Discover the Tassili, Tadrart Rouge
27 December to 4 January: welcome the New Year in the dunes of Tin Merzouga.
Overview
At the foot of the dunes of Tin Merzouga.
- Duration
- 9 days / 8 nights · New Year
- Departure & return
- Algiers, via Constantine and Djanet
- Walking level
- Moderate · 5/10
- Minimum age
- 8 years
Read the full overview
Discover the extraordinary landscapes of the UNESCO-listed Tassili n’Ajjer. This journey through the Sahara brings together golden sand, dramatic rock formations and walks through remarkable desert scenery.
The adventure begins with a flight from Algiers, around two and a half hours away. As you approach Djanet, the changing desert landscapes offer a memorable first glimpse of southern Algeria.
On arrival, discover the culture and hospitality of the Tuareg communities of the region. Away from reliable mobile coverage, the pace slows and there is time to enjoy the landscape and the company of your fellow travellers.
Far from busy tourism routes, this journey into the Tassili n’Ajjer offers time to walk, observe and share the desert with your companions and local team. It is a rewarding experience for families and anyone drawn to the Sahara’s open spaces.
Explore the Tassili n’Ajjer on an Algeria journey combining walking, photography and encounters with the people who know this remarkable desert.
Itinerary · New Year 2027
Nine days in the Tadrart Rouge.
27 December 2026 to 4 January 2027. Five nights camping, two nights in Djanet and one night travelling. Departure and return in Algiers, via Constantine.
Day 127 DecemberAlgiers – Constantine – Djanet
Leave Algiers by bus at 9 am for Constantine. Time permitting, enjoy a short visit to the city of bridges before transferring to the airport. Your flight to Djanet departs at 9.10 pm and arrives at 11.10 pm. Our team meets you at the airport and takes you to your accommodation for the night.
Day 228 DecemberDjanet – Tissitekka
After breakfast, visit Djanet’s market for any last purchases. Set off by 4x4 towards the Tadrart Rouge with your Tuareg team. The road gives way to tracks and sandstone formations. In the Tissitekka area, walk among cliffs and sandy expanses and discover the first decorated rock shelters, reminders of a once wetter Sahara. Set up camp, enjoy dinner prepared by the team and spend your first night camping in the Tadrart.
Day 329 DecemberTissitekka – Moul N’Aga
Alternate 4x4 journeys with walks through the landscape. Passages between cliffs reveal sculpted rocks, painted shelters and engravings, which your guide helps you discover. Dunes gradually become more prominent as you reach Moul N’Aga. An evening walk offers time to enjoy the light on the dunes and surrounding formations. Dinner and camping in the Moul N’Aga area.
Day 430 DecemberMoul N’Aga – Ouan Zaouaten
Begin among the dunes of Moul N’Aga, whose colours change with the light. Continue through valleys and sandstone formations, stopping to walk and explore accessible rock-art sites. Travel between rocky corridors, sandy stretches and eroded silhouettes to the Ouan Zaouaten area, where the team sets up camp. Dinner and overnight camping.
Day 531 DecemberOuan Zaouaten – Tin Merzouga
Continue by 4x4 towards Tin Merzouga through valleys and dune systems. Walking stops offer opportunities to approach the rock formations and discover paintings or engravings along the route. On arrival, the great red dunes of Tin Merzouga unfold before you. Those who wish can climb a dune for views of the sand and sandstone towers. Enjoy dinner at camp and welcome the New Year with a night under the stars near Tin Merzouga.
Day 61 JanuaryTin Merzouga – In Djaren – Black Dune
After a final walk around Tin Merzouga, follow the tracks towards Wadi In Djaren. Alternate 4x4 exploration with walks among arches, cliffs and decorated shelters. Your guide chooses stops according to conditions and the group’s pace. Reach the Black Dune area for your final evening in the Tadrart. Dinner and overnight camping.
Day 72 JanuaryTadrart Rouge – Djanet
After breakfast, leave the canyons and dunes behind and return towards Djanet, with stops along the way. Settle into your accommodation and rest after several nights in the desert. Depending on arrival time, take a walk to discover the market and local crafts. Dinner and overnight in Djanet.
Day 83 JanuaryDjanet – Crying Cow engraving – Constantine
Spend your final day exploring Djanet and its surroundings. Visit Tagharghart to see the celebrated Crying Cow engraving, an outstanding example of Saharan rock art. Time permitting, continue exploring the oasis before a final dinner. Transfer to the airport in the evening for the 11.59 pm flight to Constantine, arriving at 2.05 am on 4 January.
Day 94 JanuaryConstantine – Algiers
On arrival in Constantine, travel by bus to Algiers airport. Allow around five hours for the road transfer. The international return flight must be booked separately.
View the standard 7-day itinerary
Day 1Algiers – Djanet
Our Tuareg team welcomes you at Djanet Tiska Airport. Transfer to Taghen for lunch and traditional Tuareg tea, then enjoy the sunset over the desert. Spend the night at the hotel before the adventure continues. Keep your passport and travel documents easily accessible.
Day 2Elberdj
After breakfast, set off by 4x4 towards the Tadrart. Visit Tin Essou and its fascinating rock engravings, reminders of the region’s prehistoric past. After lunch, continue towards Elberdj, settle into camp and explore the surrounding landscape. Dinner and overnight camping in the Sahara.
Day 3Tin Merzouga
Discover early rock engravings recalling a time when the Sahara’s wildlife and vegetation were very different. Continue among unusual rock formations, including the rock known as the Hedgehog, before reaching Tin Merzouga’s great red dunes. Enjoy the sunset and an evening of Tuareg music under the stars. Camp at the foot of the dunes.
Day 4Moul N’Aga dunes
Cross Wadi In Djaren, discovering rock engravings and paintings along the way. Continue into a landscape of dunes with striking colours and heights, offering wonderful photographic opportunities. Reach the Moul N’Aga campsite for a night in the desert and a chance to learn about the wildlife adapted to this arid environment.
Day 5Wadi In Djaren
Travel by 4x4 through Wadi In Djaren, observing sculpted cliffs, rock paintings and engravings. Discover the natural arches of the Tadrart Rouge, shaped by erosion, before setting up camp at the northern exit of the Tadrart. Take time to enjoy the desert’s night sky.
Day 6Adhayek
Arrive in Adhayek in the afternoon. After a dinner of local specialities, spend an evening with your Tuareg hosts, discovering songs and traditional culture in a welcoming setting. Overnight camping beneath the desert sky.
Day 7Djanet – Crying Cow engraving
Arrive in Djanet at around 2 pm, with time for a shower and a rest. Explore the area and visit the celebrated Crying Cow engraving. Enjoy dinner before your airport transfer at 10 pm.
View location map
Photo gallery
The Tadrart Rouge in pictures.
Responsible travel
Riwaya’s commitments.
Transport, water and waste management, local teams and heritage protection: discover the criteria Riwaya uses to assess its journeys.
Discover our approachPractical information
Before you travel.
Departure & return
Houari Boumediene Airport, Algiers
Departure time
Three hours before departure
Price includes
- Comfortable camping: single or double tents with orthopaedic mattress, duvet and pillow included.
- Return domestic flight to Djanet. For New Year, flights operate between Constantine and Djanet, with bus transfers between Algiers and Constantine.
Price excludes
Meeting point for New Year
Leave Algiers by bus at 9 am on 27 December. Return to Algiers on 4 January after the Djanet–Constantine flight and onward bus transfer.
Our two New Year itinerariesPreparing for your journey in the Algerian Sahara
Why visit the Tadrart Rouge?
The Tadrart Rouge is one of the Algerian Sahara’s remarkable landscapes. Its red dunes, sculpted rock formations, canyons and ancient rock paintings reward photographers, walkers and anyone interested in the desert’s cultural history. Discover a striking region far from busy tourist routes.
Exploring the Tadrart Rouge means respecting fragile desert landscapes, rock art and the cultural heritage of local communities. Riwaya Travel works with experienced local teams to help travellers discover the region thoughtfully and understand why its natural and cultural heritage needs protection.
How should I prepare for a trip to the Algerian desert?
Prepare carefully for a desert trip: check passport, visa and any local authorisation requirements before travelling. A specialist agency such as Riwaya Travel can help organise the journey and provide experienced support. Pack light clothing for the day, warm layers for the night, sun protection and sunglasses, and follow your guide’s advice on drinking water.
What activities are available in the Algerian Sahara?
The Algerian Sahara offers 4x4 exploration, walks among the dunes, camel outings and visits to ancient rock-art sites. Activities depend on your route, local conditions and arrangements with your guide. Evenings offer time to enjoy the stars and discover local crafts and traditions.
When is the best time to visit the Algerian Sahara?
October to April is generally the most comfortable period for exploring the Algerian Sahara. Summer can be extremely hot, sometimes above 45°C. Winter days may be mild, but nights can be very cold. Spring and autumn often offer a good balance for outdoor activities, depending on the route.
Plants and wildlife of the Tassili n’Ajjer
The Tassili n’Ajjer supports plants and wildlife adapted to an arid environment. Acacias, tamarisks and oasis palms punctuate the landscape; fennec foxes, jerboas, lizards and scorpions are among the animals found in the wider desert. Sightings depend on the place and conditions and are never guaranteed.
Meet the people of the Sahara
Meet Tuareg communities and learn about their traditions, jewellery, textiles and music. Conversations with your hosts offer insights into their history, stories and the former trans-Saharan caravan routes.
Explore the Sahara’s geological landscapes
The Algerian Sahara is a varied geological landscape. The Hoggar and Tassili reveal mountains, plateaux, gorges and volcanic formations, while rocky expanses and great dunes show the many faces of the desert.
The desert’s cultural and historical heritage
The Sahara also holds a rich cultural heritage. The UNESCO-listed Tassili n’Ajjer is renowned for its prehistoric paintings and engravings. Tamanrasset and traces of caravan routes reveal the region’s long history of trade and cultural exchange.
Practical information for your trip
Before travelling, confirm Algeria’s entry requirements and any permits needed for your desert route. Follow local rules and your guide’s instructions to help protect the Sahara’s fragile environment. Riwaya Travel helps coordinate the arrangements applicable to your itinerary.
Travel with Riwaya
Riwaya Travel’s approach centres on responsible travel, respect for local communities and care for the environment. We design personalised journeys that offer rewarding experiences while supporting local economic and social activity.
Discover the Algerian Sahara through dramatic landscapes, cultural encounters and time spent with local teams. Explore Riwaya Travel’s desert journeys and find the adventure that suits you.
Immersion totale ! comme promis.