In January 2009 I led Simoon Travel's first Amguid Crater tour with a group of 8 on a 200-km walk to the 100,000 year-old Amguid Crater and the Erg Bou Zerafa dunefield just beyond.

"I think this is a gem of a trip. I think you have a niche trek that offers so much that is not achievable in other parts of the world....this trip provides unspoilt, remote beautiful changing scenery along with good weather for camping, no extended ascents and no altitude acclimatization. Seeing the crater was unforgettable, it is so dramatic and unexpected a wonderful high point of the trek, although each day provided something new and exciting to see .... I think this is probably the best trip I have done in a long time. If it were possible I would like to go back right now and do it all again" Alan R (Florida).

Brilliant trip - we both really enjoyed it - Great group of people - we all got on all of the time... Chris invariably undersells and over delivers on the expectations of the trip ... is delightfully laid back about things... After 5 vehicle trips to the Sahara it was a totally different experience and a great work out as well. Sue and Roger S (UK).

Same time, same place, same me in January 2011. Contact Simoon.

• The 2007 report ~ good background on the region and tour.

• Map top right.

• The 2007 route on Google Earth.

Movie of the 2007 recce.

Pictures from 2009 below. Click for a bigger image.

Tadjemout - the starting point.	Packing up...	... and setting off. Bismillahi	Lunch on Day 1. Hot.
A sign of things to come...	A long, thin snake.	Approaching Camp 3.	Afternoon stroll up a canyon.
Sadik gets the camels in...	Sharif steams the dinner...	Bousif makes a brew...	... and we just sit around.
Day 3 can be a slog.	A guelta somewhere.	Ou est la cuisine? asks the guide.	Leaving Camp 4.
Sunset at Ta Haft.	Moonset at dawn next day.	We walk to the guelta...	... stalked as ever by the caravan.
Ta Haft rock pools.	A chance for a rinse...	... and another great lunch.	Over the top and round the back.
On the march...	... to KM100.	The caravan catches up.	Tin Djerane, a 'lost oasis'.
A human being far below.	A storm moves in from the north.	Lunch in the rain.	"Go forth, increase and multiply"
Dawn climb onto the crater plateau	Crater still there where it was.	The flattest 500m in 2 weeks.	Frida takes a siesta.
Tricky decent back to base camp.	Next day after petit dej'...	... we head up the canyon.	Short cut over a big meander.
The last afternoon...	... ends in the dunes.	And after the last mile...	...it's all over for 2009.

Fancy it for November '09 or January 2010? Contact Simoon