MALI 201 AFRICA Imaginative Facts Tour code: MTRO • Activities: Hiking in the Dogon country, river boat trip, camel ride to Tuareg camp. Trek grade - Easy • Accommodation: 6 nights tourist class hotels, 6 nights fully serviced camping • Transport: Private bus, pinasse ( local river boat), foot, camel, plane • Flight: Timbuktu to Bamako • Fully Escorted: By local tour leader • Imaginative Traveller Suggests: Add our ' Festival on the Niger Extension' tour ( starting 03- Feb- 10) DAY 1: BAMAKO- Arrive in Bamako and check in to your hotel. DAY 2: SEGOU - SAN- This morning we head to Segou and explore the old quarter of the town before moving on to San for the night. ( B) DAY 3: DJENNE- Morning drive to Djenne, the ' Queen of the Delta' where we have time to explore the fascinating Monday market with its profusion of colour and produce. We also visit the mosque, the largest mud building in the world, and wander through the old part of town with its mud brick houses and narrow streets. ( B) DAY 4: DOGON VILLAGES- Drive to the Dogon area where we start our trek through this fascinating tribal region of mud brick villages at the edge of the stunning Bandiagara Escarpment. Overnight camping. ( BLD) DAYS 5 & 6: DOGON COUNTRY- Wake up to the sounds of donkeys and roosters before we continue hiking through picturesque villages. We visit a number of the most spectacular but least visited villages, and camp at night. We also have the opportunity to attend a traditional mask dance. ( BLD) DAY 7: DOGON COUNTRY - MOPTI- Hike through more beautiful villages gaining an insight into the life of the Dogon villagers. Later we meet our bus and drive to Mopti to explore the colourful markets spread along the banks of the Niger River. ( B) DAYS 8 & 9: NIGER CRUISE- We board small ' pinasse' river craft and begin our two day journey along the Niger towards Timbuktu. Along the way we visit several Bozo and Peul villages and enjoy the hive of activity surrounding the river - spend your time watching colourfully dressed villagers walking to market or washing clothes, children playing and cattle sunning themselves at the river bank. We spend the nights camped on the side of the river and have the opportunity to witness traditional Bozo dances. ( BLD) DAY 10: TIMBUKTU- Arrive in Niafounke and transfer to Timbuktu. Meet our Tuareg guide and climb aboard our camels for a ride to a nearby Tuareg settlement where we have dinner. Overnight camping. ( BLD) DAY 11: TIMBUKTU- We take our camels to Timbuktu and have a full day to wander around this exotic city and visit the great mosque and museum. This evening we have a traditional mechoui dinner and are entertained by Tuareg dancing. ( BD) DAY 12: TIMBUKTU - BAMAKO-Transfer to the airport for our flight back to Bamako. ( B) DAY 13: BAMAKO- Tour ends after breakfast. ( B) Note: Conditions in Mali can be basic. Please be patient whilst your tour leader tries to sort out any problems. Note: An amended itinerary will apply for departures in January, when a visit to the Festival du Desert will be included ( subject to confirmation for 2010). A journey of discovery through the remote land of Mali • Travel through remote desert landscapesto the fabled town of Timbuktu! • Trek through isolated Dogon villagesnear the Bandiagara Escarpment • Board a ' pinasse' ( local boat) for a relaxing journey along the River Niger • Ride a camel to your overnight nomadic settlement, deep in the Sahara • Witness traditional Dogon mask, Bozo and Tuareg dances The Road to Timbuktu Imaginative Facts Tour code: MTFN • Activities: Walking • Accommodation: 5 nights tourist class hotels • Transport: Private bus, plane • Flight: Timbuktu to Mopti • Fully Escorted: By local tour leader DAY 1: ( 3 Feb 2010), TIMBUKTU - MOPTI - SEGOU- Fly to Mopti and transfer to Segou, site of the Festival on the Niger. ( B) DAYS 2- 4: ( 4- 6 Feb 2010), FESTIVAL ON THE NIGER- Enjoy this cultural celebration featuring traditional West African music, dancers, storytellers, puppet troupes and artists. See traditional crafts being produced and watch pirogue races on the river. ( B) DAY 5: ( 7 Feb 2010), BAMAKO- Transfer to Bamako. ( B) DAY 6: ( 8 Feb 2010), BAMAKO- Tour ends. ( B) An exciting explosion of West African culture • Immerse yourself in one of the great African festivals • Enjoy a colourful cultural celebration of the arts, traditional crafts and sport • Wander the old Malian capitalagainst the backdrop of the river Niger Festival on the Niger Extension Single Supplement £ 215 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 9.95 * Price includes tour price of £ 1330and local payment of € 350All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 1599pp Land Only * Solo Traveller Supplement £ 630( compulsory if you are travelling alone) Single Supplement £ 165 ( compulsory - if you are travelling as part of a group, but occupying a single room) All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 820pp Land Only traveller traveller Tour duration 13 days Tour duration 6 days Starts SatEnds Thu BamakoBamako 2009 03- Jan- 0915- Jan- 09 * 07- Feb- 0919- Feb- 09 10- Oct- 0922- Oct- 09 07- Nov- 0919- Nov- 09 05- Dec- 0917- Dec- 09 * Coincides with the Festival du Desert - amended itinerary is in place. Supplement will apply - call for details Starts SatEnds Thu BamakoBamako 2010 02- Jan- 1014- Jan- 10 * 23- Jan- 1004- Feb- 10 ** 09- Oct- 1021- Oct- 10 06- Nov- 1018- Nov- 10 04- Dec- 1016- Dec- 10 ** Coincides with the Festival on the Niger Trek grade - Easy Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243

AFRICAMOROCCO 202 " Did I enjoy it? YES! YES! YES! Everything was above my expectations. I can't thank you enough for the wonderful experience I will treasure forever. A job well done!" Silke Martens africa Imaginative Facts Tour code: MTDK • Activities: Extensive walking, camel ride, optional 4WD excursion • Accommodation: 12 nights tourist class hotels, 1 night auberge, 1 night desert camp • Transport: 1st class air- conditioned train, minibus, public air- conditioned coach • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader, services of local guides DAY 1: CASABLANCA- Arrival day. DAY 2: CASABLANCA - FES- Free morning before taking the train to Fes. ( B) DAY 3: FES- A guided walking tour of the medina and souqs ( markets), including the leather tanneries, noted as much for their overpowering smell as for their spectacle! ( B) DAY 4: MEKNES - VOLUBILIS- Though not as large as Fes, Meknes has a charm of its own and is far less frequented by travellers. We have time to explore before continuing to the Roman ruins of Volubilis. Return to Fes for the night. ( B) DAY 5: ERG CHEBBI- A long day's drive across the Middle Atlas Mountains, via the remarkable rock formations of the Ziz Gorge. Continue to the western fringe of the Sahara Desert where we stay by the great dunes of Erg Chebbi. ( B) DAY 6: ERG CHEBBI- Enjoy sunrise over the dunes. This morning there is the option to take a 4WD excursion to some of the surrounding villages to see how people live in this desert environment. In the afternoon we take a camel ride into the great dunes to our desert camp for the night. ( BD) DAY 7: ERG CHEBBI - TODRA GORGE-Leaving the eastern desert region we continue to Tinerhir and the Todra Valley. ( B) DAY 8: TODRA GORGE- Morning walk through the lovely Todra Valley palmery. Afternoon to explore the spectacular Todra Gorge, a deep chasm cutting through the desert mountains. ( B) DAY 9: ' VALLEY OF 1000 KASBAHS' - AIT BEN HADDOU- Journey along the ' Valley of 1000 Kasbahs' to the desert city of Ouarzazate and visit the fortified village of Ait Ben Haddou. ( BD) DAYS 10 & 11: ESSAOUIRA- Today we travel to the Atlantic Coast and the 18th Century Portuguese fishing port of Essaouira. Plenty of opportunities to explore this white-washed city, famous for its woodwork shops, sample the local seafood, take walks on the beach out to the ruined castle, or watch sunset from the ramparts. ( B) DAY 12: MARRAKECH- Travel to the legendary city of Marrakech, once the great meeting place for Morocco's remote tribes. ( B) DAYS 13 & 14: MARRAKECH- Two full days to explore this exotic city. Wander through the enigmatic souks, experience the pulsing activity of Djemaa el Fna, or perhaps take a trip to the High Atlas mountains to hike among spectacular scenery and traditional villages. ( B) DAY 15: MARRAKECH- Tour ends. ( B) Discover Morocco's remarkable diversity • Time in the imperial cities of Fes and Meknes and Roman Volubilis • Ride camelsthrough the great dunes of Erg Chebbi • Visit the spectacular Todra Gorge and travel along the ' Valley of 1000 Kasbahs' • Wander the enigmatic souqsof the great city of Marrakech • Relax at the beautiful old Portuguese fishing portof Essaouira Deserts & Kasbahs Morocco Deserts & Kasbahs Moroccan Highlights Moroccan Caravan Casablanca RabatFes Marrakech Essaouira Ait Ben Haddou Dades Gorge High Atlas Mts Todra Gorge Erg Chebbi Midelt Ouarzazate Volubilis Meknes Single Supplement £ 190 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 3.95 * Price includes tour price of £ 625and local payment of € 180All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 760pp Land Only * traveller Tour duration 15 days © Imaginative Traveller Starts SatEnds Sat CasablancaMarrakech 2009 14- Feb- 0928- Feb- 09 28- Feb- 0914- Mar- 09 14- Mar- 0928- Mar- 09 28- Mar- 0911- Apr- 09 11- Apr- 0925- Apr- 09 25- Apr- 0909- May- 09 09- May- 0923- May- 09 23- May- 0906- Jun- 09 06- Jun- 0920- Jun- 09 20- Jun- 0904- Jul- 09 04- Jul- 0918- Jul- 09 18- Jul- 0901- Aug- 09 01- Aug- 0915- Aug- 09 15- Aug- 0929- Aug- 09 29- Aug- 0912- Sep- 09 12- Sep- 0926- Sep- 09 26- Sep- 0910- Oct- 09 10- Oct- 0924- Oct- 09 24- Oct- 0907- Nov- 09 07- Nov- 0921- Nov- 09 21- Nov- 0905- Dec- 09 Starts SatEnds Sat CasablancaMarrakech 2010 13- Feb- 1027- Feb- 10 27- Feb- 1013- Mar- 10 13- Mar- 1027- Mar- 10 27- Mar- 1010- Apr- 10 10- Apr- 1024- Apr- 10 24- Apr- 1008- May- 10 08- May- 1022- May- 10 22- May- 1005- Jun- 10 05- Jun- 1019- Jun- 10 19- Jun- 1003- Jul- 10 03- Jul- 1017- Jul- 10 17- Jul- 1031- Jul- 10 31- Jul- 1014- Aug- 10 14- Aug- 1028- Aug- 10 28- Aug- 1011- Sep- 10 11- Sep- 1025- Sep- 10 25- Sep- 1009- Oct- 10 09- Oct- 1023- Oct- 10 23- Oct- 1006- Nov- 10 06- Nov- 1020- Nov- 10 20- Nov- 1004- Dec- 10 We can also offer Extra Accommodation, Adventure Travel Insurance& Flights Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243