Question about best Sahara Desert option for single traveler?

[aleckii]

Hello everyone, I'm a new member here, having been informed that this is the best place to get information on my upcoming trip in North Africa. I've been doing solo backpacking trips for years now, and will likely be doing my North Africa trip next year alone too.

Basically I will arrive on 1st June in Algeria, traveling overland to Tunisia, then flying to Marakech and ending my trip in Fes, for around a month. Being a Malaysian, the only visa I need is Morocco, which apparently isn't too much of a hassle to get here in Malaysia.

I'm wondering if you guys can help me with the following information?

1. I have read that Algeria is the best place to do the Saharan Desert trip. But considering the time constraint and the fact that I'm alone, is it still a feasible option? My ideal plan is to do a 3 day 2 nights tour.

Tassili Airline offer return tickets to Tamanraset and Djanet for around 400usd return (I couldn't get Air Algeria to show the booking for June next year), with the guide, 4wd transport, night accomodation, food, etc, how much would I be expected to spend?

Plan B would be to instead visit M'zab or Timimoun instead, which seems nearer.

2. I have found that Morocco offers shared 3 days 2 night package tours, to Morzouga and Erg Chebbi from Marakech. This one would be possible to do in less than 100euro per person.

Just wondering say I've already done the one in Algeria, would it appear repetitive? Or should I just chose one of the two?

I would appreciate any suggestions and recommendation. It just seems like the information on Algeria is really scarce online.

Thank you in advance.

Kelvin

[Chris Scott]

Hi Kelvin,

Is that $400 price from Algiers or abroad (France)?
Seems high from Algiers but low from abroad.

I seem to recall the internal flight from Algiers with Air Algerie to Tam/Djanet was about £200 ($300).

For a very short tour out of Djanet/Tam, not being in a group will be expensive - €200 a day? But finding/joining a group in June will be a long shot - way past the end of the tourist season (what there is of it these days).

I think between Tam and Djanet the latter holds more prospect of what you want, if for no other reason than people have actually been there recently.

The equivalent area out of Tam is the Taghera in the Tassili-Hoggar, even more amazing region but a long day SE of Tam.
The other classic overnighter out of Tam is the rough drive up to Assekrem pass to see the sunrise/sunset.

But out of Djanet in a 4x4 you could go towards Tadrart canyon (engravings) the Mezouga dunes beyond, and whatever else they might include. Add a day's hike up to Jabbaren for more rock art and you'll have seen a lot of Sahara in a short distance. A week down there would be much better but the heat might get a bit much.

All this in Alg will require guides and drivers. Speaking a bit of Arabic/French and possibly being a Muslim will get you a long way in getting a deal as a solo traveller.

The Moroccan tour you mention is the standard 'Erg Chebbi wait and return' package. There are more places and things to see in Mk, but for that money you can't go wrong. Having just been in Alg, you may be more impressed by the imperial Moroccan cities than the desert.

Ch

[andrasz]

We just paid 120 Euros for an Algiers-Djanet / Illizi - Algiers ticket last month on Air Algerie, two years ago an Algiers-Tam-Djanet-Algiers itinerary was 136 Euros. Domestic airfares and schedules are pretty stable, you can expect things to be about the same next June.

Agree with Chris, Djanet is probably the better option, more varied sights and overall a much nicer experience than Tam is these days. There are many agencies who can offer a customized itinerary, the current going rate is about 150-200 Euros per day if you are alone.