Maya the sources of Archeï
In the heart of the Ennedi massif, between sandstone citadels and crystalline springs in the immensity of the Sahara.
Duration
16 days
Ideal seasons
Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec
Style
Expeditions
Comfort
rustique
Travelers
Solo, With friends, groupe
The spirit of travel
During this 16-day itinerary, we will have the opportunity to discover the most impressive Chadian gems. The adventure begins with a long drive between N'Djaména and Abéché passing through a vast desert. We reach Kalaït then the Ennedi massif which allows us to explore sandstone citadels. At Oyo and Chilio, we wander through particular labyrinths.
The journey continues to Okinga and Hélio to travel through vast stony plains, then the Hélio valley where you can find a graceful guelta. The observation of geomorphological wonders does not stop there, we still have to visit Maya, which constitutes a highlight of the trip with its rich fauna and sources of clear and fresh water. We also explore Dobou, Wadi Aroué, Touboucou, Oui Mina as well as the Archeï guelta.
The stages of your journey
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
N'Djaména – Abéché
Abéché – Kalaït – Ennedi Massif
Abeche → Kalaït
We take the path that leads to Goz Bila and Todi, a vast and flat desert in the middle of nowhere.
We then pass through Kalaït, a town known for its severe sandstorms.
Kalaït → Plateau De L'Ennedi
The journey continues towards the Ennedi Massif to immerse us in sandstone citadels. It represents a succession of massifs in the Sahara.
We take the camel herders and begin the trek.
We spend the night in bivouac.
Labyrinth of Oyo – Labyrinth of Chilio – Herero
Plateau De L'Ennedi → Héréro
We stroll first through Oyo and its unique labyrinth.
We then head north to explore the Chilio labyrinth at the foot of a dune. We also spot other geomorphological gems, including a fireworks display of shapes and erosion.
We explore the plateau and venture inside a little-known citadel in the heart of Ennedi.
We spend the night in Hererо.
Okinga – Helio
Héréro → Hélio
We traverse an arid plateau following tracks that only a few camel drivers know, then vast stony plains.
We then explore, in a depression, a fissure that opens onto a canyon and the giant pot-hole of Okinga.
Finally, the Hélio valley allows us to reach its graceful guelta.
We spend these two nights in bivouac.
Maya Canyon
Hélio → Maya
Today, we travel across sandy plains where only a few stunted acacias can be found. This is the domain of ibexes, Egyptian vultures as well as the legendary Molouhour.
We thus traverse vast expanses of exploded sandstone before finally emerging onto an immense red canyon occupied by an impenetrable tangle of vegetation.
Thanks to this route, we arrive at Maya, the Archéï springs, and we are enchanted by the troops of monkeys and date palms swaying halfway up the cliff as if invisible wires were holding them. The springs of clear and fresh water also fascinate us.
Dobou – Wadi Aroué
Maya → Dobou
Descent of the river course in the middle of large round pebbles. Along the way, we spot a succession of gueltas each as magical as the last.
We have the opportunity to discover the guelta of the tamarisks, ostriches and the panther that leads us to Dobou, we can also see the immaculate sand of the wadi Aroué.
Nights in bivouac under centuries-old tamarisks.
Aroué – Touboucou – Oui Mina
Dobou → Touboucou
We travel through the winding white valley of Aroué which is dotted with sandstone massifs with painted decorations.
We progress from camp to camp amid acacias and tamarisks to reach the guelta de Touboucou which overlooks Archeï with a superb panorama of the plateau over the Guelta.
Touboucou → Ouinmina
We then resume our cars for a short hop to OuinMina and its forest of eroded peaks: Easter Island.
Guelta d'Archeï – Kalaït
Ouinmina → Guelta d'Archei
We leave early in the morning to head down towards Archeï and find the edges of the guelta.
We reach the guelta and the promontory. At this point the loop is then complete.
Guelta d'Archei → Kalaït
We have lunch before leaving Ennedi and heading to Kalaït.
We bivouac at the exit of the town.
Price per person
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
- Visa fees
- Single room supplements
- Travel and repatriation insurance
- Beverage during the tour
- Drinks and meals in N'Djamena
- International Flight
- Tips
Included
- Hotel in N'Djaména
- Food, 4x4 vehicle and fuel
- Entrance fees at sites
- Throughout the entire trip English-speaking guide and cook Toumay travels
- Toumay Camel Team Travel
- Domestic flights
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.
Les informations ci-dessous concernent les voyageurs ressortissants de l'Espace économique européen (EEE), de la Suisse et du Canada se rendant au Tchad dans le cadre d'un séjour touristique. Les règles d'entrée pouvant évoluer, nous vous recommandons de vérifier les informations auprès des autorités officielles avant votre départ.
Passeport
Pour entrer au Tchad, votre passeport doit être valide au minimum six mois après la date d'entrée dans le pays et comporter au moins deux pages vierges pour les tampons d'immigration.
Le document doit être en bon état (pas de pages détériorées, déchirées ou modifiées).
Visa obligatoire
Les ressortissants de l'Espace économique européen, de la Suisse et du Canada doivent obligatoirement être en possession d'un visa pour entrer au Tchad à des fins touristiques. Il n'existe pas d'exemption de visa pour ces nationalités.
Le visa peut être obtenu :
auprès de l'ambassade ou du consulat du Tchad compétent avant le départ,
dans certains cas, à l'arrivée à l'aéroport international Hassan Djamous de N'Djamena (visa on arrival), sous réserve de confirmation préalable auprès des autorités tchadiennes, cette possibilité pouvant être soumise à conditions.
La durée de séjour autorisée est généralement de 30 jours, renouvelable sur place auprès des services d'immigration tchadiens.
Les autorités peuvent demander :
un billet de sortie du territoire (vol retour ou continuation),
une preuve de ressources financières suffisantes pour la durée du séjour,
une invitation ou justificatif d'hébergement.
Santé et vaccinations
La vaccination contre la fièvre jaune est obligatoire pour entrer au Tchad. Le certificat international de vaccination (carnet jaune) sera exigé à l'arrivée.
Des vaccinations supplémentaires sont fortement recommandées par les autorités sanitaires :
méningite A, C, Y, W135 (le Tchad se situe dans la ceinture africaine de la méningite),
hépatites A et B,
typhoïde,
rage selon les activités prévues.
Un traitement antipaludéen préventif (prophylaxie antipaludique) est fortement recommandé, le paludisme étant présent sur l'ensemble du territoire. Consultez votre médecin ou un centre de vaccinations internationales avant le départ.
Voyage avec des enfants
Les mineurs doivent être titulaires de leur propre passeport valide et d'un visa individuel couvrant la durée du séjour.
Dans certains pays européens, lorsqu'un mineur voyage sans l'un de ses parents, une autorisation de sortie du territoire peut être exigée selon la réglementation du pays de résidence.
Autres nationalités
Les conditions d'entrée peuvent varier selon la nationalité. Les voyageurs concernés doivent se renseigner auprès de l'ambassade ou du consulat du Tchad de leur pays de résidence.
Pour participer à nos voyages, il est fortement conseillé d'être assuré en assistance-rapatriement et frais médicaux à l’étranger.
Votre agence locale vous encourage à prendre connaissance du contrat spécifique élaboré avec notre partenaire CHAPKA ASSURANCES et AXA ASSISTANCE.
Pour souscrire à une assurance, connaître les garanties et les tarifs, suivez le lien ci-dessous.
CAP EXPLORER : La solution d’assurance complète conçue pour vivre sereinement votre voyage !
Choisissez la formule qui vous correspond le mieux:
Explorer'Multirisque
Explorer'Annulation
Explorer'Assistance
Explorer' Complémentaire Carte Bancaire
Spécifiques à nos voyages, nous suggérons fortement d’y souscrire.
Si vous choisissez de souscrire à l’une de ces formules, la convention détaillant l’ensemble des garanties et les modalités de déclaration du sinistre sont disponibles sur le site Internet de l'assureur.
Votre agence locale en aura connaissance, mais seul le participant est responsable du respect des procédures de déclaration de tout sinistre. Le participant doit donc conserver cette convention avec lui pendant toute la durée de son voyage.
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 mandatory and must be requested from the embassy before departure. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your entry date. An up-to-date vaccination record is required, particularly for yellow fever. The security context requires maximum vigilance. Before booking, verify with the consular authorities of your destination the entry requirements applicable to your nationality.
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 €250 and €450 per day and per person, including accommodation, meals, 4x4 with driver-guide and activities. International flights (€800-1,200 return) are extra. Chad remains a rare and demanding destination, reserved for experienced travellers.
Your documents are accessible in the Documents tab of your trip.
Absolutely. We adapt each itinerary to the traveler's profile. For families, we prioritize relaxed pacing, family-friendly accommodations, engaging and educational activities, and comfortable private transfers. Our English-speaking local guides know how to capture children's attention with age-appropriate stories.
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 it's perfect. You confirm and travel 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 (Association Professionnelle de Solidarité du Tourisme) guarantee 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 — Desert North
Sahara Guide from Chad, based in N'Djamena
In Chad, the desert is never empty. There are the traces, the landscapes, the stories, the camps, and that light that changes everything throughout the day.
— Faris
