Timia Travel Guide

 Bonobo2005 Says:  We kept following the main track. Both the camels and I were completely exhausted. It was dark now and nothing to enjoy anymore. I had a really hard time now, after 10 hours on the saddle. I couldn’t persuade my camel anymore to follow the others. “More only one hour”,... 

 Bonobo2005 Says:  But still, I was so happy to have the ride. Late in the afternoon we reached Agadez. Next day I left for Ingall, where the (official) Cure Salee Festival still lasted for at least two more days (check out my Ingall page). When I returned from Ingall I met Moussa again. He... 

 Bonobo2005 Says:  Next day, on Thursday, it took another 8 arduous hours before we reached Agadez. We stopped near the scenic valley with El Meki village and made several other, rather shameful photo stops. At one of these several occasions we passed a small camel caravan and however I agree... 

 Bonobo2005 Says:  We drove for 4 dusty, bumpy and hot hours and it was hard for me to imagine how this could be fun for 5 or more days, driving every day for many hours. The scenery was unusual, the shapes of the peaks extravagant, but also quite monotonous and sombre. The group turned out to... 

 Bonobo2005 Says:  Around 4.30 PM the caretaker returned to close the Fort again, but unfortunately he broke his key in the front door. What a pity…he had to renew the lock, that first had to be ordered from the Agadez truck on its next arrival. I decided the young man deserved a good tip…I... 

 Bonobo2005 Says:   continued from "Transportation Tips"It was dark when we finally wandered through the alleys in Timia to the house of “a friend”. We arrived totally unexpected and quite late, but Ahmed, owner of one of the two little stores in the oasis town, welcomed us in as best... 

 Bonobo2005 Says:   I decided to spend the hot hours of the day in the Fort, a few hours alone for the first time in many days. I had to ask permission of the Chief, after which Conan went looking around for the caretaker. The hike up the hill is short and not difficult, about 15 minutes if... 

 Bonobo2005 Says:  There’s nothing too see that reminds of Colonial history, but the views from the roof are brilliant. From here you can overlook the whole village and see how it contrasts with its surroundings. 

 Bonobo2005 Says:   On top of one of the hills surrounding Timia is the Fort Massu. It has been a small outpost for the French in the nineteen fifties and is recently restored and open for tourism. It is aimed to use as a guesthouse. 

 Bonobo2005 Says:  On the way back we stopped at some gardens to buy fresh dates and fruits. You can observe the irrigation methods, a practise that is most important here. Big bags of water has sometimes to be pulled up from 20 meters or deeper and it’s camels or cows doing that job. When the... 

 Bonobo2005 Says:  With Busee I went to the nearby small village of Tassalwat (pop. 1000), where he was born. A lovely but hot one hour walk passing many gardens of palms and fruit trees. The village itself is not especially interesting but as we visited his family and some friends I enjoyed... 

 Bonobo2005 Says:  Next morning Moussa was less sure about a possible ride back to Agadez. The truck didn’t arrive yet and even if it would arrive today, it would stay here at least some days to gather new load. But he didn’t add that; I just knew. Then the ride to Agadez would take two full... 

 Bonobo2005 Says:   By 4PM I went out for a short walk around Timia, sitting down here and there. It was the time to enjoy the friendliness of mostly the women and the children as most men were either working in the gardens or having their long rest. Although it was hard to communicate it was... 

 Bonobo2005 Says:   When we reached Ahmed’s home I was sweating again. We retired to the open room next to the courtyard, where we had an excellent lunch and rested until late in the afternoon. That’s the way to survive. Stay inside during the burning 40 degrees and up temperatures between... 

 Bonobo2005 Says:   The waterfall itself is not very voluminous or high but the whole scene is very pretty and in such a hot climate a cold bath is highly welcome of course. In fact there are three pools. The main pool at the bottom is where you can swim and where local people may wash... 

 Bonobo2005 Says:   From Timia to the cascade is a scenic half an hour walk, partly ploughing through sand, partly on hard lava stone surface, best undertaken in the early hours of the day. In former days the cascade was not reachable by vehicle, but thanks to an initiative of a German... 

 Bonobo2005 Says:  After breakfast I went with Moussa, Busee and Conan to the cascade, the natural wonder that makes Timia worth a stop for regular tour groups too. Here you can take a refreshing swim in a small but refreshing pool and laze in the cool shadow of the eroded rocks. I didn’t know... 

 Bonobo2005 Says:   During my stay in Timia, Moussa was most of the time not with me, but he arranged everything perfectly.It’s rare that travellers arrive here without a guide, but if you do, you might visit Ahmed’s store; I’m sure he’ll help. I was in very good hands with Ahmed and his...