Beyond the Azalaï
Timbuktu-Taudenni-Chinguetti-Nouakchott
Ultimated Sahara Expedition
Leaded by Alberto Nicheli

Tour 2004: Arrival Bamako 05/11/2004, Departure Nouakchott 23/11/2004

Category Great Expeditions

19 days in one of the still unexplored regions of the Sahara between Mali and Mauritania.
Overnights at bush camp  (Cod. 582)

The first part of the journey will follow the tracks of the Azalaï (the salt caravan) that links Timbuktu to the salt mines of Taudenni. This part of the itinerary is marked by strong ethnic interest: Timbuktu and his traditional quarters, the last largest salt caravans with lines of hundreds of camels, adobe villages lost in the desert, wells as meeting points of nomadic peoples, tents and Campement.

Taudenni salt mines and village are right in the center of Sahara and inhabited only during the cold season from October to April. In this remote region nothing has changed since the XVI century. The caravans of camels arrive from Timbuktu to load the “white gold” which made Timbuktu rich and famous. The workers are the Harratines, descending from the black slaves of the Arabs, working in the same manner and using the same tools as centuries ago.

The work is done under the sun and the miners live in huts built of salt blocks. In Taudenni the salt is everywhere: also the water is salty.
The only «authority» of the region, the Marabou, Muslim scholar and magician…

The second part of the itinerary, from Taudenni to Ouadane will be exclusively out of any track, “navigating” through the sea of dunes. An exploration to rediscover an ancient caravan track, long forgotten. Trhâza, salt mines were the main trading center between South Algeria, Morocco and black Africa, now a ghost village abandoned 4 centuries ago.

This area will give us the ultimate experience to cross the more remote and unexplored regions in Sahara (the wildest desert on earth) only a few western has been here. We will be able to explore the south part of Erg Chech known for is difficulties that have “sink” other explorative expeditions.

Bir Amrane, Alafia Dunes, Their El Hank are mysterious names on the map, we will link them to discover reminiscent of forgotten civilizations, and meet the legendary fireless nomads R’Gaybatt.

The third part of the itinerary, after the long crossing of dunes we will appreciate green oasis with dates palm plantation. Ancient oasis founded by Berbers in 12th century, Ouadane is still in part inhabited. The dwellings are built of stone and are nicely decorated in the typical Moorish style.

Chinguetti was the “capital” of the Moorish and 7th sacred city to the Islam the main religious and cultural places of the nomadic world throughout all Western Sahara. The ancient Ksar in white stone with 5 towers is a remarkable example of arabo-berber architecture. In the private houses the families will show us ancient manuscript collections. A last drive on the ocean fringe will bring us to Nouakchott the capital of Mauritania.