Algeria History and Desert tour

Day 1 Arrival in Algiers

Arrive in Algiers and transfer to the hotel. Depending on when you arrive there may be time to explore the city.

Day 2 Algiers

Delving deeper into Algiers, we visit the Museum of Antiquities, and the world-class Bardo Museum, housed in an 18^th century neo-Moorish villa, and known for its pre-historic and ethnographic collections. We wander the city’s unique casbah, another UNESCO site, an outstanding example of Maghreb architecture, and one of the most enigmatic places in Algiers.

Day 3 Algiers – Beni Hammad – Setif 

Travel east towards Setif stopping en route at the UNESCO site of Beni Hammad, and visit the National Museum of Setif, home to exhibits from several eras.

Day 4 Setif – Djemila – Constantine 

Today there’s a lot of ground to be covered. However, exploring the UNESCO sites of Djemila and its ancient garrison of Cuicul reveals some of North Africa’s best-preserved Berbero-Roman remains. Forum, temples, basilicas, triumphal arches are all present, but laid out to suit the terrain of a mountain town. From here we continue to Constantine.

Day 5 Constantine

After breakfast we explore Constantine itself, considered the capital of eastern Algeria, and named after Roman Emperor, Constantine the Great.  Visits include the archaeological museum and the Palace of Ahmed Bey, the city’s last Ottoman governor. We will view the city’s famous bridges spanning the dramatic Rhumel Gorge, including the Sidi M’Cid suspension bridge.

Day 6 Constantine – Timgad – Batna 

Taking the road south, our first stop is Medracen, the Tomb of the Numidian Kings, before continuing to the Aurès Mountains and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Roman Timgad. Dating from 100AD, this is a remarkable example of ancient town planning, and includes a huge library, colonnaded streets, temples, amphitheatre, the arch of Trajan, and a basilica. Nearby, we visit the Roman ruins of Lambaesis before continuing to the attractive city of Batna, capital of the Aurès region. Overnight at Hazem Hotel or similar. (BLD)

Day 7 Batna – Biskra – El Oued

Drive to Biskra stopping at the canyon of Rhouffi, the site of the first shots of the Algerian rebellion. Continue to El Oued circled by the sands of the Grand Erg Oriental. Overnight at Hotel Souf or similar. (BLD)

Days 8 & 9 El Oued – Ghardaia (Approximate driving time: seven hours)

Drive to the M’Zab Valley and its largest city Ghardaia which has a distinctive culture unlike the rest of Algeria. It has survived over the centuries as a result of the efforts of the local Mozabite people. It is a charming place and we spend two days observing the day to day routines and visiting the surrounding area. Overnight at Residence Akham or similar. (BLD)

Day 10 Ghardaia – El Menia – Timimoun (Approximate driving time: seven hours)
Drive first to El Menia and its ruined ksar and continue to the picturesque oasis of Timimoun with its distinctive red buildings.

Day 11 Timimoun

Spend the day exploring this lovely oasis, with a picnic lunch out among the dunes.

Day 12 Timimoun – Oran – Tlemcen 

Fly to Oran (two-and-a-half-hours) and drive from there to Tlemcen, once an important town, which contains a superb collection of historic buildings and has a distinct French flavour.

Day 13 Tlemcen – Oran

Today we visit the important sites of Tlemcen including the Grand Mosque, one of the most important Islamic buildings in North Africa, the ruins of the 13th century Mansourah and the tomb of Sidi Boumedienne. In the afternoon drive to Oran and spend time exploring the city including the Bey’s Palace and the 18^th Century Grand Mosque.

Day 14 Oran – Algiers (Domestic flight) – Tipasa

This morning continue our exploration of Oran including the colonial era theatre, and the picturesque Santa Cruz area with its pretty church and fortress, offering great views over the whole of the city. Later transfer to the airport for a flight to Algiers and on arrival drive to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Tipasa, home to a wealth of archaeological remains. We tour a remarkable collection of Roman ruins, including villas and an ancient amphitheatre, that overlooks the Mediterranean. On the way back to Algiers we call in at the ‘Tomb of the Christian’, a Numidian site that despite its name is believed to date from the 3rd century BC.

Day 15  Departure from Algiers
There’s time to relax and take stock of a remarkable trip before transfers to the international airport.