Expeditions in the world's deserts and steppes

Entry requirements vary by nationality; check with the embassy or consulate of the destination country and with your own country's authorities before booking. For Algeria, a visa must generally be obtained in advance from the Algerian consulate in your country of residence. For Mauritania, a biometric visa is issued on arrival at the main international airports (Nouakchott, Atar during the tourist season from September to April, Nouadhibou) for 55 euros, valid for 30 days and a single entry. For China, a tourist or exploratory visa is required, and special access permits may be necessary to enter the Altyn Tagh national nature reserve. As consular requirements change regularly, always verify current conditions well in advance of departure.

For Algeria, updating diphtheria-tetanus-polio vaccination is recommended, along with hepatitis A, hepatitis B and typhoid fever depending on trip conditions. For Mauritania, yellow fever vaccination is very strongly recommended for travel south of the Sahara, alongside meningococcal meningitis (A+C+Y+W135), typhoid fever and hepatitis A and B vaccines. Rabies vaccination may be proposed for extended stays in remote areas. A consultation at a travel medicine clinic, scheduled well in advance to allow for any required booster courses, is essential to tailor the vaccination programme to each destination and individual medical profile.

In Algeria, sporadic malaria cases are recorded; preventive treatment is not systematically recommended, but any fever upon return should prompt immediate medical consultation. In Mauritania, the risk is more significant in the Senegal River valley and in Nouakchott during and after the rainy season (August to November); an appropriate antimalarial course should be discussed with a doctor before departure. The core desert zones where most itineraries take place carry a lower risk, but malaria prevention should always be assessed during the pre-travel medical consultation based on the precise route.

Insurance covering medical expenses and medical evacuation from remote areas is non-negotiable. Evacuation in a desert environment can be slow and extremely costly: the distance from medical facilities, frequent absence of mobile network coverage and extreme weather conditions all complicate emergency response. Before taking out a policy, check that it explicitly covers the activities involved on the chosen expedition, multi-day trekking, camel caravan, rock climbing, as well as the destination countries and their risk level.

For the Altyn Tagh expedition in China, the national nature reserve requires specific access permits; obtaining them is an integral part of the logistical preparation. In Algeria, the deep south is subject to local regulations, notably regarding communication equipment: importing radios, drones or satellite phones requires prior authorisation from the Algerian authorities. In Mauritania, certain north-eastern zones are under military control and require express authorisation from the army command or regional governor. These procedures are built into each expedition's organisation; it is nonetheless advisable to enquire about current requirements well in advance.

The catalogue ranges from moderate, the Altyn Tagh exploration in China (29 days), to difficult, the Mauritanian camel caravan crossing (40 days). The climbing programme in Algeria's Hoggar (15 days, challenging level) demands solid physical condition and confident rock-climbing ability. The camel trekking itinerary requires the capacity to walk several hours a day over loose, sandy terrain, sometimes in intense heat, with bivouac camping every night. For any programme, several months of progressive physical preparation and prior experience of multi-day trekking are strongly recommended.

Experience of multi-day walking and sufficient autonomy in remote environments are expected for all programmes in the catalogue. For the Mauritanian camel crossing, previous outings in arid or wilderness conditions are a useful prerequisite. For the Hoggar climbs, hands-on experience of alpine mountaineering at F to PD grade is required. For the Altyn Tagh, if the programme includes an attempt on Ulugh Muztagh (6973 m), solid high-altitude mountaineering experience is indispensable, even though the main focus of the expedition is exploratory trekking.

These programmes are not designed for travellers without experience of long outings in demanding environments. Expedition length, isolation, climatic extremes and logistical complexity all require the ability to manage sustained discomfort, solid baseline fitness and a basic command of desert safety. Expert leadership and experienced local teams provide a strong safety framework, but do not replace thorough individual preparation. Those seeking a first experience of the Sahara might consider shorter discovery treks before committing to a multi-week crossing.

The optimal window for Saharan expeditions in Algeria and Mauritania runs from October to April, when daytime temperatures remain manageable and allow comfortable progression. Summer in the Sahara, with temperatures regularly exceeding 40 °C, should be avoided for any physically demanding expedition. In Mauritania, Atar airport operates international flights only between September and April, which aligns with the favourable season. In China's Altyn Tagh reserve, the spring window (May-June) and the autumn window (August-September) offer the most suitable conditions before the harsh cold of the Tibetan plateau sets in.

The active catalogue covers three main areas: the Hoggar massif in Algeria, with its iconic rock faces and summits around Tamanrasset; the Altyn Tagh nature reserve in China, on the remote fringes of Xinjiang and the Tibetan plateau, explored in search of rare endemic wildlife such as Tibetan antelope, kiang and wild yak; and the Mauritanian Sahara, crossed north to south through the Adrar ergs on a camel caravan expedition. The page also mentions past or on-request expeditions in other desert environments worldwide, the Namib in Namibia, the Gobi, the Taklamakan and Chad, generally feasible as private or tailored departures.

The great Mauritanian camel caravan has a confirmed next departure on 1 November 2026. For the other expeditions in the catalogue, the Hoggar in Algeria and the Altyn Tagh in China, departures are exclusive and typically one-off, organised on request because of logistical and geopolitical complexity and the availability of specialist leaders. Private group booking and the design of a fully tailored desert expedition in any region not currently listed are both possible; contact the team to discuss feasibility and timing.

Prices observed in the catalogue range from €5,250 for the great Mauritanian camel caravan (40 days, international flight included) to €11,500 for the Altyn Tagh exploration in China (29 days, flight not included). The Hoggar rock-climbing expedition in Algeria starts at €7,900 for 15 days, flight not included. On top of these amounts, budget for the international flight where not included, specialist insurance covering the activities practised and evacuation from remote areas, personal technical equipment and visa fees.

Prices generally include expert leadership, on-the-ground logistics and transfers, accommodation in bivouac or local lodging, meals throughout the expedition, and all pack animals, handlers and camp staff for camel caravan programmes. The international flight is included in the Mauritanian camel expedition; it must be booked separately for the Algeria and China programmes. Personal insurance, individual equipment, any specialist gear purchases and visa fees are always at the participant's own expense.

Expeditions are led by experienced specialists with deep knowledge of their terrain, supported by local teams trained to the specific conditions of each desert: Saharan guides, camel handlers and experienced cooks for the caravan crossings, and local climbing specialists for the Hoggar routes. Groups are kept deliberately small, two to four participants for the EU expeditions and four to eight for the Mauritanian crossing, ensuring personalised attention and rapid adaptation to field conditions. Medical cover in isolated environments relies on the leaders' training and satellite communication protocols; local rescue capacity is limited, which makes comprehensive evacuation insurance all the more critical.

These programmes are defined by their exploratory dimension and access to rarely visited zones: the Altyn Tagh reserve in China is among the least-frequented wilderness areas in the world, chosen for the outstanding richness of its endemic wildlife. Many programmes are one-off departures, designed with leaders whose primary commitment is to genuine exploration rather than commercial routines. The Mauritanian camel crossings draw on deep Saharan expertise, enabling large-scale itineraries with reliable, experienced ground teams. Intentionally small groups, access to top-tier local guides, and the option of designing a fully customised programme round out this approach to desert expedition as real adventure.