The mythical camel trek from Tamanrasset to Djanet

You leave France in the evening heading to Tamanrasset, where you are expected to arrive during the night.

Upon arrival, you are welcomed by our local team, who will accompany you for your transfer to the inn.

Free morning. City tour. Tamanrasset (located at 1400 m) is nowadays an impressive cosmopolitan city. Only the city center, with the few remaining tamarisks, has retained some of its authenticity.

In the afternoon, by 4x4, we cross the plains of Tamanrasset and Tizelaïn. The latter is dominated, to the south, by Tin Amor (2138 m). A small pass allows us to access the Takecherwet wadi. We pass the volcanic peak Adaouda (Jacquet Peak). We skirt to the south the tabular mountain Ahounahamt (1887 m), then we reach, to the east, the meeting place with our caravan, located near the small agricultural village of Ezarnen (30 km).

Departure preparations. We secure our saddles on the backs of the camels and load the pack animals.

The camel trek begins with a vast plateau with, to the north, the famous Assekrem plateau and the other peaks of Atakor. A pass allows you to descend into the Amezegin wadi, at the foot of the Aleheg mountain (1962m). Tineftawin and In Dalag wadis. Plain of Téhé n'Oudi. Bivouac.

We cross the oued Tahifet and pass near the village of the same name (crops). We follow the Tahifet to Tazrouk track road for a while, then climb up the oued Azrou, before descending into the oued Aborah after crossing a small pass.

We have been for the past day in a mountainous area, in the heart of the Tuareg territory of Adjouh n'Téhélé. The track keeps going up and down. Oueds Aborah, Fisfas and Tamekendout.

At the Tamekendout well, where camels are watered and water is plentiful. A pass gives access to the Touzin wadi where we are camping.

Long crossing on a plateau between two high mountains. Descent into the Aoudjerar wadi. Oudrak Pass which gives access to the important Sersouf wadi (tamarisks) which we descend.

The mountain moves aside and we leave it to our left. Oued Tin Lalen (water point), pass giving access to the Oued Adjou, descent of the Oueds Eméharagélé and Ilefsawen. Landscape of granite boulders all the way to the Oued Wersegenet.

Wadis In Debiren, In Afegieg, Imbilel. We leave to the east the small village Aït Loaïen of Imbilel (1044 m). We soon emerge into one of the most important wadis of the Hoggar, the wadi Tin Tarabin (which means: "One of the Arab Women"). The first tufts of toulloult (grasses) appear.

Well and bivouac in the wadi Amajjar.

Small pass connecting the Amajjar and Ernazaft wadis. In the distance stands the granitic massif of Serkout (2252 m).

Crossing of the Inouhawen wadi made famous by the ambush laid on the Flatters Mission in 1881, at the well that became "Tanout Tan Ikoufar", the Well of the Infidels. Tassiot Tan Tazabit and Takalous wadis.

Crossing of a long plateau, then descent into the Zerzerou wadi. If it has flowed, a small water point a little downstream, in its gorges. We bivouac higher up, in the wadi.

Tadnest water point where we arrive around noon. We water the camels and fill water skins and jerrycans. Everyone participates in this important task which allows us to stock up on water for 5 and a half days.

Bivouac at Tadnest.

Oued In Akaokan ("One of the Damans"). The mountains recede further. We first travel through an expanse of granite boulders, then through a vast plain to the Anemerou wadi where arasou bushes grow. Arrival around 1 p.m.

Today we cross a large part of the Anahaf mountain range. A pass carved into a quartz vein allows us access to a vast plateau that we cross heading northeast.

A quick stop in the middle of the day in the Amedid wadi (without shade) or, a little earlier, among granite boulders.

We head north and, after an area of hills, we descend a wide, gray wadi, without a trace of grass. A few more hills, then we camp in the In Terekfin wadi.

The wadis become increasingly wider. We cross the Amedid wadi again (1116 m), then enter a final mountain chain that blocks the gateway to the Ténéré. On our right, on the back of a hill, we can see an immense pre-Islamic tomb in "keyhole" shape. Passage of a small pass before reaching the acacia for lunch.

In the afternoon, for several hours, we head towards the right bank of the Tin Hagen wadi cluttered with sands and toulloult. Three small peaks tower above us.

Departure at 5am. The immense Ténéré of the Tafassasset are before us. We cross them to the foot of the Tazat mountain (2061m) where we arrive after crossing the Tamanrasset - Djanet road track. We have just completed the longest stage of the camel trek (10 to 11 hours).

Another long stage until the Tabakat wadi (Jujube tree). For much of the morning, we cross numerous wadis flowing down from the nearby mountain.

In the Tabakat wadi, we set up camp near a well, quite far downstream from the small recent village of Tabakat. We water the animals and fill the waterskins and jerrycans.

In the morning, we water the camels again and finish the water chore. Departure in early afternoon.

We rejoin the oued Zawaten'Laz. A little north of our bivouac in the middle of the tamarisks, is located the small town of Bordj El Haouas (name of Zawatalaz, former Fort Gardel).

We are approaching the sandstone cliffs of Tassili n'Ajjer. To the south and east, the Erg Admer blocks our passage. We bypass it to the north. The spectacle is breathtaking.

Bivouac in the small dunes of Wadi Sersouf.

Entry into the pre-Tassili region, either via Wadi Essendilène or Wadi Hell. Canyons, cliffs, rocky towers besieged by sand will be our world for these final days of camel trekking.

Arrival during the day in Djanet where we settle in the wadi. Quick visit of Djanet, which has lived up to its reputation as the "Pearl of the Tassili". It has developed and expanded enormously. The entire oasis comprises four villages: El Mihan, Adjahil, Azellouaz (at the foot of the Tim Beur mountain) and Tin Khatma.

They will leave this morning for the Hoggar. Transfer to the airport during the night.