11 Days Algeria Vacation
The highlights of this vacation in Algeria includes Explore the traditional Casbah in Algiers, Visit the Roman UNESCO heritage sites of Djemila and Tipaza, Stroll around Constantine, the picturesque ‘City of Bridges’, Explore the Timimoun region in the Sahara desert, Journey around the mighty Grand Erg Occidental and marvel at the beautiful oasis town of Taghit
Day One: Arrival in Algiers
On your arrival, the gide from Afrikan Wildlife Safaris will pick you up and transfer you to the hotel. Depending on the time of arrival, you may go f or the city tour which is overlooking the waters of the Mediterranean, Algiers began life as a Phoenician trading post, but it was the 10th century Berbers under Bologhine ibn Ziri who began the city’s rise to prosperity. Over time it fell to the Almohades, the Ottomans and the French, before the struggle for independence finally saw the Algerians having control from their colonial overlords in the early 1960’s. Much of the historic heart of the city dates back to Ottoman times and includes the impressive facade of the Ketchaoua Mosque. Dinner and overnight at ST Hotel.
Day Two: Djemila and Constantine
This morning, we drive east out of the capital to the ancient Roman city of Djemila, a UNESCO World Heritage site considered one of the finest in North Africa. The wheel-rutted streets of ancient Cuicul, founded by Nerva to house his subjects, are lined with elaborate houses, a forum, basilica, triumphal arches and temples. It is a fascinating example of Roman town planning adapted to suit its mountain location. Equally impressive is Djemila’s stunning museum, where every square inch of the immense walls are plastered with mosaics. After wandering around this charming site we continue our journey east to Constantine or ‘Cirta’ with its dramatic setting amongst precipitous cliffs and deep gorges. The French writer Alexandre Dumas called it ‘a fantastic city, something like Gulliver’s flying island. Founded 2,000 years ago, a plateau surrounded by deep ravines was a great place to build because the city could be easily defended. Since then Constantine has outgrown the plateau and spilled over into the adjoining areas. They are connected to the old city by seven high bridges hence the title ‘City of Bridges’. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Ibis.
Day Three: Constantine to Algiers
After breakfast, we will have a city tour of Constantine which boasts an excellent museum, noted in particular for its Roman mosaics, as well as the delightful Palace of Ahmed Bey and a handful of impressive mosques. We will have most of the day to tour around the city and take in the traditional casbah with its local market and experience the architectural triumphs of the city’s bridges. In the late afternoon we’ll transfer to the airport and fly back to the capital city, Algiers. Dinner and overnight at ST Hotel.
Day Four: Timimoun
On this day, you will drive to Algiers airport to catch your morning flight to Timimoun, our gateway to the Sahara desert! On arrival, you will be transferred to the hotel in this small town noted for some of the most spectacular scenery around the Grand Erg Occidental. Timimoun is the perfect place to spend some time strolling through the old town with its ancient ksars (fortified dwellings), admiring Sudanese influenced architecture such as the Sid Moussa Mosque, as well as visiting the town’s market and handicraft shops. We will also visit the palmeraie where we will learn about the ancient irrigation system used there known as ‘fouggara’. In the modern part of the town we will find the ‘Oasis Rouge’, a building built by the French that now houses a fascinating cultural center. Beyond the town the haunting sand dune landscapes of the Grand Erg Occidental provide a stunning backdrop for our first night in the Sahara desert region. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Gourara.
Day Five : Timimoun Region
Today, have very early morning breakfast and we will explore the areas around Timimoun before the temperature starts rising, including the Grand Erg Occidental and what remains of the Sebkha de Timimoun (salt lake). Depending upon local conditions we will visit various sites such as the deep red caves and the abandoned village of Tindjillet. If possible we will try and arrange tea with a local family, before escaping the afternoon heat and heading back to Timimoun for the rest of the day. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Gourara.
Day Six: Beni Abbes and Taghit
This morning, we will drive northwest to the ‘Pearl of the Saoura’ or the ‘white oasis’ town of Beni Abbes, a beautiful setting where the oasis ends and the sand dunes rise majestically into the distance. Time permitting we should have the chance to tour the ksar and visit the Sahara Museum. We will also learn about Father Charles de Foucauld – a French monk who lived here as a hermit back in 1905 – and visit the site where he constructed his hermitage not far from the town. From here we will continue onto to Taghit for the night. Dinner and overnight at El Bordj traditional guesthouse.
Day Seven: Taghit – Bechar – Oran:
Welcome to Taghit, a small oasis village located on the western edge of the Grand Erg Occidental. The dunes here tower over the eastern edge of the town, and the views as you come over the hill towards the old Ksar are simply magnificent. The town is dominated by red mud architecture along narrow winding streets making for some fantastic photo opportunities. After a few hours to tour the town. have an early lunch and drive on to Bechar in time to catch a late afternoon flight to Oran. On arrival you will be transferred to the hotel. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Deux Horloges.
Day Eight: Oran:
Today after breakfast, we will take a guided tour of Oran, the original home of fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent and also Albert Camus, who used this Mediterranean city to inspire one of his novels. Oran has a significant Spanish flavour to it after more than two centuries of occupation before the French took over in the 19th century. We will visit the major sites such as Place du 1er Novembre, Santa Cruz fort and chapel, La Cathedrale du Sacre Coeur and Bey’s Palace. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Deux Horloges.
Day Nine: Tipaza and Algiers:
This exciting day, we will take a train eastwards from Oran. This is a great opportunity to chat with the locals. After a couple of hours, we will board off and drive to the Tipaza, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Considered to be one of the most important archaeological sites in North Africa, this old Roman port rose to prominence under the emperor Septimus Severus (AD193-211), and provides us with a remarkable collection of Punic, Roman and Numidian temples and monuments. We will then drive east towards Algiers, and time permitting visit the Royal Mausoleum of Mauretania on the way. This imposing tomb is the final resting place of Berber Juba II and Cleopatra Selene II, who were the last king and queen of the ancient Kingdom of Mauretania. Returning to Algiers by the evening. Dinner and overnight at ST Hotel.
Day Ten: Algiers:
This morning after breakfast, we will go out on a guided tour of the capital, focussing upon the historic casbah, one of the most impressive in all of North Africa. This UNESCO World Heritage site was described by Le Corbusier as “a masterpiece of architecture and town planning. There will be some free time this afternoon to explore more of this lively city at your lesiure, before dinner. Dinner and overnight at ST Hotel.
Day Eleven: Fly out
After your breakfast, the guide will transfer you to the airport to catch your flight back home.
Trip Includes
Full services of local guides and drivers
Breakfasts, Lunches, Dinners (typically in local restaurants where viable)
Drinking water throughout
All transport (minibuses/coaster bus, train, domestic flights)
Accommodations as per the itinerary
All entrance fees, sightseeing, excursions and activities as per the itinerary