6-Day Assekrem & Hoggar Mountains Sahara Expedition

Hike to the Hermitage at Assekrem, then descend through Hoggar's hidden canyons and rock formations.

A 6-day Sahara expedition based around Assekrem in the Hoggar Mountains, where you trek to the 2,706-meter plateau, visit the Hermitage of Père de Foucauld, and camp each night under the desert sky. The route moves through Tanguet, Ilamane, In Houter, and Tagmart before returning to Tamanrasset, passing through rugged terrain, ancient rock formations, and Tuareg heritage sites. Airport pickup and an expert guide in English, French or Arabic are included. You'll need moderate fitness for daily hiking across open desert and highlands.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and Tanguet camp

• Arrive late night in Tamanrasset
• Transfer to hotel for rest
• Breakfast at hotel
• Travel to Tanguet desert location
• Settle into tented camp
• Enjoy local dinner by fire
• Stargaze in desert night

Day 2: Hike to Assekrem plateau

• Breakfast at camp
• Travel to Assekrem plateau
• Hike to summit (2,706 m)
• Visit Hermitage of Père de Foucauld
• Admire sunset over Atakor Massif
• Overnight at Assekrem refuge or camp

Day 3: Sunrise and descent to Ilamane

• Wake early for sunrise at Assekrem
• Descend to Ilamane
• Observe rock formations and desert valleys
• Camp overnight in Sahara solitude

Day 4: Travel to In Houter oasis

• Travel through Hoggar region
• Explore cliffs, canyons, and oases
• Learn about Tuareg heritage
• Bivouac under stars

Day 5: Explore Tagmart rock formations

• Journey to Tagmart
• Explore rock formations and cultural sites
• Enjoy scenic picnic
• Camp overnight in tent

Day 6: Return to Tamanrasset city

• Return to Tamanrasset
• Relaxing lunch at hotel
• Visit markets and Silversmiths District
• Browse Tuareg jewelry
• Dinner at traditional restaurant
• Transfer to airport for departure

The experience

The expedition begins with a late-night arrival in Tamanrasset, where you'll rest at a traditional hotel before heading out to Tanguet the next morning. From there, the route climbs toward Assekrem, the centerpiece of the journey: a hike to the summit at 2,706 meters rewards you with a view of the Atakor Massif at sunset and access to the Hermitage, a small stone shelter built by Père de Foucauld in the early 1900s. You'll spend the night at the Assekrem refuge or under the stars, depending on conditions.

The following days move through the heart of the Hoggar region: descending from Assekrem to Ilamane, then traveling to In Houter with its dramatic cliffs and desert oases, and on to Tagmart, a landscape of remarkable rock formations. Each night you camp in the open desert. Each day brings a different stretch of terrain, from sweeping valleys to geological formations shaped over millennia. The guide will point out Tuareg heritage and the region's cultural significance as you move through it. A picnic lunch at Tagmart marks the final full day before the return journey.

The expedition ends in Tamanrasset with a relaxed afternoon: lunch at the hotel, time to explore the city's markets and Silversmiths District to browse Tuareg jewelry, and a final dinner at a traditional restaurant before your airport transfer. Airport pickup on arrival and all guide services are included. Meals and accommodations (a mix of hotel nights and desert camping) are part of the package.

What’s included

• Airport pickup on arrival and transfer to the airport on departure.
• expert guide in English, French or Arabic.
• all accommodations (hotel nights in Tamanrasset and desert camping).
• all meals throughout the six days.
• access to the Hermitage at Assekrem and guided exploration of the Hoggar Mountains, Tuareg heritage sites, and rock formations at Ilamane, In Houter, and Tagmart.

Before you book

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, French and Arabic

Operated by Go Assekrem

Is this one for you?This expedition suits small groups and solo travelers with moderate fitness who want to spend six full days trekking and camping in one region rather than moving quickly through multiple destinations. The fixed itinerary and nightly camps mean you'll wake early each day and sleep under the stars: ideal if you're seeking solitude and geological wonder, less suited if you prefer frequent hotel stays or a faster pace.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, French and Arabic.

What is the Hermitage at Assekrem?

The Hermitage is a small stone shelter built by Père de Foucauld, a French monk and explorer, on the Assekrem plateau in the early 1900s. You'll hike to the 2,706-meter summit to visit it and watch the sunset over the Atakor Massif.

How many nights do I spend camping versus sleeping in a hotel?

You'll stay in a traditional hotel in Tamanrasset on your first and last nights, and camp under the stars for the four nights in between: at Tanguet, Assekrem, Ilamane, In Houter, and Tagmart.

What kind of physical fitness do I need for this trek?

The operator recommends at least moderate fitness. You'll hike daily across open desert and highlands, including the climb to Assekrem's 2,706-meter summit. The trek is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, cardiovascular concerns, or pregnancy.

Does the price include meals?

Meals are included throughout the expedition: breakfast before each day's trek, lunch during the journey, and dinner at camp or in Tamanrasset. All fees and taxes are separate from the tour price.

What happens in Tamanrasset on the final day?

After returning to Tamanrasset, you'll have lunch at the hotel, then time to explore the city's vibrant markets and the Silversmiths District to see Tuareg jewelry. You'll end with dinner at a traditional restaurant before transferring to the airport.