The Bandiagara Escarpment north of Bankas is one of the great trekking landscapes in West Africa. The cliff rises up to 500 metres above the sandy plain, and along its length you find Dogon villages — some still inhabited, others abandoned — built into natural cavities and overhangs in the sandstone.
Guides in Bankas can arrange treks of one to several days into these villages. The southern stretch of the escarpment, accessible from Bankas, has the advantage of seeing fewer organised tour groups than the routes departing from Bandiagara or Sanga. Expect basic accommodation in village guesthouses, communal meals of millet-based food, and nights under extraordinary skies far from any artificial light. The dry season from November to February is the most comfortable time to walk.