Algeria (In Salah petrified trees+other recommendations)

[Tytus]

Hi!

I am planning to make a 4x4 trip in Algeria this autumn (31/10-18/11/2008). The planned route: El Oued - Ourgla - In Salah - Tam - Assekrem - Djanet - Illizi - Deb Deb - Sif Fatima - Hassi Messaoud - El Oued.

Please give me some advises about what is worth to see in this path, apart from main things described in Chris Scott's handbook. Eg. I found on Michelin map petrified woods near In Salah - may be somebody has more detailed info about this (waypoints or other suggestions).

I am also interested if sb has experience in going by a piste from Ourgla to El Golea (in the map it occures as a shortcut, but I don't know how it is in real)?

Best regards

Tytus

NB. I'll be pleased if sb wants to join us, please contact me.

[Yves]

Hi,

unfortunately it is not permitted for tourists to drive Deb Deb - Sif Fatima - Hassi Messaoud and the piste Ourgla to El Golea.
There is some petrified wood near Foggaret ez Zaoua and near Hassi Terraga. I had been there in 1990 but do not expect much of if left.

Regards,

[Tytus]

Hi,

thank you Yves for info, may be you have some more precise data about mentioned locations?

Regards

Tytus

[Yves]

Hi,

I was there in pre-GPS time, so don't have waypoints. Photographs are not at hand unfortunately.
But you need an guide in Algeria anyway, he should know the places.

[Benek]

Hi,
I suggest to see and drive:
1. Tassili N'adder national park with paintings i.e Jabbaren (the closest),
2. cross Assekrem by 2 different ways i.e. from Tam close to basalt pillars and after passing Assekrem in direction to Hirafok (condition of road is bad but the views are nice)
3. further form Hirafok week of driving to Janet by desert (you need 200l of diesel) there are old salt sources, vulcans, sarir, dunes, stones and lack of fuel and water till Janet. distance up to You ca 900km. brilliant trip.
4. we've never seen InSallah's trees due to lack of time but its known and there is no problem to find - as Yves said - ask guide.
5. a lot of more - south of Algeria is nice. And fuel cheap.