Méharée (camelback ride) in the Aïr Mountains- 12 to 14 days

Small groups will enjoy this tour the most.

Agadez - Azel - Dabaga - Elméki

Leaving Agadez in 4WD vehicles, we follow the Telwa Oued through 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 traveller. In Elméki, Tuaregs still extract tin from ancient cassiterite mines.

Anou Mekkerene - Tchintoulous - vallée du Zagado - Kogo

The track zigzags through small, chaotic valleys, crosses the Anou Mekkerene Oued and follows the Zilâlet to Tchintoulous, a village nestled at the foot of the haughty Aguerâguer. Watch for gazelles in the Zagado Valley as we travel on to Kogo.

Camelback tour (7 or 9 days)

Kogo - Arakao - Lerouana - Adrar - Chiriet - Izane - Illekane - Kogo

The trek starts from the nomadic campground of Kogo, under the guidance of Tuareg camelherds.

An ever-widening valley leads us to the desert shore along a path skirting huge marble mountains. At Takarit, we start climbing toward Tchi-n-Taboûrak for a magical bird’s eye view on Arakao, a claw-shaped crater that gathers the desert sand through a large breach in its wall. Below our perch, dark, jagged rock frames the gold crescent of a giant dune. An unforgettable night under the desert stars awaits you there.

We leave Arakao through its desert door, making our way through high sand ridges. After crossing the Issaouane Oued, we ride on to Lerouana. On all sides, giant dunes crest above our heads. We must climb several sand ridges to reach Adrar Chiriet, one of the most magnificent sites of the Sahara. multicolored dunes rush up against this dark volcanic outcrop fantastically eroded by blowing sand.

We travel on to golden-brown Izane and spot from afar the blue and white marble mountains of Illekane. The giant 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. Marble walls bar the way ahead, forcing us to take a roundabout path; the colors of the cliffs change, gazelles sprint away at our approach. At midday, we eat and rest in the merciful shadow of a tree.

The ride ends in Kogo, where our vehicles and drivers are waiting for us. The last part of the trip is done by car.

Kogo - Zagado - Assodé - Timia

The wonderful Zagado Valley leads us back to the Aïr Mountains.


Tales of the flourishing past of Assodé abound. The ancient capital of the Aïr is now a ghost town where only a few walls still stand, but pottery shards strewn all over the site testify to its once thriving economy.

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.
Downstream from Timia, a lovely waterfall cascades through a series of basins toward the guelta.

Elméki - Dabaga - Azel - Agadez

We take the Agadez road right after passing through Kreb-Kreb; gazelles sometime use it too. Our path skirts rock outcrops, crosses oueds, passes traditional wells where Tuareg nomads gather with their livestock. Elméki, Dabaga, Azel mark the return journey to Agadez.

To secure the expedition and prepare properly and safely, all tourists must pay a deposit no later than 15 days in advance of the start of their trip. This deposit usually represents 30% of the tour cost, and is used to reserve and ready the provisions for the tour, which also takes time and money.

On arrival, all tourists should pay the remaining 70% balance, in cash (in one of the 3 currencies below,) or (with advance notice) in credit card, which is indicated below:

For the 14-day full-board with cook tour from Agadez for a party of:

- 1 person = 3200 Euros (21.000 FF) /$4179

- 2 =1750 Euros (11.500 FF) per person /$2285

- 3 = 1265 Euros (8.300 FF) /$1652

- 4 = 1020 Euros (6.700 FF) /$1332

- 5 = 1170 Euros (7.700 FF) /$1528 (with 2 x 4WD vehicles)

- 6 = 1020 Euros (6.700 FF) /$1332

- 7 or more = 885 Euros (5.800 FF) /$1156

For the 12-day full-board with cook tour from Agadez for a party of:


-1 person = 2970 Euros (19.500 FF) /$3878

- 2 =1585 Euros (10.400 FF) /$2070

- 3 = 1135 Euros (7.450 FF) /$1482

- 4 = 915 Euros (6.000 FF) /$1195

- 5 = 1080 Euros (7.100 FF) /$1410 (with 2 x 4WD)

- 6 = 930 Euros (6.100 FF) /$1215

- 7 or more = 820 Euros (5.400 FF) /$1071

Prices are per person and include:

* drivers, guide and cook

* full board, cookware, tableware and one foam mattress per person

* local taxes and route approval (required for desert travel)

Prices do not include:

* drinks and personal expenses

* food and lodging in Agadez

*airplane tickets and airport taxes

Please book your tour and pay your deposit at the top and side of the page with the booking buttons.


Includes all insurance, transport, all breakfasts and some dinners, permits, entrance fees, taxes, 4x4 with a/c, and accommodation in safari-style lodges, villages, and tourist hotels (where applicable). Alcoholic drinks are extra.