The Tassili N'Ajjer in the South-west of Algeria is one of the most well known rock art regions of the Sahara, yet few people have the opportunity to visit all of the principal sites at a leisurely pace. Most organised tours speed through on a short three or four day trek, as part of other activities in the area.
We will spend a continuous eight days on the plateau, moving from one locality to another in the Tamrit - Sefar - Jabbaren area, the region extensively studied (but only partially published) by the Henri Lhote missions in the fifties and sixties. The only arduous part of the trek will be the ascent of the Tafilalet pass at the beginning, an altitude difference of about six hundred metres, but we will travel light as our packs and supplies will be carried by a train of donkies. On the remaining days we will walk on the flat plateau top, covering at most 15 kilometres in a day. This trip is suitable for anyone with a reasonable degree of physical fitness. During the eight days we will visit all the principal rock art sites and localities of the central Tassili N'Ajjer at a leisurely pace, allowing plenty of time for photography and detailed study.
Visit Tassili N'Ajjer, South Algeria
Note: at present the Foreign Office strongly discourages all but essential travel in Algeria anywhere outside the confines of Algiers, the capital. There have been targeted attacks on foreigners (mainly oil workers, in the north of the country), and tourists and aid workers have been abducted in the past for ransom or political demands. However to date no incidents have happened in the Djanet area, and the Tassili plateau is considered safe given the lack of any vehicle access. In the assessment of the expedition operator, flying in and out of Djanet, and a trek on the plateau poses no greater risk then anywhere else in North Africa.
The trip will commence and end at Djanet, the small oasis at the foot of the Tassili N'Ajjer plateau. Domestic flights of Air Algerie may be used to reach Djanet, the exact dates will be fixed to suit available flight schedules (typically Air Algerie only makes domestic flights available for booking 4-6 weeks before departure). While participants will be expected to make their own arangements for travel to Algiers, the arrangement of the domestic tickets will be facilitated by the expedition organiser.
Participation cost: GBP 1,200 per person plus approximately GBP 300 is to be expected for the cost of the Algiers - Djanet return flights.
