Timbuctu/Arouanne by Camel (again)...how long?

[Spez]

Hi folks, tried this before with no luck so here goes again!

It's been a long held ambition of mine to travel from Timbuctu to Arouanne and back by Camel. I have travelled to Mali several times and have some contacts, which I would be glad to share, regarding guides. My question is all about timing and distances.

My plan is to travel the above by heading north to Arouanne taking the Eastern track out of Timbuctu, then on the return journey take the shorter direct route due South.

Considering the plan is to do it by camel can anybody tell me how long it should take...?

If any one has done this trip and has any info at all I would love to hear from them, I got loads of great feed back that last time about Taoudenni but none about Arouanne...here's hoping.

[Alistair]

It should be possible to arrange such a camel trek in the loop circuit you describe. I suggest that you allow up to 10 days in each direction -about 3 weeks all together. Like all travel in Africa you cannot time it to the nearest day, and you have to allow for delays and uncertainty etc. (I have traveled in the area by camel to Taoudenni several times.)

[Richard K]

Hi Spez,

try contacting Shindouk and Miranda at Sahara Passion/Taoudenni voyage. I would recommend these guys and they can give you an accurate estimate of duration (with caveat as per Alistair's post).

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Richard

[Spez]

Thanks Guys, I appreciate the advice. I had heard about the Sahara Passion and had intended to stay there the last time I was in Timbuctu as I had heard good reports about the couple who run the place. However I ended up in The Boctou, and the name slipped from my memory. I am trying to do the trip for some Malian projects I support, basically it’s a sponsored Trek. At the moment it isn’t looking too good and may ultimately not happen. Anyway, thanks or keeping my chin up.

S.