Tassili n'Ajjer National Park, Algeria 6-Day Trip Itinerary

Meet Local Guide & Preparations

Meet your local desert guide and driver in Djanet for a briefing, final supply check, and vehicle preparation before heading south into the desert.

This is a crucial step for any deep desert expedition.

Ensure you have all necessary permits and supplies sorted. Your tour operator, such as Targi Tours, will assist with this.

Journey South to Tadrart

Begin your road trip heading south from Djanet towards the Tadrart Rouge region, known for its red sand dunes and ancient rock formations.

Enjoy the changing desert scenery.

Picnic Lunch in the Wadi

Stop for a traditional desert picnic lunch amidst a wadi, surrounded by stunning geological formations, before continuing deeper into the wilderness.

Your guide will prepare a fresh, simple meal. Remember to pack out all your waste.

Desert Exploration with TIMBOO VOYAGE

Embark on an eco-responsible guided tour, focusing on the unique desert environment and early historical sites, as you make your way towards your first camp spot. Learn about the desert's flora and fauna, and its delicate ecosystem.

TIMBOO VOYAGE specializes in eco-tourism. This initial exploration sets the tone for understanding the desert's fragility and beauty. Booking: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1984335-d18453069-Reviews-TIMBOO_VOYAGE-Djanet_Illizi_Province.html?m=66827

Set Up Desert Camp & Sunset

Arrive at your first desert camp location, assist with setting up tents (if not already done by crew), and witness a breathtaking Sahara sunset over the red dunes.

Traditional Dinner & Stargazing

Enjoy a traditional dinner prepared by your desert crew, followed by an unparalleled stargazing experience under the clear desert sky, far from any light pollution.

Sunrise & Camp Breakfast

Wake up to a stunning desert sunrise and enjoy a hearty breakfast prepared at your campsite.

Explore Ancient Rock Art with Targi Tours

Dive deep into the Tassili n'Ajjer National Park with Targi Tours, renowned for their expertise in the region.

Discover ancient cave paintings and engravings dating back thousands of years, depicting animals, human figures, and daily life of prehistoric Sahara.

Targi Tours are specialists in the Tadrart Rouge mountains and Tassili n'Ajjer. This will be a guided exploration requiring some walking/hiking to reach the sites. Booking: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1984335-d24127243-Reviews-Targi_Tours-Djanet_Illizi_Province.html?m=66827

Lunch near معدر ديدر (Maadar Dider)

Enjoy lunch in a scenic spot near Maadar Dider, a notable geological feature in the area, offering a moment of rest amidst impressive natural surroundings.

Visit 'La vache qui pleure' (Crying Cow)

Visit one of the most famous and enigmatic rock art sites: 'La vache qui pleure' (The Crying Cow).

This large engraving depicts a cow with tears streaming from its eyes, an emotional masterpiece of ancient art.

Dune Climbing & Sunset Views

Hike up a prominent sand dune to watch the sunset, casting long shadows and vibrant colors across the vast desert landscape.

Camp Dinner & Tuareg Storytelling

Enjoy another delicious dinner at camp.

If possible, engage in storytelling with your Tuareg guides, learning about their culture, traditions, and the history of the Sahara.

Morning Exploration & Breakfast

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at camp before embarking on the day's exploration of unique geological formations.

Explore Geological Wonders with Tinariwen Tours

Continue your desert journey with Tinariwen Tours, specializing in trips to southeastern Algeria.

Discover incredible natural rock arches, towering sandstone pillars, and other wind-sculpted formations that characterize the Tadrart Rouge.

Tinariwen Tours offers bespoke desert trips. Your guide will take you to the most photogenic spots and explain the geological processes that formed these landscapes. Booking: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1984335-d15583191-Reviews-Tinariwen_Tours-Djanet_Illizi_Province.html?m=66827

Lunch in the Shade of a Rock Shelter

Find refuge from the midday sun in a natural rock shelter for a well-deserved lunch break.

Ancient Habitation Sites & Water Sources

Visit sites where ancient communities once lived, identifying remnants of their presence and understanding how they utilized scarce water sources.

Explore areas known as تين زكري (Tin Zekri) which may reveal such historical context.

Wadi Exploration & Photography

Explore a dry riverbed (wadi), searching for unique desert flora, interesting stones, and taking advantage of the golden hour for photography.

Campfire & Desert Legends

Gather around the campfire for dinner, sharing stories and listening to local legends about the desert and its spirits.

Desert Wake-up & Breakfast

Enjoy a peaceful morning in the desert, with breakfast served amidst the tranquility of your camp.

Explore Remote Valleys & Dunes

Venture into more remote and less-visited valleys, discovering towering sand dunes, isolated rock formations, and perhaps unexpected patches of desert vegetation.

Your guides, like those from Agence Essendilene Voyages, will navigate the challenging terrain.

Agence Essendilene Voyages is a local agency that can provide experienced guides for deep desert exploration. Booking: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1984335-d24005225-Reviews-Agence_Essendilene_Voyages-Djanet_Illizi_Province.html?m=66827

Lunch under a Natural Arch

Enjoy a unique lunch experience under one of the desert's majestic natural rock arches, a perfect spot for shade and stunning views.

Hike to Panoramic Viewpoint

Undertake a moderate hike to a high vantage point, offering sweeping panoramic views of the vast desert, its varied colors, and endless horizons.

Search for Hidden Oases or Guelta

Explore areas that might host temporary water pools or small oases (guelta), which are vital sources of life in the desert and often attract wildlife.

Sites like شلالي العلواني (Chellali Elouani) might be in the vicinity, or other temporary water sources.

Camp Dinner & Night Photography

Dine at camp and for those interested, try some night photography, capturing the Milky Way or star trails above the desert landscape.

Last Desert Sunrise & Breakfast

Savor your final full desert sunrise and enjoy breakfast at camp, taking in the serene morning atmosphere.

Further Exploration with Mouflon Tourisme

Embark on a final deep dive into the desert with a reputable local agency like Mouflon Tourisme.

Explore further into the Tadrart Rouge, perhaps discovering more elusive rock art sites or unique desert features not yet encountered, ensuring a comprehensive experience.

Mouflon Tourisme, based in Tamanrasset, also offers services throughout the Algerian Sahara. This provides a final opportunity for deep exploration before beginning the journey back north. Booking: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g303168-d17514083-Reviews-Mouflon_Tourisme-Tamanrasset_Tamanrasset_Province.html?m=66827

Farewell Desert Lunch

Enjoy a final picnic lunch in a tranquil desert setting, reflecting on the incredible journey through the Tadrart Rouge.

Begin Journey North

Start the drive heading north, slowly making your way out of the deepest parts of Tadrart Rouge towards a more accessible area for the final night's camp, closer to Djanet.

Set Up Final Desert Camp

Set up your last desert camp for the trip, reflecting on the adventures of the past days.

Enjoy a final desert sunset.

Cultural Evening & Farewell Dinner

Enjoy a special farewell dinner at camp, perhaps with music or cultural performances by the local guides, marking the end of your deep desert immersion.

Desert Sunrise & Breakfast

Witness a breathtaking desert sunrise over the dunes one last time, followed by a traditional breakfast at your camp before preparing for the return journey to Djanet.

Pack up your belongings and ensure nothing is left behind in the desert.

La Vache qui Pleure Rock Art

On your way back to Djanet, make a stop at the famous 'La Vache qui Pleure' (The Crying Cow) rock art site to admire this ancient, evocative engraving.

This is a final opportunity to immerse in the unique desert landscape and prehistoric artistry.

Wear comfortable shoes for walking on uneven terrain. Bring water and sun protection.

Lunch in Djanet

Enjoy a well-deserved lunch at a local restaurant in Djanet, sampling Algerian cuisine before continuing your exploration of the town.

Fort Charlet Museum Visit

Explore Fort Charlet, a historical site in Djanet, which now often serves as a museum or cultural center.

Learn about the region's colonial past and its significance in the Trans-Saharan trade routes.

Djanet Town Square & Market

Take a stroll through the town square (Sahet Meharjan Sebbeba) and nearby local markets in Djanet.

This is a good opportunity for some last-minute souvenir shopping or simply observing daily life in this desert oasis town.

Farewell Dinner

Enjoy a farewell dinner in Djanet, reflecting on your incredible desert adventure.

This is a chance to savor local dishes before your departure.

Transfer to Djanet Airport

Private transfer from your accommodation or dinner location to Djanet Tiska Airport (DJG) for your evening flight.