A FOURTEEN-DAY CULTURAL TOUR OF THE AIR MASSIF AND TENERE DESERT

Agadez - Air Massif - Tenere Desert - Agadez

Day One: Afternoon arrival in Niamey. Check into your hotel, take a driving tour of the city.

Day Two: The National Museum features an exhibit of homes, costumes, musical instruments and culture of Niger’s various peoples. You may also visit the Grand Marche, the heart of commerce in Niamey. If you wish, a tour of the Niger River in a local “pinasse” can be arranged.

Day Three: Depart Niamey early for the day’s trip to Agadez, capital of Tuareg culture in Niger. Agadez, crossroads of civilizations, halfway between the Maghreb and black Africa, is the gateway to the mountains of the Air Massif and the incomparable dunes of the Tenere Desert.

Day Four: Tour beautiful Agadez. Agadez is an ancient city founded by the nomads of the Tenere, the Tuareg. It is a city of earthen architecture, famous for its adobe mosque, colorful camel market and exquisite Tuareg jewelry and crafts.

A Tuareg woman of the Talak Valley playing the inzad.

Day Five: Departure in the morning: Agadez to Dabouss, the site of the 6,000 year-old stone carvings that are vivid reminder that this desert region was once bountiful. These life-size, exquisite carvings are a national treasure. Copies are on display at the National Geographic Center in Washington, DC.
Continue from Dabouss to Talak Valley. Here you may spend the night in a Tuareg nomadic encampment. Around a campfire under a sky full of brilliant stars, a Tuareg Man willrecite poetry, accompanied by the one stringed violin (the ‘Inzad’) played by the women. A tam-tam, a drumming ceremony, might follow where the young men dance to the rhythm of the young women’s singing, drumming and clapping. An unforgettable night to experience the Culture of the legendary people of the Sahara Desert, the nomadic Tuareg.

Sitting on top of the world in the Tenere Desert.

Day Six: Drive from the nomadic encampment to the oasis town of Iferouane. Visit the abundant and fertile gardens; see the ancient camel based irrigation system that is used to these days. Visit the artisan centre where one can see the ancient process of forging Tuareg jewelry. Spend the night in Iferouane.

Day Seven: Departure from Iferouane to Chiriet, passing through Tezerzeit, (the gate to the desert). Camp at Chiriet where one can gaze upon a sea of sand that spreads as far as the eye can see. Pristine dunes that rise to more than 100 meters. Optional, ride camels in a small camel caravan for a couple of hours. Sleep at Chiriet around a blazing campfire.

Day Eight: Travel from Chiriet to Ilekane, driving through the desert until we arrive at a beautiful and breath taking mountain range of marble surrounded by dunes. Note: to go to Ilekane, we would need two jeeps – the region is not heavily traveled and there may be no assistance available in the case of an accident or breakdown. If the expedition is composed of one jeep then we would depart from Chiriet back to Iferouane and from there travel on to Tchinteloust.

The refreshing waterfall and spring at Timia. Don’t forget your bathing suit.

Day Nine: Depart from Ilekane to Tchinteloust, a semi-nomadic sedentary village. From there we visit Assode, the mythical ancient capital of the Air Massif that was mysteriously abandoned and fell into ruin. From Assode, continue to Timia, a green oasis in the middle of the mountains. To dispel the heat and fatigue we can swim in a water fall of cold water that emerges from a mountain and then satisfy our hunger and thirst by eating the bounties of this oasis: grapes, oranges, lemons, grapefruit and dates. We spend the night camping in the old traditional town of Timia.

Day Ten: Departure Timia to the Talak Valley, camp in the valley. Visit wells where nomads bring their animals daily for water. You will feel as if you have been transported to an ancient time.

Day Eleven: Arrive to Agadez in the morning. Rest, visit the Grande Marche and boutiques for your last minute souvenirs. Enjoy the restaurants and stroll the picturesque streets.

Day Twelve: Departure Agadez to Niamey, stop by Koure to see the last giraffes in liberty in West Africa. Spend the night at the Grand Hotel in Niamey.

Day Thirteen: A day for relaxation. If you wish, you may viisit the famous Tuareg silversmiths and browse at the Wodata Artisanal Centre. Return to the Grand Hotel where you can join in the Niamey tradition of eating kabobs and watching the sun set over the Niger River.

Day Fourteen: Departure for the United States.

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Giraffe at Kouri	Making bread by the evening campfire	Tourists visiting a Tuareg home	On the way to the dunes of Tenere

Note: This itinerary is an example of what your trip to the Tuareg land of Niger could be. All tours are customized to meet your needs and interests. You will travel in a comfortable 4x4 vehicle and be accompanied by a Tuareg driver/ guide, as well as a cook. A translator will be included, if necessary. You may choose to camp, stay in hotels, or combine those experiences. Some camping is recommended as it allows you to go to the heart of the desert and experience this unique land. For camping, sleeping mats and tents shall be provided for each person. Meals while camping will include both western and traditional African dishes. Water is provided, you may bring your own alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages of choice.

For prices and further information contact Moussa Haidara TALAK ADVENTURE TRAVEL