Discovering the Ergs and Forgotten Tassilis - Admer, Tihodaïne, Ifedeniouene

Departure from Paris to Algiers, where you will be welcomed by the charm of the Algerian capital.

After completing visa formalities at Algiers airport, we will take a flight to Djanet. Arriving in Djanet around 1:30 AM on the night of Day 1 to Day 2, you will be transferred to your hotel for a well-deserved night. Enjoy the comfort and local hospitality to rest before the start of your Saharan adventure.

By default, we offer trips departing from Paris. However, you can take advantage of all flights to Algiers departing from a large number of European cities. International and domestic flights are not included in our proposal, but we can help you organize them upon request.

We leave Djanet heading towards the Erg Admer. The town is nestled in a fold at the foot of the great cliff of Tassili N'Ajjer, an impressive natural spectacle that peacefully dominates the landscape. The blonde dunes of the erg develop in the form of a ribbon, blocking our path westward and inviting us to follow their sinuous course. We skirt these majestic dunes to reach the confines of Tafassasset, a region where the desert seems to stretch infinitely.

Before us stands the mountain of Tazat, an imposing formation that marks the volcanic region of Adrar Ajjer. Its robust profile and mineral tones contrast with the softness of the sands. A lens of dunes welcomes us for the night, offering natural shelter against the desert winds. We settle in the dunes of In Abaro, where silence is disturbed only by the murmur of wind on sand. The colors of the sunset transform the dunes into a golden sea, and stars begin to twinkle in the night sky. It is here, in this peaceful and isolated setting, that we spend the night, enveloped by the tranquility and wild beauty of the desert.

We continue our journey through vast Saharan landscapes. The horizons are distant, and the Ajjer barrier is now behind us. In the distance, a new halo of light emerges: the Tihodaïne erg.

The Tihodaïne Erg is emblematic in the imagination of Saharans. Located between Djanet and Illizi, along the north-west slope of Tassili N'Ajjer, it is distinguished by its almost round shape and covers an area of approximately 1000 km² with a diameter of around 45 km. This site is particularly known for its numerous funerary tombs dating from the Neolithic period, making it a fascinating place for enthusiasts of ancient history. At the heart of this erg stands a small mountain massif, adding a unique touch to this desert landscape.

The Tihodaïne Erg is surrounded by spectacular landscapes, and the region is rich in archaeological deposits, including Acheulean sites that attest to ancient human presence in this area. We take time to walk through this singular universe, where each dune and each rock formation whispers tales of the past. We establish our camp in this treasury of dunes, enjoying the silence and peace of the desert, a moment of serenity and connection with nature.

Early in the morning, we take advantage of the beautiful light in the dunes of the erg. The rays of the rising sun color the sand with a soft golden glow, creating an enchanting natural spectacle.

We resume our vehicles for a short stage that takes us into the chaos of sands and rocks of Tin Batoulet. This labyrinth of eroded sandstone, sculpted by water, wind and time, is home to sites of magnificent rock paintings. Every corner reveals traces of ancient history, engraved on the rocky walls by the peoples who crossed these lands.
We spend time wandering through this very special universe, where each rock formation tells a story. The silence of the desert is interrupted only by the murmur of the wind, creating an almost mystical atmosphere.

We establish our bivouac in this environment, surrounded by wild and unspoiled beauty. Under the starry sky, we share stories and moments of conviviality around a campfire. The night in the desert offers a unique serenity, where the magic of the stars and the calm of nature blend together.

We dedicate our day to discovering Tassili Ifedeniouene. In this immense labyrinth of sandstone and sand hide a multitude of rock art sites, silent witnesses to a distant past. The stone forests are impressive and create phantasmagoric shapes, sculpted by erosion and time. We take time to stroll on foot, in complete tranquility, exploring every corner of this landscape that is both strange and captivating.

At the end of the day, we set up our bivouac in a wonderful place, far from the hustle and bustle of the world. The desert, with its peaceful silence, envelops us as the sun sets, tinting the stones with a golden glow.

The rock art of Tassili n'Ajjer was revealed to the world in 1909 by Captain Cortier, who reported the first discovery of this prehistoric art. Subsequently, other explorers such as Lanney, Conrad Kilian and Bernard also made discoveries, but it was in the 1930s that the importance of this Saharan center of prehistoric art began to be understood, thanks to the discoveries of another military officer, Captain Brenans.

Since Henri Lhote's mission and his team in 1956, tasked with carrying out a complete survey of the entire rock art ensemble, Tassili art has acquired well-deserved world renown. These paintings, the oldest of which date back to the early period of domestication, cover a period of more than 7000 years, some being sub-current.

The variety of subjects and especially of styles reveals the presence of different artistic groups, geographically localized and associated with certain fauna, with special types of characters and weapons. These artistic groups, or "schools", probably reflect concrete ethnic groups, limited spatially and located chronologically, possessing distinct artistic traditions and symbolic foundations. The classification and chronology of these schools are established according to various formal criteria, such as execution techniques, styles, superimpositions, patinas, as well as depicted themes such as the physical types of characters, fauna and weapons.

These rock paintings and engravings testify to the presence of numerous populations and varied fauna, indicating more humid periods in the past.

We assist you with check-in in the middle of the Saharan night, under a starry sky that adds a magical touch to this stage of your journey. After check-in formalities, you board your flight which will take you to Algiers early in the morning.

Upon arrival, you can continue your trip to Paris or other destinations.