamako – Moscow: 900 – 1300 EUR (usually purchased on your own. We advise on purchasing tickets)
Estimated cost of the flight Istanbul – Bamako – Istanbul: from 700 EUR (usually purchased on your own. We advise on purchasing tickets)
Estimated cost of the flight Paris – Bamako – Paris: from 700 EUR (usually purchased on your own. We advise on purchasing tickets)

Single supplement: 200 EUR (provided throughout the entire itinerary)



TRAVEL PROGRAM: TOUR TO MALI


Day 1. December 17, 2026 (Thursday). BAMAKO – TIMBUKTU

Very early arrival in Bamako with international flight or the day before.
9 am morning flight with Air Mali flight from Bamako to Timbuktu.
At 10 in the morning arrival in one of the mysterious desert cities in Africa. Reception by our local guide and transfer to the hotel.
After lunch at the restaurant or with local family, we will attend a traditional dance of Tuareg called «Takamba» to open for us Vivre Ensemble festival.
During 2 days we will be immersed in the atmosphere of the Vivre Ensemble festival in Timbuktu.
We may attend immersive cultural excursions ("Excursion Azalaï"), also camel ride to the desert featuring salt extraction demonstrations from Taoudénni, camel parades, traditional music, tea ceremonies, local cuisine.
During these days we may visit Artisan fair: exhibition and sale of local crafts and products, promoting the "Made in Timbuktu" label and boosting the local economy, and during night time concerts and cultural performances: evening music concerts and traditional song/dance performances by artists from across Mali and neighboring countries.
Overnight at hotel Hendrina Khan.

Accommodation: Hotel Hendrina Khan
Meals included: no

* Recommended flights to Bamako:
— Aeroflot and Turkish Airlines, depart from Moscow at 7:05 am on December 16, stopover in Istanbul 2 hours 55 minutes, arrives in Bamako at 22:05 on December 16 (extra night in the hotel in Bamako required and to be extra paid), or
— Royal Air Maroc, departs from Moscow at 8:20 am on December 16, stopover in Casablanca 3 hours 40 minutes, arrival in Bamako at 18:40 on December 16 (extra night in the hotel in Bamako required and to be extra paid), or
— any other flight with arrival in Bamako no later than at 5 a.m. on December 17.

Day 2. December 18, 2026 (Friday). TIMBUKTU

After breakfast, with the armed security we explore the «city of 333 saints» and its iconic UNESCO-listed sites: the great Djingareyber and Sidi Yahia mosques, walking through Sankoré Madrasa – one of three ancient centers of learning located in Timbuktu. Visit the Hamed Baba cultural center, Koranic schools, architectural houses of Timbuktu, museum collections and ancient manuscripts.
Nowadays, like centuries ago – the city is surrounded by a heavy mist of mystery. Almost no tourists get there anymore since the Tuareg started demanding their own independent country. Unique experience in sanctum sanctorum for every traveler!
In the afternoon, visit to the Alfaruk monument, monument of the martyrs of March 26, 1991 and monument of the flame of peace and the house of artisans.
Join the activities of the Vivre Ensemble festival.
Overnight at hotel Hendrina Khan.

Accommodation: Hotel Hendrina Khan
Meals included: breakfast

Day 3. December 19, 2026 (Saturday). TIMBUKTU – BAMAKO – DOGODOUMA – BAMAKO

After breakfast, transfer to the airport and domestic flight to Bamako.
After 1 hour flight, arrival in Bamako and city tour: national museum, famous fetish market and artisanal market for masks and other souvenirs.
Then transfer to Dogodouma for Bambara mask dance. Dogodouma, a small village around of Bamako where we will organize the traditional mask dance of Bambara during 1-2 hours.
Upon return back to Bamako, we close our day by reaching very photogenic place – the shores of Niger River in the suburbs of Bamako to see how local Bozo tribe extracts sand for construction.
Overnight at the Hotel Omono or similar.

Accommodation: Hotel Omono or similar
Meals included: breakfast

Day 4. December 20, 2026 (Sunday). BAMAKO – MAGNABOUGOU – SIBY – BAMAKO – RETURN FLIGHT

After breakfast, departure to Magnabougou for Dogon performance mask dance.
Bandiagara is not safe nowadays, and we have unique chance to witness Dogon dance namedDogogo right here.
Dogon being named “people from the Sirius” is one of the most unique tribes in Africa. Their animistic beliefs, masks and costumes are one of the most remarkable in the world and look really extraterrestrial. We will see this special dance and will be explained about all masks that participate.
After lunch, continue driving to Siby, Malinke (or Mandinka) Country.
The Malinke are descendants of Mali Empire that extended from present day Senegal to Niger. Between the Mandingo Mountains and the mango tree, we will have the opportunity to learn the history of the king who founded the empire of Mali.
We explore natural wonders, such as the Arch of Kamadjan and the Consultation Cave. We do small hike to the arch, the panoramic point, and the sacred cave under the arch of Kamadjan.
We will attend the Yuguba mask dance of Mandinka people. This dance will be performed in front of famous Arch of Kamadjan until sunset, with the possibility of taking best panoramic photos. Comeback to Bamako in the evening and direct transfer to the airport for an international flight back home. 

Accommodation: no
Meals included: breakfast

* Recommended flights from Bamako:
— Turkish Airlines, departs from Bamako at 23:15 December 20, stopover in Istanbul 3 hours 10 minutes, arrives in Moscow at 18:45 on December 21, or
— Royal Air Maroc, departs from Bamako at 1:55 a.m. on December 21, stopover in Casablanca 9 hours 50 minutes, arrives in Moscow at 00:25 am on December 22, or
— or any other flight which departs from Bamako to any city no earlier than at 21:00 on December 20.

* The operator reserves the right to change the order of executions, visits and activities of the program subject to keeping of all activities if possible. It would mainly depend on the flights schedule, weather conditions, actual security situation, as well market days, ceremonies and festivals availability (if any). If some visits and/or tours could not be done due to external conditions, they will be replaced when possible.

** Visit of Timbuktu is subject to current security situation in the region.