Antique Algeria: 12-Day Tour

Antique Algeria: The Garden of the Sahara

A Sample 12 Day Itinerary

Day 1 :

Welcome to Algeria! Upon your arrival at Algiers, transfer and short orientation tour of Algiers. Dinner on overnight at the hotel. (D)

Day 2:

Today we will have a full day tour of the capital city of Algiers. We will visit the casbah (UNESCO World Heritage Site), which is the old part of the city. We will also visit several museums including the Museum of Popular Arts, and the Mustapha Bacha and Raïs Palace. After lunch, we will visit the Museum of Antiquities, the Islamic Museum and the Bardo (if restored). The Bardo Museum is housed in a palace built for a Tunisian prince and is of interest as well as the collections it houses. If the Bardo is not open we will visit the Beaux Arts Museum near the Botanic Garden and the Martyrs Monument. Overnight in Algiers. (B/L/D)

Day 3:

After breakfast we will depart for a full day excursion along the coast to Cherchell (ancient Caesarea) and Tipasa. Cherchell was founded in the 4th century BC by the Carthaginians, then in 25 BC the Romans captured it, and called it Caesarea, and made it into the capital of Mauretania province. Stop on the road to visit the Royal Mauretania Mausoleum. This is where the King Juba II and Queen Cleopatra Selene II, monarchs under Roman rule, are buried. Afterwards we will stop for lunch then visit the Roman town of Tipasa, originally founded by Phoenicians (UNESCO World Heritage Site). In the 2nd century it became a Roman colony, then eventually became one of the most important Christian settlements of North Africa. Return to Algiers for overnight. (B/L/D)

Day 4:

After an early breakfast we will check out and transfer to the airport for our flight to Oran at 7:00 am. Arrive at 8:00 am and board the bus to drive to Tlemcen, known as the “Pearl of the Maghreb”. Visit the Mansourah known for its architecture that is the same as that in Andalusia), Lella Setti, Mosque Sidi Boumediene, the Méchouar (13th century) the Great Mosque (10th century) and the old town. This year, Tlemcen celebrated the year of “Arab Islamic Culture” abd many monuments have been restored for this occasion. After lunch, visit other places of interest then check into our hotel for overnigt in Tlemcen. (B/L/D)

Day 5:

This morning we depart for Oran. On arrival we will have a short visit of the town of Oran including the Cathedral and the Museum “Zabana”. After lunch we transfer to the airport for our flight back to Ghardaia at 13:15 pm. Arrival at 14:45 pm and we go directly to visit the typical market of Béni Isguen and the palmerye – palm grove. Overnight at the Traditional Villa in Ghardaia. (B/L/D)

Day 6:

After breakfast we will tour Ghardaia, visiting the M’zab Valley and oasis, the great Mosque founded in 1053, the market, and see the unique system of irrigation. After lunch, continue the visit of El Atteuf and Melika cities. Overnight in Ghardaia. (B/L/D)

Day 7:

After breakfast we depart to Ouargla and visit the Saharan Museum. Continue to Touggourt and stop on the way and visit the Mystic Zaouia of “Tidjania” at Témacine and Tamelhet, situated on the Great Eastern Erg (ocean of dunes). After lunch, continue on to Biskra for overnight. (B/L/D)

Day 8:

This morning we will have a short tour of Biskra, known for the tasty “Degglet En Nour” dates. Afterwards depart for Timgad through the gorges of El Kantara, a very scenic drive. After lunch at Batna, visit the Roman town of Timgad, ancient Thamugadi, founded by the Emperor Trajan in 100 AD as a defensive line against the Berbers. We will also visit the Roman ruins of Lambeze, then continue to Constantine for overnight. (B/L/D)

Day 9:

After breakfast we will have a full day excursion to Djémila, UNIESCO World Heritage Site. Our tour of the city will include the magnificent Roman city of ancient Cuicul (the original name of Djemila), founded by Emperor Nerva Trajan in the 1st century). We will have lunch in Djemila, and in the afternoon return to Constantine for overnight. (B/L/D)

Day 10:

This morning we will tour the city of Constantine. Constantine is a fortress city built on the edge of a canyon that almost completely surrounds the city. It is known as the city of cliffs and bridges. Visit the Bey Palace, the Cirta museum, ancient bridges and the Monument of Sidi M’Cid (Mondial War) and the Mosque Emir Abdelkader. Depart to Khroub for lunch and visit the Mausoleum of Massinissa and continue to visit the Roman Theater of Guelma and finally on to Annaba for overnight. (B/L/D)

Day 11:

After breakfast we will visit the Roman ruins of Hippone (ancient Hippon Regius), the museum and the Basilica of Saint Augustine. After lunch, we will take a walk in the city center, then transfer to the airport for our flight to Algiers at 14:30 pm. Arrival at 15:50pm and transfer to our hotel. Dinner will be at a typical restaurant outside the hotel. (B/L/D)

Day 12:

Transfer to the airport for departure. (B)

End of services.

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Included:

• Transfers and transportation by minibus
• Accommodations based on double occupancy and full board in 5* or best available hotels in each city
• English speaking guide and entrances fees (museums and sites)
• Meals with mineral water
• Internal flights (Algiers-Oran, Oran-Ghardaia and Annaba-Algiers)

Not included:

• International air
• Personal expenses
• Algerian visa ($135, sent to us by separate check, we will get the visa authorization and apply for all visas at once about a month before departing the US – visa fee subject to cahnge without notice)
• Drinks with meals at hotels, snacks
• Trip insurance
• Tips for guide and drivers – we recommend about $4 for drivers and $8 for the guides, per person, per day

Suggested Hotels:

• Algiers: El Djazair Hotel 5* or El Aurassi Hotel 5*
• Tlemcen: Rennaisance Marriott Hotel 5*
• Ghardaia: Traditional Villa “Akham” in the Palmerye of Béni Isguen
• Biskra: Ziban Hotel 3* (best available)
• Constantine: Cirta Hotel 3* (best available)
• Annaba: Sabri Hotel 4*

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