A lengthy journey of discovery, this is an extremely unique trip designed to show you the highlights of remote not often traveled areas of Niger and Mali.
(Trip subject to security in the Desert)
Duration:
18 Days
Location:
Niger
Mali
Category:
Adventure
Tour Code:
THC903
Price:
$ 5995 (min 6 travellers)
Travel Recap:
Day 1
Arrive in Agadez where you will be met and escorted to your hotel for overnight.
Day 2
Leaving Agadez, we follow the Telwa Wadi through the oasis of Azel, a charming village of settled Tuareg farmers and herdsmen. Arid moonscapes and emerald-green oasis, volcanic pillars and well-tended gardens, light-footed gazelles and flowering acacia trees: on this stretch of track, contrasts and surprises abound, to the unending delight of the traveler. In Elméki, Tuaregs still extract tin from ancient cassiterite mines.
Overnight: Tented Camping [B, L, D]
Day 3
Downstream from Timia, a lovely waterfall cascades through a series of basins toward the guelta. Bright green against the ochre expanse of sand, the Timia oasis offers a striking contrast to the somber lava range that surrounds it. Kel Oui farmers still water their gardens with the wooden pulleys used by their ancestors. They raise corn, wheat, a wide variety of vegetables, even grapes. Tales of the flourishing past of Assod abound. The ancient capital of the AÃr is now a ghost town where only a few walls still stand, but pottery shards strewn all over the site testifies to its once thriving economy.
Overnight: Tented Camping [B, L, D]
Day 4
The road zigzags through small, chaotic valleys, crosses numerous oueds and follows one, the Zilâlet, to Tchintoulous, a village nestled at the foot of the haughty Aguerâguer. Watch for gazelles in this area. The ever-widening Zagado Valley leads us toward Kogo. Huge marble mountains rise up along our path. At last, the Zagado Valley dissolves in the infinite expanse of the Ténéré Desert.
Overnight: Tented Camping [B, L, D]
Day 5
To reach Arakao, we must meet the challenge of giant dunes and move away from the massive Takolokouzet before we can come back to its base and enter the ten-kilometer wide crater shaped like a crab claw. Arakao gathers the Ténéré sand through a large breach in its high walls, forming a gigantic sand buttress against the Takolokouzet. An unforgettable night under the desert stars awaits you there. We leave Arakao through its sand barricade, then cross the Issaouane Wadi to reach Illekane and Izane.
Overnight: Tented Camping [B, L, D]
Day 6
In every direction, sand waves roll toward the horizon, sometimes crashing against islands of blue and white marble. Gold, silver and pink dunes nurture delicate flowers and capture light tracks that hint of a secret life amazingly well adapted to its harsh environment. The multicolored Ifiniyane Dunes rush up against Adrar Chiriet, a dark volcanic outcrop fantastically eroded by blowing sand.
Overnight: Tented Camping [B, L, D]
Day 7
Near Tezirzek Well, a hill covered with rock paintings evokes the rich fauna that roamed the Ténéré when the desert still bloomed. All those species have since disappeared, along with the cultures whose life depended on them. Almost completely blocked by sand, the tricky Temet Pass leads to the highest dunes of the Ténéré, of the whole world, perhaps: forbidding sand walls more than 300 meters high in places. Mount Gréboun towers another thousand meters above them.
Overnight: Tented Camping [B, L, D]
Day 8
After this journey to the kingdom of sand and silence, we reenter the world of the living through Iférouane. This rather large lowland oasis is dotted with well-tended, shadowy gardens; there, we meet traditional metal smiths and craftsmen.
Overnight: Tented Camping [B, L, D]
Day 9
Our path snakes through the Aïr Mountains, between small rocky outcrops and low hills. Tree-lined oueds provide the sole respite from the sun. At Goûgaram, we leave the mountains to enter the Talak Plain where we find the road running from Arlit to Agadez.
Overnight: Agadez [B]
Mali
Day 10
Fly from Agadez to Gao. Arrive in Gao where you are taken on a brief city tour. Transfer to hotel for overnight.
Overnight: Gao [B]
Day 11
Travel from Gao to Timbuktu, picnic lunch enroute. Arrive in Timbuktu in the late afternoon where you will be taken on a brief tour.
Overnight: Hotel Azalai [B, L, D]
Day 12
After breakfast visit the second part of the Timbuktu Libraries Manuscripts Museum. Following lunch and a conference depart for the desert in the direction Taudenit.
Overnight: Desert Camping [B, L, D]
Day 13
Continue towards Taudenit as you visit the village of Araouane, stopping for lunch before continuing through the desert towards Taudenit.
Overnight: Desert Camping [B, L, D]
Day 14
Arrive in Taudenit where you will visit the salt mines. This afternoon you will have time on your own to relax.
Overnight: Desert Camping [B, L, D]
Day 15
Travel from Taudenit towards Timbuktu, via another route. In the afternoon you will stop to visit a village before continuing on to your campsite in the desert.
Overnight: Desert Camping [B, L, D]
Day 16
Arrive in Timbuktu in time for dinner and overnight.
Overnight: Hotel Azalia [B, L, D]
Day 17
Today we take a cruise on the river to see the hippos.
Overnight: Hotel Azalia [B]
Day 18
Fly from Timbuktu to Bamako and connect to your international departure.
