I would rate trekking in the Dogon as the very best thing I did in West Africa, and probably in the top five things I did in the whole of Africa. I cannot recommend it highly enough. The sights were amazing and the people were wonderfully friendly and welcoming…… my top tips! My favourite places …
Djenne a home of the world’s largest mud mosque, a famous Monday market and protected from the surrounding flood plains by a virgin sacrifice! What’s not to like! Djenne is famous for having the worlds largest mud mosque! It’s a lovely small town set in the middle of flood plains so depending on what time …
I got up early with the rain plopping gently on my face at five am. I hoped it would pour but it didn’t! The sky was dark and grey, the air heavy with humidity and not a breath of wind. I was so ready for the rain to come but it just wasn’t happening. We set …
I woke up at three a little bit chilly, and I didn’t have a blanket so I grabbed another mattress and chucked it on top of me and went back to sleep until five. After breakfast of mango jam, laughing cow and bread we wandered along the stunning rocky escarpment to Konshugo. This is a …
The donkeys started braying at 4am and the cocks joined them soon after. I hadn’t slept brilliantly but at least I was cool and had no mozzie bites. It was blissfully cool this morning. I started packing up at 5 as breakfast was scheduled for 5.30, and we were supposed to hit the road by …
After just one afternoon I was in love with Dogon country….where I was the first tourist in six years to visit one of the more remote villages! I can’t recommend a visit more highly! The Dogon is a world apart from Mali, even more traditional, and I suspect many customs haven’t changed in hundreds …
I am technically in Somalia – home of pirates. I had planned to go to the capital of Mogadishu, but doing so requires hiring four armed guards for lots of money to look after you. My husband sagely suggested that if they can be hired to protect you for $1000, then a motivated individual might pay …
Markha regularly comes up in search lists of the worlds greatest hikes, and has long been a popular commercial route. Skirting Kanda La Pass at 4900m at the beginning of the trek and then meandering up the Markha valley before heading over the Gong Maru La pass at 5350m at the end (altitude map below …
Melting in the Markha Valley (84km, 3 and a bit days) Read More »
Sleeping in the airport Our flight to islamabad was two hours delayed – no explanation – or at least no explanation until we were on the plane and half way to Pakistan. Apparently Imran Khan’s protest machine (he recently lost his role as Prime Minister) had led to road closures all over the country. BA …
The GR221 Dry Stone route is an emerging trail on the island of Mallorca, which is c. 140km long but with some sections which are better marked than others. I only have a three day weekend, so am walking the section from Valledemosa to Pollenca – about 60 km. Day 1 Valledemossa to Soller; 18km, …