Tour from Tipaza to El Oued

From the Roman city to the city of a thousand domes

13-day tour

Explore the rich periods of Algerian history as you tour emblematic sites such as Tipaza, Timgad, Djemila and the Kasbah of Algiers, discovering vestiges of antiquity and the present.

Immerse yourself in the local culture as you wander through the medinas and souks, where you'll share in the daily life of the locals.

Discover Algeria's major cities: Algiers "la blanche", Constantine "la ville suspendue", Biskra, capital of the Zibans (south-eastern region) and of the "Deglet Nour" date, as well as El-Oued (Oued Souf) and its thousand domes.

Introduction to your trip

Algeria, one of the jewels of North Africa, is distinguished by its vast territory, five times the size of France, and an exceptionally rich, thousand-year-old history. Over the centuries, the country has been dominated by Romans, Turks and French, whose legacy continues to this day. Today, Algeria fascinates with its many Unesco World Heritage sites, such as the majestic Djemila and Timgad, and the ancient Roman port of Tipaza. Algiers, nicknamed "la blanche", its bustling capital, elegantly blends Ottoman architecture with the charm of colonial buildings, dominated by its famous Kasbah overlooking the port and its palaces. Constantine, nicknamed "the city of suspension bridges", is an architectural masterpiece where you can stroll through the medina (old town), feel the atmosphere of the kasbah and discover the souk as well as the Ottoman Ahmed Bey palace. Our journey then takes us to explore the Ghoufi Gorge, in the heart of the Aurès massif, before reaching Biskra, the city of the Zibans, famous for its "Deglet Nour" (Fingers of Light) dates. Finally, the adventure ends with an exciting excursion to Ouled Djellal, offering a rich and varied discovery of Algeria's many treasures.

Day 1: Europe/Alger

Arrival in Algiers, welcome at "Houari Boumediene" international airport and transfer to hotel. Free time to explore and stroll around Algiers while awaiting the arrival of all participants according to their flight schedules. A guide will be on hand for your immersion in the heart of the capital.

Day 2: Discovering Algiers

After breakfast, discover the must-see sites of Algiers "la blanche". Head for the Martyrs' Monument (Makam El-Chahid). We'll then take the cable car to enjoy the panoramic view over the Bay of Algiers, before descending to the Hamma test garden (the largest botanical garden in Africa). Before visiting the garden, we cross the aisles of the Musée National des Beaux-Arts d'Alger, home to over 8,000 works of art, sculptures and other treasures. With such a large collection, this museum is considered one of the most important not only in the country, but also on the African continent. Afterwards, we'll head for the Jardin d'Essai, a botanical garden that ranks among the most beautiful in the world and where, in his role as Tarzan (1932), Johnny Weissmuller filmed some of the scenes from the 1st Tarzan film in cinematic history. Lunch time.

In the afternoon, visit the Basilica of Notre-Dame d'Afrique (1872), one of the few Christian basilicas in Muslim lands. Perched 124 m above sea level, overlooking the town of Bologhine, it was designed by French architect Jean-Eugène Fromageau. This superb building is Byzantine on the outside and Hispano-Moorish on the inside. Stroll through the Kasbah and the center of Algiers, return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

Day 3: Continuation of Algiers tour...

After breakfast, departure for the Bardo Museum. We'll take one of Algiers' most famous streets, rue Didouche Mourad (Algerian revolutionary), up to the mythical Grande Poste, passing by the historic Faculty of Algiers. We'll stop at Place Emir Abdelkader to admire the statue of the first great hero of the Algerian resistance.

We then head for Bastion 23 and its palaces, before entering the legendary Kasbah district. Along the way, we'll admire the Jedid Mosque, Martyrs' Square and the Ketchaoua Mosque. Visit the Dar Aziza palace if possible (sometimes closed to the public), the epitome of typical 16th-century Algerian architecture. The palace was a wedding present from Hussein Dey to his daughter Aziza, on the occasion of her union with the bey of Constantine in 1719.

The Kasbah of Algiers, a labyrinth of treasures dating back to ancient times, is made up of ancient mansions, palaces, narrow streets and fortresses. This medieval medina still bears witness to Algiers' rich and prestigious past. Traditional lunch in the heart of the Kasbah

We visit Dar Khedaoudj El Aâmia, palace of the princess of the same name and beloved daughter of the dey of Algiers. The palace became a national museum on September 29, 1987.

Dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight stay.

Day 4: Departure for Tipaza "The Roman" and tomb of "The Christian"(2h50)

After breakfast, departure by road for Tipaza. Founded by the Phoenicians, Tipaza today boasts one of Algeria's most important archaeological sites. Listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site, Tipaza is above all a testimony to the architectural traditions of the ancient Maghreb and the Punic and Roman civilizations of the time. Lunch of fish specialities.

To complete our trip, we'll head back to Sidi Rached to discover and admire the Royal Mausoleum of Mauritania, known as the "Tomb of the Christian". This impressive circular funerary edifice is the result of a blend of local and Pharaonic architecture. Cleopatra Selene II (daughter of Cleopatra) is buried here. Then back on the coastal road to Tizi Ouzou. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 5: From Tigzirt, via Bejaïa, to Sétif (approx. 4 hrs)

After breakfast, a pleasant stroll through the narrow streets of Tigzirt, a beautiful village in "grande" Kabylia, with its pretty little fishing port.

The tour continues by taking the coastal road to Sétif, passing through Bejaïa in "petite" Kabylie, with lunch in the heart of this beautiful town.

Sétif was, in turn, the Berber kingdom of Numidia in ancient times, then the capital of Maurétanie Sétifienne under the Roman Empire, before becoming the "martyred city" of the colonial era. Upon arrival in Sétif, visit the city center to discover and feel its soul and culture. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 6: Discover Djemila, the ancient Cuicul (1h30)

After breakfast, departure by road for Djemila. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Djemila is home to numerous Roman remains. At an altitude of 900 metres, this site was not chosen by chance, as it was at the crossroads of the north-south routes. Nestled on a mountain promontory surrounded by ravines, Djemila was once difficult to access, but today offers spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding peaks. We'll discover the remains of this Roman city of columns, arches, forums, theaters and more. Lunch time. Return to Sétif and visit to the National Public Museum. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 7: Constantine, the city of suspension bridges (2h)

After breakfast, we depart for Constantine, and before getting to the heart of the matter, we begin with a visit to the ancient city of Tiddis. Nestling on a hill at the entrance to the Khreneg Gorge at an altitude of 650 m, this Roman military city's main purpose was to protect the ancient city of Cirta. Return to Constantine for the rest of our visit. Lunch time.

In the afternoon, departure for Constantine, a major city in Mediterranean history. Capital of Numidia from 300 to 46 BC, ancient Cirta eventually came under Roman rule. Its current name was given by Emperor Constantine I in 313. Today, Cirta is better known as the city of suspension bridges. Visit the Ahmed Bey Palace (another figure of Algerian resistance to the French invasion).

Next, a visit to the "Cirta" ethnological museum. With a collection of over 17,000 works, the museum preserves rare antiquities ranging from prehistory to the Islamic period, via the Roman, Byzantine and colonial eras. Next, a visit to the Souk El Ghezal mosque, testimony to Constantine's Ottoman history. Finally, stroll along the city's suspension bridges, an indelible marker of this unique city. Dinner in a typical local restaurant and overnight in hotel.

Day 8: Timgad, the "Pompeii" of North Africa (4h)

After breakfast, departure for Timgad, one of Algeria's most important Unesco World Heritage sites. Timgad, an ancient city nicknamed the "Pompeii" of North Africa. We'll explore the narrow streets of this Roman jewel, contemplating its perfectly preserved temples, thermal baths, forum and theater. Next, a visit to the museum to admire the large mosaics discovered in the region. Lunch, then back on the road towards Batna. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 9: From the Ghoufi balconies to Biskra (4h45)

After breakfast, departure for the Aurès region to explore one of the country's most beautiful natural sights. A stop at the impressive Balcons de Ghoufi or "Rhoufi" is a must. The beauty of this canyon, at the foot of which fruit trees and age-old palm trees stretch as far as the eye can see, will leave you spellbound. Carved out by the River Abiod, this canyon, some 3 or 4 km long, is dominated by 200 m-high cliffs with troglodytic (uninhabited) dwellings carved into the rock. Lunch time.
We continue our journey towards Biskra, a major Saharan urban hub and capital of the Zibans (south-eastern region). Visit to the Sidi-Okba oasis, whose gardens are irrigated by water from the Foum El-Gherza dam. Visit to the Oqba Ibn Nafaâ mosque (circa 8th century). The mosque is considered one of the oldest in the country. Check-in at hotel on arrival in Biskra. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 10: Visit to Biskra (3h)

After breakfast, departure for a tour of Biskra, its old town and souk. The tour continues to the gorges and Roman bridge of El Kantara, an oasis in the heart of the Aurès massif. Kantara, literally "bridge" in Arabic, is a Roman edifice located in the gorges. Lunch time. In the afternoon, we head south-west towards the town of Ouled-Djellal. Settle into our eco-friendly accommodation for the night. Traditional dinner in the heart of the palm grove. Overnight stay.

Day 11: Discovering unique nature and magnificent palm groves (3h)

After breakfast, departure by 4X4 for a trip into the heart of a unique lush natural environment. Discover the diversity and beauty of the palm groves, the old town and its zaouias. Barbecue lunch in the heart of the palm grove. Transfer to El Oued at the end of the day. Dinner and overnight stay in El Oued.

Day 12: El Oued or Oued Souf, the city of a thousand domes (4h)

After breakfast, stroll through the city of El Oued. A town with a fruit and vegetable market, this is an opportunity to sample the dates for which El Oued is famous. Afterwards, a stop on the desert dunes will allow us to savor the absolute calm. Traditional lunch. The afternoon will be devoted to discovering and exploring the use of desert areas by the agricultural world and the production of renewable energy from the sun. In the evening, check into your hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

Day 13: Return flight to Europe from El Oued or Algiers

After breakfast, transfer to El Oued airport. Return flight to Paris from El Oued or via Algiers, subject to availability and rotation days.

N.B. :

Prices for this tour will be communicated on request.

Your guide may have to modify the itinerary due to organizational constraints (transport and accommodation), weather conditions, the level of participants, or any other reason relating to the safety of the group.