Itinerary
- Day 1
Algiers
You can arrive in Algiers anytime today. If you're flying into Houari Boumediene International Airport, the hotel can arrange a transfer (takes about 30 minutes). When you get there, if it's before 7pm, you'll meet your tour leader at the hotel reception for a welcome meeting and dinner together. If you arrive later, you'll connect with the group the next morning instead.
Landmarks/POIs Kasbah Citadel of Algiers - Day 2
Cherchell - Algiers to Ghardaia
Head west along the coast to Tipaza, an old Carthaginian port with Roman thermal baths and a Christian basilica sitting between mountains and the Mediterranean. From there, you'll drive to Cherchell to walk through temples and monuments from Punic, Numidian and Roman times. You'll also see the Mausoleum of Mauritania before heading back to Algiers for an early dinner. That evening, you fly to Ghardaia on the Sahara's edge, then take a 20-minute drive to your hotel.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner (Early dinner in Algiers)
Included Activities
- Visit Tipaza archaeological site
- Explore Cherchell temples and monuments
- Visit Mausoleum of Mauritania
Landmarks/POIs Tipaza Cherchell Mausoleum of Mauritania - Day 3
Ghardaia
Spend the day exploring Ghardaia, a 1,000-year-old hilltop town known for its distinctive white, pink and red Cubist-style architecture in the M'Zab Valley. A local guide leads you to the historic mosque (viewed from outside) and through the lively markets. You'll then check out neighbouring villages like Beni Yezguen, Malika and El Ateuf, plus walk through date palm groves. Lunch is a home-cooked meal with a local Mozabite family. The afternoon is yours to rest or explore on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Home-cooked lunch at local family home or small restaurant), Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit historic mosque (exterior)
- Walk through local markets and side streets
- Explore Daia cave
- Visit Beni Yezguen
- Visit Malika
- Visit El Ateuf settlement
- See date palm groves
- Home-cooked lunch with local family
Landmarks/POIs Ghardaia Beni Yezguen Malika El Ateuf Daia cave - Day 4
Ghardaia to M'sila
Today is a long driving day heading south to M'sila, taking around eight hours total with stops along the way. You'll pass through Laghouat, an oasis town ringed by the Amour Range, and Djelfa before arriving in M'sila around 6pm. The hotel here is simple but has air conditioning and en suite bathrooms in all rooms, with WiFi available in the lobby.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Landmarks/POIs Laghouat Djelfa - Day 5
Timgad - Batna
Start by visiting the striking Al Qal'a fortress of Beni Hammad with its 11th-century sandstone minaret rising from arid rolling hills. If the site museum is open, you'll stop there. Then you drive to Batna for lunch before heading to Timgad in the afternoon. This UNESCO Roman site is called the 'Pompeii of Africa' and was built as a military base under Emperor Trajan. You'll explore the two main paved streets, forum, theatre, Trajan's Arch and bath ruins, winding through the maze of streets with your guide before returning to Batna for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Al Qal'a (fortress) of Beni Hammad and museum
- Visit UNESCO Roman ruins at Timgad
- Explore Timgad site with guide
Landmarks/POIs Al Qal'a of Beni Hammad Timgad Trajan's Arch - Day 6
Batna to Constantine
Begin with the tomb of Madghacen, a large cylindrical royal mausoleum from the 3rd century BC thought to be a Numidian king's burial site. Then drive to Constantine, a spectral city perched high above the Oued Rhumel River Valley with seven bridges crossing the deep ravine. You'll arrive before lunch and have a relaxing free afternoon. There's an optional tour to see Roman ruins at Tiddis if you're interested. For dinner, head out to one of Constantine's excellent restaurants.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit tomb of Madghacen
Optional Activities
- Afternoon trip to Roman ruins at Tiddis (approximately €50 per person, approximately 4 hours)
Landmarks/POIs Tomb of Madghacen Constantine Tiddis - Day 7
Constantine
Spend a full day exploring Constantine (ancient Cirta) using a mix of walking and bus tours with your guide. You'll start at the Palace of Ahmed Bey, a beautiful Ottoman structure with courtyards, gardens of palms and orange trees, and vibrant tiles. From there, wander through Casbah alleyways and along Boulevard of the Abyss for gorge views. Cross the iconic 175-meter Sidi M'Cid suspension bridge to reach the Monument to the Dead, a World War I memorial. Walk the Mellah Slimane footbridge for fantastic ravine views, then climb to the 11th-century Great Mosque. Explore the medina and artisan alleys before lunch in the old town. Afternoon takes you to the National Museum of Cirta to see antiquities including the famous winged Victory of Constantine bronze sculpture.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch in the old town), Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Palace of Ahmed Bey
- Walk through Casbah alleyways
- Cross Sidi M'Cid suspension bridge
- Visit Monument to the Dead
- Walk Mellah Slimane footbridge
- View Great Mosque (exterior)
- Explore Souika medina and artisan alleys
- Visit National Museum of Cirta
Landmarks/POIs Palace of Ahmed Bey Sidi M'Cid Suspension Bridge Monument to the Dead Mellah Slimane Footbridge (Passerelle Perregaux) Great Mosque National Museum of Cirta Bab El Kantara Bridge Sidi Rached Viaduct - Day 8
Djemila to Setif
Head to Djemila, one of Algeria's most important Roman sites, perched on a hilltop 900 metres above sea level. The ruins show how Roman planning adapted to mountain terrain, with remains of houses, forum, temples, basilica and triumphal arches visible throughout. The site museum holds intricate mosaics covering the walls. Later you drive to Setif to visit the museum there with exceptional Roman mosaics including the 'triumph of Dionysus', then explore the citadel and medina in the new town.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Djemila Roman site
- Visit Djemila museum with mosaics
- Visit Setif museum with Roman mosaics
- Tour Setif citadel and medina
Landmarks/POIs Djemila - Day 9
Setif to Algiers to Djanet
Drive back to Algiers (about 4 hours). After checking in and having lunch, you'll head out for an afternoon tour. Visit the beautiful Church of Notre Dame d'Afrique overlooking Bab El Oued, then explore the Kasbah with its narrow cobbled streets and Ottoman-period houses, palaces and mosques. You'll see Bastion 23 Palace (actually three palaces combined) on the seafront with secret rooms, and the imposing 92-meter Monument to the Martyrs overlooking the city. If you're not continuing to the southern part of the tour, this is where you and your current tour leader part ways. That evening, you fly to Djanet in the heart of the Sahara, then take a 20-minute drive to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Church of Notre Dame d'Afrique
- Explore Kasbah (old city)
- Visit Bastion 23 Palace
Landmarks/POIs Church of Notre Dame d'Afrique Kasbah Bastion 23 Palace Monument to the Martyrs - Day 10
Djanet to Tadrart Desert Camp
After breakfast, head into the Sahara in a convoy of 4WD vehicles (maximum three passengers plus driver per car). The first 120 kilometres are on paved roads, then 80 kilometres off-road through rocky hills toward El Biredj Oued Canyon. You'll travel far from modern pressures with no mobile phone distractions. Set up camp at Tadrart entrance and enjoy Tuareg mint tea around a campfire before taking a short walk to find a sunset spot. Dinner is freshly cooked by the crew back at camp. You'll sleep in dome tents with provided mattresses (bring your own sleeping bag), with a communal dining area and separate toilet tent.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Freshly cooked by camp crew)
Included Activities
- 4WD desert drive through El Biredj Oued Canyon
- Tuareg mint tea experience
- Short sunset walk
Landmarks/POIs El Biredj Oued Canyon Tadrart - Day 11
Markawandi
Start around sunrise with tea or coffee and breakfast of bread, butter, jams and cheese. While camp breaks down, head out for a walk exploring Oued El Biredj valley and Tadrart's 'rock forests' of eroded sandstone pillars. Today involves less driving as you explore by 4WD and on foot, focusing on wonderfully preserved rock art paintings and engravings showing hunting scenes, cattle and wild animals. Over 15,000 paintings have been identified in this area. You move camp to the high sand dunes of Markawandi for the evening. Dinner is a three-course meal: soup starter, couscous or pasta with vegetables and meat (usually lamb stew or chicken), bread cooked the traditional Tuareg way on hot coals under sand, then seasonal fruit, mint tea or coffee, dates and a cookie.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Bread, butter, jams and cheese), Lunch, Dinner (Three courses: soup, main of couscous/pasta/rice with vegetables and meat dish (lamb stew or chicken) with traditional Tuareg bread cooked on hot coals under sand, seasonal fruit, mint tea or coffee, dates and cookie)
Included Activities
- Walk and explore Oued El Biredj valley and rock formations
- Explore rock art paintings and engravings
Landmarks/POIs Oued El Biredj Markawandi - Day 12
Markawandi to Tin Koukak
Continue deeper into the Sahara to the end of El Biredj where high orange-coloured sand dunes of Moul El Naga appear like a photographer's dream with sharp, shaded forms. Drive through spectacular wind-sculptured arches (lunch stop) and head into Tin Koukak region where you might spot ancient rock art, wild camels and gazelles. Set up camp at Tin Koukak with spectacular sunsets against vast sand dunes and some of the clearest night skies imaginable.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch under wind-sculptured arches), Dinner
Included Activities
- Drive through wind-sculptured arches
- View ancient rock art
- Wildlife spotting (wild camels and gazelles)
- Sunset viewing at Tin Koukak
Landmarks/POIs Moul El Naga Tin Koukak - Day 13
Tin Koukak to Djaren Canyon
There's an optional early morning walk around Tin Koukak to view rock art (a couple of hours) to avoid the midday heat, or you can use a 4WD vehicle instead. Afterwards, drive back toward Djanet with scenic stops along the way. Lunch is at Oued Tlafzo. You then enter Djaren canyon, which has one of the highest concentrations of rock art in this part of Algeria with over 70 recorded locations showing paintings and engravings. Visit the best rock art selections before setting up camp for the night in this atmospheric canyon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at Oued Tlafzo), Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit rock art locations in Djaren canyon
Optional Activities
- Early morning walk to visit rock art around Tin Koukak (couple of hours, 4WD vehicles available for those not wishing to walk)
Landmarks/POIs Djaren Canyon Oued Tlafzo - Day 14
Djaren Canyon to Tekoubaouine
After breakfast, pack up and drive directly back to Tenere Village Hotel in Djanet. Day use rooms are available to shower and freshen up, with WiFi at reception to check messages. Lunch at the hotel isn't included. In the afternoon, head one hour north of Djanet to explore Timrass, a dramatic area of rocks protruding from desert sand with more rock art. Continue to Tekoubaouine landscapes with a great sunset spot among dunes, hills and rock formations. Camp for your last night in the desert with fresh supplies the cook picked up in Djanet for a delicious final camping dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Delicious last camping dinner with fresh supplies from Djanet)
Included Activities
- Explore Timrass rock art
- Sunset viewing at Tekoubaouine
Landmarks/POIs Timrass Tekoubaouine - Day 15
Tekoubaouine to Djanet
Morning brings a walk to explore more ancient rock art. You'll visit Erg Admer, set amongst a sea of vast towering sand dunes, then head back toward Djanet stopping for lunch at the crying cows engravings, an elaborate ancient engraving depicting cattle. After a short drive back to Tenere Village Hotel, day use rooms are available to freshen up and shower. The afternoon is free to head into Djanet or rest at the hotel. For your last evening, you have the option to join the group for dinner at a local restaurant or at the hotel to celebrate together. Late that night, you drive to Djanet airport, departing around 11pm for your night flight back to Algiers.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at crying cows engravings)
Included Activities
- Morning walk and rock art exploration
- Visit Erg Admer sand dunes
Optional Activities
- Dinner at local restaurant or hotel to celebrate last night
Landmarks/POIs Erg Admer Crying Cows Engravings - Day 16
Djanet to Algiers
An early morning flight takes you back to Algiers, arriving around 6am (flight timing subject to change; the current schedule includes a stop at Tamanrasset). You arrive at Houari Boumediene International Airport (ALG) where the tour concludes.
