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Algeria Full Circuit (16 days / 15 nights)
Highlights: 4 UNESCO sites – Algiers Casbah, Djemila and Timgad Roman Ruins,
Ghardaia Saharan culture; + Constantine geological marvel; Timimoun salt lake oasis, Taghit grand dunes,
Tlemcen Islamic Cultural Capital 2011; Historical Oran
Day 1
Arrive at Algiers international airport. A big bustling whitewashed city with the Mediterranean out front and
Atlas mountains behind, Algiers is an exciting destination and gateway to Algeria. Here, Berber-Arabic-Franco
modernization clashes with old world charm, giving it a strong sense of identity and passion, a truly unique city.
Transfer to your hotel. Rest of day free & easy. Overnight in Algiers.
Day 2
Full day tour of Algiers: Explore the fascinating Casbah (old fortified city) labyrinth (a UNESCO World Heritage
site) and Palais des Rais (restored 16th century Ottomon palace and fort). The Casbah visit includes Museum of
Popular Arts and Traditions, Djemma Ali Bitchine, Sidi Abdelrahman Mausoleum, and Islamic Calligraphy
museum. Observe the architectural beauty of 3 historical mosques - Djeema Ketchoua, Djeema el-Djedid,
Djeema el-Kebir. Visit the neo-Moorish Grande Poste and imposing Martyr’s Monument that commemorates
Algeria’s bloody path to independence. Relax in the peaceful ambience of the Notre Dame d’Afrique with a
beautiful view of Algiers. Most importantly, soak in the unique clash of culture. Overnight in Algiers.
Day 3
Proceed to Djemila (4hrs drive). Described by UNESCO as “one of the world's most beautiful Roman ruins”,
there is plenty to enjoy at Djemila. The museum houses one of the world’s best collections of Roman mosaics (in
terms of variety and quality) from a single site. Tour of Djemila: Museum, Grand Baths, House of Bacchus, Place
des Sévères, Arch of Caracalla, Temple of Sévèran Family, Market of Cosinius, theatre and Christian quarter. A
great significance of this site the homage given to the Severans who were Berber (native Algerian) Roman
emperors. Continue on to Constantine (1.5hrs drive). Overnight in Constantine.
Day 4
Algeria’s 3rd largest city, Constantine is a perfect example where man takes advantage of nature to build a city in
the sky. The 175m sheer cliffs carved by the ancient Rhumel River ensured its protection. French writer
Alexander Dumas calls it the ‘flying island’. Originally Cirta, it was rebuilt by Emperor Constantine of Rome in 4th
century and renamed it after himself. Full day tour of Constantine: visit the newly restored 17th AD Ahmed
Bey’s Palace, Sidi M’Cid bridge, Mellah Slimane Bridge, take a cable car ride over the 175m deep gorge, walk
through the Casbah, and visit Cirta Museum with its vast collection of Roman artefacts. Overnight in
Constantine.
Day 5
Proceed to Timgad (3hrs drive). Timgad, another UNESCO World Heritage Site for Roman ruins, was originally
built by the Emperor Trajan as a retirement city for his Roman troops. Tour of Timgad: Public library, baths,
Mascula Gate, Sertius Market, Trajan’s Arch, forum, theatre, Byzantine fortress, basilica, and temple of Saturn.
Timgad museum is closed for renovation. Continue on to Balcon Rhoufi, ancient Berber dwellings carved into
the canyon rock face. Time permitting, hike down to the bottom of the canyon for an up close look at the
dwellings. Proceed to Biskra, Algeria’s north eastern gateway to the Sahara, famous for its delectable dates.
Overnight in Biskra.
Day 6
Proceed to Ghardaia (9hrs drive) via El-Oued. El-Oued is locally known as the “city of domes” due to its many
buildings, from houses to shops to mosques, covered with domes. The reason is not aesthetic, but practical – to
prevent the accumulation of sand blown in from the nearby dunes onto the roofs. El-Oued is also the centre of
the Soufs (a Berber Saharan clan). Explore the sprawling market and ancient Sidi Salem mosque. Between ElOued to Ghardaia, pass by white sand-dune country dotted with rural villages.
Ghardaia is a fascinating spiritual pentapolis built on hills in the M’zab valley 1,000 years ago by a Muslim Ibadi
sect called the Mozabites. Rightfully a UNESCO World Heritage cultural site, it is on the northern edge of the
Sahara, extremely rich and authentic in history, culture, tradition, architecture and religion. Much of the
1,000year old customs have been preserved and continue to be practiced, including the beguiling one eyed
women and men’s baggy pants. Overnight in Ghardaia.
Day 7
Full-day tour of Melika, Ghardaia, El-Atteuf and Beni Isguen: Visit the mystical tomb of Sidi Aissa and the
cemetery of Melika with a marvellous view of the the M’zab valley, explore Ghardaia’s old town narrow alleys
to learn the practical life of the Mozabites, soak in the serene palm groves of Beni Isguen and their traditional
evening market auction, and experience the simple mystical Sidi Brahim mosque of El-Atteuf. At night, enjoy a
local dinner with traditional life music performance (for deluxe tour option – min. 4 persons). Overnight in
Ghardaia.
* The Mozabites observe a daily siesta between 1pm – 4pm. There will be no tour during this time. Tour
recommences after 4pm.
Day 8
Proceed to Timimoun (7hrs drive). Timimoun is an enchanting desert oasis town with distinctive red mud
buildings studded with wooden spikes, populated by the Haratines, Zenete Berbers, Chaamba Arabs and Black
Africans, and surrounded by ancient villages. Completely different from Ghardaia and Taghit in culture,
Timimoun sits by the Gourara Salt Lake, practically in the middle of nowhere. En route, stop by at El-Golea. Visit
the Saint-Joseph church set among sand and palms, and Father Charles de Foucauld’s tomb (a playboy
adventurer turned Saharan priest of incredible sacrifice and devotion). Overnight in Timimoun.
Day 9
Full-day tour of Timimoun and the Circuit de Sebkha (Gourara Circuit), a 75km loop, skimming the flat red salt
lake, clusters of oasis villages, traditional desert irrigation system, deep red caves, and ancient 13th century
ksars (fortified city). Picnic lunch in the palmeries, pick-up sea fossils (yes, the Sahara used to be a seabed back
many millennia), sip the customary mint tea and learn the secret of desert survival. Visit also the Timimoun
market, Hotel l’Oasis Rouge, and the spiked marabouts along the main boulevard. End the day with a sunset
over the dunes. Overnight in Timimoun.
Day 10
Proceed to Taghit (7hrs drive). Designated as one of Sahara’s most beautiful oasis town by Lonely Planet, this
small 1,000 year old village has some of the most spectacular Sahara scenery with sand dunes towering and
threatening to swallow it. Check-in to Hotel Le Bordj, set above the old fortified village with awesome views of
the massive sand dunes. Overnight in Taghit.
Day 11
Full-day tour of Taghit & surroundings: Climb the towering sand dunes (about 20-storey high) to catch the
magnificent view with an endless sand sea stretching to the east and oasis, river and palm groves to the west.
Explore the labyrinth of the old ksar (fortified stronghold) built from mud, stone and palm trunks. Visit prehistoric rock engravings (dating back more than 10,000BC). For the physically fitter, clamber up the rocky ridge
to the derelict French military outpost for astounding views of Taghit set against a backdrop of sea dunes. Free
time in the late afternoon – relax over a mint tea in a traditional desert tent, try some sand dune skiing, or ride
an ATV (all-terrain-vehicle) on the dunes. During full-moon, watch the moon rise over the dunes from the
comfort of your hotel and take a moonlight rendezvous into the dunes. Overnight in Taghit.
Day 12
Proceed north to Tlemcen (9hrs drive). Tlemcen was the seat of many great Moorish empires from 8th AD to 14th
AD. Not surprisingly, it was selected as the Islamic Capital of Culture 2011 as its rich Islamic history, equals that
of Andalusia. Overnight in Tlemcen.
Day 13
Full day tour of Tlemcen: Visit the Grand Mosque of Tlemcen (still one the Maghreb’s most important mosque),
Place Emir Abdelkader, Sidi Bel Hassan Mosque (now an Islamic museum), French town hall, and Kissara
market. Continue on your tour of this ancient city with the recently restored citadel of Mechouar, built by the
Almoravids, strengthened by the Zianides, used by the Ottomans and French. Explore the Mosque and tomb of
Sufi mystic Sidi Boumediene, arguably one of Algeria’s most beautiful mosque. Proceed on to the ruins of
Mansourah, the 13th AD camp of the Merinides. Bask in the overview of Tlemcen from the Lala Seti Plateau.
Overnight in Tlemcen.
Day 14
Proceed to Oran (1.5hrs drive). Settled by Romans, developed by Moors, conquered by Spaniards, rebuilt by
Ottomans, colonised by French, Oran has a remarkably rich history that’s very much alive today. Full day tour of
Oran covering Place 1er Novembre, Frecnh-colonial town hall and theatre, 16th AD Bey’s Palace, Ottomon-era
Pacha Mosque, Cathedral du Sacre Coeur (now a public library), front du mer (seafront boulevard), Santa Cruz
Church, Fort Santa Cruz and Mausoleum of Sidi Abdelkader with astounding bird’s-eye view of Oran and the
Mediterranean. Overnight in Oran.
Day 15
Proceed to Tipaza (4hrs drive). Tipaza was once a thriving Roman colony by the Mediterranean. Today, it is a
sleepy little fishing port with a protected UNESCO World Heritage Roman ruins archaeological park. Tour of
Tipaza: Begin at the museum to get an overall picture of this ancient civilization here. Take an informative
walking tour of the archaeological park covering the amphitheatre, basilica, temples, houses, forum, old port,
cemetery and fountain. En route to Algiers, visit the Royal Tomb of Mauretania. Fashioned like a circular
pyramid, it was once thought to be the tomb of Cleopatra. However, carbon dating dates it to circa 400BC.
Hence, its origins and purpose remains unconfirmed. Proceed to Algiers. Overnight in Algiers.
Day 16
Transfer to airport for your flight. End of tour.
OUR GUARANTEED LOWEST PRICES
Prices indicated below are in Euros per person
Type of tour
Standard
Deluxe
€1,990/pax
€2,600/pax
€1,500/pax
€1,950/pax
€1,350/pax
€1,760/pax
Please enquire with expected number of persons
 Algerian airport transfers
 Algerian airport transfers
 Visits as mentioned including entrance
 Visits as mentioned including entrance
fees with English speaking guide
fees with English speaking guide
 Private ground transport
 Private ground transport
 Accommodation – Algiers 3 nights
 Accommodation – Algiers 3 nights
(Hotel Samir) / Constantine 2 nights
(Hotel Albert 1er) / Constantine 2 nights
(Hotel des Princes) / Biskra 1 night
(Hotel Cirta) / Biskra 1 night (Hotel Les
(Hotel Les Ziban) Ghardaia 2 nights
Ziban) Ghardaia 2 nights (Residence
(Residence Les Deux Tours) / Timimoun
Les Deux Tours) / Timimoun 2 nights
2 nights (Hotel Ksar Massine) / Taghit 2
(Hotel Ksar Massine) / Taghit 2 nights
nights (Hotel Le Bordj) / Tlemcen 2
(Hotel Le Bordj) / Tlemcen 2 nights
(Hotel Stambouli) / Oran 1 night (Hotel
nights (Hotel Stambouli) / Oran 1 night
(Hotel Timgad)
Ibis)
 Traditional life music performance in
 Meals – breakfast
Ghardaia (min.4 persons)
 All taxes
 Meals – breakfast (15), lunch (9),
dinner (14)
 All taxes
Tour price does not
 International flight to Algiers
include
 Alcoholic beverages
 Travel insurance & visa
 Personal expenditures
 Anything else not listed under “tour price includes”
All tours are private with guaranteed departure, specially catered for you. YOU SET THE DATE OF TOUR as is
convenient to your schedule. Spend quality time seeing and doing what you like instead of being rushed around
and waiting on other group members. It’s YOUR HOLIDAY. Enjoy it with full attention given to you.
Group size
1 person
2 to 3 persons
4 to 6 persons
More than 6 persons
Tour price includes
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Email us NOW at [email protected] to book your tour.
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www.myuniqueholidays.com/algeriavisa.html , security www.myuniqueholidays.com/algeriasecurity.html , and
much more at www.myuniqueholidays.com
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Algeria Full Circuit | Date: October 2013
My Unique Holidays
6 Rue Mustapha Ferorukhi
16000 Sidi Mohamad, Algiers
ALGERIA
www.myuniqueholidays.com
[email protected]
Tel: +213556228407