Amazing Algeria

This morning, your private guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel for a 3.5-hour comfortable ride to Djemila, renowned for some of the largest and best-preserved Roman ruins in Algeria. Once there, we’ll first visit the Archaeological Museum of Djemila, which features a broad collection of artifacts uncovered at the site, especially its well-preserved Roman mosaics. Made of numerous small stones, the mosaics still display vibrant colors and sharp details, with some depicting scenes of people hunting lions and others portraying stories from ancient Roman mythology.

Next, let’s step into the Roman Ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating to the 2nd century AD. Hidden among the mountains, Djemila boasts the striking 12.5-meter-high (41 ft.) Arch of Caracalla, adorned with detailed carvings still visible above the towering Corinthian columns. As you follow the stone-paved main road, you’ll encounter a marketplace from 2,000 years ago, with neatly arranged stalls constructed from stone benches and slabs, highlighting the era’s once thriving trade. You can also observe an ancient theater featuring a semicircular seating area that perfectly complements the mountain’s shape and produces an echo effect.

After enjoying the scenic mountain views and admiring the ruins, we’ll drive 2 hours to Constantine, a city perched on a cliff. Upon arrival, your driver and guide will assist with hotel check-in.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Novotel Constantine (4 stars) or similar

Today, your guide and driver will escort you from your hotel to explore Constantine’s historic allure. Numerous bridges spanning the Rhumel River connect Constantine to surrounding areas, and roads carved into the cliffs resemble ribbons winding through the city, making Constantine as magnificent as its namesake, Constantine the Great, the Roman emperor from 306 to 337 AD. Our first stop will be the Cirta Museum, where you can admire artifacts from the Roman era, when the city was called “Cirta.” Highlights include pottery figurines dating back more than 2,000 years and stelae inscribed with ancient texts and totems. Also, don’t miss the museum’s finest piece, the Roman bronze sculpture “Victory of Constantine,” the replica of which sits atop the triumphal arch of the Monument aux Morts across the gorge. 

Then, let’s head to Constantine’s old town to visit the Ahmed Bey Palace, once the residence and office of Constantine’s last governor prior to the French occupation. As you walk through its maze of rooms and corridors, decorated with Moorish-style polychrome tiles and murals, and wander through elegant gardens and courtyards filled with orange and palm trees, you’ll be immersed in a nostalgic ambiance.

Next, visit the Great Mosque, the second-largest in Algeria, which exemplifies Islamic architecture with its large dome flanked by two tall, slender minarets, complemented by a beige exterior and intricate geometric patterns that blend elegance with grandeur.
► Friendly Reminder: Please dress modestly when visiting the mosque by covering your knees and shoulders to show respect for Muslim beliefs. The necessary scarves and wraps for women are available free of charge at the entrance, and your guide is happy to help you put them on.

Following this, enjoy some leisure time with your guide on a city walk, visiting the traditional castle, local markets, and the iconic Sidi M’Cid and Sidi Rached Bridges, immersing yourself in the daily life vibe. Unlike in many other Islamic countries, Algeria offers a more relaxed and welcoming social scene, with Muslim women typically appearing more open-minded. You might see local women dressed in bright colors, unreserved in being photographed, and friendly towards visitors.

Afterwards, your driver and guide will accompany you to Constantine Airport for your one-hour flight back to Algiers. Upon landing, your local guide and driver will escort you to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel El Aurassi, Algiers (4 stars) or similar

Today, get ready for an exciting Sahara Desert adventure! In the morning, enjoy a private transfer to Algiers Airport for a 2-hour flight to Timimoun, a small oasis in southern Algeria. Upon arrival, your local guide and driver will meet you and accompany you to your hotel.

After lunch at a sought-after local restaurant, let’s start exploring Timimoun by strolling through the ancient town to see its unique architecture made of red mud bricks, and browsing souvenir shops and local markets.

Next, we’ll visit Palmeraie to see the “Foggara,” an ancient underground irrigation system created by the local Berber people. Some foggara have been functioning for over a thousand years, and more than 930 remain operational across Algeria. This clever invention uses gravity to reduce labor requirements and minimize water loss from evaporation compared with open canals, making the most of scarce desert water resources and enabling people to establish communities and sustain life in the harsh environment. After that, your guide and driver will return you to your hotel. 

► Essential Gear for Your Upcoming Desert Journey
1. A large water bottle that ensures you remain hydrated in the scorching Sahara Desert.
2. Sun protection and sand protection items include a wide-brimmed sun hat with a drawcord, sunglasses, sunscreen, and multi-functional headwear that shields against both sun and sand.
3. Mid-height hiking boots are suitable for walking and climbing in dunes. Alternatively, you can wear comfortable, durable sandals with long socks over them to protect against wind and sand.
4. Long sleeves, trousers, and a coat are recommended because the desert experiences significant temperature variations between day and night. Dressing in layers allows for easy adjustment to these changes.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel Gourara, Timimoun (4 stars) or similar

This morning, your guide and driver will meet you at your hotel to start an in-depth exploration of Timimoun. First, let’s head to Ighzer Cave, a peaceful red-ochre cavern that once stored grain for locals. “Ighzer” means riverbed in the local language. Although the river is now dry, you can see remnants of life in the Sahara Desert from the ruins below. Early residents cleverly reduced indoor daylight by building their houses close together and using few and small windows. Follow your guide to discover more about this land.

Next, we’ll visit Tindjillet Village and Ouled Said Village to see the ancient foggara irrigation systems, explore the traditional houses, and interact with the friendly locals. Around midday, as temperatures rise, we’ll head back to Timimoun to escape the heat and enjoy lunch. It’s recommended to take an afternoon break at your hotel; once it cools in the evening, you may go out on your own to explore local markets at your leisure.

► Dinner Recommendation (at your own expense)
Walk 8 minutes east from your hotel to Zribet Atmane to sample traditional homemade dishes and enjoy authentic Algerian mint tea. Similar to Chinese and British customs, Algerians view tea as a vital part of daily life and social gatherings. They prepare it by boiling green tea, mint leaves, and sugar together, typically drinking two or three cups each day. In the scorching desert heat, this cooling mint tea offers a refreshing way to re-energize and stay cool.
Average Cost per Person: USD 10-15
Address: 766G+HQ2, Timimoun

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel Gourara, Timimoun (4 stars) or similar

Today, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel for a 4-hour trip to Beni Abbes, the so-called “White Oasis” famed for its light-colored houses that resemble a dazzling pearl amid golden dunes. During the journey, you can admire the stunning Sahara Desert scenery, passing through date palm groves and vast dunes. Due to the lengthy and bumpy desert roads, we suggest bringing motion sickness medication if necessary.

Upon arrival, we will first explore Beni Abbes Ksar, a labyrinthine fortified village built in the 17th century AD and surrounded by vast date palm groves. It is estimated to have over 250,000 date palms, which not only provide abundant, nutritious fruit but also shade for the town. The locals consider the date palm the “tree of life,” and it is a notable symbol of Algeria. Then, let’s visit the Beni Abbes Museum to see specimens of local flora, fauna, and insects from the Sahara Desert, including the adorable fennec fox, Algeria’s national animal, recognized for its large ears and small face.

After that, continue our drive for two more hours into the desert to reach Taghit for the night. Your guide and driver will assist with your hotel check-in.
 

★ Sahara Trivia: The “Blue People” - The Tuareg

While exploring desert oases like Timimoun, Beni Abbes, or Taghit, you may come across individuals dressed in indigo robes. They are likely the renowned “Blue People,” the Tuareg, who are descendants of the Berbers – nomads of the Sahara known for their free-spirited and untamed nature. Volkswagen even offers an SUV named after them. In contrast to Islamic culture, the Tuareg people maintain a matriarchal society where women hold a higher status. As a result, men wear thick face veils that show only their eyes, and they even keep these veils on while sleeping.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Saoura Hotel, Taghit (4 stars) or similar

After a warm greeting from your guide and driver at your hotel, you’ll spend an entire day exploring the intriguing Taghit, one of Algeria’s most distinctive desert oases. To the west, vast dunes stretch endlessly, while to the east, towering rock formations frame a long, narrow freshwater lake on the valley floor. This makes nearly everyone in Taghit learn to swim, a skill quite rare in desert areas.

Our first stop is the 11th-century Ksar of Taghit, where we’ll stroll through its winding alleys and low-rise houses. Afterward, we’ll leave the town and venture into the desert, marveling at the stunning scenery of this barren landscape. The vast golden dunes, some exceeding 190 meters (623 ft.), form the Grand Erg Oriental, which extends from Algeria into neighboring Tunisia, making it one of the Sahara’s largest sand seas. Feast your eyes on their ever-changing appearance: each grain of sand shifts with the wind, creating captivating patterns of light and shadow and offering a spectacular view.

Next, follow your guide to witness one of the desert’s most breathtaking wonders - prehistoric petroglyphs. These seemingly simple or abstract lines depict a Sahara that was once very different: land covered with lush vegetation and grasslands, home to large mammals like elephants, antelopes, and giraffes, alongside ancient humans living peacefully. After tens of thousands of years of sediment buildup, these valuable artworks stand as a testament to the history of both humanity and nature. Finally, your guide and driver will escort you back to your hotel. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Saoura Hotel, Taghit (4 stars) or similar

Today, say goodbye to the Sahara and depart for Oran, Algeria’s second-largest city, often called the “Golden Coast.” After a 1.5-hour private transfer with your guide and driver from your hotel to Bechar Airport, you’ll fly 2 hours to Oran. Upon arrival, your local guide and driver will welcome you and accompany you to our carefully selected hotel for a brief rest, then lead you on city sightseeing.

We’ll start with a stroll along Oran Corniche, lined with swanky cafes and eateries, to enjoy the seaside scenery. Although both Oran and Algiers are coastal cities on the Mediterranean, each has a unique character. Algiers is known for its rich history, while Oran has a younger, trendier atmosphere, inhabited by generally cheerful and relaxed locals. As the birthplace of Rai folk music, it is proudly called the “Rhythm Capital of North Africa.” Looking down from the promenade, you can see busy cargo ships in the harbor and the vast blue sea, and above, the sacred statue of the Chapel of Santa Cruz perches atop the hill.

Then, let’s explore the city center landmarks to observe French influences. Place Premier Novembre, built in 1886, is the main intersection where major roads meet. Strolling through the square, you can unwind like a local and admire the elegant architecture, especially the City Hall with its two stone lions at the entrance. The name “Oran” is said to derive from the Berber word for lion. Next, we’ll visit the Sacred Heart Cathedral of Oran, the first Catholic church built by France in Algeria and one of the largest in North Africa at that time, symbolizing France’s desire for spiritual dominance in a predominantly Muslim region. After Algeria gained independence, the cathedral was transformed from a religious site into a library, and its architecture, featuring Romanesque decorative arts and Byzantine vaults, has been well-preserved, continuing to serve as an important part of the city’s cultural scene. Ultimately, your guide and driver will escort you back to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Plaza Hotel Oran (4 stars) or similar

After breakfast, your guide and driver will meet you at your hotel for today’s tour of Oran, starting at Santa Cruz Fort. Perched on Murdjajo Mountain, the fort offers sweeping views of the coastline and cityscape. Built by the Spanish in 1604 AD to defend against the Ottoman Empire’s expansion (1290-1922 AD), its walls bear numerous gun ports from past conflicts. Nearby, the Chapel of Santa Cruz stands as Oran’s most notable landmark, featuring a tall statue of the Virgin Mary. With arms outstretched, reminiscent of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, the Virgin Mary majestically overlooks the city of Oran. With a telephoto lens, you can capture breathtaking views of the church and fort.

Next, we’ll head back to downtown Oran to visit Chateau Neuf, an 18th-century fortress constructed by the Spanish, and Bey’s Palace, a well-preserved Ottoman residence inside it, to delve deeper into Oran’s history.

Afterward, you’ll be escorted to Oran Airport for a one-hour flight back to Algiers. Upon arrival, enjoy a smooth airport pick-up and escort by local guide and driver to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel El Aurassi, Algiers (4 stars) or similar

In the morning, your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel for a one-hour drive to Tipasa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its well-preserved Roman ruins in North Africa. Set on a hill overlooking the Mediterranean, Tipasa offers a striking mix of red earth, olive trees, and blue waters, all set against the ruins of ancient Rome, creating a visual feast and a step back in time. It was here that French writer Albert Camus (1913-1960) drew inspiration and found his philosophical enlightenment. As you wander through the ruins, you’ll feel their calming influence in the sound of the waves. On the way back to Algiers, we will stop at the 2000-year-old Royal Mausoleum of Mauretania, where Queen Cleopatra’s only daughter was laid to rest. 

In the afternoon, explore Algiers’ history with your guide by visiting the Basilica of Notre-Dame d’Afrique, perched on a cliff. Constructed during the 19th-century French colonial era, this basilica appears to face France’s Notre-Dame de la Garde in Marseille across the Mediterranean. Inside, a bronze statue of the Virgin Mary stands centrally, silently overlooking worshippers. The inscription behind her, “pray for the Muslims and for us,” highlights that the basilica is not only a Christian holy site but also a place of respect and love for Muslims. 

Next, we will visit the nearby Kasbah Ancient Town, a significant witness to Algiers’ history through the ages. Built on a hillside, the town is a labyrinth of steps and narrow alleys, with white Islamic-style houses that enhance its allure. During the Algerian War of Independence (1954-1962), it served as a sanctuary, and you can still see graffiti depicting national heroes and battle scenes on its walls.

Our final stop will be at the 92-meter (300-foot) tall Martyrs Memorial and the adjacent National Museum of Moudjahid, offering insight into the poignant history of the independence struggle. After that, your guide and driver will escort you back to your hotel. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel El Aurassi, Algiers (4 stars) or similar

Today marks the end of your tour. Your guide and driver will accompany you to the airport, handle your luggage, and see you off at the check-in desk for your departure flight. Have a nice journey!

► Tip: Security checks, customs, and immigration at Algiers Airport are generally time-consuming, and the flight may not depart on time. Therefore, we suggest that you arrive at the airport at least 3 hours in advance to avoid missing the flight.

If you’d like to extend your trip to nearby Morocco or Tunisia to discover Mediterranean culture and experience Arabian traditions, feel free to contact our travel consultants. We are glad to tailor a personalized itinerary for you!

Meals: Breakfast