Hoggar Adventure: Assekrem, Mount Tahat & Desert Peaks

Presentation

  • Durée / Prix:8 days / 575 €
  • Langue:English, French, Italian
• Distance from Algiers: approximately 1,900 km – Direct flight to Tamanrasset (~2h15).
• Visa on arrival: Yes (upon request through a local agency).
• Best period / temperatures: October to April, daytime between 15–25°C, cold nights (0–10°C at altitude). Very hot summer (38–45°C).
• Recommended stay: 8 days to complete the full Assekrem–Tahat trek, including the ascent of Algeria's highest peak.
• Accommodations: guesthouse in Tamanrasset (nights 1 and 7/8), Assekrem refuge, organised bivouacs.
• Group size: 2 to 6 people (sliding-scale price based on group size).
Activities: multi-day trekking (5 to 6h/day), ascent of Tahat (2,908 m), sunrise at the Assekrem, rock engravings, Tuareg nomadic village visits.
• Trek highlight: Tahat — the roof of Algeria, accessible to any trekker in good physical condition.
Lire la suite

Highlights

  • Ascent of Tahat (2,908 m), the highest point in Algeria
  • Legendary sunrise from the ridges of the Assekrem
  • Hermitage of Charles de Foucauld, monk of the desert
  • Gueltat d'Afilal — natural oasis with hidden waters among volcanic rocks
  • Millenary rock engraving sites at Tissalatine
  • Visit to a Kel Ahaggar Tuareg nomadic village
  • Bivouacs under an exceptional starry sky at altitude
  • Crossing of the unique volcanic landscapes of the Atakor

Included / Not Included

  • Airport – guesthouse – airport transfers
  • French-speaking Tuareg trek guide
  • Luggage transport (donkeys or 4×4 depending on stages)
  • Guesthouse accommodation in Tamanrasset (night 1 and night 7)
  • Assekrem refuge
  • Organised bivouacs (tents, mattresses, sleeping bags)
  • Full board (Saharan cuisine)
  • Mineral water throughout the circuit
  • Visa on arrival managed by the agency
  • Algiers – Tamanrasset return flights
  • Hoggar National Park entry fees
  • Repatriation insurance (mandatory — must be arranged before departure)
  • Personal expenses and souvenirs
  • Tips for guides and porters
  • Personal hiking equipment

Itinéraire

Expand all

Day 1 — Arrival in Tamanrasset, Start of the Trek

  • Welcome at Aguenar airport by your Tuareg guide, transfer to the guesthouse
  • Quick visit to the centre of Tamanrasset: craft market, purchase of a traditional Tuareg cheche
  • First trekking session: 11 km through the outskirts and the first sandy wadis
  • Lunch break and rest, then second session: 13 km towards the Intaghahouten wadi
  • Setting up bivouac in the wadi, dinner and night under the stars

Day 2 — Gueltat d'Afilal, Ehouegak Wadi

  • Early departure: 11 km trek towards the Gueltat d'Afilal, a natural pool hidden among black volcanic rocks
  • Stop at the guelta: permanent fresh water, surprising vegetation and migratory birds
  • Lunch by the water, midday rest
  • Afternoon: 7 km walk towards the Ehouegak wadi, passing through basalt formations sculpted by the wind
  • Bivouac in the wadi, orange sunset over the needles of the Hoggar

Day 3 — Ascent to the Assekrem, Foucauld Hermitage

  • Major stage of 14 km: gradual ascent to the Assekrem ridges (2,780 m) through the volcanic needles of the Hoggar
  • Grandiose landscapes of peaks and lava flows, views over the Atakor massif
  • Arrival at the hermitage of Charles de Foucauld — chapel and cell of the monk-explorer who lived here from 1905 to 1916
  • Visit to the hermitage and exceptional 360° panorama over the volcanic "fingers" of the Hoggar
  • Sunset from the Assekrem viewpoint — a spectacle ranked among the most beautiful in the world
  • Night at the Assekrem refuge (dormitory or bivouac depending on availability)

Day 4 — Assekrem Sunrise, Ascent of Tahat (2,908 m)

  • Wake up before dawn for the Assekrem sunrise — sky blazing from red to gold over the volcanic needles
  • Breakfast at the refuge then departure for the most demanding stage: 11 km towards the Atakor massif
  • Ascent of Tahat (2,908 m), the highest point in Algeria — marked trail, steady climb on rocky terrain
  • At the summit: total panorama over the Sahara and surrounding massifs — on clear days visibility up to 200 km
  • Descent and camp set-up at the foot of Tahat, night at altitude under a sky of rare stellar density

Day 5 — Descent from the Atakor, Ilamane Wadi

  • Morning descent of 7 km from the high-altitude camp, back across the basalt plateaus of the Atakor
  • Stops at several pocket oases: hidden springs, dwarf palms, tamarisk trees — vegetal surprises in the heart of stone
  • Lunch in the shade of a rock face, siesta
  • Afternoon: 8 km walk towards the Ilamane wadi, a fossil riverbed with terraces of pink granite
  • Bivouac in the Ilamane wadi — peaceful landscape after the summit stages

Day 6 — Rock Engravings, Tuareg Nomadic Village

  • Morning: 12 km trek to an exceptional rock engraving site — cattle, lions, giraffes and hunting scenes carved 6,000 to 8,000 years ago
  • Guide explanations on the prehistoric peoples of the Hoggar, reading of the rock panels
  • Lunch at camp
  • Afternoon: 10 km walk leading to a Tuareg nomadic village
  • Meeting with the inhabitants: mint tea, local crafts (jewellery, leather, weaving), authentic cultural exchanges
  • Bivouac near the village, Tuareg music in the evening if the occasion arises

Day 7 — Tissalatine Rock Art, Return to Tamanrasset

  • Transfer by 4×4 to the Tissalatine site, one of the richest in rock art in the Hoggar
  • In-depth guided visit: animal frescoes, pastoral scenes, abstract compositions — a visual chronology of Saharan history
  • Lunch on site, then road back to Tamanrasset
  • Arrival at the guesthouse in the late afternoon: hot shower and well-earned rest
  • Free time for souvenir shopping at the Tuareg craft market of Tamanrasset
  • Farewell dinner in town, free evening

Day 8 — Departure from Tamanrasset, Return to Algiers

  • Breakfast at the guesthouse, packing
  • Transfer to Aguenar airport in Tamanrasset
  • Return flight to Algiers
  • End of circuit

Frequently Asked Questions

When is this circuit available?

This circuit is available from October to April, on any desired dates. Summer (May to September) is not recommended: temperatures in the Hoggar exceed 40°C and the ascent of Tahat becomes dangerous.

Contact the agency with your availability: they will form a group or organise the departure according to the flight schedule to Tamanrasset.

Note: price calculated based on a maximum of 6 people — intimate group of 2 to 6 people.

How does the visa on arrival work?

A visa is required for foreign nationals, but thanks to this visa-on-arrival procedure, you no longer need to visit consulates or embassies.

The visa-on-arrival procedure is handled by your travel agency. From the moment you book, the agency takes care of all the necessary formalities.

Form and Documentation:
• At the time of booking, your agency will send you a form to fill in.
• Complete this form and return it to the agency along with a scan of your passport.

Agency Processing: The agency submits the completed form and a copy of your passport to Algeria's Ministry of Tourism and Crafts. You will then receive confirmation in the form of a "laissez-passer", usually within 15 days.

At Check-in: Present your laissez-passer to board. This document is essential for check-in and entry into the country.

Upon Arrival in Algeria: You will need to present the following documents:
• Your laissez-passer.
• Pay the visa fee: €96 or 14,000 Algerian dinars. Payment can be made in cash, with euros accepted (price subject to change).
• A bank statement or proof of financial resources (such as pay slip, tax assessment, or retirement certificate).
• Your return airline ticket.
• Your repatriation insurance certificate.

Visa Stamping: Once these steps are completed, a visa will be stamped in your passport, allowing you to begin your journey to Tamanrasset.

What to know before you go?

• Best period: October to April — pleasant days (15–25°C), cold nights at altitude (sometimes near 0°C at the summit). Thermal layers are essential.
• Physical fitness: Sustained trekking with 5 to 6 hours of walking per day on irregular volcanic terrain. The ascent of Tahat (2,908 m) is achievable but requires good physical fitness and high-cut hiking boots.
• Altitude: Some campsites are above 2,000 m. No serious altitude sickness expected, but plan for a first acclimatisation night.
• Small group: Maximum 6 people — an intimate atmosphere guaranteed with better interaction with the Tuareg guides.
• Mobile network: Non-existent on most of the route. Make the most of total disconnection.

What to pack for this circuit?

This list is not exhaustive; your travel agent will give you the complete list of necessities to bring with you.

• High-cut hiking boots (volcanic terrain, scree, loose rocks — essential).
• Light clothing for the day and very warm layers for the night (fleece + windproof jacket).
• Thermal underwear for cold nights at altitude.
• Trekking poles (highly recommended for the ascent/descent of Tahat).
• Light, waterproof trekking trousers.
• Cheche or neck gaiter (wind and sand protection).
• Cap and sunglasses.
• SPF 50+ sunscreen.
• Moisturising cream for face and hands.
• Lip balm.
• Water bottle or hydration bladder (minimum 3 litres/day).
• Headlamp with spare batteries.
• Portable power bank.
• Personal first aid kit.
• Wet wipes and toilet paper.
When is this circuit available?

This circuit is available from October to April, on any desired dates. Summer (May to September) is not recommended: temperatures in the Hoggar exceed 40°C and the ascent of Tahat becomes dangerous.

Contact the agency with your availability: they will form a group or organise the departure according to the flight schedule to Tamanrasset.

Note: price calculated based on a maximum of 6 people — intimate group of 2 to 6 people.

How does the visa on arrival work?

A visa is required for foreign nationals, but thanks to this visa-on-arrival procedure, you no longer need to visit consulates or embassies.

The visa-on-arrival procedure is handled by your travel agency. From the moment you book, the agency takes care of all the necessary formalities.

Form and Documentation:
• At the time of booking, your agency will send you a form to fill in.
• Complete this form and return it to the agency along with a scan of your passport.

Agency Processing: The agency submits the completed form and a copy of your passport to Algeria's Ministry of Tourism and Crafts. You will then receive confirmation in the form of a "laissez-passer", usually within 15 days.

At Check-in: Present your laissez-passer to board. This document is essential for check-in and entry into the country.

Upon Arrival in Algeria: You will need to present the following documents:
• Your laissez-passer.
• Pay the visa fee: €96 or 14,000 Algerian dinars. Payment can be made in cash, with euros accepted (price subject to change).
• A bank statement or proof of financial resources (such as pay slip, tax assessment, or retirement certificate).
• Your return airline ticket.
• Your repatriation insurance certificate.

Visa Stamping: Once these steps are completed, a visa will be stamped in your passport, allowing you to begin your journey to Tamanrasset.

What to know before you go?

• Best period: October to April — pleasant days (15–25°C), cold nights at altitude (sometimes near 0°C at the summit). Thermal layers are essential.
• Physical fitness: Sustained trekking with 5 to 6 hours of walking per day on irregular volcanic terrain. The ascent of Tahat (2,908 m) is achievable but requires good physical fitness and high-cut hiking boots.
• Altitude: Some campsites are above 2,000 m. No serious altitude sickness expected, but plan for a first acclimatisation night.
• Small group: Maximum 6 people — an intimate atmosphere guaranteed with better interaction with the Tuareg guides.
• Mobile network: Non-existent on most of the route. Make the most of total disconnection.

What to pack for this circuit?

This list is not exhaustive; your travel agent will give you the complete list of necessities to bring with you.

• High-cut hiking boots (volcanic terrain, scree, loose rocks — essential).
• Light clothing for the day and very warm layers for the night (fleece + windproof jacket).
• Thermal underwear for cold nights at altitude.
• Trekking poles (highly recommended for the ascent/descent of Tahat).
• Light, waterproof trekking trousers.
• Cheche or neck gaiter (wind and sand protection).
• Cap and sunglasses.
• SPF 50+ sunscreen.
• Moisturising cream for face and hands.
• Lip balm.
• Water bottle or hydration bladder (minimum 3 litres/day).
• Headlamp with spare batteries.
• Portable power bank.
• Personal first aid kit.
• Wet wipes and toilet paper.

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