Into the Heart of the Sahara – Algeria

After breakfast, you will have a couple of hours to explore the oasis town of Djanet before departing to the Tadrart Rouge desert region at midday. You will have lunch along the way and arrive at Wadi El Berdj in the late afternoon, which is located in Tassili N’Ajjer National Park. The wadi is a long, sandy valley flanked by high and unusual-looking rocks on either side.
Overnight in tents.

Today you will head further into the desert and visit millennia-old petroglyphs hidden in caves, etched on to cliffs and overlooking picturesque stone arches and Mars-like landscapes. In the late afternoon you’ll arrive at Moulan Aga’s ridge of dunes and have time to enjoy a beautiful sunset which is a near-daily occurrence in the Sahara.
Overnight in tents.

After breakfast, you will cross through an area called Les Cathedrales, which is named after the large arched rock pillars which resemble Gothic cathedrals. The next stop is In Tehak, which has an amazing set of petroglyphs depicting galloping giraffes, elephants and scenes from everyday life of the nomads who once lived in the area centuries ago. In the afternoon we reach the Tadrart Rouge’s highest sand dunes at Tin Merzouga which is characterised by orange and ochre-coloured sand. The top of the dunes make for an incredible 360-degree view of endless waves of sand stretching into the horizon.
Overnight in tents.

Today you’ll visit Circle Valley, which is a crescent-shaped valley with splend ochre, orange, and pink colours. There’s a few serene desert ponds too, known as gueltas, which you can explore and were once used by nomads as watering holes. After you’ll venture to Bouhedienne’s rocky, petroglyph-covered grotto before arriving in In Zaouaten to spend the night.
Overnight in tents.

Today we’ll slowly make our way out of the Tadrart Rouge and explore an incredible complex of canyons, rock features, dunes, and spires before checking out the huge wadi of In Djaren. Around the area are ammonite and trilobite fossils to discover too.
Overnight in tents.

Depart from the Tadrart Rouge passing by impressive black sand dunes, stopping for lunch along the way before arriving in Djanet. You will have the remainder of the day to visit the oasis town’s souks, palm grove, ancient irrigation canals, and El Mihan and El Djahil ksars (old fortified villages). If there is time you may be able to meet some older women in the town playing the imzad (a Tuareg bow-and-string instrument), as well as blacksmith-craftsmen specialising in leather and jewellery.
Overnight in tents.

Depart north by vehicle to Tikobaouine’s desert passing by Erg Admer’s huge white sand dunes and stopping for lunch at Adaig’s labyrinth of rocky towers.
Overnight in tents.

After breakfast you’ll head to Essendilene’s picturesque canyon which is filled with palms, oleander flowers and a small guelta desert pond at the far end of the canyon.
Continue onward by vehicle to Ihrir, arriving in the evening.
Overnight in tents.

You will have day to explore Ihrir’s Idaren Canyon region, which is surrounded by black volcanic rocks shimmering under the Saharan sun. The canyon is also home to a Tuareg nomad’s village and you’ll have time to meet with them.
Evening arrival in Illizi.
Overnight in hotel.

In the morning you will time for tea, coffee, and breakfast in one of Illizi’s street cafes, followed by a short walk around the town giving you a chance to see more of what life is like in a small central Algerian desert town.
Fly at 1300PM from Illizi, arriving in Ghardaia at 1510PM.
You will have the remainder of the afternoon to check out the town before dinner.
Overnight in hotel.

Visit the city of Ghardaia, the M’zab Valley region’s capital. It is home to the Mozabite Berber, a Muslim sect of Ibadi, who are famous for making carpets and their traditional/religious practices. You will spend both nights in Beni Isguen, which is 10km away from Gharadia. Over two days you can visit the old fortified village of Bounoura (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the ancient remains of Melika village and the tomb and mausoleum of Sheikh Sidi Aissa.
Overnight in hotel.

A full day’s drive from Beni Isguen to Timimoun stopping off at El-Menia to visit an old ksar, a mosque, and the bird-rich desert lake of Hassi el Gara.
During the drive you will be accompanied by a police escort which is a requirement of the Algerian government.
Overnight in hotel.

A full day to visit Timimoun’s new and old parts of town, as well as meeting its residents who have Berber, Arab and Malian roots.
Overnight in hotel.

Day trip by 4×4 to Grand Erg Occidental, an area of orange sand dunes up to 120m high and is home to Ksar Draa, an ancient castle that is slowly disappearing under the encroaching Saharan desert.
Overnight in hotel.

You’ll have time in the morning to explore more of Timimoun before catching a flight to Algiers at 1405PM (arrives 1655PM).
Transfer from airport.
Overnight in hotel.

After breakfast transfer to Algiers international airport by train and fly home.
End of trip.