This circuit is made for authentic treasures’ lovers of this world. For those who aren’t afraid of challenges and will be rewarded with one of the most exciting journeys of their life. Far from mass tourism and surrounded with UNESCO World Heritage remains. The largest country in Africa, cradle of the writer Albert Camus, has a millennial history. Sublime architecture. Incredible gastronomy. In Ghardaia, you will be part of an incursion into a “secret” society of more than 1,000 years. The best? People all around you that will make you feel home wherever you are.
Day 01 Friday: Alger:
Welcome at Algiers’ airport by our team. Transfer to the hotel followed by the check in. Diner in a restaurant in Algiers, overnight at the hotel
Day 02 Saturday: Algiers – Kasbah:
Departure to visit the Kasbah, starting with the Citadel and the Centenary House (architect Claro Leon). We will cross the Kasbah through the narrow streets with a visit of a traditional house where we will enjoy tea on the terrace overlooking the Kasbah and the Bay of Algiers. Then visit the oldest mosque in the city: Sidi Ramdane, the fountain Bir Chebana, the mausoleum Sidi Abderahmane, the palace Mustapha Pasha (currently the museum of Arabic calligraphy). Traditional lunch at the Kasbah. In the afternoon, we will discover the waterfront of the boulevard and the national theater (1853), the neighborhood of Bâb El Oued (and its popular market) which includes a series of neighborhoods (Guillemin, Three Clocks, Baceta, Climat France and Trioli).
Then we will end the visit through the basilica of Notre-Dame d’Afrique (1872), architectural jewel built on an exceptional site that dominates Algiers from East to West.
Algerian cuisine dinner in a restaurant in the center of Algiers, back to the hotel and overnight.
Day 03 Sunday: Cherchell – Tipasa – Christian tomb – (100 km – 1h30)
Departure to Cherchell, ancient Roman Caesarea (Phoenician IOL). Then visit of the museum of exceptional ancient sculptures. Which include the visit of the museum of ancient coins and its mosaic garden before ending with the discovery of the Roman baths.
Lunch fish and seafood. Direction Tipasa with visit of the old town located on the west hill, the theater, the circus, the thermal baths, (This site is classified by the UNESCO with the patrimony of the Humanity). Numerous Punic, Roman Christians and Africans remains testify to the rich history of this region. On the way back, we make a hook to visit the royal mausoleum of Mauritania, called Tomb of the Christian. Algerian cuisine and dinner in a restaurant in the center of Algiers, back to the hotel and overnight.
Day 04 Monday: Algiers-Ghardaïa
Free morning to walk through the shopping streets of Algiers. Then around 11 am, we will reach the heights of the city to discover the Makam Echahid. This Monument was built in the early 80s, in memory of Algerian fighters fallen for the liberation of the country. It dominates the city of its ninety-two meters height and consists of three concrete palms together, which symbolize the three revolutions. We will then go down to visit the National Museum of Fine Arts of Algiers, to have lunch at the Jardin d’Essai, it is a luxuriant garden, true ecological jewel, which extends in amphitheater, of the street Mohamed Belouizdad to the street Hassiba Ben Bouali on an area of 32 hectares (the film Tarzan taking it as a backdrop in 1932). Then transfer to the airport at 17 pm for flight Algiers 18 h 30 Ghardaïa 20 h. Once arrived, transfer to the guest house at the oasis of Beni Isguen. Traditional dinner and night.
Day 05 Ghardaïa
In the morning, we will visit Ghardaïa and M’zab, famous for its architecture that inspired architects like André Ravereau, Frank Lloyd Wright, Pouillon, Ricardo Bofill or Le Corbusier. We will visit the old city of Ghardaia, the mosque, the traditional Mozabite house and the underground mosque Sheikh Ammi Said. Then we will visit the market of Ghardaia and its craftsmen, the holy city with its mosque on the hill. Lunch and discovery of the local cuisine. In the afternoon, visit the gardens of the palm grove and water distribution system, because Mzab is also famous for its many hydraulic structures, dams, underground galleries and wells. Together, they form this ingenious system of equitable sharing of water, universally known and classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982. Traditional dinner and overnight.
Day 06 Ghardaïa – Constantine
The M’Zab is composed of 5 cities today: Ghardaia, Bounoura, Beni Isguen, El Atteuf and Melika. These towns, called Ksour, were built with one hand in a perfect harmony with nature. We will visit the town of El Atteuf and its mausoleum, Sheikh Sidi Brahim.
Lunch with Mozabite cuisine. Afternoon, visit the holy city Beni Isguen and its auction market, then transfer to the airport for flight Ghardaia 16:45 Constantine 18:15. Welcoming and transfer to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 07 Constantine
Breakfast and visit of Constantine, one of the oldest cities in the world. Its foundation dates back to the year -202, it was named after 17 centuries. It formers name was “CIRTA” which is also nicknamed “the city of bridges”. We will continue the visit by Constantines’ Folk Market in the old parts of the city. Then we will hike through the alleys of the old town, a real incursion into the history of Constantine, the Rhummel Gorge and the magnificent panoramas of the old Memorial and the famous bridges suspended from the city. Traditional lunch in the city center. Afternoon, visit the Bey Palace which is the living trace of the Ottoman civilization. Its construction began in 1826. Inaugurated in 1835, it was soon occupied by the French army and visited by Napoleon III. Then visit the museum Cirta. We will end with the visit of the mosque Emir Abdelkader of Constantine, the largest in Algeria. The Emir Abdelkader Mosque covers an area of 11,000 m2. It includes two minarets of 120 meters high and a carved dome of 5 meters diameter. All of this makes it an “architectural jewel”. Hundreds of Algerian and foreign artists, sculptors and calligraphers participated in the decoration of this mosque, whose works were launched more than twenty years ago. Dinner and discovery of the Constantinian cuisine and night.
Day 08 Constantine– Batna
Departure for Batna with a stop at Medracen which is a famous Berber tomb. Then visit the city of Timgad: The Roman city, which used to be Thamugadi (Colonia Marciana Traiana Thamugadi) during the ancient times. It was founded by the Emperor Trajan and endowed with colony status. It is the last colony of deduction in Roman Africa. Built with temples, baths, a forum and a large theater. Traditional homestay lunch in Timgad. Afternoon, on the way back we will make a brief visit of what remains of Lambèse (Lambaesis). Heart of the Roman military presence in Africa and former 3rd region of Augustus under Trajan. The small town of Tazoult is also known for its penitentiary built in 1850 which helped a lot in the discovery of the ancient city. Overnight in Batna.
Day 09 Batna – Balcon du Ghoufi – Biskra
We will discover the Massif des Aurès, through the Balcons du Ghouffi which is an impressive Canyon that crosses the Aurès. Once we arrive at the Oasis of Biskra, we will make a city tour and visit of its local Market. Installation at the hotel, and for dinner, we will make you discover the Oasis cuisine. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 10 Biskra – Sétif – Alger
We will leave for Setif by the gorges of El Kantara. Arrival and for lunch local cuisine in Djamila. During the afternoon, we will the archaeological park of “Djemila”, an ancient site classified by UNESCO World Heritage. Formerly Cuicul. It is one of the most beautiful Roman ruins in the world. The archaeological remains, the well-integrated Roman urban plan and the environmental setting are the resources that represent the values attributed to the site (we will discover the Arc de Caracala, the Grandes Thermes, the Christian Basilica and the museum and its magnificent paintings mosaics ) as well as the baptistery of the 4th century. Then direction Algiers, arrival around 8 pm, check in the hotel. Dinner and discovery of the Algerian cuisine, and overnight at the hotel.
Day 11 Return flight
Transfer from the hotel to the airport for the international flight.
The Price of this tour in Algeria includes:
– National / Intern flight
– Airport assistance
– Comfortable bus
– 03 nights Suisse hotel (or similar) in Algiers
– 02 nights in Guest houses Akham (or similar) at Benis Isguen
– 02 nights Ibis hotel (or similar) in Constantine
– 01 night Hazem hotel (or similar) in Batna
– 01 night Bab Essahidi (or similar) in Biskra
– 01 night Suisse hotel (or similar) in Algiers
– Full board (In Algiers dinner in city center)
– Driver
– Visits included
– English speaker Guide
– Permanent logistical support.
The Price of this tour in Algeria, does not include:
– International / Algiers Flight Back and forth
– The visa for Algeria to be settled in cash at the consulates
– Extra and personal expenses.
– Sup Single: 295 €
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