Algeria

The Journey... ​

PART 1 - OASIS, desert and Roman RUINS

By motorcycle - Part 1 may be booked without needing to book Part 2 - (however we highly recommend the desert part 2 if you have never experienced the wonders of camping out amongst the stars on the sands of the red Sahara - it is a truly incredible experience)

DAY 01: ALGIERS arrival day

Algiers is the capital of Algeria. It is located on the country’s Mediterranean coast and is known for the white buildings of the Casbah, a medina featuring steep, winding streets, Ottoman palaces, and a ruined citadel. Discovering Algiers means immersing yourself in a multifaceted city where history, culture, and modernity blend harmoniously. Things we can see - Casbah, Basilica of Notre-Dame d’Afrique, Great Mosque of Algiers, Rais Palace, Bastion 23, Botanical Gardens, Ketchaoua Mosque, Algiers Central Post Office.

A welcome dinner and motorbike arrangements.

DAY 02: ALGIERS to Djemila to CONSTANTINE

On the way to Constantine we visit the ruins of Djemila - close to Setif city and surrounded by rolling hills this ancient Roman site was founded in 96 AD and commands striking views over the surrounding region.

Constantine is one of the oldest cities in the world. Founded by the Phoenicians, it became the capital of the Numidian Kingdom under the name Cirta. Completely destroyed by Maxentius in 311 AD, it was rebuilt shortly thereafter by Emperor Constantine, who gave it his name. Built atop an imposing rock formation split in two by time, it is nicknamed the «City of Suspended Bridges» due to the numerous structures connecting its neighborhoods and spanning the deep gorges of the Rhummel River. This unique topography lends it a dizzying charm and a distinctive atmosphere. In the early evening we explore the city sights.

DAY 03: CONSTANTINE to BATNA

Batna offers the chance to explore the Aurès Mountains, ancient ruins, and a vibrant Chaoui culture. Located in northeastern Algeria, the Batna province is a crossroads where magnificent nature, amazing heritage, and archaeological treasures meet. A prime destination for history, hikers, and culture enthusiasts alike. We will explore, Roman Ruins of Timgad, Regional park of Belezma, Djebel Chelia, Mausoleum of Imedghassen.

DAY 04: BATNA to GHOUFI BALCONIES to MCHOUNECH

Suspended above the gorges of the Oued Abiod, the Ghoufi Balconies site stands as a striking testament to troglodyte architecture and human ingenuity in the face of a spectacular environment. Located in the Aurès region, within the Batna province, this site combines the majesty of an American-style canyon with the history of the amazing inhabitants who have shaped the rock over the centuries. A designated national heritage site, Ghoufi offers a journey back in time, set amidst a landscape where stone and oasis life converge. We stay the night in the oasis of Mchounech.

DAY 05: MCHOUNECH to BISKRA to BOU SAADA

Located about fifty kilometers north of Biskra, the oasis of El Kantara marks a natural gateway between the high plateaus and the first stretches of the Sahara. Nicknamed the «Gateway to the Desert», it offers a striking contrast between the arid surrounding mountains and the lushness of its palm grove. The town, which developed around a wadi, is traversed by a deep, narrow gorge carved by water over millennia. This natural corridor with walls reaching heights of around a hundred meters has long served as a strategic passage for caravans and travelers. El Kantara’s heritage has enjoyed long-standing protection: the Roman bridge has been a listed monument since 1900, and the natural gorge site since 1923. We will explore, the Roman bridge, El Kantara gorges, The old palm grove and the red village. Biskra is home to some of the best dates in all of Algeria!

We then ride onwards into the desert to Bousaada.

DAY 06: BOU SAADA to GHARDAIA

Bou Saâda is a municipality in the M’Sila Province, located 69 km southwest of M’Sila and 241 km southeast of Algiers. Bou Saâda is also nicknamed the «City of Happiness» or also the «Gateway to the Desert,» as it is the oasis closest to the Algerian coast. At the foot of the Saharan Atlas, it’s a historic commercial and cultural crossroads, the city has long attracted travelers, nomads, and artists seeking inspiration on the threshold of the Sahara. Is is also known for its Algerian Cheese and the delicious dish Zviti.

DAY 07: GHARDAIA

We have a day arond Ghardaia to experience this amazing Mozabite pentapolis that has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1982. Nestled in the heart of the Algerian Sahara, Ghardaïa is the capital of the M’Zab Valley, located 600 km south of Algiers. It has five fortified cities dating back to the 11th century, a palm grove irrigated by foggara systems, and an Ibadi community with living traditions.Historically, Ghardaïa was founded in the 11th century by Amazigh refugees from Tahert who established the fivefortified villages forming a pentapolis: Ghardaïa (the capital), Melika, Beni Isguen, Bounoura, and El Atteuf. Built according to defensive urban planning principles, these villages are renowned for their mosques, which also served as watchtowers and storage facilities and the design of concentric circles of small streets surrounding the centrally located mosque.

DAY 08: GHARDAIA to EL MENIA

El Menia is another Oasis town also known for its rich Berber culture and is a place to regenterate between Ghardaia and Timimoun. We visit the Catholic church of Saint Joseph and the beautiful old palace on top of the hill overlooking the city.

DAY 09: EL MENIA to TIMIMOUN

We enter into one of the most precious and spectacular areas of Algeria, the Gourara region and the “red pearl” capital Timimoun. With vast golden deserts, dunes, red stone Casbahs and the 1001 stories of the journeys of oldern times caravans. This oasis area surrounded by endless desert has remained largely free of technology. The city uses the Foggaras irigation system throughout its palm groves, knowledge which has been passed down for centuries, used to avoid the ravaging affects of the burning sun.

DAY 10: TIMIMOUN to TAGHIT

We continue on through the desert - immersing in prehistoric sites, vast dune landscapes and enjoying delicious local foods. We stay for the night in Taghit - home to the 11th century ksar now partially restored. The dunes around Taghit hold the rock art of Tahtania - a gallery of neolithic petroglyphs.

DAY 11: TAGHIT to AIN SEFRA

The ride from Taghit to Ain Sefra is 320 km of pure riding pleasure between mountains and stones to a beautiful old city - Ain Sefra - another ancient ksar - a myriad of narrow alleys away from cars and modernity. We stay at a beautiful old hotel in the centre of the city.

DAY 12: AIN SEFRA to TLEMCEN

Tlemcen is the capital if Islamaic culture in Algeria along with the heavy inflcuence of Andalusia, sitting on the fertile Hennaya and Maghnia plains backed by the cliffs of the Tlemcen mountains. Historically this city was an important location on the trans Saharan caravan routes and is now an eclectc mix of cultures. We explore the beautiful old streets and have the potential to visit the Mansourah Castle, Mechouar Fortress ruins and the Great Mosque.

DAY 13: TLEMCEN to ORAN

We ride directly to Oran and enjoy an afternoon exploring this beautiful city - blending Ottoman alleyways, Spanish Architecture with incredible views of the Mediterranean. We can see the Santa Cruz fort overlooking the city and ocean.

DAY 14 ORAN to TIPAZA

From Oran we ride to the ruins of Tipaza - one of the most beautiful sites of Roman ruins in Algreria over looking the dramatic coastline of the Mediterranean. We stay the night in the town of Tipaza originally established by the Carthaginians around the 5th century BC. We experience beautiful beaches and coves under the shadow of Mount Chenoua

DAY 15: TIPAZA to ALGIERS

This is our last day on the bikes. For those undertaking the motorcycle section only, your tour ends here :) After the ride back to Algiers we can continue to explore Algiers city. For those joining in part 2 we have a relaxing afternoon before our journey to Djanet the following evening.

PART 2 - THE Red DESERT / Tadrart of Djanet

This is an immersive expedition into the vast red desert towards the Dunes de Tin Merzouga in the far south east of Algeria where we live with Tuareg communities. Exploring the area of Tassili N’ajjer National Park by 4×4 car to access deep into the most beautiful areas of striking stone structures amongst massive dunes. Tuareg camping under the stars as a nomad.

DAY 16: ALGIERS to DJANET

Restful morning / explore Algiers and then in evening we take a domestic flight from Algiers to Djanet

DAY 17: Djanet - Black Dunes - In Djaren

DAY 18: In Djaren - Moul ennaga

DAY 19: Moul ennaga - in djaren - tamezguida - ouan zaouaten - tin merzouga

DAY 20: tin merzouga - tisseteka

DAY 21: tissetka - black dunes - back to the city to visit the crying cow

DAY 22: Djanet to Algiers

DAY 23: DEPARTURE FLIGHT