A human adventure conceived to live closer to the land and its people, a little out of the usual tourist approaches, in the core of African traditions, along the red sandstone hills of Bandiagara. Perched villages in the steep slopes of the hills, bush and savana, sahelian dunes, beds of dried out marigots, rocky plateaux...So many different and amazing landscapes ! But the main nterest of this treck is the DOGONS themseves. A fascinating African civilisation which has long been subjected to studies by many ethnologists or scientists. Today, although many Dogons of the Hills live on tourism, they are still a welcoming and friendly people who are still very attached to their traditional life. The horse plays an important part in the religious and social symbolism, it also makes it easier for us to approach villages and establish a relationship with villagers .
Out of consideration for local history, customs or traditional events such as local festivities, markets or ceromonies, we may be led to modify our programme. Indeed our aim is to fulfil your expectations of discovery and for that , we stay tuned in the news of the bush.
Programme (15 days)
BEWARE : BECAUSE OF THE PRESENT SITUATION, FLIGHTS FROM EUROPE MAY BE MODIFIED
D1 : Departure from France. Arrival in Mopti airport. Transfer to the guest house (double room) for this first night, breakfast.
D2 : Transfer to Djéné on a bus (120km) Lunch at arrival, visit of the historic city, dinner, night at a campment hotel (double room)
D3 : Late in the morning, departure for the Dogon Country via Bandiagara, a 2h30 trip with a stop for lunch in Sévaré. In the evening visit of the village and first incursion in the hill. Dinner and night at the village of Telli in a campment.
D4 : Introduction to the horses and material. Departure for a short ride. Walk to the village of Bénimatou in the hill in the evening.Bivouac night.
D5 : Ride to Tirelli along the hill side. In the evening visit of Tirelli and big show of traditional Dogon dances with the Masks Society. Bivouac in the dunes just in front the village.
D6 : Ride to Koundou, arrival early in the afternoon, lunch, nap. We can ride again around 4.30pm to Banani where we leave the horses attended and walk up to Sanga in the freshness of the "little evening". Visit of the village and fresh drink before walking down from the hill back to the campment of Koundou at night around 11pm for dinner.
D7 : Departure for the 3 Youga on horseback in the morning.
D8 : Early rise in the morning, visit of these sites on foot, lunch, nap. Departure for the bivouac of the night next to the village of Wéré.
D9 : For some time, we leave the hill to meet the Dogons of the plain and ride across the dunes to Madougou. Visit of the biggest local market and the town. Bivouac at a friend's house in town.
D10 : Ride in the plain again to Madougou-Berelli where local friends and horsemen will wait for us and give us a colourful show on horseback.
D11 : Back to the hill, riding across the dunes again to get to a wonderful and calm site after the noisy festivities of the night. Bivouac in Yawa at the foot of the hill. A walk to the Yawa Cirque is possible in the evening.
D12 : Ride from Yawa to Kanikombolé via Endé. Stops in the village on the way, markets, local crafts...Night at the campment.
D13 : Last investigation in the hill on foot early in the morning before it gets too hot. Ride back to Telli, our starting point. Night in the village.
D14 : Transfer to Mopti on a bus via Bandiagara (2h drive) Lunch at the famous port of the river Niger. Sailing to the confluence Bani-Niger on board pirogues and visit of the Bozo villages. Night at a hotel in Sévaré (15 km)
D15 : Transfer to the airport. Arrival in France.
Extension (21 days)
The trip may be extended as far as TOMBOUCTOU but no longer on horseback
D16-D17 : Departure in a pirogue from the port of Mopti and sail on the Niger to Tombouctou. Bivouac night and dinner on the river side .
D18 : Arrival in Tombouctou. Night and dinner at a hotel (double room)
D19 : Visit of the mythical town, its library, museum, mosque... Night and dinner at a hotel
D20 : Transfer in 4WD car to Mopti. Dinner and night at the Sévaré hotel
D21 : Transfer to the airport. Arrival in France in the morning
Coming from Bamako (18 jours)
D1 : Departure from France, arrival in Bamako. Transfer from the airport to the hotel (double room) and breakfast
D2 : Transfer in a bus to Djéné (600 km) Lunch at Ségou. Dinner and night (double room) in a campment hotel where we find the horsemen from Mopti
D3 to D14 : horse riding like mentionned above
D15 : Departure and transfer to Bamako (700km)
D16 : Free time in Bamako, transfer to the airport in the evening
D17 : arrival at Roissy airport in France early in the morning
Period
At the end of the rainy season, when the millet lofts are full and the people have more time to welcome us. It's also the best period between the beginning of december and half march, not too hot. It's better not to come in the Christmas season for too many tourists are present. We should agree on dates between half january and half march .
Prices
1 350 €, Arrival in Mopti
1 610 €, Arrival in Bamako.
The price are net without flight. Total paiment at J-30. Group of 5 horsemen minimum. Special prices for group (more 10 horsemen)
Total paiment at J-30Totalité du règlement à J-30. Groupe de 5 à 12 cavaliers
The price inclued : all transfers by bus, lodging in hoyels (3 nights), meals, full board during the ride, a harnessed horse, the guide, the visits.
The price does not include : The flights (sea the transport offers opposit), airport taxes, visas expenses, cancellation assurance, visite of your own, potential extensions, personnal drinks, tips...
Horses
IN the 12th century, they belonged to Spanish settlers then to Arab tradesmen. To day their descendants of Arab and Barbe stock and rather small are very generous and hardy. They are used to work in the fields, for everyday transports but also and mainly for the traditional events of African life. They represent the power of the chefferie.
Saddlery
Specific English saddlery and Mac Clelan. Nothing is carried along while riding, mats equipped with pockets. Hackamore
Escort
Also entiled to lead the rides the organisateur has frequently been to Africa for 30 years. 2 peoples help him with the food supply and bivouac equipment on board of a secutity 4 wd vehicule that wait for us every evening.
Level
Of course participants need to know how to ride a horse (!) and be in good physical conditions but what is especially aquired is the ability to live with and take care of a horse. An experienced trecker may be very useful considering the wather conditions, the lack of facilities, the will encounter and the fact that part of the treck will take place in the sound and an other part by feet in the hill. The treck is easy and nescessared to stay 5 to 6 hours on horseback
Housing-Board
European cooking prepare on the spot by our cook. Drinking water available several times a day. Sleeping amangement : 2 people tents and bivouac set up by the supply staff. personal lugage carried along every day.