Tlemcen & Saharan Oases 13 days

Day 1 Oran - Tlemcen

Arrival of the visitors at Ben Bella Airport (Oran), then transfer to the hotel or residence in Tlemcen (167 Kms) for an overnight.

Day 2 Tlemcen

In this tourist city named Tlemcen, we have breakfast in the hotel then we go to visit Lalla Setti Plateau (600 metres above sea level) which is a favourite destination for visitors and tourists, then we drive to El-Mechouar Citadel (the official residence for the Zayyanid dynasty (1235-1557) including the museum) for about 2 hours., then we move towards El-Ourit waterfalls to have our lunch. Conclude the day programme by organising a visit to the largest underground cavernous network named the Caves of Beni-Add situated in Ain Fezzan about 15 Kms away from Tlemcen City then we visit the city centre on our route to the hotel where we spend the rest of the night.

Day 3 Tlemcen - Ain Safra

Today we drive early after breakfast to Ain Safra (Naama), about 312 Km, southward of Tlemcen. After a short rest in the hotel of reaching our destination, Ain Safra, we have a traditional lunch in the hotel or a restaurant (offers traditional dishes), then we depart for about 17 km off the city centre to visit the 220 hectares Oasis, surrounded by palm trees of 71 varieties, named Tiout (Berber Zinat word means water sources). Tiout Oasis is situated on the mountains of Ksours of the Saharan Atlas, not far from the Ksar Tiout, with its amazing architecture which was used by the region's settlers' ancestors, built in the 14th century. Then we move to the dunes to see the sunset and have our dinner. Overnight at the hotel or residence.

Day 4 Ain Safra - Taghit

After breakfast, we head to Taghit (339 km). On our route, we visit Cheikh Bouamama Palace (Ksar), situated in Meghrar (50 km west of AinSafra), and then we continue towards Taghit where spend two nights. At our destination, we spent an overnight in the hotel: traditional local dishes & some amusement.

Day 5 Taghit

After breakfast, the discovery of the famous small oasis situated on the Grand Erg Occidental (a chain of 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 the common use of red mud or brick in the architecture of houses buildings as in the other oases of the region. The day ends with sunset seeing while having dinner. Sand skiing can be practised. Return to our traditional residence or similar.

Day 6 Taghit - Beni Abbes

Leaving Taghit to Beni-Abbes (150 Km) after breakfast. Beni Abbes (or the White Oasis) is to be reached in about a half-hour drive. We were directed to the residence then we headed 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 a palm grove and the Beni Abbes Museum which houses different displays such as desert fauna, fossils and some Algerian arts and crafts. At the end of the day, we return to the residence for an overnight.

Day 7 Beni Abbes - Timimoun

Early In the morning after breakfast, we will drive to the Red Oasis, Timimoun, transiting oases such as El-Ouata, Kerzaz, Timoudi, Ouled Khdir and Caroline. The journey to Timimoun (342 km) 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 the town and its covered market full of Bio local produce. We enjoy seeing the sunset in/on the outskirts of the oasis. Then, the day is finished by having dinner with enjoying listening to traditional Gnawa music (using the musical instrument Qraqeb and hand-made drum). Return to the guest house or similar.

Day 8 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 dunes and palm groves where we have traditional lunch. After that in the afternoon visit, we continue exploring the amazing open museums such as the cave the cliffs of Ighzer, dunes of the Oasis. Overnight at the residence or the hotel.

Day 9 Timimoun - El-Golèa

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 Km 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 its mineral water and agricultural products including its palm grove of about 180 000 palm trees. On the way to 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 the 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 10 El-Golèa

Today we leave the residence to visit some places starting with 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 water. Next, we visit the unique Sahara museum (town centre) where there are a lot of collections gathered for decades by René Le Clerc (b1925-d 2010), then we go on an excursion to the dunes of the Grand Erg Occidental where we spend the afternoon, dine and return to residence.

Day 11 El-Golèa- Ghardaia

Early in the morning, the group leaves for Ghardaia (known as M'Zab Valley). We cross the distance of 270 km in 3 hours. Arrival at 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 ended with a visit to the town centre and its magnificent ancient rectangular market. Overnight at the residence.

Day 12 Ghardaia-Algiers

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

Day 13 Algiers

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