The Faya Loop
An exceptional camel trek through the Borkou tassilis, in the heart of the vast palm grove of Faya Largeau.
Duration
12 days
From
€985/pers.
Ideal seasons
Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec
Style
Expeditions
Comfort
rustique
Travelers
Solo, With friends, Couple
The spirit of travel
In the heart of the Djourab desert, Faya-Largeau invites you to discover its oasis and palm grove that extends for over 70 km. Nestled in the hollow of a basin surrounded by rocky formations, this region of Tchad lends itself to exploration on foot, without a vehicle, through little-known tassilis that emerge at the gates of the oasis. Upon landing, your luggage is loaded onto camels and you set off to discover the palm grove of Faya-Largeau. You gradually leave the basin to reach landscapes of rocks sculpted by erosion, between golden dunes with forms sometimes rounded, sometimes sharp.
Your camel trek takes you to Ouchi Bani and Gor Arkouma, where the erosion of sandstone plateaus has shaped a true rocky labyrinth resembling a ghost city. You then cross the tassilis of Archana, known for their many rock paintings, before discovering the rounded rocks of Akaboursa and their secret spring. Your itinerary continues towards the rocks of Tchala, the Pyramid mountain, then the great Ariminga rock, which offers a plunging view over the Mani oasis. For 10 days, you move at the pace of camels, far from modern hustle and bustle. In the manner of Gourane nomads, you silently cross these desert landscapes, following the wind and the stars. An immersion in the Chadian Sahara, where walking and the simplicity of travel allow you to reconnect with what matters most.
The stages of your journey
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
Arrival in N'Djamena, in the heart of the Chadian capital
You land at Hassan Djamous International Airport, located in the city center of N'Djamena, the capital of Tchad. Upon arrival, you are transferred to your hotel to settle in and enjoy your first moments on site.
From Faya to Djidi
You take a flight to Faya, the capital of the Borkou region and department of the same name. Upon arrival, you proceed with loading the camels before beginning your trek.
Your route begins with crossing the gardens of Faya's great palm grove, located beyond the hospital. You discover their ingenious irrigation system, composed of small canals that transport water from the wells to the various cultivated plots.
You continue your exploration with a visit to the camel market, then to Hali rock. You then discover natron extraction activities, which attract inhabitants from the Boboye region as well as those from more distant villages.
At the end of the day, you reach Djidi, where you spend the night under the palm trees.
From the Faya Oasis to the Historic Rock of Ehi Ariminga
Faya-Largeau → Ehi Ariminga
From the Faya palm grove, you take a rocky track that crosses a plateau with red and white hues. Throughout the journey, you discover small date palm plantations that punctuate this arid landscape. You then continue your itinerary on a vast plateau bordering the north of the Faya basin, before reaching Ehi Ariminga. This rock marks the liberation of the city by the forces of Hissène Habré. You will discover numerous remains testifying to this period of Tchad's history.
At the end of the day, you settle in for a night under canvas.
Passage through Aya Koussa
Ehi Ariminga → Arkoumanga
You set out to discover the entire Aya Koussa rock formation, where tamarisks offer refreshing shade in the heart of this arid landscape. These trees seem to draw their water from an abundant water table. You then continue your journey across a vast plain, before beginning the climb to the plateau, amid desert landscapes.
At the end of the day, you settle in for a night of bivouacking in the heart of the sand dunes.
Archana, between rocks and rock paintings
Arkoumanga → Tchala
After the discovery of Arkoumanga, your guide accompanies you through the valleys towards Tchala. You then reach the peaks of Archana, where you discover an impressive sandstone cathedral and a maze of rock formations with unique shapes.
You enjoy a walk to explore the caves and admire the rock paintings that bear witness to the history of these places.
At the end of the day, you settle in for a night in bivouac, in the heart of sandstone landscapes with varied hues.
The beautiful landscapes of central Sahara
Tchala → Faya-Largeau
You continue your exploration of the tassilis with a ride between sandstone canyons and sand dunes. You discover the massifs located northeast of Archana, heading towards Gou, a vast sunken and rocky valley. You then head back southwest to explore the rocky labyrinths characteristic of central Sahara. You gradually leave these cut-up plateaus to cross a rocky plain with lunar-like appearance, which seems to stretch endlessly.
Your itinerary finally leads you towards Faya and the tassilis of Dozanga, where you continue your discovery of the desert landscapes of Tchad.
Night in bivouac.
Return to Faya by the Sphinx Rock
You reach Faya by passing through the Sphinx Rock, a rock formation that punctuates your journey through desert landscapes. Upon arrival, you settle into a camp managed by an association of women from Faya, a local initiative that values their commitment to welcoming travelers.
Return to N'Djaména
You take a flight to N'Djamena, the capital of Tchad. Upon arrival, you head to your hotel to settle in and rest.
Airport transfer
You are transferred to the airport to catch your return international flight, marking the end of your circuit in Tchad.
Price per person
Indicative price per person, based on double room. Each trip is customized according to your preferences.
This trip can be tailored to your preferences
This itinerary provides an excellent foundation for discovery, but it can be fully customized. Our local advisors build each trip tailored to your budget, dates and preferences.
Not included
- Hotel in N'Djaména and meals
- Tips and drinks
- International flights
Included
- English-speaking support Toumay cook's travel
- Food
- Air transfers and domestic flights
- Camel outfit (camels + tracker + guide)
Practical Information
Registration is considered firm and final after payment of a deposit of 30% of the total price and acceptance of the specific terms of sale.
The balance must be paid no later than 45 days before the departure date.
See our specific terms of sale for full details.
In the event of cancellation by the traveller, the following fees apply:
- Plus de 60 jours avant le départ : 40 % du prix total (acompte retenu)
- Entre 60 et 30 jours avant le départ : 50 % du prix total
- Moins de 30 jours avant le départ : 100 % du prix total
We strongly recommend taking out cancellation insurance. See our specific terms of sale for full details.
The information below concerns travelers who are nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland and Canada traveling to Chad for a tourism stay. Entry rules may change, and we recommend that you verify the information with official authorities before your departure.
Passport
To enter Chad, your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry into the country and have at least two blank pages for immigration stamps.
The document must be in good condition (no damaged, torn or altered pages).
Mandatory visa
Nationals of the European Economic Area, Switzerland and Canada must hold a visa to enter Chad for tourism purposes. There is no visa exemption for these nationalities.
The visa can be obtained:
from the Chad embassy or consulate competent for your area before departure,
in certain cases, on arrival at Hassan Djamous International Airport in N'Djamena (visa on arrival), subject to prior confirmation with Chad authorities, and this option may be subject to conditions.
The authorized stay is generally 30 days, renewable on-site with Chad immigration services.
Authorities may request:
an exit ticket from the territory (return or onward flight),
proof of sufficient financial resources for the duration of your stay,
an invitation or accommodation proof.
Health and vaccinations
Yellow fever vaccination is mandatory to enter Chad. The international vaccination certificate (yellow booklet) will be required on arrival.
Additional vaccinations are strongly recommended by health authorities:
meningitis A, C, Y, W135 (Chad is located in the African meningitis belt),
hepatitis A and B,
typhoid,
rabies depending on planned activities.
Preventive antimalarial treatment (antimalarial prophylaxis) is strongly recommended, as malaria is present throughout the territory. Consult your doctor or an international vaccination center before departure.
Traveling with children
Minors must hold their own valid passport and an individual visa covering the duration of the stay.
In certain European countries, when a minor travels without one of their parents, an authorization to leave the territory may be required according to the regulations of the country of residence.
Other nationalities
Entry conditions may vary depending on nationality. Travelers concerned should contact the Chad embassy or consulate in their country of residence.
We strongly recommend you to take out evacuation and medical expense coverage abroad when participating in our trips.
Your local agency encourages you to review the specific policy developed with our partner CHAPKA ASSURANCES and AXA ASSISTANCE.
To purchase insurance, learn about coverage and rates, follow the link below.
CAP EXPLORER: The complete insurance solution designed for a worry-free trip!
Choose the plan that suits you best:
Explorer'Multirisque
Explorer'Annulation
Explorer'Assistance
Explorer' Complémentaire Carte Bancaire
Specific to our trips, we strongly recommend you subscribe to them.
Should you choose to purchase one of these plans, the full terms and conditions detailing all coverage and claim procedures are available on the insurer's website.
Your local agency will be aware of them, but only the participant is responsible for complying with all claim notification procedures. The participant should therefore keep this policy with them throughout their entire trip.
Frequently asked questions
A tourist visa is mandatory and must be requested from the embassy before departure. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your entry date. An up-to-date vaccination record is required, particularly for yellow fever. The security context requires maximum vigilance. Before booking, verify with the consular authorities of your destination the entry requirements applicable to your nationality.
Go to the My Trips section to find all your projects.
You can send a message to your host directly from the Tea Lounge.
For a tailor-made quality trip, budget between €250 and €450 per day and per person, including accommodation, meals, 4x4 with driver-guide and activities. International flights (€800-1,200 return) are extra. Chad remains a rare and demanding destination, reserved for experienced travellers.
Your documents are accessible in the Documents tab of your trip.
Absolutely. We adapt each itinerary to the traveler's profile. For families, we prioritize relaxed pacing, family-friendly accommodations, engaging and educational activities, and comfortable private transfers. Our English-speaking local guides know how to capture children's attention with age-appropriate stories.
It's simple. You exchange with our local team to define your wishes, budget and dates. You receive a detailed itinerary proposal within 48 hours. You refine every detail together until it's perfect. You confirm and travel with peace of mind. Your local agency remains available 7 days a week throughout your trip.
In case of emergency, contact your local agency immediately.
Payment is generally made in two installments.
Our agency is part of the Nomadays network, registered in France. You benefit from APST (Association Professionnelle de Solidarité du Tourisme) guarantee which covers 100% of your funds. Secure payment, repatriation insurance included, and English-speaking assistance 24/7 on site throughout your stay.
Let's talk about your adventure — Desert North
Sahara Guide from Chad, based in N'djamena
In Chad, the desert is never empty. There are the traces, the landscapes, the stories, the camps, and that light that changes everything throughout the day.
— Faris