1.)All are flexible so we can mix-match and tailor a totally brand new itinerary only for you.

2.)They are fun and easy going.

3.)You actually see the local way of life not just the tourist hubs.

4.)We walk at a leisurely pace.

5.)We can do half days or full days.

6.)Feasts on local specialities in lesser known places and street vendors.

7.) WHEN YOU WALK YOU LEARN MORE!

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Tour Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive Bamako, Mali

After our International flight arrives in Bamako, capital of Mali, we are met by our local representatives and have an airport-to-hotel transfer. The rest of the day is free. Overnight: Le Grand Hotel, Bamako (2 nights), (Dinner).

Day 2: Bamako

Capital city of Mali, Bamako is situated on the Niger, one of Africa's great rivers. Mali is a country of many tribal peoples, each with its own exuberant style of clothing and jewelry. There is nowhere better to see this colorful diversity than in the streets and markets of Bamako. After a refreshing night-rest and breakfast at our hotel we start with a leisurely Bamako city tour and visit the Point G for the panoramic overview of the city, the National Museum, the city market, the antiquary’s village and the artisan’s village. The city has a large art and craft centre where sculptors, weavers, leather workers, jewelers and metal workers exhibit their wares and skills. You can spend hours exploring the hundreds of stalls. From carvings and cassettes, to fabrics, beads, brass and gold, the variety of goods is staggering. One area of the market is devoted entirely for traditional African medicines. Here you'll find the freshly shrunken heads of birds, monkeys and crocodiles, along with lizard skins and other gruesome treatments. (Breakfast, Dinner).

Day 3: Bamako / Segou (drive)

After breakfast, we leave Bamako and drive northeast to Segou, Mali's second largest city and former colonial administrative center. At Segou we will observe the city’s old, beautiful Sudanese-style colonial architecture, then visit the lively port on the Niger, the pottery makers, the traditional weavers and mud cloth artisans. Later we drive to the nearby village of Sekoro, former capital of the Bambara Kingdom and see the tomb of King Biton Coulibaly. Overnight: Independence Hotel, Segou (1 night)(Breakfast, Dinner).

Day 4: Segou / Mopti (drive)

We’ll continue today Mali’s exploration and after breakfast we drive along the banks of the Niger River to Mopti, known as the Venice of Mali. Nestled between the Niger and the Bani Rivers, Mopti is a major fishing port and has a bustling market, where we can spot many of Mali's ethnic groups, an effervescent amalgam of cultural diversity like: Bambara, Bobo, Bozo, Dogon, Fulani, Tuareg and Songhay. Here we can shop gold or silver jewelry, Tuareg leatherwork, or Fulani blankets of cotton or wool. Spend some time cruising on the Bani and Niger rivers by visiting the fishermen’s village. After we visit the city’s beautiful mosque, we’ll enjoy a sunset sail on the Niger River in a traditional pirogue. Overnight: Kanaga Hotel, Mopti (1 night)(Breakfast, Dinner).

Day 5: Mopti / Sangha - Dogon Country (drive)

After breakfast, drive to Mali's fascinating Dogon country. Being among of the most enigmatic people of Africa, the Dogons are living in stones and mud houses and granaries built up high on the narrow edges of the cliffs. The Dogons are animists, worshipping their ancestors and the spirits of nature. Having preserved their traditions through the centuries, the Dogon architecture is certainly the most well known element by external world, along with other practices such as mask dances (to request to a deceased spirit to leave the village and then rejoin the ancestors) or the fox divinatory game. The Dogons are farmers cultivating their fields either high on the cliff, in the plain or down of the cliff.

The Dogons fled the advancing of Arabs coming from the north, and found shelter in one of West Africa's most inhospitable areas difficult to reach. This difficulty contributes to Dogon’s isolation even between them, and in time each village developed its own dialect, un-comprehended by the neighbors. Today, there are about fifty of idioms in spoken Dogon language. First we’ll visit the Dogon village Songo, renowned for its rock paintings and circumcision grotto, and then continue to Sangha, on the edge of the Bandiagara escarpment, where we stay overnight. Overnight: Campement Hotel Guina, Sangha (2 nights)(Breakfast, Dinner).

Day 6: Dogon Country

This morning we descend the Bandiagara escarpment to visit the village of Banani, where the ancient Tellem Cave dwellings in the cliff face, further the Ireli Village. Then Amani, where we visit the sacred crocodile sanctuary, and Tireli, where we may witness a traditional Dogon mask dance. See the caves of Deguimbere and other small but interesting villages on the escarpment edge, before returning to Sangha. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 7: Sangha / Djenne (drive)

We’ll spend another morning exploring Dogon country, before our early afternoon drive to Djenne. Djenne, Timbuktu’s ancient sister city when they were at their glory time, has been preserving the atmosphere for centuries with its mud buildings along the old narrow streets. The city was an important port for caravans selling the salt coming from the desert to the south areas. Presently, Djenne is well known for its interesting weekly market and the big mosque, the biggest mud architecture in the world, built in the 13th century and declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Even now, Djenne is continuing to be an important trade center. Here we can spot all of Mali’s ethnic groups: Bambara, Malinké, Peul, Bobo, bozo, Dogon Songhaï, Tuareg, Haussa, all coming to exhibit their wares in the bustling market. Overnight: Hotel Campement Djenné (2 nights), (Breakfast, Dinner).

Day 8: Djenne

As we have set the departure with this event in our mind, today we will experience Djenne on its weekly market day, when Djenne is at its colorful best. The atmosphere on the streets ‘teleports’ you back to medieval times. We will visit the magnificent Grand Mosque, the largest mud brick architecture in the world and wander around all day long. (Breakfast, Dinner).

Day 9: Djenne / Sikasso (drive)

After breakfast we drive to Sikasso. Sikasso is considered to be the green belt of Mali. The city portrays the remnants of the Tata, an ancient palisade that encircled the city and for a time held off the French colonial army, the Mamelon, residence of the kings of Sikasso and sacred site that housed the city’s protector spirits. Later we visit the Missirikoro Mosque, some 15 km from Sikasso, the Mansa Daoula Tomb (founder of Kenedougou Kingdom) and the Farako Falls. Overnight: Hotel Zanga, Sikasso (1 night) (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 10: Sikasso / Bobo Dioulasso (Burkina Faso) (drive)

This morning we leave Sikasso and cross the border from Mali to Burkina Faso. After a smooth ride we arrive to Bobo, where we check into our hotel first, then have a brief tour of Bobo. The city of Bobo Dioulasso is a very relaxed place and a pleasure to spend a day. It has boulevards and interesting market places with a chilled-out feel and very little hassle even in the Grand Marché. There are a few interesting sights here. Among the major highlights to see is the Musée Provincial du Houet, but without a doubt the most interesting sight is the Grande Mosquée (the old great mosque). Overnight: Hotel Auberge, Bobo (1 night)(Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 11: Bobo Dioulasso / Gaoua (drive)

Today we complete our tour of Bobo Dioulasso, ("house of the Bobo merchants"), Burkina Faso's second largest city and visit the old mosque and visit the old Kibidwe artisans' district. The old Kibidwé district is a great area to stroll around and it's well worth the experience to see how this side of the city live, and if we're lucky we may be treated to a performance by some of the musicians who live in the part of the town. In the afternoon we leave Bobo and continue drive to Gaoua. En route we stop in Banforo to visit the Karfiguela waterfalls and Lac Tengrela. We also stop at the mysterious stone ruins of Loropeni whose origins are unknown, but the local Gan people call them the "house of refusal”. Arrive in the evening at Gaoua for an overnight stay. Overnight: Hala Hotel, Gaoua (1 night)(Breakfast, Dinner).

Day 12: Gaoua / Ouagadougou (drive)

Gaoua is the capital of the Lobi country. It is one of the ethnic groups having succeeded in preserving all its particularities and habits. Former warriors reconverted today into farmers and hunters, but resisted savagely to all the invaders, who were African or European. After breakfast we visit the Poni Museum, dedicated to the Lobi culture. The museum is spectacular, amazing, and well worth going to Gaoua for. It displays constructed homes of the two traditional ethnic groups who live in the area, see the distinctive, fortress-like Lobi architecture and the pictures are also impressive. Later we drive to Ouagadougou, the capital city of Burkina Faso. Overnight: Hotel Mercure Silmande, Ouagadougou (2 nights)(Breakfast, Dinner).

Day 13: Ouagadougou

We spend our day exploring Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso's capital city. Ouaga, as the capital of Burkina Faso is generally known is the home to the Mossi, the largest ethnic group in the nation. All the sights can be easily reached on foot. The city’s atmosphere is relaxed and the Burkinabés are known to be very hospitable and friendly people. We’ll visit the Grand Market and the National Museum, with its interesting collection of regional clothing, masks, household utensils and ancestral statues; also visit the crafts markets at the Artisans Center, where we will find basketry, batik fabrics, wooden statues and masks, jewelry, leatherwork and bronze castings. In the evening we can explore the city on our own. Unlike many other Western African / Sahelian cities, Ouagadougou is not predominantly Muslim so it's also got a lively nightclub scene. (Breakfast, Dinner).

Day 14: Ouagadougou / Natitingou (Benin) (drive)

We depart Ouagadougou after breakfast and drive to Fada N'Gourma, where we cross the Burkina Faso - Benin border and continue to Natitingou, in Somba country. It is said that if some want to see the traditional way of life in the authentic villages of Benin, the best place to start is this little town of Natitingou. Overnight: Hotel Tata Somba, Natitingou (1 night)(Breakfast, Dinner).

Day 15: Natitingou / Abomey (drive)

In the morning we visit the Natitingou Museum for an interesting overview of the Somba culture. From the city it is possible to reach some nearby villages that are completely made of mud and branches and dung. These are original and un-commercial because they simply don't know the concept of tourism over there. It is even possible that we meet the chief of the village (or the medicine man). The medicine man is the one that practices voodoo and we’ll see plenty of voodoo signs when we walk through any authentic village, best recognizable by the chicken bones… The chief usually doesn't want us to enter his village, but if we present him with a small gift we'll probably be able to get a guided tour. Later we drive to Abomey, the birthplace of voodoo. Overnight: Hotel Daco, Abomey (1 night)(Breakfast, Dinner).

Day 16: Abomey / Cotonou (drive)

The city of Abomey is widely considered the historic capital of Benin. It was the center of the Dahomey kingdom that controlled the area before colonization by the French, and the ruins of the royal palaces, one of which has been restored and houses Abomey's history museum, are the city's most popular attractions. This morning we’ll start with the Royal Palace Museum (listed WHS), site of these ancient palaces of the twelve kings of Abomey, who reigned from 1620 through 1900. This museum tells the story of the kingdom of Dahomey before the French colonization. Abomey was once one of the most important sites in West Africa, as important as Kano and Benin City in Nigeria and the Dogon Country in Mali. This museum explains how the area evolved from a tribal kingdom to what it is today. UNESCO as a World Heritage Site classifies it. After a short visit to the artisans' center, we depart for Cotonou. Upon arrival, we proceed with a city tour of Cotonou, including the fish market and the international Dan Tokpa market and handicraft center. Ganvie, "the Venice of Africa" is a village build on stakes in the lake and is a few kilometers north of Cotonou, where we may take a ‘pirogue’ excursion over the lagoon. Overnight: Hotel Du Lac, Cotonou (1 night), (Breakfast, Dinner).

Day 17: Cotonou / Ouidah / Lome (Togo) (drive)

Once we leave Cotonou and travel 40 km west, we enter Ouidah, an important traditional-religious center and ancient slave depot, which has sent thousands of slaves to the new world. Here we visit the Museum in the Old Portuguese Fort. The Portuguese began trading African slaves in Europe in the 1440s, and by the early 1500’s ships filled with slaves captured in Africa began sailing across the Atlantic to the New World. During the four centuries of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, an estimated 12 million Africans were taken from their continent and brought to the New World and Europe. We continue with the Temple of Pythons, the Cathedral of Notre Dame and the Kpasse sacred forest. According to legend, centuries ago King Kpasse fled his enemies by escaping into the forest and turned himself into a tree. The tree still exists growing up amidst ruins of a house that was once built around it. Perhaps we will witness here a traditional voodoo ceremony, featuring the spirits of departed ancestors. This afternoon we depart Benin and enter Togo, as we drive toward our last West-African destination, Lome. Overnight: Corinthia Hotel, Lome (2 nights), (Breakfast, Dinner).

Day 18: Lome

Togo seems to be squashed in between neighboring Ghana, Burkina Faso and Benin. Yet this tiny sliver of a country manages to squeeze in dense forests, savannah, coastal lagoons, long sandy beaches and swampy plains. Togo formed part of the Slave Coast, from where captives were shipped abroad by European slavers during the 17th century. Its capital city Lome is the country's administrative, communications, and industrial center, and the chief port, handling such items as coffee, cocoa, copra, and palm nuts. We’ll visit here the National Museum, the market and the artisans' village. Afterwards, we return to our hotel for checkout and also have some last minute shopping. In the evening we are taken to the International Airport for our flight back home. After an unparalleled Cultural experience, we leave this pure part of the African continent with soul-enchanting and mind-bending memories. (Breakfast, Dinner).

- End of our tour and services -

Notes:

Airfare is not included in the tour price.

Price Includes:

- Hotel accommodation as mentioned (or similar category)

- Private ground transportation by AC cars or minivans

- Experienced English-speaking guide

- Airport-hotel-Airport transfers and luggage handling

- All hotel taxes and local tourism taxes

- All tours and sightseeing with entry fees

- Meals as indicated (Breakfast, Dinner)

Price Excludes:

- International airfare to Africa

- Travel insurance (highly recommended)

- Visa fees

- Gratuities, tips and other such costs

- Drinks/Beverages and personal expenses.

Season: December - January

Airfare Included: No

Tour Customizable: Yes

Minimum Per Person Price: 2380 US Dollar (USD)

Maximum Per Person Price: 2380 US Dollar (USD)

Day 1: (Thursday) Arrival Bamako, Mali

International flight arrives in Bamako, Mali. You will be met, assisted and transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Bamako. Overnight at Grand Hotel or Similar 4 star.

Day 2: (Friday) Bamako

After breakfast City tour of this capital city. Bamako is situated on the Niger, one of Africa’s great rivers which flow through Mali. Another highlight of your tour is the Grand Marche, or ‘Great Market’, where you can spend hours exploring the hundreds of stalls. From carvings and cassettes, to fabrics, beads, brass and gold, the variety of goods is staggering. One area of the market is devoted entirely to traditional African medicines. Here you’ll find the freshly shrunken heads of birds, monkeys and crocodiles along with lizard skins and other gruesome treatments. Overnight at Grand Hotel or Similar. Includes: (B, D).

Day 3: Saturday Timbuktu

This morning take an early flight to legendary Timbuktu. Located near the River Niger, and at the terminus of the great trans-Saharan caravan route, Wander the dusty streets of Timbuktu, admiring such magnificent mud-brick structures as the Djinguiraiber Mosque, the Mosque of Sankore, and the Palace of Bouctou. See the houses of the various 19th century European explorers who used Timbuktu as a base. Or go out to the Desert to see Tuaregs. Overnight in Timbuktu. Overnight at Hotel Colombe or Hendrina Khan or Similar. Includes: (B, D).

Day 4: (Sunday) Mopti

This morning, fly to Mopti. Mopti city tour (you will see the fascinating mix of Malian cultures: Bambara, Bobo, Bozo, Dogon, Fulani, Tuareg, Songhaï and Hausa): visit the beautiful mosque, the fishing port and the bustling market. Take a Sunset River cruise on the Bani River and Niger river. Overnight in Mopti. Hotel Ambedjele or Similar. Includes: (B, D).

Day 5: (Monday) Djenne

This morning travel from Mopti to Mali’s architectural jewel, Djenne. Visit Djenne’s colorful and bustling market. Overnight in Djenne. Overnight at Hotel Campement or Similar. Includes: (B, D).

Day 6: (Tuesday) Djenne/Dogon

Travel to Dogon Country which is Built up high on the narrow ledges of the cliffs are the villages of the Dogon people. This is such a unique place that the United Nations has declared it a World Heritage site. Overnight in Dogon Village. Overnight at Hotel Campement. Includes: (B, D).

Day 7: (Wednesday) Dogon / Segou / Bamako / Depart

After breakfast, drive to Segou, Mali’s second largest city and former Bambara kingdom capital city. This drive takes you through a few interesting villages where you can observe the traditional ways of life. Briefly explore Segou before continuing to Bamako where you will relax and refresh before it is time to transfer to the airport for your ongoing flight. Includes: (B).

Notes:

Airfare is not included in the tour price.

Price Includes:

- 06 nights’ accommodation

- Day-room in Bamako on day 07

- Meals: (B, L, D)

- Private ground transportation by 4x4 vehicle, with driver

Camel ride on the sand dunes

- Experienced English-speaking guide throughout

- Airport transfers upon arrival and departure in Bamako.

- All hotel taxes and local tourism taxes, all site visits and entry fees

- Domestic flights

- River cruise on the Bani River and Niger river.

Price Excludes:

- International flight to Mali

- Travel insurance

- Visa fees

- Gratuities.

Santiago, the capital of Chile, cosmopolitan and one of the most important financial city of South America.

The city is located between beaches and mountains, a perfect place for visiting the exciting ski resorts only 50 kilometers away, or the beautifull beaches of Viña del Mar, near Valparaiso. This capital has many architectural treasures that invite you to walk through it slowly in order to discover splendid buildings like the Red House, a colonial style construction of 1769, which has been turned into a Museum and the "Palacio de la Moneda" (Palace of the Mint) (1805) - in the neo-classical style and the place where is the Chilean government. What is more, you have its splendid Cathedral, built in 1785.

There are also other important places, such as marvellous and extensive parks and our important Art Museum, opened in 1910, a conservative touch that provides a contrast with the adventurous design of the modern buildings and the bohemian atmosphere of the suburbs, where the surroundings invite one to take a break and have a coffee.

Finally as it is only one day tour in Santiago,I would suggest half day walking tour through out the most important civic and cultural sights in the historic center,and after lunch,touring the different areas of the city,including residential areas,artesan villages,climbing the foots of the Andes mountains,so as to obtain in one day the best impression of this big and extensive city.

It is difficult to describe in words this tour to the region of Valparaiso because it is a region with so many histories, magic and poetry that always is different. This tour includes visiting the port of Valparaiso, patrimony of the humanity, characteristic by its 56 hills, picturesque funiculars, colorful districts… It includes the city of Viña del Mar, that it captivates us with its casino, palaces and singular architecture, called the Garden City. You will also enjoy travelling thru the pacific central coast, showing some exclusive resorts, our marine flora and fauna, see some small fishermen villages, seaweeds collectors etc. which will take you more into how our people live. In one sentence this unforgettable tour tries to show you both sides of the coin.

Spring has Sprung in North Idaho!

April 7th, 2009 | No Comments, Add A Comment »

After a beautiful, but long winter, spring is finally emerging here in North Idaho. With warmer weather creeping in, it’s time to start planning those weekend getaways and summer vacations. So…what do you want to do?

Interested in whitewater rafting? TMI has many exciting rafting packages available. We can create trips for any skill level. From beginners to expert rafters, we are able to create single day events or multi-day adventures for you.

How about taking an RV to Glacier National Park, Yellowstone National Park…or both? We can set it up! Leave the details to us and let us arrange everything for you - right down to making sure the refrigerator in your RV is well stocked for your adventure. An RV vacation is excellent for families, couples, or individuals seeking to explore these magnificent national parks.

Looking to just relax by the lake or one of our pristine rivers? Let us find the perfect cabin or luxurious lakefront home for your getaway. TMI is able to provide some of the most magnificent homes available in North Idaho. From quaint to super luxurious, TMI is able to secure a property that will match up well with your desires.

These are only a few of the ways to enjoy the beauty of North Idaho and the surrounding area. TMI Tours is anxious to be of assistance to those planning a visit to North Idaho. Please feel free to call us at 1-800-975-7775

Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park

One of the most amazing and well-known highlights of Glacier National Park is a cruise across the Going-to-the-Sun Road. This marvel of engineering (named a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in 1985) covers 50 miles of the park’s wild interior, winding around mountainsides and treating visitors to some of the most breathtaking vistas in northwest Montana. The road passes through almost every type of terrain in the park: from large glacial lakes and cedar forests in the lower valleys, to windswept alpine tundra at the summit of Logan Pass (6,646 feet). Scenic viewpoints and pullouts come up frequently on the road allowing motorists plenty of stops for extended views and photo opportunities.

How did the Going-to-the-Sun Road get its name?

The road officially received its name, “The Going-to-the-Sun Road,” during the 1933 dedication at Logan Pass. The road borrowed its name from nearby Going-to-the-Sun Mountain. Local legend and a 1933 press release issued by the Department of the Interior, told the story of the deity, Sour Spirit, who came down from the sun to teach Blackfeet braves the rudiments of the hunt. On his way back to the sun, Sour Spirit had his image reproduced on the top of the mountain for inspiration to the Blackfeet. An alternate story suggests a white explorer in the 1880s concocted the name and the legend. No matter which version is accurate, the road named Going-to-the-Sun still inspires all who travel it.

(Courtesy of nsp gov)