Tassili n’Ajjer Plateau Circuit: Sefar

Detailed description of the holiday

Day 1 & 2: Akba Tafilalet and the forgotten forest of Tamrit

After arriving in Djanet the day before, our expedition starts at dawn with a climb up Akba Tafilalet in the company of the donkeys and their donkeys. Leaving the plains behind, we begin the ascent towards the rugged Plateau via a canyon with impressive walls. The view from the summits is breathtaking, revealing an immense Tassili n’Ajjer against the rocks sculpted by time and the endless dunes of Erg Admer. Our ascent continues towards Tamrit. In the middle of a land where time seems to stand still, we venture into a forest of thousand-year-old cypress trees and admire our first cave paintings. We spend the night in a tent, in a bivouac under the stars, the first of our stay.

Day 3 & 4: Tin Tazarift, the labyrinth of stones and spirits

As the sun rises, the plateau takes on a warm, golden hue. We begin our walk through gentle dunes and canyons shaped by the wind. Little by little, the forest paths disappear behind us.

We reach the remarkable shelter of Tan-Zoumaïtak, where numerous rock paintings from the Round Head period are perfectly preserved. These works, moving in their finesse and age, bear witness to a rich and mysterious past.

The walk continues to Tin Tazarift, an impressive archaeological site nestling in a maze of sandstone peaks sculpted by time. Along the way, we discover the astonishing natural formations of the plateau: slender peaks, elegant arches, domes and veritable stone cathedrals.

Day 5 & 6: Sefar, the world’s largest troglodyte city

Each stride becomes a conquest, each peak reached a personal victory. Our expedition into the heart of the Saharan desert takes us to Sefar, the largest troglodyte town in Algeria and the world. This extraordinary natural city stretches out before us like a fascinating labyrinth. The alleys dug into the bowels of the earth criss-cross each other in a labyrinthine fashion. Nicknamed the ‘city of stones’, Sefar is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discovered by explorer Henri Lhote in 1957, the site is home to tens of thousands of cave drawings and paintings, making it one of the largest open-air museums of prehistoric art. Frescoes depicting scenes of hunting and daily life are frozen in these rocks, standing the test of time. We also see mysterious shapes, including the famous ‘Great God’, testimony to the complexity of prehistoric life, where art was inseparable from spirituality. This walk through the heart of the world’s largest troglodyte town is a journey through the centuries, where the stone itself bears the imprint of past generations.

Day 7 & 8: Jabbaren, stone giants and ancient tales

We continue our journey to higher altitudes towards the Jabbaren region. Our journey takes us through a visual symphony of majestic canyons and spectacular rock formations. After a climb of 800 metres, the plateau stretches as far as the eye can see, offering panoramic views. The word “Jabbaren” means “giant” and its full meaning is revealed once you have reached the summit following the ascent. On this plateau, black and pink rock formations, sculpted by erosion, take on the singular shape of houses. Monoliths stand like natural sculptures, testimony to the geological forces that have shaped the region. The highlight of the show are the many walls of the shelters decorated with over 5,000 paintings that tell the story of the Sahara’s prehistoric history.

Day 9: Crying cow and return to Djanet

Our adventure on the Tassili Plateau is drawing to a close. The last day marks the return to civilisation. We start our descent from the Plateau and return to our 4×4 vehicles. We reach the Tegharghart site to admire one of the most emblematic engravings of the Tassili n’Ajjer: ‘the crying cow’, dating back over 7,000 years. Tuareg and scientists consider this engraving to be a masterpiece of Neolithic sculpture, thanks to its carving, its realism and the emotion it conveys. We set off for Djanet, the cradle of Tuareg culture. We visit the old town and the local market, where Tuareg handicrafts come to life. Shimmering fabrics, jewellery and handicrafts evoke the cultural richness of the region and bear witness to Tuareg art and know-how. A chance to shower before departure, then we set up our last camp in the desert close to the airport.

In order to ensure the smooth running of your trip and to guarantee your safety, our guide reserves the right to modify the program according to various unpredictable factors such as traffic, weather conditions, force majeure or other exceptional circumstances. Any changes are made in the interest of your comfort and safety. We thank you for your understanding and look forward to give you an unforgettable travel experience.