Essential Algeria

Arrival in Algiers, transfer to your hotel in the center of the Capital. D

Begin your exploration of Algeria with a full day city tour of Algiers. Visit the famous Casbah (World Heritage by UNESCO), the exterior of the Ketchaoua Mosque recently restored by the Turkish State, the museum of Arts and Popular Traditions, and the Pasha palace with its collection of illuminations. After lunch, if possible in a traditional house, continue the visit of the modern districts of the capital with its museums: Antiquities, Islamic Arts, and the Bardo, the monument dedicated to the martyrs. Also visit the Villa Abdeltif, also known as la Villa Medicis Algérienne. It is a Moorish villa and is notable for having been set up in 1907 in emulation of the French Academy in Rome, the Villa Medici. It was, until 1962, home to the laureates of the Abd-el-Tif prize who were offered bursaries to continue their studies for two years in Algeria. It was abandoned in in 1967 but was restored in 2008. Overnight in Algiers. B/L/D

Depart to Djémila, visiting the ancient city of Cuicul (World Heritage by UNESCO), a Roman colony founded in the reign of Nerva (96-98 AD). Djemila is located in the neighboring region of Constantine and Petite Kabylie (Lower Kabylia). It is an exceptional antiquities site, well preserved of significant historical artifacts. Continue to Constantine, “Arab Cultural Capital of 2015” and ancient Cirta. Overnight in Constantine. B/L/D

Enjoy a full day excursion to visit the Roman ruins of Tiddis and the site of Sidi M’Cid, monument dedicated to the world war. After lunch, continue the visits to include the outside of the mosque of “Emir Abdelkader”, the Cirta Museum, the Bey Palace and the Bridges. Dinner and overnight in Constantine. B/L/D

Depart to visit the mausoleum of “Medracen” (the largest pre-Roman monument in the Maghreb, 3-4 centuries before our era, Berber with Punic and Greek influences) and continue to Timgad, the Roman city (World Heritage by UNESCO) built in the first century during the reign of Trajan. Visit the main monuments of great value: forum, theater, baths, and capitol. Lunch in a guest house and visit part of the ruins of Lambeze and the museum. Continue to Biskra for dinner and overnight. B/L/D

Biskra, called “The Queen of Zibans” is known for the delicious dates called  “Deglet En-Nour.” Visit the main sites, and after lunch depart to El Oued, “City of a Thousand Domes,” El Oued is near the Grand Erg Oriental, a real sand ocean shared by Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya, also is also known for its date production and especially for an agricultural plantation system unique to this part of the world. Dinner and overnight in El Oued. B/L/D

After breakfast depart for Ghardaia with a stop in Tamelhat, a small city famous for its Mystic Zaouia, belonging to the brotherhood of Tidjania. It's well known throughout western Africa for its mosques of the 13th and 18th century. Continue to Ouargla, the capital of the region which is home to the first oil wells in Hassi Messaoud. Visit the Saharan Museum in Ouargla. After lunch, continue on to Ghardaia. Arrival and check in to a traditional residence located in the famous palm grove of Béni Isguen or in the Belvedere Hotel overlooking the M’zab Valley. B/L/D

Wnjoy a full day excursion, visiting the M’Zab Valley and oasis (World Heritage by UNESCO). See outside the Great Mosque founded in 1053, the market, and see the unique system of irrigation. After lunch, continue the visit to El Atteuf and Melika cities. In the afternoon, visit the traditional market of Beni Isguen, the holy city of M’Zab. Return to Ghardaia for dinner and overnight. B/L/D

Catch your early morning flight to Algiers, arriving at 09.45 am and depart immediately to Cherchell, 100 km west of Algiers. Cherchell was also known as Lol and was built in the 4th century BC. In Roman times the Berber prince Juba II, Cherchell was named “Ceasarée” and the capital of the kingdom of Mauretania. Visit some of the ruins in the center of the city and the Museum which contains some beautiful mosaics. The current small fishing port was built on the site of the ancient port. Continue to Tipasa (30 km), an ancient city built near the sea, between the 6th and 5th century BC by the Phoenicians. Tipasa became a Roman colony in the 2nd century AD. We will visit the Museum and Archaeological Park, a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Tipasa enchanted the French philosopher Albert Camus. Born in Algeria, a Nobel Prize winning author of “Noces” and “l’Etranger”. We return back to Algiers, along the way stop for a quick visit at the Royal Mauritanian Tomb, which says “Tomb of the Christian”. Overnight in Algiers. B/L/D

Transfer to the airport for your departure. B