Travel to the desert | Travelling to the Sahara Desert

Our best routes through the Sahara and the great deserts of Africa

The desert is not an empty place. It is a territory of silence and infinite horizons where time seems to walk at another pace. In Viajes Tuareg we have spent more than 40 years exploring the Sahara with expert local guides, designing routes that combine expedition, culture and extraordinary landscapes.

What kind of desert trip are you looking for?

• Spectacular dunes and large sand seas → Algeria (Tadrart) and Egypt.
• Remote expeditions and unique landscapes in the world → Chad (Ennedi).
• Historical Oasis and Caravan Cities → Mauritania and Algeria (Saoura).
• Hiking and nights under the stars → Morocco (Draa Valley).

In this selection we gather some of our More special desert trips: 4×4 crossings among endless dunes, expeditions through rocky massifs, routes between historic oases, and walks through southern Morocco's valleys and ergs. All itineraries run between autumn and spring, when temperatures are more pleasant.

Algeria: the most spectacular Sahara

The Tadrart. Stone and sand labyrinths (9 days)

Red dunes, rock arches, canyons and rock paintings create one of the Algerian Sahara’s most fascinating landscapes. We travel in 4×4 vehicles, wild camping in the desert for several nights.

Duration: 9 days · Departures: October–April · From: €1,690 + taxes.

Tadrart, Essendilene and Ihrir Oasis (13 days)

An extended Tadrart itinerary adding oases, gorges and striking contrasts between rock, sand and vegetation.

Duration: 13 days · Special departures: November and March · From: 1,990 € + taxes.

Route of the Saoura (9 days)

From the Western Erg’s dunes to UNESCO-listed Ghardaïa, the route combines desert, oases and Mozabite architecture.

Duration: 9 days · Departures: November–March · From: €1,790 + taxes.

Egypt: Western Desert and Great Sand Sea crossing

An authentic Saharan route through the Libyan Desert, linking remote oases, the famous White Desert and the Great Sand Sea’s immense dunes.

Duration: 10 days · Departures: October–April · From: 2,395 € + taxes.

Mauritania: Adrar oasis and Atlantic coast

A journey linking dunes, oases, ancient caravan towns and the wild coast of Banc d’Arguin National Park.

Duration: 10 days · Departures: autumn and winter · From: €2,030 + taxes.

Chad: expedition to the Ennedi desert

One of the world's great Saharan expeditions. Ennedi's massif, the Guelta d'Archei and the Ounianga lakes offer surreal, little-visited landscapes.

Duration: 15 days · Departures: October–February · From: 5,075 € (flights not included).

Morocco: Hiking in the Draa Valley

Ideal for experiencing the desert on foot: palm groves, adobe kasbahs, dunes and camping beneath the stars.

Duration: 8 days · Departures: October–April · From: 840 €.

Quick comparison of our desert trips

Which one do we recommend according to your experience?

First trip to the desert
Morocco – Draa Valley or Egypt – Western Desert.

Dune lovers
Algeria – El Tadrart.

Cultural and historical interest
Algeria – Saoura route and Mauritania – Adrar Oasis.

Very adventurous travellers
Chad – Expedition to Ennedi.

Best time to travel to the desert

All these trips are scheduled between October and April, avoiding the extreme heat of the Saharan summer. The best conditions are usually between November and February, with mild days and cool nights.

Practical tips for a Saharan route

• Bring light, long-sleeved clothes and a jacket for the night.
• Wear sunglasses and high-SPF sunscreen.
• A sleeping bag rated between 5°C and 10°C is usually sufficient for most departures.
• Stay well hydrated during each stage.
• Always respect the directions of guides and drivers.

If you love the desert, remote landscapes, other cultures and travelling away from the usual routes, you will find information here for your next Sahara trip. Follow these links to learn more, gather ideas and discover the best time to travel.