Canyons and Gueltas of Tassili n'Ajjer
Camel trekking in the heart of Tassili n'Ajjer, between sculpted sandstone towers and secret waterholes
Duration
9 days
From
€750/pers.
Ideal seasons
Jan, Feb, Mar, Oct, Nov, Dec
Style
Expeditions
Comfort
rustique
Travelers
Solo, With friends, groupe
The spirit of travel
This beautiful and short camel trek immerses us at the heart of Saharan life. Accompanied by our Tuareg guides and camel herders, we explore the western slope of the majestic Tassili n'Ajjer, living at the ancestral pace of nomads. This fascinating excursion takes us to a region located northwest of Djanet, where we follow the edge of the plateau, navigating between the golden dunes of Erg Admer and the high sandstone cliffs. We penetrate into the heart of the Tassili by following its cracks, canyons and lush oases.
The Tassili is a world of remarkable diversity, where ancestral rock art evokes the life of populations in an era once far greener. The ancient eroded land, marked by the sun and millennia, charms us with its incredible variety. The journey takes you through varied traditional Tassili landscapes:
Bare plateaus and jagged sandstone formations where wadis wind their way.
Stone forests and labyrinths, shelters and caves carved at the foot of rocks.
Lost dunes among the rocks, with streams of sand flowing between the sandstone towers.
Secret guelttas embedded in the stone.
Paintings and rock engravings testifying to the presence of ancient populations and rich wildlife, at a time when the climate was much more humid.
This camel trek is an immersion into the beauty, history and nature of Tassili n'Ajjer, an experience where each day holds new surprises.
STAGES AND SCHEDULES
15 to 20 km per day are covered on foot.
In the morning, wake-up between 6 and 7am. Departure between 8am and 9am. Break between 12pm and 2pm. In the afternoon, departure between 2pm and 3pm. Stop in the evening around 5pm. That is, 5 to 7 hours of walking per day.
The terrain is not very steep and walking is generally easy despite sometimes rocky relief. Many short breaks for visiting rock art sites or natural sites.
When we don't meet up with the caravan for lunch, the collective picnic is transported by the participants.
ITINERARY
It is given as an indication and can be done in either direction. It depends on the season, weather conditions, pastures and water sources. Before departure and even on site, itinerary variations can be proposed taking into account the wishes and physical possibilities of the groups.
For technical reasons, this itinerary can be done in the reverse direction without its quality being affected.
The stages of your journey
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
PARIS > DJANET via Algiers
It is possible to reach Djanet, via Algérie, in different ways and departing from different cities depending on your options.
By default, we schedule the route from Paris.
In Algérie, you obtain your visa and then you change terminals to take the domestic flight Algérie > Djanet.
DJANET > DIDER (TIN TEHERT) > TAN EDGEMADI
By 4x4 vehicle we reach the northern region of Ajjer, the vast Dider basin as the starting point of our camel trek.
By midday we are ready to go. Lunch is taken near the Assar guelta, the only permanent water source in the region.
In the afternoon, we pass through the mountain and descend to the Tin Tehrert engraving site.
The end of the afternoon is the perfect time to admire the engravings; indeed, these are on a barely inclined slab and only the raking light preceding sunset allows us to admire them in all their splendor.
Dating from the Bubalian period (approximately – 8000 years ago), these mysterious Neolithic men left us an entire bestiary. The non-exhaustive list includes several giraffes, gazelles, owls and even a rabbit. All of unparalleled artistic quality and sometimes of impressive size (a completely decorated cow is over 6 meters long).
Before nightfall, we cross the plain that stretches before us to rejoin our caravan at the Tan Egemadi bivouac.
Walking time: Deliberately, we do not mention walking times because, often on this itinerary, we arrive at the bivouac site at midday after covering about ten kilometers. Then, in the afternoon, we set out to discover these fascinating environments rich in discoveries.
TAN EDGEMADI > UPSTREAM OUED TIN MATINE
We leave the great depression of Dider. Two beautiful rock painting sites await us along the way. Dating from the Bovidian and Proto Berber period, a new crowd of animals (especially cattle) invites us to imagine what life could have been like for these men and women during a period so much greener than today.
The Emintanamast pass marks the end of the Dider plateau and on the other side we find ourselves in an entirely different landscape. Sand makes its appearance and we establish our bivouac north of a small dune.
After a good salad at midday, we explore the surrounding heights in search of large sandstone slabs containing a multitude of fossils of marine worms of all sizes.
TIN MATINE > TAN RAÏCHA
We descend the wadi of Tin Matine to arrive in the morning at the guelta of Circaya. We help our camel drivers fill up with water before setting off again. The landscape opens up again for a few hours and after leaving the Tin Séga mountain on our right, we stop in the wadi Tan Raicha.
In the afternoon, the most courageous can attempt the climb of Tin Séga, while others can choose a more leisurely walk to admire the second guelta of Circaya.
TAN RAÏCHA > OUED AZATORAT
A small pass allows us to reach the oued Tin Amadasartofan. This rather complicated name actually means: Black Earth. By scratching the soil surface, we discover sand with quite a unique color and texture. We go up the oued Tin Amadasartofan and the small pass of the same name allows us to descend into the oued Zaouiat. Our south-east direction forces us to cross the numerous oueds that descend from the plateau and generally go in a south-west direction, so it is quite quickly that we pass into the oued Azatorat, where we stop for lunch.
In the afternoon we leave the camels and go up the oued to a magnificent guelta. Then a donkey path gives us access to the impressive canyon upstream of the guelta. Cut into the plateau, this gorge a few meters wide offers us a beautiful walk in the shadow of its vertical walls several dozen meters high. We then return to meet our camel herders for camp at the lunch spot.
OUED AZATORAT > OUSANELAM
A beautiful morning of hiking brings us to Ousanelam and one of the most beautiful camps on the circuit. Surprising small cliffs form a network of "streets" which, due to the sunken terrain, are always very lush. We thus have a good opportunity to discover the richness of desert plants.
In the afternoon we set off again on exploration. We will admire Ousanelam's arch which, although totally unknown (probably only because it is inaccessible to 4x4s), is one of the most beautiful in the region.
OUSANELAM > ABISCHOUAL
The caravan passes in front of the arch from the previous day and the photographers will therefore have another chance to photograph it in the morning light. Today, after a small pass, we arrive at the edge of the intermediate plateau. The landscape opens up completely and, at the bottom of the large Tanahat valley that stretches before us, we can see the first dunes of the Erg Admer. Guardian of the place, the double peak of Endalac marks the separation between the sand and the plateau. Just before reaching its base, we head back eastward to quickly reach the Izoras plain and the midday break.
We then continue over the most difficult pass of the circuit. Obviously, it is only for our loaded camels that the Ouan Bender pass poses some problems, and we will help our camel drivers to assist our animals during the descent. At the foot of the pass, an immense Tamarisk offers us a comfortable camping spot in the Abischoual wadi.
ABISCHOUAL > ESSENDILENE > DJANET
We go up the Essendilene wadi before abandoning the caravan which will wait for us. Taking the picnic, we set off to explore this very beautiful canyon made famous by Frison Roche. The laurel forest and the guelta offer us freshness and tranquility. It's an opportunity to take it easy after the long day before.
Early in the afternoon the vehicles come to pick us up. We separate from our camel team before heading to Djanet.
Free visit of this charming little town then meal.
Late in the evening, transfer to the airport.
Price per person
Indicative price per person, based on double room. Each trip is customized according to your preferences.
This trip can be tailored to your preferences
This itinerary provides an excellent foundation for discovery, but it can be fully customized. Our local advisors build each trip tailored to your budget, dates and preferences.
Not included
- The cost of the visa obtained upon arrival in Algerian territory
- The Paris > Algiers > Djanet > Algiers > Paris flight
- The pre-routing Province - Paris
- Fees incurred by a flight via Algiers (assistance in Algiers)
- Insurance "Cancellation", "Repatriation", "Travel Risks" and Covid-19 guarantee
- Your personal expenses: all beverages during meals at the restaurant and hotel (including water), telephone calls, tips at your discretion, etc...
- All expenses incurred by a possible extended stay beyond our control outside the scheduled program (accommodation, meals and additional transfers, etc.)
Included
- Movements according to the programme
- Procedures for obtaining a visa on arrival in Algerian territory
- Full board throughout your stay
- Accommodation in Djanet in Double or Twin room
Practical Information
Registration is considered firm and final after payment of a deposit of 30% of the total price and acceptance of the specific terms of sale.
The balance must be paid no later than 45 days before the departure date.
See our specific terms of sale for full details.
In the event of cancellation by the traveller, the following fees apply:
- Plus de 60 jours avant le départ : 40 % du prix total (acompte retenu)
- Entre 60 et 30 jours avant le départ : 50 % du prix total
- Moins de 30 jours avant le départ : 100 % du prix total
We strongly recommend taking out cancellation insurance. See our specific terms of sale for full details.
The information below concerns travelers who are nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland, and Canada traveling to Algeria for a tourist stay. As entry rules may change, we recommend verifying this information with the official authorities before your departure.
Passport
To enter Algeria, your passport must be valid for at least six months after your date of entry into the country and have at least one blank page for immigration stamps.
The document must be in good condition (no damaged, torn, or altered pages).
Visa
Nationals of the European Economic Area, Switzerland, and Canada must be in possession of a valid visa to enter Algeria for a tourist stay. There is no visa exemption for these nationalities.
The visa must be obtained before departure, from the Algerian embassy or consulate responsible for your country of residence. It is recommended to apply several weeks in advance, as processing times may vary.
Documents generally required for a visa application include:
a valid passport with at least six months of remaining validity,
a completed and signed visa application form,
recent passport-sized photos complying with required standards,
a return flight ticket or booking,
proof of accommodation (hotel reservation or invitation),
proof of sufficient financial resources for the duration of your stay.
The authorized length of stay is generally 30 days, depending on the conditions mentioned on the visa issued.
Travel with children
Minors must be holders of their own valid passport covering the duration of their stay.
In some European countries, when a minor travels without one of their parents, an authorization to exit the territory may be required according to the regulations of their country of residence.
Health
No vaccination is officially required to enter Algeria for nationals of the EEA, Switzerland, and Canada. However, it is recommended to consult a doctor or vaccination center before departure and to ensure that basic vaccinations are up to date (diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, hepatitis A).
It is also advisable to take out international health insurance covering medical expenses and repatriation for the entire duration of your stay.
Other nationalities
Entry conditions may vary depending on nationality. Travelers concerned should inquire at the Algerian embassy or consulate of their country of residence.
To participate in our trips, it is strongly advised to have assistance-repatriation and foreign medical expenses insurance.
Your local agency encourages you to familiarize yourself with the specific policy developed with our partner CHAPKA ASSURANCES and AXA ASSISTANCE.
To subscribe to insurance, learn about coverage and rates, follow the link below.
CAP EXPLORER: The complete insurance solution designed for a worry-free trip!
Choose the plan that best suits you:
Explorer'Multirisque
Explorer'Annulation
Explorer'Assistance
Explorer' Complementary Credit Card
Specific to our trips, we strongly recommend subscribing to them.
If you choose to subscribe to one of these plans, the policy detailing all coverage and claims declaration procedures are available on the insurer's website.
Your local agency will be aware of this, but only the participant is responsible for complying with the claims declaration procedures. The participant must therefore keep this policy with them throughout their trip.
Chapka — Cap Explorer
Our insurance partnerTravel with peace of mind with our partner Chapka. Cancellation, repatriation, medical expenses, baggage… All the coverage for a worry-free trip.
Travel with peace of mind — I'll handle the insuranceFrequently asked questions
A tourist visa is required and must be requested from the consulate (consular fees apply, processing time 2-3 weeks). An invitation letter or accommodation certificate is required. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned entry date. Conditions can be stringent. We strongly recommend verifying the rules applicable to your nationality with the Algerian consular authorities before booking your trip.
Go to the My Trips section to find all your projects.
You can send a message to your host directly from the Tea Lounge.
For a tailor-made quality trip, budget between 140 and 240 euros per day and per person, including accommodation, meals, internal transfers and English-speaking guide. International flights (350-700 euros return) are additional. The Algerian Sahara (Tassili, Hoggar) requires a specific budget.
Your documents are accessible in the Documents tab of your trip.
Absolutely. We adapt each itinerary to match your travel profile. For families, we prioritize relaxed paces, family-friendly accommodations, engaging and educational activities, and comfortable private transfers. Our local English-speaking guides know how to captivate children with age-appropriate stories and anecdotes.
It's simple. You exchange with our local team to define your wishes, budget and dates. You receive a detailed itinerary proposal within 48 hours. You refine every detail together until you have the perfect version. You confirm and set off with peace of mind. Your local agency remains available 7 days a week throughout your trip.
In case of emergency, contact your local agency immediately.
Payment is generally made in two installments.
Our agency is part of the Nomadays network, registered in France. You benefit from APST guarantee (Professional Association of Tourism Solidarity) which covers 100% of your funds. Secure payment, repatriation insurance included, and English-speaking assistance 24/7 on site throughout your stay.
Let's talk about your adventure — Great Saharan South
Pioneer of Algeria's great deserts, based in Ghardaïa / M'zab (puis Alger à partir de 2006)
The desert is not crossed with an itinerary alone. It demands listening, respect, and a certain inner availability.
— Louiza
