Saharan Odyssey
Algeria Small Group Tour
Tour Overview
Discover the mesmerizing beauty of Southern Algeria, where the vast Sahara Desert meets the towering Hoggar Mountains. Explore ancient rock art in Taghit, wander through the bustling marketplace of Ghardaia and marvel at the unique architecture of the Ksours; the old fortified villages in Timimoun. Enjoy breathtaking sunsets over sand dunes, and uncover the history of ancient trade routes. Southern Algeria promises an unforgettable adventure in a land of timeless beauty.
Tour Highlights
• Discover Algiers and its famous Casbah
• Spend time at the edge of the Sahara Desert
• See the remarkable prehistoric rock art of Taghit
• Observe the lives of the local tribes in the Sahara Desert
Tour Rating
To help our travellers choose the right tour for them we have applied a grading system of 1 to 5. Tours with a fitness level of 1 will generally be suitable for all ages and will not be particularly strenuous, whereas tours with a fitness level of 5 are likely to be physically challenging. To find out more please contact our well-travelled team who will often have first-hand experience of the destination.
Fitness
3/5
Unexplored
3/5
Culture
4/5
History
5/5
Wildlife
1/5
Tour Pace
4/5
Map + Tour Itinerary
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. No meals or guiding arrangements are included today. Overnight at Hotel Suisse or similar.
Algiers
Perched on the edge of the Mediterranean, opposite southern France, Algiers has long been an important city for trade between Europe and Africa. Over the years it has been home to numerous different civilisations, from the Phoenicians to the Romans and the Ottomans, but was captured by France in 1862 in one of its first forays into Africa. The legacy of French occupation is still evident with whitewashed colonial architecture making this a most striking and unusual African capital. Algiers has many sites to explore – perhaps the most interesting being the old Casbah quarter of the city, an incredibly atmospheric district filled with traditional buildings, although still not somewhere to venture without a guide. Within the Casbah are several Zaouias (religious schools) and tombs as well as good examples of old Ottoman buildings.
Day 2: Algiers
Today explore Algiers’ unique casbah, a UNESCO site, which is an outstanding example of Maghreb architecture, and one of the most enigmatic places in Algiers. We also visit the Basilica of Notre Dame d’Afrique and the Martyr’s Memorial. Overnight Hotel Suisse or similar (BD)
Day 3: Bousaada Approx. driving time 4 hours
This morning, drive south to Bousaada, “The City of Happiness”, an oasis that was the living place of the famous orientalist painter Etienne Dinet, as well as the setting of several movies. Visit the old medina, Martyrs Square and the Big Zaouia El Hamel, a small museum that houses a treasure of old manuscripts. Overnight Hotel Kerdada or similar (BD)
Day 4: Ghardaia Approx. driving time 6 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 spend time observing the day-to-day routines and visiting the surrounding area. Overnight Hotel Belvedere or similar (BD)
Mzab Valley
The Mzab is one of Algeria’s true highlights, a collection of towns situated at the edge of the desert surviving against all the odds of the seemingly hostile conditions against them. Named after and inhabited by the Mozabite Berbers, the five walled towns of the Mzab are one of the most enigmatic places in the country. Each town is built around a fortified mosque with a minaret that doubles up as a watchtower, used to look out for raiders from the deep desert. Made up of the towns of El Atteuf, Bou Noura, Malika, Ghardaia and Beni Isguen, the Mzab offers a snapshot of how much of Algeria must have been centuries ago with livestock outnumbering cars within the centres of the towns and old men sitting in alleyways discussing the problems of the day. Some of the towns adhere to distinctive principles of town planning, with the streets of Ghardaia being constructed in concentric circles emanating from the mosque. The Mzab is also the best place to pick up any souvenirs during your stay in Algeria.
Day 5: Ghardaia
Enjoy a full day tour across the Mzab Valley. In the morning, visit the Medina of El Ateuf then Ghardaia with its Big Mosque and its bustling old market place. After lunch, view Melika and walk through the narrow, cobbled streets of the holy Beni Isguen. Here you can find an old traditional auction market which is still in use in the area. Overnight Hotel Belvedere or similar (BD)
Day 6: El Menea Approx. driving time 4 hours
Early this morning, we head southwards to El Menea. Visit the tomb of Charles de Foucauld, a French Catholic priest, hermit, and explorer who lived among the Touareg people of the desert. He was assassinated in 1916 in Tamanrasset, but his remains were later moved here. We then take a short drive around El Menea and admire the sunset on the sand dunes by the Lake of the Flamingo birds. A traditional dinner is served here before your return to the hotel. Overnight Dar Maa Lward Guesthouse or similar (BLD)
Day 7: Timimoun Approx. driving time 4.5 hours
Drive deeper south through the immensity of the desert. The more you go south, the more extraordinary the landscape is. In the evening, you will have a leisurely walk in the city of Timimoun. Overnight Dar El Wafi Guesthouse or similar (BD)
Timimoun
The oasis of Timimoun is one of the prettiest in the Sahara, with ochre red buildings and Tuareg style architecture making it quite a distinctive sight. Developed by the French during their conquest of the Sahara in the late 19th / early 20th centuries, it was once the largest slave market in the country and today you can see the legacy of that in the features of its inhabitants, many of whom look more ‘African’ than Algerian.
Day 8: Timimoun
Enjoy a visit in the oasis of Timimoun where you can view the Ksours. These are very old fortified villages and caravanserais. In the Sahara Desert, we speak about the Ksours Road, as elsewhere, we speak about the Silk Road. Here, the tracks of the caravans were marked by these secular constructions. You will have a stroll through the oasis and your guide will show you the main places of interest such as its old market and its beautiful “Ksar”, an old palace which boasts the most typical Saharan architecture. In the afternoon, you will enjoy a 4X4 ride through the dunes of Timimoun. Overnight Dar El Wafi Guesthouse or similar (BLD)
Day 9: Beni Abès – Taghit Approx. driving time 5.5 hours
Today, your journey will take you to Beni Abbes, called the "White Oasis," where lush palm groves and charming white-washed buildings await. Explore the prehistoric rock paintings, offering a glimpse into ancient civilizations. Then continue drive to Taghit, one of the nicest saharan places situated further north. Overnight Hotel Saoura or similar (BD)
Day 10: Taghit – Flight to Algiers
Flight Bechar 19:30 – 21:40 Algiers (AH6133) on Mondays
Complete your desert Safari with a visit toTaghit, a picturesque little town nestled among golden sand dunes. Discover the historic ksar and enjoy scenic views of the Saoura Valley. Don't miss the remarkable prehistoric rock art sites in Taghit, where millennia-old paintings depict early human life. This tour offers a blend of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and unforgettable Saharan landscapes. Drive to Bechar national airport for your flight back to Algiers and transfer to your Hotel. Overnight Algiers Hotel suisse or similar (BD)
Day 11: Departure
Today will be free at leisure before your transfer to Algiers international airport for your final departure (B)
Tour Inclusions
Arrival and departure transfers
Overland transport throughout with professional driver
Domestic flights as shown in the itinerary
All accommodation
Services of English-speaking guide / tour leader
Meals as listed
B – Breakfast
L – Lunch
D – Dinner
Entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary
Feedback from our Travellers
Foreign Office Travel Warnings
Before booking your tour, please familiarise yourself with the country specific information provided by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) - www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. This includes important information such as latest immigration requirements, and details of any travel advisories.
We constantly monitor the advice posted by the FCDO. In particular we will always advise clients of any travel warnings. At present there are no warnings against travel to the parts of Algeria that we visit on this tour. Please feel free to contact us should you have any specific concerns or would like to know in detail what measures are being taken to ensure visits remain trouble free and without incident.
It should be noted that this information applies to British citizens. Other nationals are asked to check the current position of their respective government.
Security
The Algerian authorities take the safety and security of tourists very seriously and a Police/Army escort is often provided for road journeys.
Visa Information
At the time of writing British, US and Australian nationals require a visa for a tourist visit to Algeria. For further details please visit the applicable website shown below.
British Nationals - www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
US Nationals - travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel.html
Australian Nationals - www.smartraveller.gov.au
Other nationals should check the latest requirements with the authorities in their home country, or with the destination’s nearest embassy or consulate.
Should you require any documentation to support a visa application, such as a letter of invitation, upon request this will be provided by Undiscovered Destinations after receipt of your balance payment.
As it is the travellers’ responsibility to ensure that they meet all entry requirements it is essential that you check the rules and any other conditions at the time of booking and again when making your balance payment. In addition, we would strongly advise that you make a final check around two weeks before your arrival. This is important as requirements can change at short notice. Undiscovered Destinations, when possible, will provide guidance about entry rules, but in the first instance please contact the relevant authorities, including the applicable embassy or consulate for assistance.
You must ensure that you have no Israeli stamps in your passport.
Passports
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of a full passport, valid for at least six months after the date of return to your country.
We strongly advise that your passport contains a minimum of two blank pages, as this may be a requirement of the local immigration authorities. In addition, certain countries will stipulate that the two blank pages are opposite each other. If you are unable to meet these requirements, you may be refused boarding by your airline or denied entry by the immigration authorities.
For specific information about the requirements for your destination please check with the country’s embassy or consulate. Alternatively, UK citizens can visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.
Vaccinations & Protection
As with travel to most parts of Africa, we strongly recommend that you contact your doctor’s surgery or a specialist travel clinic for up-to-date information, advice, and the necessary vaccinations. For a visit of less than one month, almost certainly you will be advised to have immunisations against the following: Diphtheria and Tetanus, Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Meningitis. The use of a DEET-containing insect repellent is highly recommended.
The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or purchased in your home country can be different in other countries. If you’re travelling with prescription or over-the-counter medicine, read this guidance from NaTHNaC on best practice when travelling with medicines. For further information on the legal status of a specific medicine, you’ll need to contact the embassy, high commission or consulate of the country or territory you’re travelling to.
Travel Insurance
It is a condition of booking with Undiscovered Destinations that you have adequate valid travel insurance. It is your responsibility to arrange appropriate travel insurance and ensure you have read and understood the full terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy to ensure that you are covered for all activities you intend to undertake whilst on the tour, including all optional activities. Your Insurance Policy must fully cover you for medical expenses (including cover for Covid-19 conditions) and emergency repatriation to your home country and be valid for the entire duration of your holiday.
Local Conditions
When travelling to our destinations, many of which are underdeveloped and untouristed by mainstream tourism, a good deal of patience and a sense of humour is an important attribute. This will help you to cope with problems such as ageing or poor infrastructure and when maintenance may not be as high as we would always like.
The choice of appropriate accommodation in some towns and cities (particularly the smaller places) can be limited, and standards of both service and maintenance can be less than polished. Guides and other service providers in some of our destinations do not always have the decades of collective practice and experience that their counterparts in more developed countries can draw upon. Although we will always try and resolve any issues as quickly as possible, on occasions there may be some shortcomings which no matter how hard we try will be unavoidable.
Essential Info
