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| Showtime in the Sahara/Where
the Streets Have No Name
Ring in your new year with a sense of purpose and feeling of global rhythm. We are happy to announce our inaugural trip to the Festival in the Desert, in conjunction with the charitable organization Women Worldwide. The Western world has long been captivated by African music, particularly the music of Mali. Ali Farka Toure, Salif Keita, and Amadou & Mariam are some of Mali’s most well known musical exports. Even if you don’t instantly recognize the names, the music will be familiar. Often described as the world’s most remote music festival—it is a three hour drive from Timbuktu to the oasis of Essakane—the Festival in the Desert is a joyous mix of mix of traditional, modern, and Western music. In nomadic cultures, gatherings are essential to the way of life. At a gathering such as the Festival, there will be trades made, differences settled and marriages arranged, the days will be full of traditional Malian games and camel rides, the nights filled with the music of the world. Before the festival, we will work on a volunteer project in Kori-Maounde, near Bandiagara, in the fascinating Dogon Country. The 150-kilometer-long sandstone escarpment has served as home to the Dogon people, believed to be one of the oldest surviving African cultures. **Mali is not a conventional holiday destination but a journey for those with an adventurous spirit.** Day 1 & 2 - December 31st
- January 1st
Day 3 -January 2nd
This morning we leave Bamako and
travel east to Segou. We’ll tour
Overnight. San Hotel - Meals: Breakfast Day 4 -January 3rd
The legendary Dogon Country is a World Heritage site and considered one of the most extraordinary places on earth. We’ll fully explore this incredible area and get to experience the traditional. Dogon Mask Dance. Overnight Dogon Hotel - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Day 5 - January 4th
Volunteer project in Kori-Maounde (a short drive from Bandiagara). We will be volunteering at a school in Kori-Maounde, planting fruit trees and constructing a water basin, teaching English classes and visiting with local organizations. This will be a real cultural immersion experience as we will become part of the community, joining villagers in their homes for meals and actitivities as well as working on a project that will leave a lasting contribution to the school and village. Today we will get an overview of the project and start by digging holes for the trees, then meet with the director of the school. This evening, we’ll teach our first English class. Overnight: Dogon Hotel – Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Day 6 - January 5th
Today we’ll work on the construction of a community building in Kori-Maounde. After this evenings English class, dinner in home of village resident. Overnight: Dogon Hotel - Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Day 7 - January 6th
Continue work on community building in Kori-Maounde, evening English class and village activity. Overnight: Dogon Hotel - Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Day 8 - January 7th
Continue work on watering basin for the school, plant fruit trees this afternoon. Farewell dinner in local home, then back to Bandiagara with fond memories of our time in Kori-Maounde. Overnight: Dogon Hotel - Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Day 9 - January 8th
After breakfast, we’ll drive to the
legendary city of Timbuktu,
Overnight: Timbuktu hotel - Meals: Breakfast Day 10 - January 9th
The morning we continue on to Essakane, the site of the festival in the Desert. There’s time to settle into camp before the evening music begins. Overnight: Festival Camp (Tent and
mats) --Meals: Breakfast,
Day 11 - January 10th
Today we’ll take in all the festival
has to offer--including camel
Overnight: Festival Camp (Tent and
mats) --Meals: Breakfast,
Day 12 - January 11th
This morning we leave the festival
for Mopti —the Venice of Mali—where we’ll see a Bambara dance and cruise
down the incomparable Niger River in a traditional pirogue (dugout canoe),
visit a fishing village and a vil-
Overnight Mopti Hotel --Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Day 13 - January 12th
In Djenne, we’ll visit the Grand Mosque, the largest mud building in the world. Time permitting, we’ll stop in Sevaré to visit the Peace Corps Baba's Art Gallery Bead Museum, and take in an amazing collection of West African beadwork. We’ll be here for market day & visit artisan Pama Sinatou's workshop. Overnight Djenne Hotel -Meals: Breakfast Day 14 - January 13th
We’ll arrive Bamako late afternoon
and have time to visit several of
Overnight Bamako Hotel -Meals: Breakfast Day 15 - January 14th
Day 16 - January 15th
Package Includes: • Roundtrip airfare from NYC to Bamako,
Mali
Not included: Airfare from your hometown to NYC;
meals not mentioned in the
Land Only: $4,560 per person, sharing Small group surcharge (5 - 11 travelers) add $200 Single Supplement: $550 Sample airfare from JFK, NYC $1,525 ITINERARY AND PRICE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
or call toll-free at 877-788-ROCK |
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