9-Day Hoggar Atakor Trek: Explore Southern Algeria on Foot

From €2,890.00

Discover the Hoggar like never before on this 9-day Atakor Trek. Traverse the dramatic landscapes of the Hoggar Mountains, explore the surreal volcanic peaks of Assekrem, and reach the historic ermitage of Charles de Foucauld. With Tuareg guides and camels by your side, experience a journey of nature, culture, and introspection in one of Algeria’s most extraordinary regions.

Trip Type
Adventure Tour, Camping Tour, Desert Safari, Private Guided Tour
Activities
Camal Riding, Camel Trek, Camping, Desert Safari, Private Guided Tours, Trekking
Group Size
No size limit - No size limit
Reviews
0 Reviews
Locations
Algerian Desert , Assekrem , Hoggar , Sahara Desert , Tamanrasset
Trip Duration
9 Day(s) 8 Night(s)

Trip Enquiry

Trip code WT-CODE 19553

Discover the heart of Algeria’s southern desert on the Hoggar Atakor Trek. Over nine days, traverse the rugged Hoggar Mountains, hike through the volcanic Atakor Massif, and reach the serene Assekrem Plateau where the hermitage of Saint Charles de Foucauld stands. Accompanied by experienced Tuareg guides and a caravan of dromedaries, immerse yourself in dramatic landscapes of basalt peaks, gueltas, and endless desert horizons. This trek is perfect for those seeking a deep connection with nature, solitude, and the mystique of the Algerian Sahara.

Journey into the heart of the Algerian Sahara on the Hoggar Atakor Assekrem Trek. Over nine days, traverse the volcanic peaks of the Atakor Massif, discover hidden gueltas and desert valleys, and reach the serene hermitage of Saint Charles de Foucauld atop the Assekrem Plateau. Accompanied by experienced Tuareg guides, this trek offers a rare opportunity to experience the Hoggar Mountains on foot, combining awe-inspiring landscapes, cultural encounters, and moments of reflection under the vast desert sky.

Itineraries

Day 1

Arrival in Tamanrasset – Gateway to the Hoggar Mountains

Your journey begins with an overnight flight from Algiers to Tamanrasset. Upon arrival, our local Tamasheq team welcomes you at the airport and escorts you to your hotel or guesthouse. Take this time to rest and recover from your flight, preparing for the adventure ahead. Tamanrasset, the vibrant heart of the Hoggar region, will be your base for the start of this extraordinary trek. Enjoy a peaceful night as you anticipate the rugged beauty and spiritual serenity of the Atakor Massif.

Transfer: 4×4 • Overnight: Hotel or guesthouse in Tamanrasset

Day 2

Tamanrasset – Afilal – Assekrem

After a restful morning to recover from your overnight flight, you enjoy a leisurely breakfast before meeting the camel team that will accompany you through the Hoggar Massif. A brief tour of Tamanrasset offers insight into the town’s unique culture and local life. Then, your 4×4 transfer begins, carrying you deeper into the rugged beauty of the Atakor region until you reach Akar-Akar, the starting point of your trek.

Here, the first dramatic landscapes of the Hoggar unfold: vast rocky plains, jagged volcanic peaks, and ancient granite folds that create a surreal, almost otherworldly atmosphere. After this visual introduction, your camp is set up alongside your trekking companions. While the aromatic chorba simmers over the fire, you can lend a hand or simply relax, soaking in the quiet majesty of the desert and forming bonds with your hosts.

Transfer: 4×4 • Hiking: 2–3 hours • Overnight: Bivouac

Days 3

Akar-Akar – Gueltas d’Afilale: Into the Heart of the Hoggar

Today, you venture on foot into the wild, untamed expanse of the Hoggar Massif—a journey that brings an unparalleled sense of freedom. Your camel companions move gracefully alongside you, carrying gear while you experience the desert in its purest form. Unlike the reach of 4×4 vehicles, this intimate approach allows you to feel the landscape and its rhythms deeply.

The trek takes you across Oued Tageleft, where natural water points, or abankors, sustain life amidst the rugged ochre and black rock formations. You are now on the ancestral lands of the Daghali nomads, the main vassal group of the Hoggar, whose presence and traditions still shape the region.

The day culminates at the Gueltas d’Afilale, a RAMSAR-listed site of rare beauty. Here, a series of terraced pools, natural basins, and cascading waters create an oasis for desert fish and wildlife. The fragile ecosystem invites quiet reflection and careful exploration, reminding you of the delicate balance sustaining life in this harsh yet breathtaking environment.

Hiking: 5–6 hours • Overnight: Bivouac

Days 4 & 5

Assekrem – Walking Among the Peaks of Atakor

Your caravan ascends into the rugged, mineral landscapes of the Atakor Massif, where jagged peaks and volcanic formations define the horizon. The desert floor seems to awaken with the sun’s first rays, and hardy tamaris cling to life in this austere climate. Each pass and ridge reveals a new panorama of basaltic organs, sculpted by millennia of volcanic activity, painting a dramatic and almost otherworldly landscape.

The ascent to Assekrem (2,728 m) is steady and deliberate. As the Touareg proverb reminds you: “Si tu montes la montagne, montes-la doucement.” The slow rhythm allows you to absorb the silence, the vastness, and the profound beauty of the Hoggar. At the summit stands the Hermitage of Father Charles de Foucauld, built in 1910—a sanctuary that connects the spiritual and the human, where simplicity is the ultimate lesson: water, semolina, dates, the camel that carries the load, and human connection.

From the hermitage, the panoramic table of orientation of the Touring Club Français reveals the surrounding landmarks: Tezouaï, Tidiamaïne, Akar-Akar, Adriane… Each formation tells the story of the Hoggar, a vast, mystical territory that inspires meditation, introspection, and a deeper connection to the rhythms of nature. Nights are spent under a blanket of stars, with the bivouac nestled among the peaks, offering quiet reflection and the serenity of the high desert.

Hiking: 5–6 hours per day • Overnight: Bivouac

Days 6 & 7

Assekrem – Timaktine – Amsa – Tracing Ancient Paths

As your trek descends from the peaks of Assekrem, the route leads you through Timaktine toward the hidden Amsa Wadi, a path only accessible on foot or by camel. Along the way, your eyes discover ancient rock engravings and cave paintings, silent witnesses to a fauna that roamed this land thousands of years ago. Each step uncovers a story etched in stone, connecting you to the deep history of the Hoggar.

Evenings follow a timeless desert rhythm: camels are unloaded and secured for the night, while the fire crackles as the day’s last light fades. Under the glittering canopy of stars and the Milky Way, the concept of time dissolves, replaced by the natural rhythm of night and day. Each evening is accompanied by a steaming glass of mint tea and a handful of fresh dates—“Pour réussir le thé, il faut trois choses: le temps, les braises et les amis,” as the Touareg proverb wisely says.

As night falls, you experience the traditional Taguella bread baking, where the dough is buried in the sand and covered with embers, infusing each bite with the warmth and essence of the desert. The nights spent in bivouac are a sensory immersion in the silence, the firelight, and the infinite sky, leaving a lasting impression of solitude and serenity in the Hoggar.

Hiking: 5–6 hours per day • Overnight: Bivouac

Day 8

Amsa – Tamanrasset – Returning from the Heart of Hoggar

Your trek along the Amsa Wadi concludes, leaving behind the quiet, meandering riverbeds where your camels and footsteps marked the trail. After passing Tileft, the 4x4 vehicles meet you for a short transfer back to Tamanrasset, signaling the end of your desert caravan.

Upon arrival, you bid farewell to your Tamasheq camel team and enjoy a long-awaited shower, washing away the dust of the Hoggar and embracing a deep sense of relaxation and renewal. The afternoon is dedicated to exploring Tamanrasset, with a special focus on the landmarks connected to Charles de Foucauld, including his small chapel (“La Frégate”) and the historic bordj. His profound legacy as a linguist and anthropologist of the Tuareg culture is vividly reflected in these sites, offering insight into his life of contemplation and devotion.

As evening falls, you are transferred to the airport for your night flight, carrying memories of the Hoggar’s rugged peaks, serene bivouacs, and the spiritual heights of Assekrem.

Transfer: 4x4 • Hike: 3 hours • Overnight: Night flight to Algiers

Day 9

Arrival in Algiers – From the Hoggar to the City of Lights

After a night flight from Tamanrasset, you arrive in Algiers, carrying with you the vivid memories of the Hoggar Mountains, Atakor Massif, and Assekrem. The colors of the volcanic peaks, the quiet of desert nights, and the serene atmosphere of the ermitage will stay with you long after your journey.

Upon arrival, you are welcomed at the airport and assisted with customs and luggage formalities. This marks the conclusion of your Hoggar Atakor Assekrem Trek, a journey that blended physical challenge, natural splendor, and cultural discovery. You leave with a deep appreciation of Algeria’s southern landscapes, Tuareg heritage, and the spiritual solitude of the desert.

From the peaks of Assekrem to the heart of Algiers, this trek has offered an unparalleled connection to the Hoggar region, its people, and its history.

Transfer: Airport assistance • End of Tour

Accommodation: 8 nights in hotels, guesthouses, or desert bivouac (tent option available).
Transport: 4×4 vehicles for the entire tour, domestic flights within Algeria, and airport transfers in Tamanrasset.
Meals & Drinks:
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily according to the itinerary.
- Afternoon snacks during excursions and desert activities.
- Bottled water provided throughout the trip.
- Traditional Saharan cuisine and the taguella (desert bread) experience included.
Guides: Professional English-speaking Tamacheq guide with extensive knowledge of the Hoggar region.
Support Team: Drivers, cook, and 4×4 crew to ensure a smooth and safe journey.
Excursions & Activities: All visits and activities outlined in the itinerary (Assekrem, gueltas, Tagmart rock carvings, Tamanrasset cultural exploration).
Visa Assistance: Tourist visa provided on arrival at Tamanrasset.
Camping Equipment: High-quality tents, sleeping mats, and all essential desert camping tools.
Cultural Experiences: Traditional tea ceremonies with Tuareg families, engagement with local communities, and a live Tuareg desert blues musical evening.