NIGER

Dates: September 18 – 30, 2023
(The dates can be shifted 1 week earlier, that is for September 11 — 23, 2023, due to probable change of the dates of Cure Salee festival, exact dates will be known in the end of August 2023)

Duration: 13 days / 12 nights

Number of participants: 7 – 12

Cost per person:
- 3 490 EUR subject to 12 participants, or
- 3 650 EUR subject to 9 — 11 participants or
- 3 890 EUR subject to 7 — 8 participants, based on double accommodation.

10% early booking discount (in case you book before April 18, 2023)

Everything is included (also domestic flight from Niamey to Agadez, armed security escort), except for:
- international flight to Niamey roundtrip
- Niger visa (we assist to arrange "visa on arrival" at 110 EUR incl. visa fee and pre-visa)
- international medical insurance
- dinners in Niamey and Agadez.

Estimated cost of international flight Paris – Niamey – Paris: EUR 550 – 1100 (to be bought on your own. We consult you).
Estimated cost of international flight Istanbul – Niamey – Istanbul: EUR 900 – 1000 (to be bought on your own. We consult you).
Estimated cost of international flight Moscow – Niamey – Moscow: EUR 1500 – 1700 (to be bought on your own. We consult you).

Single supplement: EUR 470



TRAVEL PROGRAM: tour to Niger
Day 1. September 18, 2023. Monday. Arrival in Niamey

Arrival by air in Niamey late in the evening. Transfer to the 4* hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

* Recommended flights:
- with Air Algerie, departs from Moscow on September 18 at 4:40 am, arrives in Niamey on September 19 at 0:20, with 13h00m layover in Algiers,
- with Turkish Airlines, departs from Moscow on September 17 at 12:35 pm, arrives in Niamey on September 17 at 22:40, with 1h55m stopover in Istanbul (extra night in the hotel in Niamey should be paid),
- with Air France, departs from Paris on September 18 at 10:20 am, arrives in Niamey on September 18 at 14:50, direct flight,
- any other flight with arrival in Niamey any time on September 18 or in the night from September 18 to 19.

Meals: no
Accommodation: Grand hotel or similar hotel 4*, shower


Day 2. September 19, 2023. Tuesday. Niamey – Niger River – Niamey

Late breakfast at the hotel.
From 12 to 18 pm: Niamey, capital of Niger, with a high density that welcomes all the ethnic groups of Niger. The city is situated right on the banks of Niger River. Fishermen and farmers live along the majestic Niger River 4200 km long. Fishing is the fare of his people. By motorized canoe we discover this great river and also hippos along the fishing villages like Kanazi and Bubon. Dinner at Le Pillier restaurant.

Meals: breakfast
Accommodation: Grand hotel or similar hotel 4*, shower


Day 3. September 20, 2023. Wednesday. Niamey – Agadez

Early flight (7 am) to Agadez (flights available on Wed, Fri, Sun only).
You will discover the mythical city of Agadez and visit the palace of sultan, meet sultan of Agadez, if he is in the city, visit the animal market, walk around the old city classified World Heritage by Unesco, and see the Great mosque. The Great mosque built in Sudanese style, fully made of banko – a mixture of mud, dung and straw, appears a visit card of Agadez. Visit amazing Senegal Baker's house.
Agadez is a pleasant city to stroll, especially in its old center. It is the city of Tuareg people, situated right on the border of Tenere desert, a city crossroads of meeting nomads for the commercial exchanges with the caravan of salt coming from the North Sahara.
Dinner at Le Pillier restaurant Agadez.

Meals: breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Hotel de la Paix, shower


Day 4. September 21, 2023. Thursday. Agadez – Tiguidit — Agadez (150 km, 3 hrs drive)

Agadez is the gateway to the Tenere desert and the Air Mountains, with some of the most beautiful desert scenery in the world. Today we set off to the Tiguidit, the beautiful place in Air mountains, the edge of Tenere desert, when we see the dunes and cliff paintings (gravures) of Tiguidit, as well Touareg nomadic camps and their smashing numerous cattle herds en route.
We meet nomads in this harsh environment and get into acquaintance with their ascetic lifestyle.
We are in the edge of Ténéré desert! Tiguidit is the southern edge of Air Mountains, the place where mountains lose altitude and disappear under the sands of the Ténéré Desert. The place is rich in paleontological sites. Cliff painting and small dunes of Tiguidit. In this area we travel with the armed military security. Drive back to Agadez. Dinner at Le Pillier restaurant Agadez.

Meals: breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Hotel de la Paix, shower


Days 5 – 6. September 22 — 23, 2023. Friday — Saturday. Agadez — In Gall. Cure Salee festival (120 km, 2 hrs driving)

Early breakfast and drive from Agadez to Ingall, place hosting Cure Salee annual festival.
1st and 2nd day of Cure Salee festival. The Cure Salée is a very important annual event for Fulani and Tuareg breeders. This is a three-day festival taking place mid-September in Ingall, about 120 km west of Agadez. At the end of the rainy season, the grass is abundant in the Sahel but spread over great distances. In mid-September, all herds converge in the city of Ingall to meet in the rich salt pastures of the plain of Irazer.
This large meeting is an opportunity for breeders to meet the needs of animals but also to socialize, find the couples and celebrate the big annual Cure Salée festival. We will witness traditional dances and the choice of the best dancers, the fashion show and the choice of the most beautiful woman, traditional singer and also the traditional clothes, camel races and the famous Guerewol.
Here on the festival we will be welcomed by Touareg and Wodaabe people. Wodaabe is one of the tribes of Fulani group that populates this area. Wodaabe means "People of taboos" which underlines their strong traditions. They are famous for their unique culture and Guerewol men beauty contest. Wodaabe men will compete in traditional dressings and yellow and black make-up in order to highlight the whiteness of their teeth and eyes. For Wodaabe, they are considered the most valuable parameters in male beauty, along with the tallness and dancing skills. The whole days Wodaabe people will be performing Yaake dance, demonstrating their beauty, stamina and art of seduction. Traditionally Guerewol takes place once a year in the autumn when there is enough food in the area and all the livestocks gather together in Sahel, in the area between In Gall and Abalak. It is the moment for the girls to find a man. Thanks to magic power of the special potion, made of a dozen of herbs and barks, young Guerewol participants can sing and dance days and nights long to attract and seduce girls, and the latter make the choice to define the winner.
Touareg people, those who succeed to survive in the most inhospitable part of Africa, dressed in their indigo clothes, mounted on the camels will show their cultural features. We will be immersed in a great party atmosphere and also beautiful images of a people happy and fulfilled of its culture.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: tents, local shower with bucket)


Day 7. September 24, 2023. Sunday. In Gall (Cure Salee festival) — Agadez (120 km, 2 hrs drive)

Third day of Cure Salee festival lasts until around 12h30.
This is the last morning we attend the Cure Salee: camel racing, awards, backstage.
Lunch in In Gall. Drive to Agadez to visit hassling animal market.
Agadez has managed to retain all of its charm as the quintessential desert town. Its sandy streets and mud brick architecture, have not changed since it was at the center of Saharan trade many centuries ago. As you stand before the well-known Grand Mosque in the main square, it is not hard to imagine that this place was where thousands of camels used to rest on their journey across the Sahara from Gao to Tripoli, laden with gold and salt. Transfer hotel for shower. Dinner at Le Pillier restaurant Agadez.

Meals: breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Hotel de la Paix, shower


Day 8. September 25, 2023. Monday. Agadez – Wodaabe nomadic camp. Guerewol festival (210-240 km, 4-5 hrs drive)

Breakfast. Leave early, lunch in the bush on the way. Transfer to the area where Wodaabe nomads stay with their nomadic camp in Sahel. Participate Guerewol men's beauty contest in the night.
After a year of separation, the Wodaabe Peuhl meet for several days, renew friendships and exchange information. They enjoy celebrations to live their traditions, celebrate weddings, participate in songs and dances or take part in various competitions. Among the highlights include the Wodaabe sprees on camel or traditional dances of Wodaabe men – showing up their beauty, their makeup and their eccentric adornment. Women's jury choses the best one, many couples are created these nights.
Stay with Wodaabe around the fire, takes to their famous Yaake dance.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Tents, local shower with the bucket


Day 9. September 26, 2023. Tuesday. Wodaabe nomadic camp. Guerewol festival.

Full day spend at Guerewol with Wodaabe people. Morning, evening and night sessions. Yaake dance, usually wearing 2 different types of cloths and 2 types of make-up. Photo sessions. Before noon take a 1-hour ride on camelbacks around the area to see Sahel nomadic pastures. Visiting Wodaabe houses, talks about culture and lifestyle. It is also the moment to share the emotions of this ancestral culture that has been preserved and remains the most important link that the Wodaabe have the pleasure of sharing with the other Peuhl people of Niger.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Tents, local shower with the bucket


Day 10. September 27, 2023. Wednesday. Wodaabe nomadic camp – Abalak — Tahua (250 km, 6 hrs driving)

In the morning Football match with Wodaabe in full dress. Farewell with Wodaabe people and the place of Guerewol. Drive from Wodaabe nomad camp to Tahua via Abalak, visiting Tabalak lake en route. Arrive to Tahoua not late, in order to visit the Sultan palace of Ader people in Tahua and qoranic school.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Tarka hotel, shower


Day 11. September 28, 2023. Thursday. Tahoua – Yaama — Birni'n'Konni — Dogon Doutchi (350 km, 6-7 hrs driving)

Drive from from Tahoua to Tamaske village of Hausa people. Continue journey through the region of Ader, the region from which Niger's present president comes from. This region is known for its earthen constructions built in Sudanese style. The Yaama Mosque is known to have won the Aga Khan Award. Amazing Yaama village of 33 mosques manually made of banko. Visiting most famous mosques and school if it is open.
Lunch in Konni and drive up to Dogon Doutchi.
If we arrive to Dogon Doutchi not late, we can visit the palace of sultan.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Guest house Magama, shower


Day 12. September 29, 2023. Friday. Dogon Dounchi – Dosso — Niamey (480 km, 7-8 hrs driving)

Early morning drive via Dosso to Niamey, almost 8 hrs. Accompanied by military escort. Lunch fast on the restaurant en route. Arrival in Niamey and check-in at the hotel. Dinner at Le Pillier restaurant.

Meals: breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Grand hotel or similar hotel 4*, shower


Day 13. September 30, 2023. Saturday. Niamey — Koure — Niamey — return flight (170 km, 3 hrs driving)

After breakfast, accompanies with mandatory police escort, we drive to Koure, to find and see the giraffes of Kouré, the last herd in freedom in the whole zone of West Africa.
Visit last giraffes of Kourre.
Back to Niamey. Lunch at the Grand hotel buffet. Shopping at artisanal market.
Last shower (day use hotel 1 room for 3-4 people) before the transfer to the airport.
In the night (at 11 pm or so) international flight back home.

* Recommended flights:
—Turkish Airlines, departure from Niamey on October 1 at 23:40, arrival in Moscow on October 2 at 18:10, with 3h25m stopover in Istanbul (extra night in the hotel in Niamey should be paid),
—Tunisair, departure from Niamey on October 1 at 2:15 am, arrival in Moscow on October 1 at 18:10, with 0h45m stopover in Tunis and 2h55m stopover in Istanbul,
— Air France, departure from Niamey on September 30 at 23:20, arrival in Paris at 5:55 am on October 1,
— any other flight after 10 pm on September 30 or in the night from September 30 to October 1.

Meals: breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Grand hotel or similar hotel 4*, DAY USE


* The dates can be shifted 1 week earlier, that is for September 11 — 23, 2023, due to probable change of the dates of Cure Salee festival, exact dates will be known in the end of August 2023