Grand Sahara Expedition: From Tamanrasset to Djanet

Overview Highlights Includes/Excludes Itinerary Faqs

Présentation

Durée / Prix:10 days / 1 695 €
Langue:English, French, Italian

• Departure: Tamanrasset — Arrival: Djanet (return flight from Djanet).
• Visa on arrival: Yes (on request through a local agency).
• Best time / temperatures: October to May, days between 18–28°C, cool nights (5–15°C depending on altitude). Summer very hot (38–45°C).
• Accommodation: organised bivouacs throughout the tour, camping in the Ihrir valley.
• Activities: multi-day trek, In Tesmat rock paintings, crossing the tracks between Hoggar and Tassili, Ihrir oasis, Issendilene site, Djanet artisanal souk.
• The + of this combined tour: Two of the largest wilderness areas of Algeria in a single tour — from the volcanic Hoggar to the sandstone Tassili, a Sahara crossing from end to end

Highlights

Full Tamanrasset–Djanet crossing, two jewels of the Algerian desert
In Tesmat rock paintings — Saharan prehistoric art on site
Ihrir valley: permanent river and lush oasis at the heart of the Tassili
Issendilene site, mineral landscape of unreal beauty
Crossing the secret tracks between volcanic Hoggar and sandstone Tassili
Bivouacs every night under the starry sky of the Greater Sahara
Encounters with nomadic Tuareg communities
Djanet artisanal souk: Tuareg jewellery, weavings and Saharan spices

Includes / Excludes

4×4 transport throughout the tour
French-speaking Tuareg guide
Full board (breakfast, lunch, snack, dinner)
Camping equipment (blankets, cushions, mattresses)
Mineral water during the tour
Visa on arrival handled by the agency

Flights (Algiers–Tamanrasset outbound + Djanet–Algiers return)
Hotel if late arrival in Tamanrasset (€35/night extra)
Tent rental (2,000 DA if needed)
Personal sleeping bag
Repatriation insurance (mandatory, to be taken before departure)
National park entrance fees
Personal expenses and souvenirs
Tips for guides and drivers

Politique d'annulation

Vous pouvez annuler jusqu'à 72 heures avant le départ pour un remboursement complet.

Itinéraire

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Day 1 — In Tesmat, Taskafout, bivouac at Tazazert

Welcome in Tamanrasset and 4×4 departure to the first site of the tour.
Visit to In Tesmat: rock-painting panels of exceptional richness — cattle, hunters and Saharan fauna from over 6,000 years ago.
Lunch at Taskafout, a Tuareg village by a shaded wadi.
Afternoon: first approach hike through volcanic rock formations.
Bivouac set up at Tazazert at sunset, first night under the stars.

Day 2 — Afr, Iboug, bivouac at Toukrimine

Early departure towards Afr, crossing a black-basalt plateau with spectacular geological formations.
Stop at Iboug: rest in a deep wadi, lunch in the shade of the rocks.
Afternoon walking through a mineral landscape that gradually opens onto sand expanses.
Arrival and bivouac at Toukrimine, quiet evening around the fire.

Day 3 — Tinesmadh, AHA bivouac

Transition stage between the Hoggar and the first Tassili landscapes.
Lunch and rest stop at Tinesmadh — pocket of freshness in a wadi with sparse vegetation.
Afternoon walk on the plateaus, first sandstone formations announcing the Tassili.
AHA bivouac: camp set up in a natural site sheltered from the wind, starry night.

Day 4 — Tisgharine, trek to Indlajin

Morning: drive to Tisgharine, lunch at this rocky site with ochre and purple colours.
Gradual entry into the Tassili n'Ajjer — sandstone formations replace volcanic basalt.
Afternoon trek towards Indlajin, paths winding between sandstone cliffs.
Bivouac at Indlajin, blazing sunset on the orange walls of the Tassili.

Day 5 — Akhbourai, rest at In Takat

Morning through the sandstone corridors of Akhbourai, a labyrinth of rocks with fantastic shapes sculpted by the wind.
Discovery of rock engravings and paintings along the way — the Tassili gradually reveals its prehistoric treasures.
Mid-day arrival at In Takat, well-deserved rest site.
Free afternoon: nap, swim in a guelta if water level allows, photography.
Bivouac at In Takat, relaxed evening.

Day 6 — Iniran Makronin, bivouac at Tajmait Hajrit

Departure from Iniran Makronin, passing through alternating dune and rocky landscapes.
Crossing one of the wildest and least-visited sectors of the Tassili n'Ajjer.
Possible encounter with nomadic Tuareg families on the move.
Bivouac at Tajmait Hajrit, a site set between two red sandstone cliffs — natural protection from the wind.
Starry sky of exceptional density, far from any artificial light.

Day 7 — Arrival at the Ihrir valley

Highlight stage of the tour: gradual descent towards the Ihrir valley, one of the most preserved oases of the Tassili.
Sudden appearance of vegetation — tamarisks, dwarf palms, rushes — in this otherwise arid mineral setting.
The Ihrir river flows permanently between sandstone rocks: a Saharan miracle.
Camp set up in the valley, swim in the natural pools.
Evening by the water, soothing atmosphere after the long stages on the plateau.

Day 8 — Exploration of the Ihrir valley, local village

Full day in the Ihrir valley — walks along the river between cliffs and vegetation.
Visit to the village of Ihrir: dwellings of stone and dried clay, encounter with the families of the oasis.
Mint tea, cultural exchanges, local crafts.
Exploration of rock engravings hidden in the walls above the valley.
Second night at Ihrir — enjoy the unique freshness of this timeless place.

Day 9 — Issendilene

Drive to Issendilene, a natural site of lunar, mysterious beauty near Djanet.
Landscape of pink dunes framed by black cliffs — striking contrast unique to the Tassili.
Site exploration, photographs, free time to absorb these exceptional panoramas.
Last bivouac under the stars, gathering around the fire with the tour team.
Nostalgic evening before arrival in town the next day.

Day 10 — Djanet, artisanal souk, return to Algiers

Arrival in Djanet, capital of the Tassili n'Ajjer — shower at the guesthouse and breakfast in town.
Visit to the Tuareg artisanal souk of Djanet: silver Tuareg jewellery, chèches, Berber rugs, pottery, desert spices.
Optional visit to the Tassili n'Ajjer museum if time allows.
Lunch in town, last shopping.
Transfer to Tiska airport in Djanet for the return flight to Algiers.
End of tour.

FAQs

When is this tour scheduled?

This tour is available from October to May, on any dates you wish. Summer (June to September) is not advised: temperatures in the Hoggar and Tassili can exceed 40°C.

Contact the agency with your availability: it will assemble a group or arrange the departure based on the Algiers–Tamanrasset flight schedule.

Note: price calculated on the basis of 3 to 10 people — sliding price depending on group size.

How does the visa on arrival work?

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

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

Form and Documentation:
• At the time of booking, your agency sends you a form to fill in.
• Fill in this form and return it to the agency together with a scan of your passport.

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

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

On Arrival in Algeria: You will need to present:
• Your laisser-passer.
• Pay the visa fee: €96 or 14,000 Algerian dinars. Payment can be made in cash, including in euros (price subject to change).
• A bank statement or proof of resources (such as payslip, tax return, or pension statement).
• Your return flight ticket.
• Your repatriation insurance certificate.

Visa Stamping: Once these steps are completed, a visa will be stamped in your passport, allowing you to start your trip to Djanet.

What should you know before leaving?

• This tour is point-to-point: you arrive in Tamanrasset and leave from Djanet. Plan two separate flights (or a combined flight via the agency).
• Best period: October to May — pleasant temperatures (18–28°C during the day), cool to cold nights (5–15°C depending on altitude and season).
• Fitness level: Moderate. The tour alternates 4×4 and walking. No extreme stages, but good general fitness is recommended.
• Hotel accommodation: If your flight arrives late in Tamanrasset on day 1, a hotel night may be needed (€35/night, not included).
• Mobile network: Non-existent on most of the tour. Plan to disconnect completely for 10 days.

What to bring in your suitcase for this tour?

This list is not exhaustive — your travel agent will give you the full list of essentials.

• Light clothing for the day and warm clothing for the night.
• Sleeping bag (not provided — essential for bivouac nights).
• Comfortable hiking or walking shoes.
• Walking poles (recommended).
• Cap or chèche (sun and sand protection).
• Sunscreen SPF 50+.
• Moisturiser for face and hands.
• Lip balm.
• Sunglasses.
• Water bottle (minimum 2 litres/day).
• Headlamp.
• Power bank.
• Personal first-aid kit.
• Wet wipes and toilet paper.

When is this tour scheduled?

How does the visa on arrival work?

What should you know before leaving?

What to bring in your suitcase for this tour?

Tour map

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