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SOUTHERN TENERE EXPEDITION
Dunes, Dinosaur Bones, Nomads & Music
Custom itieraries from January-March
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Discover one of the wildest and most mysterious deserts on earth and the Tuareg, the people who have dominated it for centuries. The Tenere of Niger “the desert of deserts” is considered by old desert hands, the most beautiful in the Sahara.
We will journey through seas of undulating dunes, soaring black volcanic peaks, palm fringed oases, encountering tradition bound desert tribes, neolithic rock art, salt caravans and a world little changed in centuries.
Our guides will be Tuareg--those who have turned in their camels for 4x4 Toyotas are still the most knowlegeable desert travellers. The Tuareg are a reknowned warrior group who fought fiercely between tribes and lived primarily from the raiding or protection of caravans. Although moslem, the men wear a turban that veils their face while the women are unveiled. Both dress in indigo, a dye that wears off on their skin which has given them the name “the Blue Men of the desert”
We will be joined by Tuareg guitarists who will play their music for us in the dunes where it was meant to be heard
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Day 1 Paris-Agadez our charter flight arrives in late afternoon
Our journey begins in Agadez the Tuareg capitol, “the gate of the sudan” . It is inhabited by the Kel oui Tuareg and the Hausa who are the largest group in Niger, of black origin and renowned as farmers and traders. You’ll recognize many of them by their cat claw facial scarification. Agadez is a a small lively town, the color of the surrounding sand. It is dominated by an unusual earth mosque with a towering minaret. Agadez and its mosque were founded in the early 15th century by the Tuareg of the Air and it quickly became the capital of the region. For centuries it was a privileged stop between Egypt and the northern western and southern oases. The architecture of its old quarters is typical of the Sahel with elegant sculptural earth houses. (The film “The Sheltering Sky” a Bertolucci adaptation of Paul Bowles novel was shot in part here). Shopping for Tuareg jewelry and crafts is outstanding. Overnight Hotel.
Day 2 Tiguidit
We start our overland expedition passing by the cliffs of Tiguidit and to spend our first night camping in the dunes under saharan skies .
Day 3 Gadafoua (Dinosaur bones)
One hundred million year old huge bones lying around. If we are lucky we will find the bones of Jobaria ( from the Tuareg word for monster) the new species discovered in Niger about 10 years ago.
Day 4 Gasso Lollombo Extinct volcano just north of Termite along the massive of Termite. Be on the lookout for newly re emerging neolithic sites.
Day 5/6/7 Grand Erg of the Tenere This area is one of the most difficult to traverse and one of the most magnificent in the Sahara--cordons of huge dunes- expect to use the sand ladders.
Day 8 Fachi An oasis which is the destination of salt caravans which cross the erg of Tenere. Inhabited by Kannouri and Tubu who harvest the salt and dates which the Tuareg carry to the south to trade for millet and indigo turbans.
Day 9 Taffassaset (southern end) Adrar Madet
The ancient riverbed as flat and empty as one can imagine. Our goal is the mountain of Adrar Madet.
Day 10 Anacom/ Arakao
Passing one the major neolithic rock art sites in Niger. 5000 year old gravures from the time that giraffes, antelope, cattle and elephants roamed the Sahara. It is perhaps at its least populated moment right now. Arakao is Niger’s second largest dune surrounded by blue mountains in the shape of a crab.
Day 11 Kogo
Our passage through the dunes from Arakao is like flying. Camp next to the blue marble which emerges from the dunes.
Day 12 Timia
Travel through the volcanic Air mountains to reach this lush green oasis full of fruits, vegetables and waterfall cascading into a swimming hole.
Day 13 Air/Awedenine Continue through the Air en route to Awedenine Here we will see a Tuareg Tinde where the women sing beat the drums to inspire the camels to run.
Day 14 Agadez
Return to Agadez and showers! Afternoon to shop and explore the ancient stop on the caravan routes with its 7th century mosque, its lively camel market and many interesting shops.
Day 15 Charter flight Agadez to Paris
ITINERARY SUBJECT TO CHANGE
PLEASE NOTE THIS IS AN EXPEDITION TO EXPLORE AREAS RARELY EXPLORED
IT IS NOT A LUXURY SAFARI--IT CAN BE DIFFICULT
Accompanying the trip will be Leslie Clark owner of Nomad Adventures Inc., artist and founder of the Nomad Foundation. She specializes in paintings of Nomads which she sells at her Nomad Gallery in Ojai CA. She has been traveling in Niger for 14 years.
Nomad Adventures is an arm of the Nomad foundation a US non profit dedicatied to the preservation of cultural and artistic traditions in Africa.
COST OF THE TRIP $4950 per person. This includes all accommodations, meals and ground transportation while traveling in Niger. This does not include international or local airfares, or expenses while in Paris, personal expenses, visa fees, travel insurance (recommended) and customary gratuities to local guides and drivers.
With the exception of Agadez all nights will be spent camping. Tents and mattresses and pillows are provided. Vehicles are 4 WD Land cruisers and will carry all our food, drinks, safe drinking water, fuel, baggage and firewood.
