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4x4 vehicles, domestic flights
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Hotel,
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Algiers
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October to April
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Desert Camping
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Full board
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English, French, Arabic
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Easy to Moderate
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1
Overview
The Djanet & Tassili N’Ajjer Expedition is a 9-day adventure that blends breathtaking landscapes, ancient rock art, and immersive cultural encounters with the Tuareg people. Wander through towering red dunes, mysterious canyons, and verdant oases while enjoying the warmth of desert campfires, traditional music, and local culinary delights. This is more than a tour—it’s a chance to step back in time and connect with the spirit of the Sahara.
Trip Highlights
- Explore the mesmerizing Tadrart Rouge and Tassili N’Ajjer rock formations
- Witness rock paintings dating back thousands of years
- Experience authentic Tuareg hospitality, music, and tea ceremonies
- Camp under the stars amidst the silent grandeur of the desert
- Visit stunning oases and hidden gems of the Sahara
- Enjoy traditional Saharan cuisine and local delicacies
- Discover Djanet’s lively markets and historical sites
Itinerary
This 9-day tour takes you through the Djanet region and the Tassili N’Ajjer plateau, combining cultural experiences with natural exploration. Meet the Tuareg community, enjoy traditional meals and tea ceremonies, and witness local music around desert campfires. Discover thousands of years of rock art, navigate impressive canyons, and explore the desert landscapes, with comfortable hotel stays in Djanet and overnight camps in the heart of the desert.
Arrive in Djanet, where our Tuareg team welcomes you with traditional music and a warm smile. Transfer to your hotel to relax and recover from your journey. In the evening, enjoy a first glimpse of desert life as the sun sets over the city.
After breakfast, explore the city briefly before heading south into the desert. The journey begins at Tieska and Oued Bouahadien, where sandstone cliffs and winding valleys introduce the region’s dramatic landscapes. Along the way, stop at small Tuareg settlements and enjoy a traditional tea ceremony. Set up camp near the riverbed, and as night falls, experience your first desert campfire under the star-strewn sky while sharing stories and local songs with your guides.
Enter the heart of the Red Tadrart, where red-hued cliffs glow with the morning sun. Discover Moul Naga, a site filled with ancient rock paintings depicting humans, animals, and desert life from thousands of years ago. Observe details that tell stories of past civilizations. Camp in the desert that evening, enjoying a dinner of couscous and locally prepared dishes. Listen to traditional Tuareg music while watching the flames flicker against the vast night sky.
Cross through In Tihak, exploring hidden canyons, natural arches, and panoramic viewpoints. Arrive at Tin Merzouka, a quiet desert expanse where the scenery is both dramatic and peaceful. Share a Tuareg tea ceremony with your guides, hear stories about desert survival and traditions, and enjoy a tranquil evening at the camp surrounded by sand dunes and open skies.
After breakfast and a short morning excursion, head back to Djanet. Check into your hotel, take a refreshing shower, and relax from the desert trek. Use the afternoon to explore local streets, sample regional snacks, or simply rest and enjoy the hotel amenities. Dinner is included at the hotel.
Venture north into Tassili N’Ajjer, starting with Tisras rock paintings. Travel through Taghine and Imourden, witnessing pictographs and natural formations carved over millennia. Arrive at Tiloubaouine and set up camp. Spend the evening learning about the local Tuareg traditions while enjoying a meal prepared on an open fire amidst the dramatic desert landscape.
Continue the northern journey through the Sahara, reaching Issandilen Oasis. Explore the palm groves and natural water sources, and observe how local communities survive in the desert. Cross Erg Edmer, a vast expanse of golden dunes, perfect for capturing the striking patterns of the sand and the setting sun. Camp under the stars and experience the peaceful silence of the desert.
Travel back to Djanet via Tagherghart, stopping at the famous Crying Cow rock formation. Pause for lunch near Elephant Rock before checking in at the hotel to refresh. Spend the afternoon exploring Djanet Market and Ksar Zelouaz, observing artisans, buying local crafts, and immersing in city life. Conclude the trip with a special farewell dinner accompanied by a private Tuareg music performance, celebrating your journey with traditional songs and dances around a warm campfire.
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight to Algiers. Take with you unforgettable memories of desert landscapes, Tuareg hospitality, and thousands of years of history engraved in the rocks and sands of Tassili N’Ajjer.
Includes/Excludes
The Cost Includes
- All airport transfers in Algeria (arrival and departure)
- Domestic flights: Algiers – Djanet – Algiers
- Full board meals throughout the tour (breakfast, lunch, snack, dinner)
- Bottled water provided during all excursions
- Expert Tuareg team guides with deep local knowledge
- Private transportation throughout the tour in comfortable 4x4 vehicles
- All entrance fees and permits to national parks and protected areas
- Visa assistance (regular visa or visa on arrival)
- Traditional Tuareg tea ceremonies and cultural experiences
- Desert high quality camping equipment, including tents and sleeping mats for overnight stays in the desert
- Photography stops at all key locations and rock art sites
- Special farewell dinner with a private live Tuareg musical evening
The Cost Excludes
- International flights to and from Algeria
- Personal travel insurance (mandatory to arrange before the trip)
- Personal expenses such as shopping, souvenirs
- Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- Visa fees charged by consulates or airports (government fees only; Oryx Voyage assists with processing)
FAQs
This expedition combines adventure, archaeology, and culture in one journey. You’ll explore ancient rock art thousands of years old, traverse surreal desert landscapes like Tadrart Rouge, and share authentic moments with Tuareg communities — from tea ceremonies to live music under the stars.
The best time to visit is from October to April, when temperatures are cooler, making it ideal for desert travel, camping, and photography.
The expedition starts and ends in Djanet, with domestic flights from Algiers to Djanet and back included in the package. All transfers, 4×4 transport, and logistics are handled by Oryx Voyage.
You’ll experience guided 4×4 desert expeditions, short walks to archaeological sites, cultural encounters with Tuareg people, tea ceremonies, music evenings, and stargazing in the desert.
Accommodation includes:
- Hotels in Djanet before and after the desert expedition
- High-quality desert camping with tents, mattresses, and sleeping mats provided
Camping is designed for both comfort and authenticity, ensuring safety and a true Sahara experience.
Yes, all meals are full board: breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner. Meals are freshly prepared by our cook team using local ingredients, with vegetarian options available on request.
Hotels provide private bathrooms with showers.
During the desert expedition, portable toilets are provided, and in remote locations, you may need to use natural outdoor facilities (“toilet in the wild”). Oryx Voyage ensures discretion and eco-friendly practices.
In desert camps, basic wash facilities are available, but showers are not possible. Guests are advised to bring wet wipes and biodegradable soap for comfort.
Electricity is available at hotels.
In the desert, charging options are limited — we recommend bringing extra power banks or solar chargers for your devices.
Mobile and internet coverage are limited to none during the desert expedition. This is an opportunity to fully disconnect and reconnect with nature’s silence and vastness.
The tour is easy to moderate. Most activities involve light walking and moderate climbs on sand or rock surfaces. No previous desert or trekking experience is required.
We recommend bringing:
- Light desert clothing and warm layers for cool nights
- Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, and scarf for sun protection
- Headlamp or flashlight, comfortable walking shoes, and a reusable water bottle
A detailed packing checklist will be sent after booking.
All transport within the desert is done by comfortable 4×4 cars, driven by experienced Tuareg drivers who know the routes and terrain intimately.
Yes. Oryx Voyage provides full visa assistance, including visa on arrival or official invitation letters, depending on your nationality.
