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Experience the Sahara Desert on this one of a kind Expedition. This is a very remote trip traveling to villages north of Timbuktu en route to the Salt Mines of Taudenni. If you like real adventure and remote locations this is the expedition for you! |
| Duration: |
9 Days |
| Location: |
Mali |
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| Category: |
Adventure |
| Tour Code: |
TCH902 |
| Price: |
$ 5995 (min 8 travellers) |
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Travel Recap: |
| Day 1 |
Arrive in Bamako, the capital city of Mali where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. |
| Day 2 |
Fly from Bamako to Timbuktu arriving Timbuktu late morning. Our special desert 4x4 vehicles are waiting for us at the airport. Upon our arrival we start our great expedition as we head straight into the desert.
Overnight: Desert Camping - on the dunes [B, L. D] |
| Day 3 |
Araouane is the only village along this Camel Caravan route, inhabited since the XI century by salt traders from the Bedouin group known as Ouled Sidi Hammed. The houses are often partially covered by sand from the surrounding dunes, sometimes as high as the walls. The caravan trade is the only source of income for the village. Between October and May, many salt caravans pass through Araouane from Timbuktu to the salt mines of Taudenit and back.
We are welcomed by the Amenokal, the chief of the village with whom we have a friendly relationship. Overnight: Desert Camping - on the dunes [B, L. D] |
| Day 4 |
Following breakfast; we depart Araouane for Taudenit, stopping for the night about 12 miles outside the town. As we get closer, you can see the salt mines of Taudenit and what a site to behold as often you will witness hundreds of camels waiting to be loaded with salt.
Overnight:Â Desert Camping [B, L, D] |
| Day 5 |
Continue into Taudenit, where we will visit the salt mines. Miners, come from all over the region, as far away as Gao and Timbuktu. They work for six months of the year as it is simply too hot to work the remainder of the year. The work is known as "salt hell" because it is hard labor and hot temperatures. The small houses the miners live in are built from salt blocks. For more than one thousand years, this area has produced the best quality salt in all of the Western Africa.
Overnight: Desert Camping [B, L, D] |
| Day 6 |
Continue to Timbuktu - trying various routes to meet up with desert nomads.
Overnight: Desert Camping [B, L, D] |
| Day 7 |
Arrive in Timbuktu where we will continue to our hotel for overnight. Tuareg nomads founded Timbuktu in the 11th century and it quickly became the capital of the empire of the middle ages. The beautiful and impressive Djingereber Mosque is the oldest clay building in the entire area. The dwellings of Timbuktu are built with clay and calcareous stone coming from the surrounding areas. Timbuktu's economic fortunes and cultural richness are directly related to the caravan trading and selling of the salt to the bordering regions. Overnight: Timbuktu Hotel [B] |
| Day 8 |
Today we take a cruise on the river to see the hippos.
Overnight: Timbuktu Hotel [B] |
| Day 9 |
Fly from Timbuktu to Bamako and connect to your international departure. |
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| Inclusions |
All stated accommodations, camping equipment while on the expedition, all meals except in Timbuktu and Bamako (unless otherwise stated), all permit fees and entrance fees, all airport transfers, accommodation is based on double occupancy, single supplement is available. |
| Exclusions |
Visa fees, any and all airline costs, any airport departure taxes, meals while in Bamako, sleeping bag and towel, items of a personal nature, travel and medical insurance, tips for staff, soft drinks and alcoholic drinks. On a trip of this nature you can purchase the drinks before we depart town. |
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