french
November
2005 Integral crossing of Tenere Desert
First attempt of Full
Flight over the Tenere Desert in Paramotor, from Bilma oases
to the Tenere Tree
Hommage to the air recognitions carried out in the thirties by
the Desert Squadron
4x4, motorbikes and paramotors
After
the 2003 expedition, Bagzane, the Tuareg's
Fortress, and the 2004 expedition, from
Tenere to Blue Mountains,
with the circuit of the 2005 expedition,
the Tuaregs will show you breath taking lanscape :
Iferouane, Blue Mountains, Adrar Chiriet, Thierry Sabine Tree,
Djado Ksar, oases and open sky salt mines of Bilma and Fachi, Last salt caravans,
Tenere Tree, dinosaurus of Gadifawa, and the famous Agadez Minaret !
When is the expedition ?
The expedition is to be done during 2 weeks, begining
of November 2005, probably from November 4 (probably late). to 19.,
as soon as Point Afrique or Go-Voyages schedule will be published. Departure
and Return flights from Paris or Marseille.
Who
organise the trip ?
The trip is organised in Niger with the help of the travl agency of my friend,
the Tuareg Guide Aghali Abdou www.madet.online.fr
. His travel agency, one of the best in Agadez, has a strong experience of travel
in this area. They provide local services for well-known french and swiss
specialised agencies as Allibert Voyages, Tamera, etc...
Airline
and Airports
We have selected Point Afriqueor Go-Voyages which provides direct flights from
Paris or Marseille to Agades for around 500 euros round trip. Baggages allowance 20kg per flight. Excess baggages 2 euros/kg.
Departure and Return from Paris-Roissy-CDG3 (to be confirmed).
Who
are the participants ? :
Pilote or not pilote, biker or not biker, everybody can be part of this expedition.
Please send me an email if you want to come as soon as possible
. Reservations will start late August 2005. There will be 1 biker per motorbike
(switching), and 3 to 4 passengers per 4x4. The number of 4x4 will depend of
the number of registered participants.
Where
is Niger ?
Niger is one of the poorest country of Africa. It has no sea shore, and is near
Mali, Algeria, Lybia, Tchad, Nigeria and Burkina-Fasso. Agadez is 700 km from
the capital city is Niamey. Agadez is the last city North-East of the country,
and is the Door of the Sahara.
Which
area are we visiting ?
North of Agadez is the volcanic solid mass of Aïr, with a more moderate
climate because of altitude, where lives the Tuaregs in small villages and campements.
In the east, is the famous Tenere desert, the desert of the deserts, crossed
by the Tuaregs from October to December, with the camels caravans (dromedaries
in fact) to supply itself out of salt in the oases of Fachi and Bilma.
What
is the circuit ?
Flight Paris-Agadez (1 stop in Marseille)
From Agadez here are the main stages : CIRCUIT MAP
Which
transportation are we going to use ?
Each 4x4 is driven by a Tuareg driver-guide
and transports 3 to 4 passengers (according to the number of participants).
In Agadès, we also have 2 motorbikes Yamaha 250 TTR. Those who
wishes will drive sections with the motor bike, mountain lanes in Aïr,
sands in Tenere. The circuit is punctuated whith many halts (It is not like
a rally Paris Dakar!). We will also have pick-ups with driver to carry
the equipment (gasoline, water, food and camping) and a cook.
How
is security provided ?
In the event of accident the conditions of repatriation are difficult because
will generally be several days of track of Agadez, where there is no daily flight...
However our convoy will be equipped with a Thuraya
satellite telephone which allow
constantly to join helps. You will also be able to give phone calls to the buddies
remained at work, or to your family (1€50 per minute approximately).
Do
we have to carry maps, GPS ?
The most adapted charts are the Massif
Chart of Aïr to the 1/500 000 of the IGN and the general chart of Niger
to the 1/2 000 000 of the IGN. No chart is essential because the guides knows
the country. For obvious reasons of safety, GPS and VHS are mandatory
for the paramotors pilots.
What
are the weather conditions ?
Usually: sun and blue sky the day, starlight night and Milky Way by night.
The chance of clouds is very very weak. It is normally the calmest period of
the year with very little wind early the morning and in all end day, therefore
favourable with the paramotors flights. The temperature can vary between 5-10°Celsius
at night and 35-40°Celsius in the shade during the day... but there is no
shade! (thus rest in a summary campment). The sun rises at 6am and lie down
towards 6:30pm.
Which
equipment to bring with you ?
Minimum: Sandals - walking
shoes in fabric - light Tee-shirt with long sleeves - 2 Tee-shirts - sunglasses
- bob, hat or chech- sun lotion - jacket against wind with removable polar fabric-
sleeping bag.
(it is possible to do cleanings in a bucket, fast drying is guaranteed!)
No special vestimentary precautions for the women, but avoid short pants in
Agadez.
Water container(a bottle out of plastic PET, but not out of too fragile PVC,
is enough).
Anti-mosquito spray and shampoo.
Possible rudimentary cleaning every days, and more complete (shower with a bucket,
or bath in a "guelta") the every 3-4 days.
Lighter to burn the paper of toilet, and replaces the wind socket advantageously
when there is little wind.
1 liter of oil and a spark replacement plug for each paramotor.
Money: All is included except the gasoline for paramotors (0,8 EUR/L in 2004).
You will have to pay the agency in cash or bank check in Agadez.
Bring some extra money for restaurant in Agadez, a gift for the guides, drinks,
gifts and souvenirs.
Paramotor pilots
security equipment for navigation flights :
- one liter water container (PET bottle ok)
- 1 lighter
- GPS with highway
function with cigaret-lighter adaptator
- VHF radio (140 MHz) with cigaret-lighter adaptator
- manual
12V generator
Food
?
The cook prepares, with the wood fire, an occidentalized kitchen (which
avoids possible problems digestive), including local products and traditional
bread.
Sleeping
?
After Agadez every night is outdoor. Those who wishes it will be possible
to have a tent (provided) or quite simply to sleep outdoor watching a beautiful
sky (and really beautiful!) on a mattress (provided by the agency). At that
time nights are not yet icy but can be fresh (definitely colder than in Agadez
where it will make at that time 14°C at night), therefore bring a good sleeping
bag and a head protection.
Health ?
The climate of the desert is particularly healthy (sterilized each day by
a relentless sun!). Provided water is excellent (fossil water of protected wells),
and there is practically no risk of gastro-intestinal problems
(Take some intestinal disinfectant as Nifuroxazide 200mg). No malaria normally
at that time of the year and in this area: an anti-mosquito spray is sufficient
but the prevention is left with your appreciation (I do not take any). The certificate
of vaccination against the Yellow fever is obligatory.
Special
conditions required ?
Everybody can attend this circuit. The dry heat of the area of Agadez and
the desert is easily bearable. The use of the motor bikes will be done on a
volunteer basis.
Expedition price ?
The Adrar Madet agency fee is around 1300 euros per person. It includes
almost everything, the hirings of vehicles, the gasoline (except for paramotors),
parts for motor bikes, hotels within Agadez, meals, guides, drivers and cooks.
It is necessary to add the airfare (approximately 500 euros Return ticket).
Thus the all-included budget for the 15 days Paris to Paris trip should not
exceed 1800 euros.
Baggages allowance 20kg per flight. Excess baggages 2 euros/kg.
Visa
As this information may change, please check again before departure :
Yellow Fever proof of vaccination required.
1 month visa can be delivered upon arrival at Agadez airport for 31 euros in
cash for all nationalities (no photography required).
Reservation
Booking no later than end of August 2005:
IMPORTANT
Each one is registered under its own responsibility, dealing directly with Point-Afrique
and Adrar Madet Voyages.
François
Lagarde
7, rue Rosa Bonheur 75015 PARIS
PHONE +33 (0)1.45.67.35.40
CELL +33 (0)6.68.18.10.10