Your Excursion into the Sahara

• All expeditions are organized by a English-speaking Touareg guide who determines precisely and in detail what water and food reserves are necessary for conditions to be optimally safe. He also knows the land intimately and thus whether, in exceptional circumstances, to modify the program for safety reasons.
• Routes are known perfectly by the local guides and these latter are masters of orienteering in such desert terrain.
• The all-terrain vehicles are equipped to face all possible conditions that one might meet in the desert, and the drivers understand perfectly how to undertake driving in a desert milieu.
• Baggage, equipment for the bivouacs, and food and water reserves are transported according to the type of excursion either in the vehicles, or by the pack animals.
• A satellite telephone will be present on certain excursions.

• A cook will accompany you through your whole stay and will offer you a healthy and tasty cuisine (no problem for special diets, to be specified during registration)
• Continental breakfast, tea, coffee, chocolate, bread, jam…
• Cold meals at midday: mixed salads, cheese, fruit…
• Hot dinners in the evening: soup, hot dishes and dessert… and the famous three Touareg teas
• Alcohol: can be expected upon departure from Europe but do not forget that you are in a Muslim country, so out of respect for the local culture it is better to partake of the local aperitif: Touareg teas and peanuts.
• Aman Iman, a Touareg proverb meaning that water is life. You will have drinking water to drink as you wish through the whole trip, transported into canteens on our departure and which can be drunk without any problem. All the same, for the sake of taking the greatest precautions we advise you to bring in any case a water purifier (Micropur type).
• Wood: This is becoming scarce, in general we make a traditional fire, but it is important to be economical, so we utilize the gas for cooking and the wood for the Touareg tea and the famous flat pastry cake (bread cooked under embers)

• The sites for the bivouacs are chosen for their beauty so help us to keep them pristine and intact.
• Leave nothing behind you: put garbage in the garbage bags
• Toilets: Learn from your cat, dig a hole in the sand that can be re-covered afterwards and burn toilet paper on site or collect it a small bag which can be thrown on the fire before departure
• Cigarette ends and garbage: Please throw these on the fire only upon departure so as not to contaminate the fire (which is used for cooking)

• As the air is very dry and pure, the body does not sweat much, and the use of washcloths should suffice; the store “le vieux campeur” sells suitable linens in the form of flannel face cloths which are very pleasant to use.
• During the excursion you will be able if you wish to obtain a little water and freshen up and with this “cat-style wash” get through quite satisfactorily.
• Access to Turkish baths is often planned for the last day, or you will have access to a shower.

• The Touareg are a very open people, your guide will help you out if you ask him questions regarding local customs. (Do not forget that you are in a Muslim country).
• Generally, avoid showing your body too much so as not to provoke shock.
• Ladies, avoid dressing “provocatively,” shorts as well as low cut clothing are not recommended!!! This will give you better contact with the people.
• If you meet children, do not give candies or money to them, if you wish to give them something, please give it to your guide or an adult.
• If you really wish to please, you can leave your medical supplies as well as some clothes for adults or for children (warm ones included) with your guides who will redistribute them.

• In general, one does not find cash dispensers and bank cards are not used, the best thing is to organize a little money in bills before leaving.
• During your stay, no extras are to be expected except if you would like mineral water (€20 for the week), or an igloo tent (€15), indicate this before you depart.
• Souvenirs: purchases possible the last day of your trip: cloths, Touareg jewelry…
• Tips: It is common practice to leave a tip at the end of the excursion, about €20 for the week but this is entirely at your discretion.

• We have suggested a list which is not exhaustive to prepare your bag