Algerian Colours

Algerian Colours

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Algerian Colours

11 Days Starting in ALGIERS and ending in

Visiting: Algiers Province, Constantine, Djemila, Timimoun, Béni Abbès, Taghit, Oran, Béchar, Tipaza

Tour operator:

Wild Frontiers

Tour code:

ALM

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

4 - 12

Physical rating:

Low, Low / Moderate

Age range:

1-99

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians, Please contact Wild Frontiers with any specific dietary requirements

Tour operated in:

English

Interests:

Cultural

Private Available:

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Tour Overview

Algeria is one of the most fascinating countries in North Africa, combining a cultural legacy that stretches back millennia along with some of the world’s most dramatic desert scenery.

Once colonised by the Romans, the Turks and the French, the country has emerged from the troubles of the 1990’s to reveal itself as a destination of unrivalled scope and grandeur. Amongst the vast sands of the Sahara it is home to some of the most beguiling oasis towns in the region; dominated by ancient Ksars or fortified strongholds, the mud brick villages still hold on to traditions that have endured among the desert sands for centuries. It can also boast a number of world heritage sites such as the spectacular ancient site of Djemila and the old Roman port of Tipasa, while its bustling capital, Algiers, offers the traditional Casbah experience counterbalanced by a wonderfully engaging mix of Ottoman grandeur, colonial chic and modern vibrancy.

This remarkable journey takes us into the heart of this unique country as we journey from the shores of the Mediterranean to the Grand Erg Occidental.

Highlights

  • Discover the Roman ruins of Djemila and Tipasa, both UNESCO World Heritage sites

  • Venture into the Sahara Desert and visit the Sahara museum in Beni Abbes

  • Explore the ‘red city’ of Timimoun and the abandoned village of Tindjillet in the Sahara Desert

  • See the Casbah in Algiers and the whitewashed colonial architecture of Oran

  • Journey around the Grand Erg Occidental and stay at the beautiful oasis town of Taghit

  • Stroll around Constantine, the picturesque yet dramatic ‘City of Bridges’

Itinerary

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Day 1: Tour Starts In Algiers

Location: Algiers Province

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Aurassi Hotel or similar

Meals Included: Dinner

The tour begins in Algiers. Overlooking the waters of the Mediterranean, Algiers began life as a Phoenician trading post, but it was the 10th century Berbers under Bologhine ibn Ziri who began the city’s rise to prosperity. Over time it fell to the Almohades, the Ottomans and the French, before a bloody struggle for independence finally saw the Algerians wrestle control from their colonial overlords in the early 1960’s. Much of the historic heart of the city dates back to Ottoman times and includes the impressive facade of the Ketchaoua Mosque.  This evening we’ll enjoy our first group dinner and take the chance to talk about the trip ahead.

Day 2: Algiers - Djemila - Constantine

Location: Constantine, Djemila, Algiers Province

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Protea Hotel Constantine or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we drive east out of the hustle and bustle of the capital to the impressive ancient Roman city of Djemila, a UNESCO World Heritage site considered one of the finest in North Africa. The wheel-rutted streets of ancient Cuicul, founded by Nerva to house his subjects, are lined with elaborate houses, a forum, basilica, triumphal arches and temples. It is a fascinating example of Roman town planning adapted to suit its mountain location. Equally impressive is Djemila's stunning museum, where every square inch of the immense walls are plastered with mosaics. After wandering around this charming site we’ll continue our journey east to Constantine or ‘Cirta’ with its dramatic setting amongst precipitous cliffs and deep gorges. The French writer Alexandre Dumas called it ‘a fantastic city, something like Gulliver’s flying island. Founded 2,000 years ago, a plateau surrounded by deep ravines was a great place to build because the city could be easily defended. Since then Constantine has outgrown the plateau and spilled over into the adjoining areas, connected to the old city by seven high bridges, hence the title ‘City of Bridges’.

Day 3: Constantine - Tiddis - Constantine

Location: Algiers Province, Constantine

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Protea Hotel Constantine or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning we’ll drive a short distance north to the small Roman ruins at Tiddis. Also known as Castellum Tidditanorum, it’s perhaps Algeria's most impressively located Roman site. Originally believed to be a Berber/Amazigh settlement, Tiddis is an oddity in that it’s made up of winding pathways that climb the hillside to which it clings, as well as paved streets, a temple of Mithras, an impressive arch, cisterns and a small forum. From here we’ll drive back to Constantine for lunch before heading out on a tour of the city. Constantine boasts an excellent museum noted in particular for its Roman mosaics, as well as the delightful Palace of Ahmed Bey, a handful of impressive mosques (including the impressive Abdul Khader mosque, the second largest in the country), a traditional casbah with its local market and of course, the architectural triumph of the city’s bridges for which it’s so well known.

Day 4: Constantine - Algiers - Timimoun

Location: Timimoun, Algiers Province

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Gourara or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After an early breakfast we’ll take a morning flight to Algiers, arriving into the capital just before lunch. We will spend some time at the Botanical Garden "Jardin d'essai", where we will enjoy lunch before carrying on to the Bardo Museum and the National Museum of Antiquities and Islamic Art. We will end the day in Algiers by visiting the Basilica Notre Dame d'Afrique ("Basilica of Our Lady of Africa"). After dinner, we will make our way to the airport for a late evening flight to Timimoun, our gateway to the Sahara! On arrival, in the early hours of Day 5, we’ll transfer to our hotel for the night.

Day 5: In & Around Timimoun

Location: Timimoun

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Gourara or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, before the temperature starts rising, we’ll visit some of the immediate area around Timimoun. Depending upon local conditions (ie weather and the authorities!) we will visit various sites such as the deep red caves and the abandoned village of Tindjillet, before escaping the heat and heading back to Timimoun for lunch. The rest of the day will be free for you to relax at the hotel or wonder around the town at your leisure.

Day 6: Timimoun - Beni Abbes - Taghit

Location: Béni Abbès, Timimoun, Taghit

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Saoura or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After an early breakfast we’ll drive north-west to the ‘Pearl of the Saoura’ or the ‘white oasis’ town of Beni Abbes (though the buildings here are gradually turning an orangey-brown colour!). Although the town may be very quiet it has a beautiful setting where the oasis ends and the sand dunes rise majestically into the distance. We shall enjoy lunch here before continuing on to Taghit. Upon arrival there should be time for a late afternoon walk in the dunes to watch the sunset. 
Today we will be covering a distance of approximately 500kms, so please be prepared for a long day

Day 7: Taghit - Bechar - Oran

Location: Taghit, Oran, Béchar

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Ibis Oran or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Taghit is a small oasis town located on the western edge of the Grand Erg Occidental. The dunes here tower over the eastern edge of the town, and the views as you come over the hill towards the old Ksar are simply magnificent. The town is dominated by red mud architecture along narrow winding streets making for some fantastic photo opportunities. This morning we’ll get the chance to look at some prehistoric rock art at Zaouia Tahtania dating back more than 5,000 years, before taking an early lunch and driving to Bechar, in time to catch a late afternoon flight to Algeria’s second largest city, Oran, and a late dinner.

Day 8: In Oran

Location: Oran

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Ibis Oran or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast we’ll head out on a guided tour of Oran, the original home of fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent and novelist Albert Camus. Oran has a significant Spanish flavour to it after more than two centuries of occupation before the French took over in the 19th century. We’ll visit the major sites such as Place du 1er Novembre, Santa Cruz fort and chapel, La Cathedrale du Sacre Coeur and Bey’s Palace.

Day 9: Oran - Tipasa - Algiers

Location: Tipaza, Oran, Algiers Province

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Aurassi Hotel or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning we’ll drive east to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Tipasa on the Mediterranean coast. Considered to be one of the most important archaeological sites in North Africa, this old Roman port rose to prominence under the emperor Septimus Severus (AD193-211), and provides us with a remarkable collection of Punic, Roman and Numidian temples and monuments. From here we’ll drive east towards Algiers, and time permitting visit the Royal Mausoleum of Mauretania on the way. This imposing tomb is the final resting place of Berber Juba II and Cleopatra Selene II, who were the last king and queen of the ancient Kingdom of Mauretania. Returning to Algiers by the early evening we’ll check into our hotel before heading out for dinner.

Day 10: In Algiers

Location: Algiers Province

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Aurassi Hotel or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we’ll enjoy a guided tour of the old part of the capital, focussing upon the historic Kasbah, one of the most impressive in all of North Africa. This UNESCO World Heritage site was described by Le Corbusier as "a masterpiece of architecture and town planning" and we’re sure you will agree after wandering around its labyrinth of narrow streets and alleyways, made up of tiny shops, museums and market traders. From here we’ll visit the imposing Maqam Echahid (Martyrs Monument) and the National Museum of El Mujahid to learn some more about the Algerian war of independence. Tonight we’ll head out into the city for a farewell dinner.

Day 11: Tour Finishes In Algiers

Location: Algiers Province

Meals Included: Breakfast

The tour ends this morning. Those on the suggested group flights will transfer to the airport in time for the early afternoon departure.

What's Included

  • MEALS

    10 x Breakfasts9 x Lunches10 x Dinners

  • TRANSPORT

    On this tour we will use a minibus or mini-coach and domestic flights.

  • GROUP SIZE

    Maximum: 12

  • CARBON CONTRIBUTIONS

    Contributions to climate and community projects for all bookings

  • EXPERT TEAM

    The full services of a Wild Frontiers Tour Leader with local guides where appropriate

  • ACCOMMODATION

    All accommodation as outlined in the itinerary

  • ENTRANCE FEES

    All entrance fees for sights mentioned in the itinerary

  • FITNESS RATING

    Low / Moderate

What's Not Included

  • We believe in a completely transparent approach to pricing with no hidden extras. As such, please note that the following are not included in the cost of the tour.Visas & Travel Insurance: Visas will always be tourationality dependent but travel insurance is mandatoryTips: Always optional but some guidance will be given in the pre-departure information documentsInternational .Flights: Please ask us for an obligation-free quote for flights which originate in the UK.Beverages & any costs of a personal nature: This will include items such as laundry and souvenirs

  • ExcludedItem

    We believe in a completely transparent approach to pricing with no hidden extras.

    As such, please note that the following are not included in the cost of the tour.



    Visas & Travel Insurance: Visas will always be tour
    ationality dependent but travel insurance is mandatory
    Tips: Always optional but some guidance will be given in the pre-departure information documents
    International Flights: Please ask us for an obligation-free quote for flights which originate in the UK
    Airport Transfers: We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights
    Beverages & any costs of a personal nature: This will include items such as laundry and souvenirs

Visas

Visas are necessary for many of the destinations we travel to and while we aim to provide you with the most up-to-date information, requirements frequently change and as such for the latest advice we advise that you check with the relevant embassies or contact our recommended visa agency, Travcour www.travcour.com 

For this tour, UK passport holders currently require a visa for Algeria.
Non-UK passport holders or non-UK residents should contact the relevant embassies for individual requirements. 

Due to the unpredictable timeframe required to obtain the necessary authorisation for Algerian tourist visa applications, we strongly recommend that you do not make any foreign travel plans for at least 6 weeks prior to the start date of the tour.

NB. It should also be noted that anyone with a passport showing evidence of having visited Israel (including having entered or left Jordan/Egypt from posts which are known to border Israel) are likely to be denied a visa for Algeria.

Further details will be sent out to you on booking, however ensuring that correct and valid visas are obtained remains the sole responsibility of the client.
 

Key Aspects to Consider

Due to the unpredictable timeframe required to obtain the necessary authorisation for Algerian tourist visa applications, we strongly recommend that you do not make any foreign travel plans for at least 6 weeks prior to the start date of the tour.



Please note that when driving in Algeria it is compulsory for tourist groups to be accompanied by a security convoy in places. The guards in the convoy will change over as we cross from one wilaya (province) to the next. This can significantly increase journey times, resulting in a number of quite long drives so please be prepared for this.



Please be aware that vegetarians can be catered for but the selection and variety can be very limited in places, especially in the Sahara region. People with specific dietary requirements should consider such limitations carefully and we suggest you discuss your needs with us before booking this tour.



Algeria has minimal tourist infrastructure and receives far fewer visitors than neighbouring countries like Morocco or Tunisia. As such service levels cannot be compared and logistically Algeria remains a ‘challenging’ destination, almost guaranteeing that things are unlikely to always go according to plan! However for us that is half the enjoyment of travelling in Algeria and anyone in a reasonable state of health, with an open mind and a sense of adventure should be perfectly able to cope with this tour, as many of the activities are optional. 



Flexibility and the nature of travel in Algeria: For security reasons it might be necessary to change this itinerary at very short notice, and clients must be flexible enough to deal with this and acknowledge that this is an inherent part of travel to Algeria. While we will always try & visit as much of the itinerary as possible, we reserve the right to omit any destination due to security concerns and offer an alternative in its place. You must also understand that tourist infrastructure and the levels of services will not match those offered in more regular tourist locations in North Africa. 

Responsible Travel

With local people, culture and eco-systems in mind, responsible travel and sustainable tourism are at the core of Wild Frontiers. We believe that a successful trip not only delivers a unique and unsurpassable journey for our travellers but also benefits the people and places we visit.

When designing our tours, we actively seek out experiences that have a positive impact on the communities and precious environments we visit - from supporting social enterprises; resting our heads in rural homestays; and eating at locally owned restaurants; to helping fund conservation projects that protect wildlife and their habitats. 

Visit the Responsible Travel area of our website to read more, including the work of the Wild Frontiers Foundation through which we fundraise to aid community empowerment and education projects.

Travelling Solo

As a company approximately 70% of our clients are solo travellers, so it’s very unlikely you’ll be alone!



Our prices are typically based on twin-share accommodation but single   supplements are not compulsory for any Wild Frontiers tour. If you prefer not to pay a single supplement we’ll pair you with someone else of the same sex for you to share with throughout the trip.



On this trip, if you do opt to pay for a single supplement then please note that it will cover you for all nights of the tour.



Please note that paying a single supplement entitles you to lone occupancy of a single room. In many cases these rooms will be of the same size as a double/twin room, but in some cases they may be smaller.

 

Insurance

Insurance that provides cover for emergency repatriation in case of a medical emergency is compulsory for all tours. You should be aware that due to some of the geographical areas visited and some of the activities included on certain of our trips some standard insurance policies may not always provide adequate cover. As such we strongly recommend that you purchase a policy that adequately covers your trip. Please see the Insurance section for more details.

Check out our Q&As

  • What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?

    Premium and Superior

  • What is the maximum group size?

    12

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • Do you require a visa for this holiday?

    For this tour, UK passport holders currently require a visa for Algeria.
    Non-UK passport holders or non-UK residents should contact the relevant embassies for individual requirements.

  • Are airport transfers included in this tour?

    If arriving/departing on the suggested group flights

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    We have a complete Covid-19 hub here: https://www.wildfrontierstravel.com/en_GB/covid-hub

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Over 70% of passengers on our group tours are solo adventurers. Unlike many tour operators, we don’t believe in charging solo travellers a premium, so if you are happy to share a room with a fellow traveller of the same sex, you will pay exactly the same as a couple..Occasionally you may even end up with your own room. You can travel as a single traveller on any of our holidays, from our escorte

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Since 2002

  • Do I need to be double-vaccinated against Covid-19 to travel with you?

    In most cases, yes. Not only are many destinations making double-vaccination a requirement of entry to the country and/or access to restaurants, museums etc., but additionally on all our group tours for the foreseeable future, for everyone’s peace of mind, we are asking that all clients be double vaccinated.

Reviews from travellers on this tour

Robert Hackford  

Robert Hackford

Having visited all the other North African coastal countries, this Algerian trip still managed to astonish me with its sparkling array of unique cultural, linguistic and architectural characteristics. And the Algerians are a most hospitable and welcoming people. Do go!

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