Expedition with Mzungu to the Sahara: to the Tuareg of Essendilen and to the Martian landscapes of Tadrart Rouge
ALGERIA
November 4 – 13, 2023
Tour Algeria
Tour Algeria
Sahara, the Tuareg, Algeria, Africa, Tadrart Rouge Tuareg of Essendilene Tin Merzouga tour to Algeria
Have you ever run along the legendary Singing dune - Tin Merzouga, felt the silence of the erg sand sea? Have you watched the sunrise among the red sands and stone castles or danced to Tuareg tam-tam?
Algeria is the largest country in Africa with a rich heritage of ancient times. It is picturesque landscapes, fantastic splendor of landscapes and national beauty.
Let's experience the mysterious atmosphere of one of the most unexplored Maghreb countries with an expedition to the Tuareg of Essendilene and the Martian landscapes of Tadrart Rouge!
Algeria is the largest country in Africa with a rich heritage of ancient times. It is picturesque landscapes, fantastic splendor of landscapes and national beauty.
Let's experience the mysterious atmosphere of one of the most unexplored Maghreb countries with an expedition to the Tuareg of Essendilene and the Martian landscapes of Tadrart Rouge!
Country full of contrasts, with desert giant dunes, stunning rivers, misty mountains and impenetrable jungles, that has huge diversity of traditional tribes barely known to the outside world. Angola's path to international exposure has just began, and our ethnic expedition have unique chance to immerse into indigenous cultures of 9 most fascinating tribes of Angola, including iconic Himba, Muila, Hakaona, Cubal, Ngendelengo and San Bushmen.
SCHEDULE & COST:
Dates: November 4 – 13, 2023
Duration: 10 days / 9 nights
Number of participants: 7 – 12
Cost per person:
- EUR 1 990 subject to 11 – 12 participants, or
- EUR 2 190 subject to 9 — 10 participants or
- EUR 2 390 subject to 7 — 8 participants, based on double accommodation.
10% early booking discount (in case you book before June 4, 2023)
Everything is included (also domestic flights Algiers – Djanet – Algiers), except for:
- international flight to Algiers roundtrip
- one-entry Algerian visa (to be obtained in Algerian consulate in your country at some 40 EUR)
- international medical insurance
- 2 dinners in Algiers city.
Estimated cost of international flight Moscow – Algiers – Moscow: EUR 900 – 1200 (to be bought on your own. We consult you).
Single supplement: EUR 170
TRAVEL PROGRAM: tour Algeria
DAY 1. November 4, 2023 (SATURDAY). Moscow (other city) – Algiers
Departure from Moscow or any other city.
Arrival in the city of Algiers in the afternoon or late in the night of November 4.
Transfer to the hotel. Rest and overnight.
* Recommended flight:
- with Air Algerie, direct from Moscow, departs at 12:30 on November 4, arrives in Algiers at 15:25 on November 4,
- any other flight with arrival in Algiers any time on November 4 (SATURDAY) or in the night from November 4 to 5.
Meals: no
Accommodation: City hotel Alger or Hotel Suisse
DAY 2. November 5, 2023 (SUNDAY). Algiers – Djanet – Tin-Amali – Teghetit – Tin-Aressou (107 km, 3 hours driving)
Early in the morning transfer to the airport. Domestic flight to the South East, to Djanet. Departure at 9:00 am with 1 technical stopover (the flight schedule may change, depending on the day of the week).
Arrival in Djanet at 1:15 pm. Meet local team, jump to the SUVs and immediate set off to the wild – to Tadrart Rouge area.
Drive to Tin-Amali for lunch. After the meals continue the adventure visiting to the rock carvings of Teghetit. Arrival at our first bivouac in Tin-Aressou to spend the night there.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: tents, local shower with the bucket
DAY 3. November 6, 2023 (MONDAY). Tin-Aressou – El Beirdj Wadi – Moul N'Aga Dunes (103 km, 4 hours driving)
After breakfast, continue travelling to Tadrart. We follow the cliffs of Tassili, then cross the Tassili of Imaharatène. A few banks of golden sand, then the high dunes on the cliff announce the entrance to the El Beirdj Wadi. Through the Elbeirdj canyon we enter to Tadrart Rouge area. Lunch break. We follow the immense canyon of El Beirdj, whose cliffs carved by the erosion are home to numerous frescoes and rock engravings. After the sumptuous orange dunes of Moul N'aga breathtaking descent from a huge dune with a slope of 45 degrees into a small valley.
Here we have unforgettable sunset. In this area in November we can observe a small vegetation in the form of a bright green thorn, and if we are lucky, we will see camels.
Bivouac at Moul N'aga with very beautiful view. Huge yellow dunes cover the remains of the ancient Plateau – it is one of the most beautiful places in the Sahara desert.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: tents, local shower with the bucket
DAY 4. November 7, 2023 (TUESDAY). Moul N'Aga Dunes – In Tehakpar Bouhedien – In Tehak Dunes (45 km, 1.5 hours driving)
Early rise, a sip of burning coffee, the sunrise over the amphitheater of dunes and rocks.
We leave Moul N'Aga towards the site of In Tehakpar Bouhedien, which runs along magnificent dunes forming an incredible palette of colors in a festival of reds. Monumental arches stand in the middle of the valleys and canyons with surprising walls are dug in the ocher and sandy rock. We reach with our 4WD vehicles the impenetrable dunes of In Tehak. Taking pictures in front of the Ark that has a shape of a map of Africa, and sandstone sculpture in the shape of a hedgehog. Continue driving towards the dunes to spend the night at bivouac.
Just before sunset, the Touareg will show us how they cook their bread in the sand. This process is really long, and we have the opportunity not only to take pictures of the bread cooking, but also to chat with the Touareg about their life in the desert.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: tents, local shower with the bucket
DAY 5. November 8, 2023 (WEDNESDAY). In Tehak Dunes – Arches of Tamezguida – Circus of Tin Merzouga (65 km, 2 hours driving)
Continuing the adventure through a succession of Tassilian landscapes of great beauty leads us to the Arches of Tamezguida. Through a maze of deep canyons, we progress towards the immense circus of Tin Merzouga, whose cords of dunes extend to infinity, haloed in red at sunset. Bivouac in Tin Merzouga.
Legendary dune Tin Merzouga is also called the Singing Dune. From the strong wind, the sand is compacted, and if you run down this dune, you will hear a low rumble from the depths of a huge dune.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: tents, local shower with the bucket
DAY 6. November 9, 2023 (THURSDAY). Tin Merzouga – Wadi In Djaren – Tadrart Exit (160 km, 4 hours driving)
Sunrise among red sands and stone castles of Tin Merzouga. The most beautiful sunrises are here.
Discovery on foot of the reliefs "à la Giacometti" of the Cirque de Ouan n'Aguen, where the multicolored sands encircle finely chiseled sandstone sculptures. The Tuareg call this area "the Circus". This area amazes with its virgin beauty and incredible Martian landscape. Green desert watermelons add to the surrealism of this place.
By a maze of grassy wadis interspersed with dunes, in the afternoon we continue to discover the many rock paintings and engravings of the wadi In Djaren. Our bivouac at the black dune, at the exit of the Tadrart.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: tents, local shower with the bucket
DAY 7. November 10 2023 (FRIDAY). Tadrart Rouge – Tegharghart – Erg Admer (240 km, 5 hours driving)
After our days in the Tadrart we leave the site towards the northern part by the same road almost to reach the site Tegharghart. Visit the most famous rock engravings of the cow that peels. Lunch break on site. In the afternoon Erg Admer, we cross some dunes to spend the night in bivouac.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: tents, local shower with the bucket
DAY 8. November 11, 2023 (SATURDAY). Erg Admer – Touareg nomads camp in Essendilene (some 80 km, 2.5 hours driving)
We continue to Essendilene. Visit to the canyon and its inhabitants, as well as Gueltas. Lunch break. In the afternoon return to the nomads camp to see Touaregs' way of life and spend the night there, next to the nomads camp.
Folklore program in Essendilene: Touareg tam tam. Full sheep BBQ dinner.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: tents, local shower with the bucket
DAY 9. November 12, 2023 (SUNDAY). Touareg nomads camp in Essendilene – Djanet – Algiers (some 110 km, 2 hours driving)
Farewell with the nomads. After breakfast, return to Djanet. Take a shower, visit the souk and quick lunch.
Transfer to the plane and direct flight to the capital. Departure at 2:15 pm to the city of Algiers.
Arrival in Algiers at 16:30.
Transfer to the hotel. Dinner, rest and overnight.
Meals: breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: City hotel Alger or Hotel Suisse
DAY 10. November 13, 2023 (MONDAY). Algiers – Return international flight
After breakfast, transfer to the airport. Catch international flight back home.
* Recommended flight:
- with Turkish Airlines via Istanbul, departs from Algiers at 13:35 on November 13, arrives in Moscow at 0:45 on November 14,
- with Air Algerie and Turkish Airlines via Istanbul, departs from Algiers at 10:00 on November 13, arrives in Moscow at 0:45 on November 14,
- any other flight with departure from Algiers any time on November 13.
Meals: breakfast
Accommodation: no
Duration: 10 days / 9 nights
Number of participants: 7 – 12
Cost per person:
- EUR 1 990 subject to 11 – 12 participants, or
- EUR 2 190 subject to 9 — 10 participants or
- EUR 2 390 subject to 7 — 8 participants, based on double accommodation.
10% early booking discount (in case you book before June 4, 2023)
Everything is included (also domestic flights Algiers – Djanet – Algiers), except for:
- international flight to Algiers roundtrip
- one-entry Algerian visa (to be obtained in Algerian consulate in your country at some 40 EUR)
- international medical insurance
- 2 dinners in Algiers city.
Estimated cost of international flight Moscow – Algiers – Moscow: EUR 900 – 1200 (to be bought on your own. We consult you).
Single supplement: EUR 170
TRAVEL PROGRAM: tour Algeria
DAY 1. November 4, 2023 (SATURDAY). Moscow (other city) – Algiers
Departure from Moscow or any other city.
Arrival in the city of Algiers in the afternoon or late in the night of November 4.
Transfer to the hotel. Rest and overnight.
* Recommended flight:
- with Air Algerie, direct from Moscow, departs at 12:30 on November 4, arrives in Algiers at 15:25 on November 4,
- any other flight with arrival in Algiers any time on November 4 (SATURDAY) or in the night from November 4 to 5.
Meals: no
Accommodation: City hotel Alger or Hotel Suisse
DAY 2. November 5, 2023 (SUNDAY). Algiers – Djanet – Tin-Amali – Teghetit – Tin-Aressou (107 km, 3 hours driving)
Early in the morning transfer to the airport. Domestic flight to the South East, to Djanet. Departure at 9:00 am with 1 technical stopover (the flight schedule may change, depending on the day of the week).
Arrival in Djanet at 1:15 pm. Meet local team, jump to the SUVs and immediate set off to the wild – to Tadrart Rouge area.
Drive to Tin-Amali for lunch. After the meals continue the adventure visiting to the rock carvings of Teghetit. Arrival at our first bivouac in Tin-Aressou to spend the night there.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: tents, local shower with the bucket
DAY 3. November 6, 2023 (MONDAY). Tin-Aressou – El Beirdj Wadi – Moul N'Aga Dunes (103 km, 4 hours driving)
After breakfast, continue travelling to Tadrart. We follow the cliffs of Tassili, then cross the Tassili of Imaharatène. A few banks of golden sand, then the high dunes on the cliff announce the entrance to the El Beirdj Wadi. Through the Elbeirdj canyon we enter to Tadrart Rouge area. Lunch break. We follow the immense canyon of El Beirdj, whose cliffs carved by the erosion are home to numerous frescoes and rock engravings. After the sumptuous orange dunes of Moul N'aga breathtaking descent from a huge dune with a slope of 45 degrees into a small valley.
Here we have unforgettable sunset. In this area in November we can observe a small vegetation in the form of a bright green thorn, and if we are lucky, we will see camels.
Bivouac at Moul N'aga with very beautiful view. Huge yellow dunes cover the remains of the ancient Plateau – it is one of the most beautiful places in the Sahara desert.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: tents, local shower with the bucket
DAY 4. November 7, 2023 (TUESDAY). Moul N'Aga Dunes – In Tehakpar Bouhedien – In Tehak Dunes (45 km, 1.5 hours driving)
Early rise, a sip of burning coffee, the sunrise over the amphitheater of dunes and rocks.
We leave Moul N'Aga towards the site of In Tehakpar Bouhedien, which runs along magnificent dunes forming an incredible palette of colors in a festival of reds. Monumental arches stand in the middle of the valleys and canyons with surprising walls are dug in the ocher and sandy rock. We reach with our 4WD vehicles the impenetrable dunes of In Tehak. Taking pictures in front of the Ark that has a shape of a map of Africa, and sandstone sculpture in the shape of a hedgehog. Continue driving towards the dunes to spend the night at bivouac.
Just before sunset, the Touareg will show us how they cook their bread in the sand. This process is really long, and we have the opportunity not only to take pictures of the bread cooking, but also to chat with the Touareg about their life in the desert.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: tents, local shower with the bucket
DAY 5. November 8, 2023 (WEDNESDAY). In Tehak Dunes – Arches of Tamezguida – Circus of Tin Merzouga (65 km, 2 hours driving)
Continuing the adventure through a succession of Tassilian landscapes of great beauty leads us to the Arches of Tamezguida. Through a maze of deep canyons, we progress towards the immense circus of Tin Merzouga, whose cords of dunes extend to infinity, haloed in red at sunset. Bivouac in Tin Merzouga.
Legendary dune Tin Merzouga is also called the Singing Dune. From the strong wind, the sand is compacted, and if you run down this dune, you will hear a low rumble from the depths of a huge dune.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: tents, local shower with the bucket
DAY 6. November 9, 2023 (THURSDAY). Tin Merzouga – Wadi In Djaren – Tadrart Exit (160 km, 4 hours driving)
Sunrise among red sands and stone castles of Tin Merzouga. The most beautiful sunrises are here.
Discovery on foot of the reliefs "à la Giacometti" of the Cirque de Ouan n'Aguen, where the multicolored sands encircle finely chiseled sandstone sculptures. The Tuareg call this area "the Circus". This area amazes with its virgin beauty and incredible Martian landscape. Green desert watermelons add to the surrealism of this place.
By a maze of grassy wadis interspersed with dunes, in the afternoon we continue to discover the many rock paintings and engravings of the wadi In Djaren. Our bivouac at the black dune, at the exit of the Tadrart.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: tents, local shower with the bucket
DAY 7. November 10 2023 (FRIDAY). Tadrart Rouge – Tegharghart – Erg Admer (240 km, 5 hours driving)
After our days in the Tadrart we leave the site towards the northern part by the same road almost to reach the site Tegharghart. Visit the most famous rock engravings of the cow that peels. Lunch break on site. In the afternoon Erg Admer, we cross some dunes to spend the night in bivouac.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: tents, local shower with the bucket
DAY 8. November 11, 2023 (SATURDAY). Erg Admer – Touareg nomads camp in Essendilene (some 80 km, 2.5 hours driving)
We continue to Essendilene. Visit to the canyon and its inhabitants, as well as Gueltas. Lunch break. In the afternoon return to the nomads camp to see Touaregs' way of life and spend the night there, next to the nomads camp.
Folklore program in Essendilene: Touareg tam tam. Full sheep BBQ dinner.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: tents, local shower with the bucket
DAY 9. November 12, 2023 (SUNDAY). Touareg nomads camp in Essendilene – Djanet – Algiers (some 110 km, 2 hours driving)
Farewell with the nomads. After breakfast, return to Djanet. Take a shower, visit the souk and quick lunch.
Transfer to the plane and direct flight to the capital. Departure at 2:15 pm to the city of Algiers.
Arrival in Algiers at 16:30.
Transfer to the hotel. Dinner, rest and overnight.
Meals: breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: City hotel Alger or Hotel Suisse
DAY 10. November 13, 2023 (MONDAY). Algiers – Return international flight
After breakfast, transfer to the airport. Catch international flight back home.
* Recommended flight:
- with Turkish Airlines via Istanbul, departs from Algiers at 13:35 on November 13, arrives in Moscow at 0:45 on November 14,
- with Air Algerie and Turkish Airlines via Istanbul, departs from Algiers at 10:00 on November 13, arrives in Moscow at 0:45 on November 14,
- any other flight with departure from Algiers any time on November 13.
Meals: breakfast
Accommodation: no
COST INCLUDES:
COST EXCLUDES:
TO TAKE WITH:
- invitation letter for visa and all permissions
- airport transfers in Djanet
- Vehicles SUV + cook + driver + guide (max 3 pax in 1 car, i.e. 2 pax on the back seat of each car)
- domestic flight Algiers – Djanet round trip
- all meals: breakfast , lunch , dinner and unlimited drinking water and tea
- tents and mats
- bucket shower in the desert every day
- TWIN/DBL accommodation in hotel in Algiers with breakfast
- 1 time BBQ with 1 sheep of regular size
- Essendilene folklore Touareg tam tam (women singing and dancing)
- Photo sesson of the camel caravan (at least 6 camels) in the dunes
COST EXCLUDES:
- international flight to Algiers roundtrip
- one-entry Algerian visa (to be obtained in Algerian consulate in your country at some 40 EUR)
- international medical insurance
- Alcohol, soft drinks, souvenirs, personal items
- tips
- single supplement
TO TAKE WITH:
- wear sets fitting weather conditions,
- at least one or two warm sets
- long sleeve wear set,
- comfortable closed shoes and open shoes,
- forehead torch,
- big backpack for luggage,
- small backpack for personal items and camera,
- sleeping bag for +5 degree C (can be cool in the night),
- mosquito net for sleeping place (is a must!),
- repellents,
- sunblock set: cream, sunglasses, cap,
- sandblock set: desert glasses, buff/mask (up to you)
- personal hygiene items (soap, toilet paper, towel, wet tissues, hygiene lipstick, etc.),
- personal medical kit (analgesics, sanitizers, rehydration, antiviral, antibiotics, your personal medicine),
- anti malaria preventive pills (up to you to decide),
- photo and video camera, tripod
Why with MZUNGU EXPEDITIONS?
- 1UNIQUENESS
We find the most astonishing places on Earth and speed up to reach them. Our motto is to go ahead of road roller, touch the unique and unknown, before it disappears. - 2ADVENTURISM
Wherever we go, we look for challenging activities and adventures, filling the journey with absolutely different spirit and emotions. That is why people join us over and over again. - 3SAFETY
In our trips we pay special attention to safety. All our travels are based on personal experience, equipped with the best gear, involving proved providers and experienced local guides who perfectly know local features. - 4EXPERIENCE
We have a unique experience of the most offbeat expeditions and ascents, deep knowledge of countries and peoples, and are ready to share it with you. All the expeditions and climbings are guided by Mzungu himself, guaranteeing exciting traveling and your comfort. - 5LOW PRICE
All our trips are reach in adventures, with high quality accommodation, transportation and meals included. We do not save on it. Thanks to solid contacts with reliable providers we offer really good prices and high quality.
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