Routes

In 2008 there will be two completely separate routes.

All teams will start in Ireland, and convoy until reaching southern France, where the teams will split off to join their respective routes.

The easterly route will take teams through eastern Europe to Turkey, from there they will pass through Syria, Jordan and Egypt before continuing on to Libya, Tunisia, Algeria and finally Mali.

Teams on the westerly route will pass through Spain, Morocco, Western Sahara and Mauritania and Senegal before they reach Mali.

Teams from both routes will rendezvous at Gao in Mali before they all tackle the 300 miles of desert piste to Timbuktu together.

After reaching Timbuktu and a couple of days rest, all teams will head back home via Mauritania, Western Sahara, Morocco, Spain, France, UK and finally Ireland.

UPDATE : 30/06/2008

Due to a problem with carnets and new biometric ID requirements for Libyan visas, all teams will now be taking the westerly route.