In the northern region of Chad, stands the highest mountain massif in the Sahara. This is one of the most unknown, mythical and surprising faces of the world’s largest desert, which is not only made up of sand, but hides a thousand aspects, geological, morphological, anthropological, cultural and historical, all waiting to be discovered.
The Tibesti is a true miracle of nature and the work it has done over the geological ages. Of volcanic origin, its peaks, which exceed 3,000 metres in altitude, are formed by lava flows, basaltic and sandstone sediments, worked and eroded by atmospheric agents into canyons, surreally shaped spires, craters that are still active, stratifications of sodium carbonate (natron) inside calderas 700 metres deep. But also valleys of acacias and vegetable gardens made fertile by the perseverance of the inhabitants, steep slopes as far as the eye can see, dotted with palm groves, gorges and crevasses that plunge steeply down to the golden sand of the Sahara that surrounds the entire massif. The small villages with the circular huts of the Tubu-Teda have been there for thousands of years, the only custodians of the secrets of these mountains. Proud warriors and cattle breeders, they refused to leave these lands, among the most spectacular in the world, but also among the most inhospitable.
From the oasis of Faya Largeau, crossing sandy landscapes, passing over gigantic erg and around cliffs, meeting tiny traditional villages as far as Yebbi Bou, venturing between the most impervious peaks and gorges, reaching the highest peaks with breathtaking views and exploring the most ancient volcanoes and craters, such as Pic Tousside and Trou au Natron, descending to the valley among fertile valleys and luxuriant palm groves… everything in the Tibesti has the flavour of true adventure and emotions that only the desert and its thousands of unexpected faces can offer.
