Tuaregs and Treasures of the Algerian Sahara

Dossier

The south of Algeria contains some of the most spectacular desert scenery to be found anywhere in the world. The peaks of the Hoggar Mountains rise dramatically from the desert floor, vast pristine fields of dunes carpet the earth, and the wind has eroded the rocks into the most marvellous and breathtaking shapes. Travelling here feels like you are travelling in a different world – a world far away from modern life, where the desert sets the pace and reminds you of the overwhelming supremacy of nature. On this trip we travel through superlative landscapes which harbour a fascinating history and equally intriguing people. This is the home of the Tuareg, those masters of the desert, and as well as exploring the natural monuments we also take opportunities to interact with these majestic people. Exploring ancient rock engravings at Tassili N’Ajjer, we spend nights camping under the clearest skies you’ll ever see, marvelling at the sheer beauty of the landscape and wishing the trip would never end. This remote region of the African continent hides treasures that few have seen – join us on this truly pioneering voyage of discovery to its mysterious heart.

---

Day 1 – Tamanrasset
Arrive in Tamanrasset and transfer to the hotel. Overnight Auberge In Zawen or similar.

Tamanrasset
Tamanrasset is one of the most important cities in the Sahara and a key city for the Tuareg of Algeria. It has grown from being little more than a few houses under French occupation (when it was called Fort Laperrine, after one of the chief architects of French Saharan exploration), and is now home to around 100,000 inhabitants. There is little to see or do in Tamanrasset itself apart from soak up the Saharan atmosphere, but it makes a great base for exploring the superlative scenery in the surrounding region.

Day 2 – Assekrem
Meet our guides and drivers who will accompany us throughout our journey. We then depart this morning towards the hermitage of the French monk, Pere Foucauld, who made his base in this part of the Sahara. We pass beautiful peaks such as Ighaghen and Adaouda before ending up at Assekrem and its monastery. After watching a spectacular sunset we spend the night at the refuge, privileged to be in such a profoundly beautiful setting. (BLD)

Assekrem and Pere Foucauld
Born in 1858 into a wealthy family, Charles de Foucauld entered the priesthood after a short spell in the military. Having spent time in Morocco and Algeria as a soldier, Foucauld travelled to the Hoggar Mountains to immerse himself on prayer and convert local Tuareg tribes. He was intensely interested in the people that he lived among, and spent ten years cataloguing their customs and language. Shunning traditional European comforts he built himself a refuge in the Hoggar peaks at Assekrem, where he lead a largely ascetic life, trying to get close to the Tuareg. He was assassinated in 1916, outside his hermitage, by Tuaregs opposed to the French occupation of their lands. His hermitage remains to this day and is an amazing place to watch the sun set and rise over the dramatic collection of surrounding peaks.

Day 3 – Tellhouet
We head towards the small Tuareg village of Tellhouet on the edge of the Atakor plateau, with its shady gardens – a welcome respite from the fierce sun. After setting up our tents under the tamarisk trees we set off on foot to explore a nearby black basalt cliff. (BLD)

Tuareg people
The Tuareg, or kel-Tamashek (speakers of Tamashek) are a nomadic group of people who are found in Algeria, Mali, Niger, Libya and Burkina Faso. Their origins are not completely known but many sources believe that they are Berbers who retreated into the desert during the Arab invasions of North Africa. Today they follow Islam but an unusual aspect of their culture is that the men wear a type of veil, known as a ‘tagelmoust’ while the women’s faces are uncovered. The Tuareg were renowned as fearsome warriors and were a major impediment to French exploration of the Sahara in the late 19th and early 20th century, fiercely resisting encroachment on their lands and on occasion massacring whole expeditions. Today Tuareg groups in Mali and Niger have been involved in conflict with government in attempts to gain greater autonomy. Tuareg men can still today be seen wearing their traditional swords when out travelling.

Day 4 – Amadror – Erg Tihodaine
We travel across the Amadror plain, where salt is still gathered into blocks to make the long journeys by camel caravan to the markets in Niger. We then walk to Erg Tihodaine, an expanse of sand dunes which are among the most beautiful in all of the Sahara. We set up camp here for the night. (BLD)

Day 5 – Afara – Tassete
Travel through a labyrinth of dunes littered with remains from the Neolithic period. Travel alongside the Tassili N’Ajjer, across dried up river beds and rocky ground, before arriving at the beautiful hamlet of Afara. We then climb up the cliffs of the Tassili N’Ajjer to marvel at the amazing rock paintings and carvings left here thousands of years ago. (BLD)

Tassili N’Ajjer
The Tassili N’Ajjer is renowned for its extensive collection of prehistoric rock art, to be found covering its rocks and caves. A remarkable landscape of ergs, plains, escarpments, gorges and wadis, of arches and spiky towers of sandstone and basalt reaching into the sky, this is one of the Sahara’s most picturesque regions. Its towering pinnacles of eroded sandstone form forests of rock rising from the desert – a truly astonishing sight. Its rock paintings and other prehistoric sites date back to the Neolithic period, when the Sahara was savannah rather than desert. The paintings depict herds of cattle and large animal which can no longer be seen in the Sahara, giving tantalising clues to what life was like before the desert encroached. There are more than fifteen thousands drawings and engravings, dating back to 6000BC, charting the progress of life and evolution within the area.

Day 6 – Iherir
Travel to the Tuareg village of Iherir where we explore the numerous shady gardens and cool inviting gueltas – a great place to cool off from the Saharan sun. (BLD)

Day 7 – Essendilene – Tikoubawine
Travel across the Admer plain, a vast expanse of sand between the cliffs and sand dunes. We have lunch in the beautiful gorge at Essendilene and then visit the arch of Tikoubawine. Later we head towards Djanet, where we set up camp between the dunes and the sandstone towers at Tegahahart. (BLD)

Day 8 – Djanet – Erg Admer
At Tegahahart we visit the ‘crying cows’, a well preserved engraving carved into the rocks by the ancient inhabitants of this region. We visit Djanet, then drive to the Erg Admer, where in the middle of amazing towers rising from the dunes, we set up our camp. (BLD)

Day 9 – Oued Tadante
After a short walk through the dunes of Erg Admer we drive to Oued Tadante, where we set up camp. (BLD)

Day 10 – Youf Aghlal
Drive to Youf Aghlal, where we have our first sight of the Tassili N’Ahaggar, a marvellous landscape of dunes, rocks and sandstone peaks sculpted by the wind over centuries. The scenery here is superb, and a photographer’s dream. (BLD)

Tassili N’Ahaggar
This area became a national park in 1987, created preserve the outstanding natural beauty of its rocky pinnacles and arches as well as its flora and fauna. The park stretches to Mali border to the southwest and Niger border to the southeast, and covers some 450,000 sq. kms. Its bizarre lunar landscape is the utmost proof, if it were ever needed, that desert scenery is far from boring – there are few more dramatic or picturesque areas on our planet and you will find yourself amazed by the shapes that the wind blown sand has created out of the rocks. This is one of the most ‘romantic’ areas in the Sahara and, with few inhabitants save a few Tuareg, you really will feel as if you are in another world.

Day 11 – Youf Ahakit – Tahagart
Drive to Youf Ahakit to meet our Tuareg guide, who will guide us through scenery of dunes, rocky peaks, Neolithic carvings and ancient inscriptions. We then rejoin our vehicles to travel to a prehistoric river where we can find rocks covered with beautiful carvings. We finally arrive at Tahaggart where we walk among the Tassili N’Ahaggar and set up our camp beneath the shade of the moon and the imposing sandstone pinnacles of rock. (BLD)

Day 12 – Tagrera – In Akachaker
We explore the remnants of lost civilisations and the ancient inhabitants of the Sahara, among fossilised graves and numerous Neolithic remains. This afternoon we walk among the dunes and rock pinnacles, exploring the Sahara before setting up camp at In Akachaker. (BLD)

Day 13 – El Ghessour – Oued Aghar Ghare
Continue our walk through the desert before we head to El Ghessour to explore its amazing labyrinthine rock formations and canyons. We then travel to Oued Aghar Ghare for our camp. (BLD)

Day 14 – Tamanrasset
Drive back through yet more amazing scenery to Tamanrasset, where a shower awaits us! This evening we have time to reflect upon our amazing voyage through the Sahara. Overnight Auberge In Zawen or similar. (BLD)

Day 15 – Tamanrasset
Tour ends. (B)

Tour style: Traveller

Inclusions:
Arrival and departure transfers
All accommodation on twin share basis
Services of English speaking guide / tour leader
Meals as listed (B – Breakfast, L – Lunch, D – Dinner)
Entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary

Excluded:
International flights
Any airport taxes
Travel Insurance
Visas
Drinks

Please note that you should also read the Country Notes in association with this itinerary for practical information about your trip and the destination you will be visiting.
The itinerary and supplementary information has been compiled with care and provided in good faith. However it may be subject to change, and does not form part of a contract between the client and Undiscovered Destinations.