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The cameleers rise with before dawn to herd the camels which may have wandered off overnight while grazing. They make a small fire and prepare our breakfast. Once up, we pack our gear and enjoy breakfast: tea, coffee, bread, and marmalade or honey. As the camels are loaded, we fill our water bottles for the morning and carry our daily needs in a day pack.
We set off, following oueds, old caravan trails over passes, crossing stony plains: there is much to discover and photograph, exploring caves for ancient rock art and more. Most of the time we travel alongside the camels, but on some difficult passages they take a detour and join us later. Lunch will be cold meal (salade with pasta, rice, potatoes or tuna, fruits and cheese) and as always, a few glasses of Touareg tea.
After lunch we continue on our way and will stop around an hour before sunset at a sheltered camp site, having covered up to 20km or 12 miles. Each person sets up there tent or bivouac and then relaxes, or sets off for more exploration while the crew prepares the dinner, which is taken around dusk most nights.
The dinner is varied, using local products with pasta, rice, cous-cous, potatoes, sometimes including meat and fresh vegetables, depending on the possibilities of replenishment. You can choose to retire early or chat around the flickering camp fire until we’re ready to turn in.
All tours we offer in the English section will be led by a professional western leader, experienced in desert travels, knowing your needs and being familiar with the local habits and culture. He is a native English speaker if not otherwise stated.
Your local crew (guide, cameleers, cook, driver) is made of Tuareg which know the region very well, often since their childhood; most have long experience in professional tourism. Some of them speak French ( cameleers to a lesser extent). Few of them speak English.
In collaboration with our ground operators and with your co-operation, we are committed to applying low-impact and sustainable environmental practises in the Immidir. We believe in this not because it is fashionable, but because it is the right thing to do to ensure a future for tourism in the pristine wilderness of the Sahara.
We endevour not only to not contribute, but where possible to reverse the despoliation of the environment through which we pass.
On the trek we leave only our tracks and discrete fire pits; all inorganic and incombustible refuse, of which there is little, is disposed of at town dumps. Beside logistics, this is the main reason why bottled water is not used.
You will receive more information on how to reduce your impact on the desert when you’re booking. In the meantime you may like to refer to an extract from Sahara Overland found » here.
We are travelling in remote desert areas far from medical facilities. However we are also travelling in a relatively sterile environment where, realistically, the biggest health issue is sunburn and possibly sprained limbs. Please ensure that you’re fit enough to trek for days in desert conditions and dress appropriately: a hat or cheche, light, loose clothing and comfortable, thick-soled footwear are the keys to trouble-free desert trekking.
For drinking and cooking we will use drinking water from the last town, pure rainwater from reliable gueltas or cool, unpolluted wells which will be sterilised with tasteless chemicals (e.g. Micropur). You might also like to use your own personal filter or purifying device.
At our time of year scorpions and snakes have reduced their activity and are dormant most of the time.
Realistically, no country-specific jabs are required for this trip, but many people feel more comfortable after courses or boosters against diphtheria; hepatitis A and typhoid. Like at home, make sure that your protection against tetanus and poliomyelitis is up to date.
Yellow fever is only necessary if you have recently travelled in countries where Yellow fever is endemic.
In the Algerian Sahara treatment against malaria is not necessary.
If you are unsure, consult your doctor before departure.
As an official travel agency we are in close contact with the government authorities and Tuareg nomads. Consequently our crew is well informed and will avoid any known or anticipated risks.
All our tours will be approved by the Algerian authorities.
We carry a satellite phone for emergencies on particular tours, nevertheless we cannot rely on rapid helicopter evacuation.
Safety in the south had been improved considerably since the
kidnappings of 2003. French tour operators have resumed weekly direct flights to Tamanrasset and Djanet during winter and several thousand of tourist used them in 2004/2005.
For further information we recommend reading of your foreign office’s travel advice:
» British Travel Advice
» United States Travel Information
» French Travel Advice
- Maximum weight of all your baggage, including day pack and camera gear, is 20kg! Please limit your baggage to a minimum.
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Your travel bag or rucksack will be carried on the camels and will not be accessible during the day. No suitcases please, camels don’t like them!
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A day pack of up to 30 litres capacity is ideal for all your day-use items: water, cameras, snacks, extra clothing.
- A three-season sleeping bag (minimum temperature -5 °C, in December an January -10 °C), ground sheet. Note that Thermarest-type inflatable mattresses are vulnerable to thorns and sand in the valve, a closed-cell karrimat may be less bother.
- A tent will be useful for windy nights and you might appreciate it's shelter and privacy to retires sometimes. If you don't have your own tent, Tanezrouft can provide one.
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Torch with new batteries, plus spares. LED head torches are recommended.
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A well worn-in pair of light hiking boots. Sandals offer less support and inadequate protection.
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Light rain wear to make sure it won’t rain! – these also make good wind cheaters.
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A 1.5 litre water bottle or Camel-Bak-style hydrator.
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Clothing: long trousers, long sleeve shirt, light jacket or windbreak. In December or January a polar fleece. Sorry, shorts or leggings are not appropriate in Algeria although baggy shorts covering the knees are OK for men. Women do not require veils but of course headwear is advisable.
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Medical kit: bring sun tan lotion with you and a supply of your normal medicines to last the whole trip. Insect repellent may be usefull in more humid areas. Moisturising cream is important to protect dry skin. 'Wet-wipes' help you to keep clean while saving save water (but are hard to burn sometimes - are they?). Some pain killers and anti-diarrhoea tablets complete your emergency kit.
Also of interest: Sahara Overland
by Chris Scott (2004). Mostly aimed at independent travellers with
vehicles but includes sections on organised tours, travel by camel and
many aspects of the Saharan environment. Desert Travels by Chris Scott (1997). Early travels in the Sahara, mostly on motorcycles in Algeria. The Most Beautiful Desert of All by Phillipe Diole, o/p 1959. See www.sahara-overland.com The Search for the Tassili Frescoes by Henri Lhote, 1959. See www.sahara-overland.com
- IGN ‘NG-31’ 1:1m “In-Salah“
- TPC H2-C 1:500,000
- IGN 1:200,000 “Ain-Tidjoubar”
- IGN 1:200,000 “Arak”
See www.sahara-overland.com/maps for availability
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