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Travel Africa: Mali
January 10, 2009 to January 23, 2009Join us this January as we revive our popular travel program in Mali, West Africa. Experience Mali's breathtaking attractions with a tour guided by specialist (and the Museum's Special Advisor to the President), Jerry Vogel.
The two-week trip will allow you to explore the historic city of Timbuktu, the monumental beauty of the Great Mosque at Djenne, the bustling Malian capital of Bamako, the Dogon country, and the city of Segou, which was once capital of the Bamana Empire.
While the focus is on seeing and understanding Mali's ancient cultures, you will also learn much about the traditional arts of the Dogon, Tuareg and Bamana peoples, as well as the contemporary art being produced. Your discussions with the African art and culture experts traveling with you will be supplemented with the chance to interact with important local cultural figures and political leaders.
An optional weekend stop in Paris will allow you to see masterpieces of Malian art at the Musee du Quai Branly.
To reserve your place or learn more about the trip, contact (718)784-7700 x123.
ITINERARY
SATURDAY-January 10-OPTIONAL DAY IN PARIS-Evening departure from either New York or Boston to Paris for early morning arrival. Early check in to hotel and lunch on own. Afternoon visits to the new Musee du Quai Branly (with superb collection of Malian art) and Dapper Museum. Dinner hosted in Paris.
SUNDAY-January 11-PARIS to BAMAKO-Connect to Paris-Bamako flight. Arrive Bamako about 8pm. Transfer to Hotel Salam.
MONDAY-January 12-BAMAKO-Orientation and visit to the National Museum of Mali. Discussion with director. City visit, includes markets and artists' studios. Dinner in local restaurant.
TUESDAY-January 13-BAMAKO to TIMBUCTU-Early morning flight to Timbuctu. Transfer to Hotel Colombe. City visit. Mosques, museum, Tuareg camp near the edge of the Sahara Desert and the UNESCO library of ancient manuscripts.
WEDNESDAY-January 14-MOPTI-Flight to Mopti. Transfer to Relais Kanaga on bank of Niger River. Visit old city, mosque. Late afternoon visit to art and jewelry dealers.
THURSDAY-January 15-NIGER RIVER-Morning trop in motorized boat to Fulani village on Niger River to see landscape, architecture and traditional weavers. Night at Kanaga.
FRIDAY-January 16-DJENNE-Drive to Djenne (1.5 hours). Visit city to see mosque, decorated houses and craftsmen. Visit to old Djenne with museum curator. Return to Mopti and Kanaga.
SATURDAY-January 17-DOGON COUNTRY-Drive to Dogon Country (2.5 hours). Stop to visit rock paintings and village of Songo. Check into "camp" at Sangha, center for visit to Dogon country. Late afternoon walk through Ogol village to see and photograph architecture. Night at camp. Note: Camp is a simple hotel with bathrooms, electricity and European food. It is in a beautiful spot next to a Dogon village.
SUNDAY-January 18-DOGON COUNTRY-Early morning hike down cliff to see cliff villages and spectacular landscape. Drive across plain to Tireli village to see and photograph Dogon mask performance. Night in camp. Note: For those unable to climb, the descent can be made in Land Rovers, which will then take the entire group to the mask performance in Tireli. Everyone will ride to top of cliff after dances. The descent involves moderate physical exertion, but does not require mountain climbing skills or equipment.
MONDAY-January 19-MOPTI-Return to Mopti and Relais Kanaga. Afternoon free to relax at pool, or time for shopping and more art dealer visits.
TUESDAY-January 20-SEGOU-Drive to Segou, Mali's second city. Segou is on the Niger River and is a historical and craft center. Stop midday at San to see mosque and neighborhood of mudcloth dyers. Night at Segou.
WEDNESDAY-January 21-SEGOU-Morning trip on river to old Segou, captial of Bamana kingdom. Visit to mosques and palace ruins. Meeting with traditional chief who will discuss history and customs of the Bamana people. Afternoon visit to art center and craftspeople. Night Segou.
THURSDAY-January 22-BAMAKO-Drive to Bamako (3 hours). Afternoon for shopping or relaxation. Dinner in San Toro Restaurant, beautifully decorated with Malian arts. Evening visit to club to hear local music.
FRIDAY-January 23-BAMANA VILLAGE-Visit to Bamana village (1 hour drive) where villagers will give traditional welcome and dances. This is very special due the long relationshop of the Museum for African Art with this village.
SATURDAY-January 24-BAMAKO-Free time to relax or see more of Bamako. Evening departure for Paris.
SUNDAY-January 25-PARIS to BOSTON/NEW YORK-Early morning connection to flight to New York or Boston.