In summary
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Sports
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Duration9 days
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LevelIntermediate
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DestinationAfrica / Algeria
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AgeFrom the age of 18
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CO₂-Emissions1710 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
In a few words
At the gateway to Djanet, in the heart of the Tassili n'Ajjer , immerse yourself in a magnificent world cherished by the Saharan people. Hike among sands and rocks , at the pace of camels, to the mythical Essendilène canyon , awash in oleanders. Guided by a team of Tuareg, you will discover their way of life, devoid of all artifice. Interspersed with teas and breaks in the shade of the rocks, the trek unfolds with emotion. Savor the starry desert nights and their breathtaking light.
The highlights
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The fantastical landscapes of the Tassili, all the way to the Essendilène canyon
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The encounter with our Tuareg team, the men of the desert
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Nights in the desert, in absolute silence and darkness, magical!
Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
In figures
Autre
- Average duration/day: 5h
Management
Program
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Flight Paris - Djanet
- Transportation 00h30
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Arrival during the night, airport pick-up and transfer to the camp.Day 1 -
Djanet - El Akif
- Activity Autre
- Duration of the activity 3h
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We arrived at Djanet airport during the night. After clearing customs, we were met by our guide and then departed for Djanet (approximately 30 km) to reach our guesthouse and get some rest. After this short night, we went to the Djanet market to buy (if needed) a shesh, which would be very useful for protecting us from the sun and wind during the trek. We returned to the guesthouse and then set off on foot to the start of our hike. We crossed an impressive stone plateau that leads to the In Aramas dunes. We camped overnight.Day 2 -
El Akif - Taloudtedjart
- Activity Autre
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
After breakfast, we crossed a long desert plateau, which led us to stunning landscapes of rocks encircled by sand, passing through cirques and small mountain passes until we reached a wadi bordered by mountains. After lunch, we took a long midday break, as we would every day during this trip. It is indeed hot in the desert when the sun is at its zenith. We resumed our trek in the mid-afternoon, traversing a very rocky landscape to reach our evening campsite.Day 3 -
Taloudtedjart - Tilliline
- Activity Autre
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Today, sand is a prominent feature of our landscape. Following natural corridors of sand and rock, sometimes forming veritable labyrinths from which rocky outcrops emerge, we enter a series of beautiful sandy cirques before reaching our bivouac late in the morning. After our break, we set off on a loop hike to enjoy the beautiful light of the late afternoon. We discover our first "guelta" (waterhole) nestled in the heart of a canyon.Day 4 -
Tilliline - Tadatneïdi
- Activity Autre
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We set off this morning for a hike through a landscape of dunes and rocks. We arrive at our campsite around noon, where we have lunch before a well-deserved rest. In the mid-afternoon, we depart for a hike to explore deep gorges and cross the magnificent Tuya Canyon and its cirques. We enter a vast plain bordered by rocky hills. We return to the campsite at nightfall.Day 5 -
Tadatneïdi
- Activity Autre
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Today we set off on one of the most beautiful hikes of the trip. Rock formations emerge from the sand, and here and there we discover spectacular arches of sedimentary rock. We reach our campsite in time for lunch. In the afternoon, we visit a site where numerous rock paintings are still visible. We take our time returning to the campsite along the same path, enjoying the sunset over the desert.Day 6 -
Tadatneïdi - Essendilène
- Activity Autre
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Gradually, the sand gives way to rock. This day is dedicated to the descent back to the Essendilène oasis, the setting for Frison-Roche's famous novel "Rendez-vous à Essendilène" (Rendezvous at Essendilène). We reach this mythical oasis by crossing a large rocky plateau that opens onto a sandy canyon at the end of the day. The setting sun further enhances these landscapes, offering travelers hues that shift from ochre to gold. We camp at the Essendilène oasis.Day 7 -
Essendilène - Djanet
- Transportation 02h
- Activity Autre
- Duration of the activity 3h
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Early in the morning, we'll hike back and forth in the breathtaking Essendilène Canyon, discovering the hidden pools (gueltas) nestled among the laurel trees. Keep your eyes peeled—small animals inhabit these cliffs (they're called "Rock Hyacinths"). Then, we'll return to the Essendilène palm grove for lunch. After lunch, our 4x4 vehicles will pick us up and take us back to Djanet. On the way, we'll stop to admire the famous rock carving of "The Weeping Cow." We'll stroll through the Djanet oasis and do some shopping. Then, we'll head to our guesthouse for dinner and a few hours of rest before our flight back to France that night.Day 8 -
Djanet – Paris flight
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Back to FranceDay 9
Note
Accommodation
- Fixed campsite: Upon arrival and departure, you will be accommodated simply but comfortably in a fixed "camp" consisting of large shared rooms and permanent bathrooms. You can rest there upon arrival at night and take a good shower upon your return before your flight.
- Bivouac: what a magical experience it is to sleep under the stars, in absolute silence and darkness! Foam mattresses 5 cm thick are provided.
For your comfort and for those seeking a little more privacy, we offer 3-person dome tents for two people.
Access
Go to the starting point
Price details
The price includes
- The round-trip flight Paris / Djanet
- Local transfers and luggage transport
- Accommodation
- Full board
- The local team of drivers, camel drivers and cook
- A French-speaking Tuareg guide
The price does not include
- Visa fees (~ €70)
- Tips for local teams
Options
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment provided on site
Group camping equipment and both group and individual cooking equipment are provided by our partner.
Equipment to bring
- Moistened "Calinette" type towels for quick cleansing and good hygiene
- Earplugs or Hears, your choice
- A notepad and pen, a good book, a deck of cards...
- A small pillow, inflatable or not, for added comfort
- A laundry bag, so you can separate your dirty clothes from your clean ones.
- Sleeping bag: comfortable, the right size for you, preferably mummy-shaped (closer to the body and with a closable hood) with a side zipper for easy opening. It should be suitable for the temperatures you will encounter, depending on the time of year and the region you are visiting.
- Cotton sleeping bag liner
- Toiletry bag
- Small personal pharmacy
- Towel
- Sunscreen cream and stick (face and lips)
- Headlamp with spare batteries
- A 1.5-liter (minimum) water bottle, lightweight and insulated, or a 2-liter hydration bladder. The latter has the advantage of allowing direct drinking thanks to its drinking spout, thus avoiding having to remove your backpack to grab your bottle. This way, you drink more regularly and in smaller amounts, which is recommended for proper hydration. Tip: having two containers allows you to drink from one while the other is being processed.
- A multi-purpose pocket knife is preferable (note: this must be packed in your checked luggage on the plane).
- Toilet paper + lighter for destruction
- Replacement battery or power bank for your camera
Clothing to bring
- Footwear: Avoid high-top hiking boots, which are hot and unnecessary for walking in the sand or the Algerian mountains. Some people prefer to walk in sandals, or even barefoot, during the day: depending on the situation, this can be very pleasant or not at all! Therefore, to avoid spoiling your holiday, we advise you to bring lightweight shoes (such as low hiking boots or sneakers) AND sandals and choose your footwear once you arrive.
- Socks: light for daytime and warm (wool or looped) for cool evenings.
- Canvas trousers and/or shorts
- Swimsuit (hammam or gueltas are allowed, you never know!)
- Cotton shirts or T-shirts
- Warm sweater or fleece: the latter has the advantage of being durable, warm, lightweight, and quick-drying, with the added benefit of being soft to the touch. The best-known fibers are Polartec, Carline, and Ulfrotté.
- A hat or cap with neck protection, and/or a shemagh: the first two offer the advantage of also protecting your face from the sun, which the shemagh (long veil scarf) does not: however, it is very useful for protecting yourself from the cold, the heat, the sand, the wind and even the flies during a nap!
- Category 3 sunglasses.
- Windbreaker
- Cap
- Gloves
Saharan traveler's tip : put socks in your sandals, it's ideal for avoiding sand abrasion!
They traveled with us