Mali - Timbuktu & Beyond
Photograph Mali, one of the world's most exotic and captivating destinations. Travel back in time to capture traditional cultures, the Dogon region whose people live in cliff-side dwellings, the blue men ‘Tuaregs’ and the sweeping Sahara desert landscape.
After arriving in Bamako, the country’s capital, we fly to Timbuktu, the meeting point for desert caravans. Pressing into the interior we travel to Djenne to photograph its Grand Mosque. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the mosque is the largest mud structure in the world. Located in front of the mosque is Djenne’s bustling market where villagers from miles away bring their goods to sell.
The town of Mopti is located at the junction of the Niger and Bani Rivers. Known as the “Venice of Mali” the town is built on a series of islands. All major trading routes converge in Mopti, bringing its many ethnic groups to this trading port. Here you can explore Mopti’s Old Town and riverside markets.
Leaving Mopti, we embark on a daylong Niger River cruise in a thatch roof ‘pinasse’ boat to visit the traditional Fulani and Bozo villages. Our slow boat trip provides an intimate look at traditional life on the river, the heart of Malian life.
We spend the next few days traveling in the remote Dogon country which is built along the Bandiagara escarpment. The Dogon people, some Animist and some Islamic, maintain a traditional society resisting modern world influences. We will photograph their traditional masked ceremonies, traditional way of life, and unique mud houses built into the sides of cliffs.
This workshop offers many unique opportunities to photograph the Sahara desert landscape, the Niger River bird life, Mali’s many ethnic tribes, unique clay architecture, colorful markets, traditional dance performances and an untouched culture.
WORKSHOP ENROLLMENT IS LIMITED and bookings are made on a first registration basis. The workshop fee is $5,875.00 and includes shared accommodation, private touring, a private guide, all regional transportation and some meals.
Not included are international air flights, airport taxes, visas and gratuities for our guides and drivers, personal expenses and most meals. The single supplement charge is $650.00. Trip cancellation/interruption insurance is mandatory.
Itinerary
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Jan. 13, 2011 |
Depart the US for Mali. |
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Day 1 |
Arrive in Bamako — Hotel Salam |
| Day 2 Sat. Jan. 15 |
Bamako – Timbuktu — Hotel La Maison Early morning flight to Timbuktu, late afternoon walking tour, visit to the Djingareiber Mosque & evening shoot from a rooftop overlooking the city's bustling market. (B & L) |
| Day 3 Sun. Jan. 16 |
Timbuktu – Mopti — Maison Rouge Hotel Morning departure by jeep for an all day drive to Mopti. Our drive takes us through the semi-arid land know as the Sahel. On route we will stop to the photograph the local Tuaregs and Fulani villages. (B & L) |
| Day 4 Mon. Jan. 17 |
Mopti – Djenne — Hotel Djenne Djenno Morning departure for Djenne, a World Heritage Site, to photograph its Grand Mosque, the world’s largest clay structure and Djenne’s bustling market where people from the surrounding villages come to sell their wares. (B) |
| Day 5 Tues. Jan. 18 |
Djenne — Hotel Djenne Djenno We spend the day visiting the surrounding villages of Senossa, Sirinou, Saye and Sarro. Capture people as they have lived and farmed for centuries. (B & L) |
| Day 6 Wed. Jan. 19 |
Djenne - Bandiagara — Hotel Cheval Blanc Today we drive to the Dogon country and to the village of Niogono which is situated high on a plateau. The Dogon are an ethnic group living in the center highland region, many of whom still live in their cliff-side dwellings. This region has three distinct topographical regions: the plains, the cliffs and the plateau. (B, L & D) |
| Day 7 Thur. Jan. 20 |
Dourou — sleep in a Dogon village Drive down the escarpment to the villages of Tireli to photograph a traditional Dogon masked dance ceremony and Ireli which has the best-preserved habitats of the Tellum/Dogon people. We spend the night in a local village sleeping under the stars on the rooftop of the chief’s villa. (B, L & D) |
| Day 8 Fri. Jan. 21 |
Sangha — Hotel Cheval Blanc We spend the day trekking well off the beaten path to the remote Dogon villages of Yougas, Dogoru, Piri and Na. (B, L & D) |
| Day 9 Sat. Jan. 22 |
Koundou – Mopti — Hotel Kanga Morning drive to Mopti stopping to photograph at the picturesque plateau village of Songo. (B, L & D) |
| Day 10 Sun. Jan. 23 |
Mopti — Hotel Kanga All day Niger River cruise, stopping to photograph the local Fulani and Sonhgai villages. In Sekoubango we will photograph the interior of its mosque constructed entirely of mud. (B, L & D) |
| Day 11 Mon. Jan. 24 |
Mopti - Segou — Hotel L’Auberge All day drive to Segou, located on the banks of the Niger River. Segou is known for its colonial architecture and spectacular arts and crafts center. (B) |
| Day 12 Tues. Jan. 25 |
Segou – Bamako— Hotel Salam Spend the day making our way back to Bamako. (B) |
| Day 13 Wed. Jan. 26 |
Depart Mali. |
NOTE: THE ABOVE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.