Oasis & Sahara Tour 10 days

Day 1 Algiers - Taghit

Reception and assistance at Houari Boumediene International Airport (Algiers), then we transit on foot to the domestic airport (3-5 minutes' walk ) to fly to Bechar. After arriving at Bechar airport, Boudghene Ben Ali Lotfi, we take the transport to the hotel in Taghit(85 Kms) where the first overnight is to be spent.

Day 2 Taghit

After breakfast, the discovery of the famous small oasis situated on the Grand Erg Occidental (a chain of sand dunes that can be up to 120 m high, known as the Western Sand Sea also covers an area of about 78000 Km² ) begins with visits to the town including Old Ksar, Ksour valley and Berrebi Oasis. It is remarkable the beginning of common use of red mud or brick in the architecture of houses' building as in the other oases of the region. The day ends with sun set seeing while having dinner. Sand skiing can be practised.Return to our traditional residence or similar.

Day 3 Taghit - Beni-Abbes

Leaving Taghit to Beni-Abbes (150 Kms) after breakfast. Beni Abbes (or the White Oasis) is to be reached in about half-hour drive. We direct to the residence then we head to the town then to Beni Abbes's Charles De Foucauld 's Chapel, the place where the priest De Foucauld resided and established his first hermitage during his stay( 1901-1903) before moving to Tamanrasset, far away in the Algerian Southern Sahara.After having lunch in the chapel's garden or elsewhere. The programme continues with visiting the Old Castle situated in palm grove and the Beni Abbes Museum which houses different displays as the desert fauna, fossils and some Algerian arts and crafts.At the end of the day, we return to the residence for an overnight.

Day 4 Beni-Abbes - Timimoun

Early In the morning after breakfast, we will drive to the Red Oasis, Timimoun, transiting oases as: El-Ouata, Kerzaz, Timoudi, Ouled Khdir and Charouine. The journey to Timimoun (342 kms) is to be crossed in 4 hours. Arriving at our destination, we move to a guest house or a hotel where we have our lunch.After a rest, early in the afternoon, we stroll in the town and its covered market full of Bio local produce. We enjoy seeing the sun set in/on the outskirt of the oasis. Then, the day is finished by having the dinner with enjoying listening to traditional Gnawa music (using musical instrument Qraqeb and hand-made drum ).Return to the guest house or similar.

Day 5 Timimoun

Shortly after breakfast ,a visit is organised to Timimoun's old castle, Ouled Haroun castle and the Fougaras (hydraulic heritage) of Ouled Said & Hadj Guelmane, two less populated towns near Timimoun covered by desert sand dunes and palm groves where we have a traditional lunch.After that in the afternoon visit, we continue exploring the amazing open museums as the cave and the cliffs of Ighzer, dunes of the Oasis.Overnight at the residence or the hotel.

Day 6 Timimoun - El-Goléa

In the early hours of the morning, we have our breakfast, we drive towards the pearl of the Oases, El-Meniaa (ex- El-Goléa). The distance of 362 Kms can be crossed by road in 4 hours. The oasis is situated at the centre of Algeria at the eastern of the Grand Erg Occidental as a gateway to Southern Algeria. It is famous for the mineral water and agricultural products including its palm grove of about 180 000 palm trees. In the way to El-Goléa, we rest in M'Guiden's Café for a while. At the hotel or the guest house we have our lunch.Following the short rest, we head towards the church of Bel-Bachir (close to the church, there is tomb of the Catholic priest Charles De Foucault, then we enjoy the sunset on the dunes while having our dinner.Return to the hotel.

Day 7 El-Goléa

Today we leave the residence to visit some places starting by the 9th century Citadel known as 'Vieux ksar', built on a 75 m high hill. In this old castle which was the refuge for the ancestors who dwelt for centuries. Still there are ruins of the houses and the well used by settlers as a water. Next we visit the unique Sahara museum (town centre) where there are a lots collections gathered for decades by René Le Clerc (b1925-d 2010), then we go in an excursion to the dunes of the Grand Erg Occidental where we spend the afternoon ,dine and return to residence.

Day 8 El-Goléa - Ghardaia

Early in the morning, the group leaves to Ghardaia (known as M'Zab Valley). We cross the distance of the 270 kms in 3 hours. Arrival to Ghardaia is estimated to be around 11 a.m. then after lunch in the hotel, we move to one of the five villages that make up the 7th site classified as a UNESCO World Heritage in Algeria, Beni Izghen.Then we continue to Boulila Tower. Our day programme is ended by a visit to the town centre and its magnificent ancient rectangular market.Overnight at the residence.

Day 9 Ghardaia - Algiers

Breakfast then we head to visit Mélika and Bounoura. After lunch transfer of the group to the 15 Kms distant domestic airport, Moufdi Zakaria (or Noumérat) to fly to the capital, Algiers. Transfer to the hotel for an overnight night.

Day 10 Algiers

In the last day of the visit, we visit another UNESCO World Heritage site, Casbah of Algiers for 2 hours ,then we drive to the Church of Notre-Dame d'Afrique (4 kms distant from the Casbah) and we finish the whole service by a visit to Jardin d'Essai in Hamma (the unique garden in Africa dated to 1900's).Then, visitors are to be transferred to Houari Boumediene International Airport for departure. Assistance is given until the boarding.