Each morning at the Assekrem Plateau, the Hoggar Mountains come alive as the sun pushes its light across one of Algeria's most extraordinary terrains. Sitting at 2,726 meters, the plateau demands a climb that’s as practical as it is rewarding—a 12-kilometer trek from Tamanrasset with roughly 800 meters of elevation gain. It stretches upward through rocky passes and sparse, granite outcrops that feel fiercely ancient, almost daring you to move faster, to press onward before the day truly breaks.

Pre-dawn, the desert air holds a biting chill, encouraging layered clothing and sturdy, gripped footwear. The terrain alternates between loose scree and solid rock, so traction and balance become your steady companions. As you ascend, the landscape reveals sparse scatterings of hardy acacias and the unmistakable silhouette of volcanic peaks rigged against the fading stars. The sky seems to thin, expanding in scope, as you gain altitude.

Reaching the plateau during the first light offers more than a view—it is an immersion. The sun rolls upward boldly, casting long shadows across the rugged ridges and revealing the faint outlines of ancient hermitages clinging to rock faces. A line of solitary goats clambers steadily along crevices as the wind pushes against you, steady and insistent, reminding you that this place is fiercely itself.

Hydration is critical here; the dry Saharan air can dehydrate relentlessly despite the cool morning. Bring at least two liters of water along, and treat snacks as fuel for climbing and focus. The best timing for the ascent is early enough to reach the plateau by sunrise, meaning a start around 3 to 4 AM during most of the year.

The Assekrem Plateau doesn’t just offer a sunrise; it offers a harsh but awakening partnership with nature. You’ll walk alongside a landscape honed by millennia—neither fully tamed nor completely wild—and you’ll leave with a clear understanding of how to prepare for rugged, rewarding desert climbs. This isn’t a mountain to conquer; it’s a morning to meet on equal terms.