I'm arranging a few days desert walking in Mali and, as a result of advice from people on this site, am hoping to walk from Arouane, rather than Timbuctou.

This requires tranport. I know vehicle hire isn't cheap in Mali, but I can't work out whether I am having the wool pulled over my eyes. If I was being driven to Arouane from Timbuctou, would the vehicle be able to make it there and back in a day, or would it have to "sleep" in Arouane and return the next day (thus requiring 2 days hire)?

Simon

I've not done this run but 500km to Arouane and back is a long day so an overnight would be understandable and anyway, they're not in a rush!

But I'm sure there must be bush taxis going there and back every few days from Timbuktu. No need to hire a special vehicle. If you do, it will probably turn out to be a bush taxi anyway, delivering people and stuff but with you paying a premium. Or someone visiting their rels in Ar at your expense.

If I was going for a walk in the Malian desert I'd sooner go up to the Adrar des Iforghas. Around Arouane or Ar-to-Tim looks a bit flat and boring and I suspect you'd be welcomed there (Kidal) rather than stiffed by the 'Timbuktu' factor.

All IMHO, of course!

Ch

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Hello SDEGH!,

I went up to Arouane and beyond about 2 years ago or so. Around this time of the year there may be some traffic going up there, but very little, you may have to wait for a few days, maybe even a week or so in Timbuktu. There are no bush taxis as such going to Arouane, if anything some Landrovers or Landcruisers as it is quite sandy. THere are occasionnaly some trucks going up and beyond Ar to Taodenni to load salt, but this is very unreliable. IN Ar itself you are going to have to be self reliant. The only thing you can get there is water. There is no market and nothing to buy and only few people, it is a tiny settlement. The Hotel that that SWiss guy or whatvere nationality he was, built there years ago has long since closed and is being blown over by the sand.

I also agree with Chris that the area around Kidal. i.e Adrar de Iforhas is more scenic, but I am not sure if you will find camel caravanes there. If you want to move along with a proper salt caravane Arounane is the place to be. Around thsi time of year there are a couple of caravanes per week.

Remember that from Arouane back to Timbuktu si still 10 days or 2 weeks of walking and these caravanes walk at faster than walking speed, so it is not just going to be a walk in the park. Still fun though.

Re. car hire, I have a reliable contact in Timb . but he is expensive, around 70,000 CFA per day for a car, excluding fuel. That is more or less 100 Euros per day. Send me your e-mail address then I can send you some pictures of Arouane.

Have fun,

hed

Thanks for your replies - very useful.

Can you give me a few details on the Adrar area, as I'm definitely open to going to the most scenic area - where might one start from, do you have any contacts for organising walking with camels in this area?

Simon