2 - Sleep in the Sahara

Flights to Tamanrasset from £448 rtn Compare all offers

Get away from it all and remember your senses; get back in touch with your instincts, sleep under a canopy of stars and ride through the hottest desert temperatures on a camel. Why not make the most of your holiday to get a taste of life in the desert? Excursions on camel back or by 4x4 into the Sahara are available through tour operators. However if you want to wander off the beaten track, leaving from the Algerian village of Tamanrasset makes for a truly unforgettable experience. Watch the sun set on the horizon, not behind a city skyline. Be surprised as a fly lands on your hand, as if born from nothing. Hear the rustle of dry bushes as a desert camel feeds. Fight against harsh desert climatic changes and enjoy the ride. Set up camp, eat together under the stars, surrounded by pitch black, without a clue as to which direction is north. There is no electricity in the desert; in fact there is little of everything in the desert, however there are Nomad communities that manage to survive year in, year out. There are three main entrances to the Sahara and the best off-the-beaten-track entrance is through Tamanrasset, which is an oasis city and capital of Tamanrasset Province in southern Algeria, in the Ahaggar Mountains. It is the chief city of the Algerian Tuareg, and has an impressive cultural diversity and is close to the most beautiful Saharan zones. Shops and cafés close about 10.30pm but it is not recommended to wander about town after 9pm. There are various check points around this area, and you can be searched at any time. The authorities usually take an interest in any stones or sand you may be carrying. It is advised to carry no more than half a litre of sand. Any objects or stones that look prehistoric tend to cause problems. Tamanrasset is still a relatively undisclosed secret and therefore it is rare to be able to book an excursion through an operator. There are amazing excursions to be done, and it is best to ask a member of the Tuareg community as they will be only too happy to be your guide and share their extensive knowledge. Asking other nationalities is not recommended. Advised excursions are Adrar des Iforas, Plateau du Tademait, Massif de l'Assekrem where you will find the house of Foucault's father, which is popular with Catholic pilgrims. This experience will leave you full of wonder, and you may not even want to head home once your holiday is over? For more information about the country, click here: Algeria

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