Immidir Trek to the Amguid Crater

This tour is an active and adventurous 15 day journey and a moderate level of fitness is required. Nights will be spent camping under the stars. You will be accompanied by a UK-based Simoon guide and local Tuareg guides, cooks and cameleers. Prices from £2420 >>

Day 1 (Sunday)

Take a flight from London to Algiers and a connecting flight to Tamanrasset, in Southern Algeria.

Day 2

We set off north to the small oasis and abandoned fort of Tadjemout where we meet our guides and camels.

Day 3

We continue our journey east into the Immidir for an easy first day, enjoying a relaxed lunch in the shade of an acacia and camping near a cave decorated with prehistoric rock art.

Day 4

Clambering over low rocky hills and passing hidden gueltas or rock pools, we arrive at our camp by lunchtime. From here we can take an afternoon stroll to explore a nearby box canyon.

Day 5

See the Sahara in all its formidable grandeur, as you spend the day crossing an ever-changing and imposing rock landscape.

Day 6

A refreshing visit to a watering hole, or guelta, provides a dramatic backdrop for lunch before following the camel trail through an otherworldly terrain of rock and sand.

Day 7

Walk along the edge of spectacular gorges and enjoy the stunning views across the plain towards a huge sand dune. Tonight’s camp is just beyond the dune.

Day 8

Dry riverbed and campsite, Southern Algeria

Passing the 100 km mark warrants an the traditional group photo, followed by an early lunch near some glittering waterholes. In the afternoon we stumble across the 'lost oasis' of Tim Djerane whose abandoned palmerie leads down to our riverbed camp, ringed by the escarpments of the Tassedit plateau.

Day 9

In the morning there is an opportunity to swim in a beautiful guelta. The trek then leads deeper into one of the valleys, which carves its way through the plateau.

Day 10

We wind into the narrowing canyon of the Oued Tassedit, and soon after lunch arrive at 'base camp' and prepare for tomorrow's early start for the crater.

Day 11

We climb out of the canyon and set off across the undulating plateau and by late morning arrive at the rim to behold the perfectly circular crater below. After exploring the crater we return to camp for mid-afternoon.

Day 12

Today we reach the huge dunes of Bou Zefara. Suddenly the landscape is transformed as we plunge ankle-deep into the sands for the epic 2-hour finale to the camp where we meet the cars.

Day 13

A 4x4 off-road ride through some inhospitable landscapes slowly brings us ever closer to civilisation again.

Day 14

Arrive back in Tamanrasset, with a chance to buy some Tuareg jewellery and crafts. After a shower and a meal at the campsite, around midnight we leave for the airport.

Day 15 (Sunday)

After the return flight to Algiers we catch our connecting flight back to London.

Be one of the first to experience the extraordinary landscape of the Immidir region in Southern Algeria. This two week trek will take you deep into the heart of the Sahara, allowing you to soak up its grandeur as you amble through otherworldly canyons, across rocky plains and over awe-inspiring sand dunes. With camels to carry your main bag, a cook to keep you well fed and a guide to lead you in the right direction, you will be well looked after on this desert adventure. The highlight of the tour is reaching the Amguid Crater: a 100,000 year old perfectly circular meteorite impact crater.