Saharan Odyssey: Algeria January Tour

Saturday 9^th January – Algeria

• Arrival at your convenience into Algiers – a dazzling cultural mecca which is also the largest and the capital city of Algeria.
• Alternatively, arrive from our Oran city tour extension, starting on the 8th January (extra cost)
• Meet our driver at the airport and transfer to our hotel
• Pre-tour meeting and get-together with your guide and fellow travellers in the lobby of Hotel ABC at 6:00pm to go over the tour itinerary and plans for the coming days.
• Head out for dinner and get a glimpse of the famous bars, discotheques, and dance halls around while exploring the nightlife of Algiers.
• Overnight at ABC Hotel

Sunday 10^th January – Algiers – Ghardaia

• Breakfast at hotel and head out for a full-day tour of the city. Don’t forget to wear light clothing and comfortable walking shoes or sandals. The narrow streets of Algiers make travelling by car difficult at times and must be done on foot. It is also a great way to enjoy the iconic streets lined with Art Deco and Haussmannian buildings
• We’ll stop by La Grande Poste d’Alger, a masterpiece of neo-Moorish design built in 1910 and closed in 2015; and head to the Place de l’Émir Abdelkader, home to a massive statue of the revered Algerian leader who led a struggle against the French colonial invasion of Algiers in the early 19th century.
• You’ll explore the labyrinthine Casbah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the historical core of Algiers. This ancient maze of narrow streets and historic homes dates back to the 10th century and played a crucial role in Algeria’s history. The remains of the citadel, old mosques and Ottoman-era palaces will bring you back to the glory days of ancient Algeria.
• We’ll continue our walk down the cashbah through the French quarter until the Martyr’s Square.

Afternoon

• For lunch, we’ll head to the traditional Dar Bab Azzoun restaurant, serving local dishes such as rechta (semolina noodles), chakhchoukha (small pieces thin round flatbread mixed with a tomato stew) or couscous
• We’ll then took the metro, which was inaugurated in 2012, to the Botanical Gardens. This sprawling 58-hectare park opened in 1832 offers a nice escape with over 3,000 plant species from around the world.
• Next, we’ll head uphill to the imposing Martyrs’ Monument (Makam Echahid), a concrete structure standing 92 meters tall. Built in 1982 to commemorate the War of Independence, it features three stylized palm leaves surrounding an eternal flame.
• Under the monument, we’ll visit the Musée National du Moudjahid. It offers an in-depth exploration of Algeria’s fight for independence through photos, artifacts, and poignant exhibits.
• We’ll then head to the airport for our 1.5 hour domestic flight to Ghardaia – the door of the Sahara desert.
• Transfer to the Belvédère Hotel and overnight in Ghardaia

Monday 11th January – Ghardaia 

• After breakfast, you’ll start your exploration of the M’Zab Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its unique architecture, cultural significance, and history. The valley comprises 5 historical cities (Ghardaia, Melika, Beni Isguen, Bounoura and El Atteuf).
• You’ll start in Al Atteuf, the oldest and most historically significant village in the valley, founded in 1012 by the Ibadi Muslim community after their migration from the Tunisian region. Seeking refuge and isolation, the Ibadis established a self-sustaining way of life in this harsh desert environment. Al Atteuf reflects centuries of adaptation to the arid landscape, with its tiered expansion zones showcasing the village’s growth over time, from the 11th century to the 18th century.
• You’ll then visit the Ksar de Bounoura, another gem of the M’Zab Valley. Founded in 1048, this fortified village shows the Ibadis’ emphasis on communal living and defense.

Afternoon

• You’ll have lunch in Ghardaïa, the valley’s largest town
• In the afternoon, you’ll head to the Sebseb desert, about an hour’s drive from Ghardaia. This area is historically significant as part of the ancient caravan routes that once connected North Africa to sub-Saharan regions, facilitating trade and cultural exchange.
• Here, you can experience the Sahara Desert by renting quad bikes (extra cost, around 10 USD), riding camels (extra cost, around 5 USD), enjoying tea under a berber tent or simply walk in the dunes.
• As the sun begin to set, we’ll make our way back to Ghardaia.
• Dinner and overnight at Le Belvédère Hotel

Tuesday 12th January – Ghardaia

• After breakfast, you’ll continue your exploration of the M’Zab Valley with a visit to Beni Isguen, another ancient town that has the particularity of having retained its full original wall. Like the other cities in the Pentapole (the group of five M’Zab towns), it was founded in the 11th century by Ibadi refugees from Tahert.
• Although Beni Isguen is now recognized as a holy city and a guardian of religious orthodoxy, it was historically known as the military city of the Pentapole, due to its strategic importance and fortifications. You’ll walk up to the Boulila Watch Tower, which provided a vantage point from which to spot approaching caravans or potential threats.
• You next stop will be Ghardaia, the largest and most famous of the M’Zab towns, which serves as the economic and administrative center of the valley. You will wander through the souk, filled with stalls offering dates, fresh fruits, and local goods.

Afternoon

• After lunch, we’ll slowly make your way to the headed to the Ghardaia airport, named after Moufdi Zakaria, a poet who wrote the lyrics of the national anthem of Algeria, reportedly with his own blood while imprisoned by the French in 1955.
• Our short flight will bring us back to Algiers, right in time for dinner.

Wednesday 13th January – Djemila

• Breakfast at hotel
• Embark on a 4-hour journey along Algeria’s iconic highways to the picturesque mountain village of Djemilla. On the way, you’ll see the verdant landscapes of the country, even spotting snow-capped mountains.
• On arrival, we’ll stop at Avito Restaurant, a local eatery known for its affordable and good meals, for lunch.

Afternoon

• After lunch, you’ll explore the Djemila Roman ancient city ruins – a UNESCO World Heritage Site where some one of the world’s best-preserved Roman temples, basilicas, arches, and streets are to be found.
• Djemila was founded during the 1st century AD by Emperor Nerva as a military colony. Initially named Cuicul, it was strategically located to control the mountainous region and facilitate trade.
• You’ll begin your visit at the Djemila Museum, which houses an extraordinary collection of incredibly well-preserved and massive mosaics, as well as a few sculptures and artifacts collected from the site.
• During our few hours on the site, we’ll gain a deeper understanding of the history of the city and roam its streets, starting at the incredibly well-preserved Septimian temple, which dominates most of the city.
• After our visit, we’ll drive another 2 hours to Constantine, check in our hotel and head out for dinner and to explore the nightlife of the city
• Overnight in Ibis Hotel Constantine

Thursday 14^th January – Constantine

• Breakfast at hotel before our city tour of Constantine, famously known as the “City of Bridges.”
• Our first stop is the Ahmed Bey Palace, a stunning example of Ottoman-era architecture and one of Algeria’s finest landmarks. This majestic palace features elegant courtyards, gardens, and orchards, with intricate tiles crafted in Algeria and France decorating its walls.
• Next, walk across the iconic Pont de Sidi M’Cid, a breathtaking 164-meter-long suspension bridge spanning the Rhummel River. Built by the French, it held the title of the highest bridge in the world from 1912 to 1929.
• We’ll also stop at the Monument aux Morts, a World War I memorial honouring the soldiers of Constantine who fought under the French banner. More than 173,000 Algerians participated in the war, with over 36,000 losing their lives during major battles like Verdun.
• During the day, you’ll walk along the Medina located in the heart of the old Constantine, a place full of life and merchants selling traditional street food and sweets. You’ll also cross the many bridges of the city, each with unique characteristics and beautiful viewpoints.

Afternoon

• Lunch at Restaurant Igherssan, one of Algeria’s top-rated establishements, renowned for its impeccable service and exceptional cuisine. It offers beautiful views of the gorge!
• In the afternoon, we’ll visit the Museum of Cirta – the original name of Constantine when it was the capital of the Numidian Kingdom, around the 3rd century BCE. The museum displays incredible artifacts from this eras, alongside exhibits from the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman periods and also modern works.
• You’ll also visit the Mosque of Emir Abdelkader, a beautiful example of modern Islamic architecture. Completed in 1994, the mosque is not only a place of worship but also houses a university dedicated to Islamic studies.
• In the late afternoon, we’ll embark on a 4-hour drive back to Algiers, with a dinner stop halfway.
• Check into our hotel, and for those with the energy we’ll head out for a night in Algiers
• Overnight in Algiers

Friday 15^th January – Tipaza – Cherchell

Morning

• Breakfast at our hotel and drive two hours to Cherchell.
• The Cherchell Museum houses one of North Africa’s finest collections of Roman and Punic sculptures, mosaics, and inscriptions.
• After exploring the museum, we will walk around the town itself. As the city continued to develop on the same ground, remnants of Cherchell’s glorious past are scattered among modern buildings. You will see, among other things, the ruins of the Roman theater.
• From Cherchell, we will continue our journey along the coast to Tipaza, another UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• We’ll grab lunch at a seafood restaurant located in one of the most picturesque spots in Algeria, offering panoramic views of the Mediterranean sea.

Afternoon 

• After lunch, we will head to the Tipaza Archaeological Park, an incredible UNESCO World Heritage Site. Originally a Punic trading post, Tipaza was later transformed into a military colony by Emperor Claudius during the Roman conquest of the kingdoms of Mauretania. It is now one of the most iconic archaeological treasures in North Africa, offering a beautiful juxtaposition of ancient ruins against the backdrop of the Mediterranean Sea.
• Our last stop wil be the the tomb of Cleopatra Selene, also known as the Royal Mausoleum of Mauretania. She was the only daughter of Queen Cleopatra and Mark Antony. This imposing tomb, that very few tourists know or visit, has remained almsot intact since it’s construction in the first century.
• Our tour will finish with a farewell dinner at the Caracoya restaurant, with traditional dishes and Algerian wine.
• Overnight in Algiers

Saturday 16^th January – Algiers

• Breakfast at hotel
• Tour concludes with airport transfers. YPT is able to arrange post-tour accommodation or advice for flights out.
• Continue your Saharan Adventure with YPT on our Mauritania Iron Ore Train tour and board Air Algerie flight AH4014 departing Algiers at 7:30pm arriving Nouakchott 10:45pm. Flight cost not included.