The Oasis Loop: The Saoura Gardens

"Fabulous tour between the Mediterranean Sea and the dunes of the gateway to the Sahara"

13-day tour

Tour summary 13 days, 12 nights:

The emblematic cities of Oran and Algiers, with its kasbah listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The contrast between two environments: erg and palm grove.

The fabulous oases of Taghit, Béni Abbès and Timimoun.

Encounters and exchanges with the local population in general and the Mozabites in particular.

The ancient port of Tipaza.

Day 1: France - Oran

Flight from France to Oran. Welcome and transfer to hotel. Check-in for 2 nights in a 3* hotel.

In the afternoon, visit the city of Oran, with the town hall and its two lions (formerly the Place d'Armes), and the city theater. Stroll along the seafront.

Dinner in town and overnight at the hotel.

Day 2: Oran

Depart for the summit of Djebel Murdjadjo to admire and visit the chapel and fort of Santa Cruz, with its view over the bay and the city of Oran.

In the Spanish Quarter, visit the Bey Palace and the Hassan Pacha Mosque, built in 1796 under the reign of Bey Mohamed El-Kèbir.

Lunch in the Pêcherie district.

In the afternoon, visit coastal villages including Cap Falcon and Aïn Turk, then return via the M'Sila forest and the village of Misserghine, birthplace of the clementine (Père Clément).

Dinner in a downtown restaurant and overnight at the hotel.

Day 3: Oran

After breakfast, visit the Zabana Museum, then discover Oran's neo-Moorish Karguentah station. Designed by Albert Ballu, its architecture reflects the symbols of the three religions of the Book. Its exterior is that of a mosque, and its clock is in the shape of a minaret; the door grilles, windows and ceiling of the Qoubba (dome) bear the Star of David; the interior ceiling paintings feature Christian crosses.

Lunch in Oran.

Transfer to the airport for the Oran/Béchar flight. Welcome and drive to the Taghit oasis, one of the most beautiful in the Grand Erg Occidental. Arrival and check-in at your hotel.

Picnic dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 4: Taghit - Oasis de Bénis-Abbès (150 km/env. 1h30)

The morning is devoted to a complete tour of the Taghit oasis. The old ksar, an architectural and heritage jewel built in the 11th century, like the other ksour (plural of "ksar"), stand out here for their Arab-Muslim architecture. The origins of the valley of ksour and its rock engravings, depicting animals or everyday scenes of primitive man, date back to around 40,000 B.C. Climbing to the top of the great dune gives you the opportunity to contemplate the oasis.

Traditional lunch.

Drive to Béni-Abbés ("the white oasis"), an oasis in the heart of the Saoura Valley whose origins date back to the 11th century. On arrival, visit the chapel of Père de Foucauld. Your discovery continues with the scorpion-shaped Palmeraie Blanche, whose tail is dominated by a large red dune and whose heart corresponds to the old ksar, which you will also visit.

Check-in at a 3* hotel.

Dinner at a guesthouse and overnight at the hotel.

Day 5: Béni-Abbés - Timimoun (360 km/env. 4h)

Early morning departure for Timimoun, the Red Oasis. Cross the Grand Erg Occidental, a veritable sea of sand covering 80,000 km².

Picnic lunch on the dunes or in an oasis.

Arrival in Timimoun, then accommodation for 2 nights in a guesthouse. Free time.

Dinner and overnight in guesthouse.

Day 6: Timimoun

In the morning, visit the Red Oasis. You'll pass through the old town (Timimoun ksar) with its traditional market and craft stores, before continuing on to the Foggara, a hydraulic heritage dating from around the 11th century, and then the cultural center.

Picnic lunch in the Ouled Said oasis.

In the afternoon, head for the Gourara region to visit the Igzher cave and cliffs, as well as Kali, with its pottery, and Aghlad and its ksour. Enjoy the sunset before returning to the guest house.

Dinner and overnight in the guesthouse.

Day 7: Timimoun - El Goléa (360 km)

Early morning departure for El Goléa via the M'Ghiden oasis. Arrive in El Goléa, and visit the National Museum and the Palace of Princess Zenete, overlooking the city of 1,000 palm trees.

Lunch in a guesthouse.

Visit to Saint-Joseph church and the tomb of Charles de Foucauld. Depart for the oasis salt lake to discover the migratory bird sanctuary, home to pink flamingos and storks. Enjoy the sunset over a cup of tea prepared over an open fire.

Check-in at a 3* hotel.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 8: El Goléa - Ghardaïa (270 km)

Departure for Ghardaïa. Visit to the market square (carpet market). Rectangular in shape, this 3,400 m² square is surrounded by a gallery of arcades of various sizes and shapes, housing numerous stores and boutiques.

Lunch time.

In the afternoon, visit the palm grove's underground irrigation system. Also known as the "water-sharing system of the M'zab valley", this system once stored water and redistributed it to irrigate the universally-renowned allotment gardens, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982. This ancestral heritage bears witness to an atypical architectural style and an exceptional civilization, in a region where water is scarce.

Check-in at a hotel for 2 nights.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 9: Ghardaïa

In the morning, visit Ghardaïa, in the M'zab region, famous for its architecture, which inspired architects such as Pouillon and Le Corbusier.

Visit Ghardaïa's old town, with its mosque, traditional Mozabite house, Cheikh Ammi Saïd underground mosque, the holy city with its hilltop mosque and the old ksar, surrounded by several cemeteries.

Lunch time.

In the afternoon, visit the town of Béni Izguen, where you'll attend the Criée market. It's a unique and ancestral market where locals come to hand in goods they no longer need. The auction process is regulated by the mosque, and the auctioneers are appointed by the religious leaders.

These sales, in which you can take part, will give you the opportunity to meet the city's inhabitants. Finally, you'll climb the Boulila tower to admire the sunset over the other towns of the M'zab.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 10: Ghardaïa - Algiers (1h30 flight)

Transfer to the airport and flight to Algiers. Transfer to the Kasbah of Algiers.

Lunch in a Casbah guesthouse.

In the afternoon, visit the Kasbah, starting with the Dey Palace, nicknamed "Dar Essoltane", followed by the Jamaa-al-Jdid mosque and the Mustapha Pacha palace, not forgetting a visit to the Kasbah craftsmen. On the heights of Algiers, visit the Basilica of Notre-Dame d'Afrique, overlooking the famous Bâb el Oued district.

Dinner in town.

Accommodation for 3 nights in a 3* hotel.

Day 11: Algiers - Cherchell - Tipaza - Algiers (190 km/env. 2h45)

Departure for Cherchell, the ancient Roman Caesarea, whose museum of ancient sculpture houses some exceptional pieces. Continue on to Tipaza, a Roman archaeological site listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Lunch in Tipaza and stroll around the ancient port.

Visit the ancient city on the western hill, with its theater, circus and thermal baths. Numerous Roman, Christian and African remains testify to the region's rich history. Albert Camus wrote "Noces" here in 1939. On the way back, we stop off at Sidi-Rached to visit the tomb of the Christian woman (Queen Selene, wife of Juba II).

Dinner in a local restaurant.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 12: Algiers

In the morning, you'll visit Algiers and discover its architecture, notably embodied by the works of architect Le Corbusier or those he influenced: the Aéro-Habitat building by Miquel, Bourlier and Ferrer-Laloë, a pupil of Le Corbusier, as well as Pierre Marié's famous Immeuble-pont Burdeau, built according to Le Corbusier's principles. You'll then visit the Bardo Museum and the Museum of Antiquities, before finishing with the Sacred Heart Cathedral.

Lunch time.

Visit the Grande Poste d'Alger, built in 1913 in neo-Moorish style, then the former Opéra d'Alger, with its 750-seat auditorium. Designed by architects Chassériau and Ponsard in 1853, it became the TNA (Théâtre national algérien) after independence. You'll then make your way through the narrow streets of Algiers to the square, the Place des Martyrs and the Centre des Arts et Culture, to round off your day's visit with the Palais des Raïs (Bastion 23), one of the city's most important historical monuments. It is also one of the last remaining reminders of the seaward extension of the El Djazair Medina (Casbah) from Ottoman times until the 19th century. Take a break at the artists' café, Tantonville.

Dinner in town and overnight at the hotel.

Day 13: Algiers - France

Head for the heights of the city to discover the Makam chahid (monument to the martyrs of the Algerian war). Erected in the early 1980s to commemorate the Algerian fighters who fell for the liberation of the country, this 92-metre-high monument dominates the city. It is made up of three joined concrete palms, symbolizing the three revolutions. You'll then visit the Musée des Beaux-Arts. Opened on May 5, 1930, it houses over 8,000 works, including some exceptional treasures: drawings, engravings, paintings and antique prints... Among the works on display are masterpieces by painters such as Brugghen, Monet, Matisse, Renoir and Delacroix.

From the museum's terrace, you'll have a magnificent view of the Hamma test garden.

Visit Africa's largest botanical garden, with its 40 hectares and 3,000 species. Created in 1832, it is considered one of the most important test gardens in Africa. Enjoy the contrast between the French and English gardens on site.

In the late afternoon, transfer to the airport and return flight to France.

What you need to know

- Accommodation: 2* and 3* hotels (local standards) and guest houses

- Transport: minibus

- Tour leader: local French-speaking guide

- Possibility of sharing a double room

Please note

The program may be slightly revised to take account of changes in site opening days and times, or changes in domestic flight schedules.

The overall program will nevertheless be respected. Hotel accommodation remains limited, so a spirit of adaptation is required. Your trip will be all the richer for it!

Algerian law requires that foreign tourists be supervised during their stay.

You'll travel in complete safety, accompanied by a discreet escort.

Supervision / accompaniment

This tour is accompanied by a local English-speaking guide, an English-speaking driver and a cultural guide at each site visited.

Transport

The tour takes place in an air-conditioned bus.

Board

This tour is full-board. Meals are taken in restaurants and guesthouses.

The cuisine of northern Algeria is dominated by couscous and stews. Here, couscous varies from the classic "couscous royal", a favorite of tourists, to the couscous barbouche d'Oran (tripe, parsley, white beans, hard-boiled eggs...).

The meal begins with chorba, a traditional soup of mutton, vegetables and vermicelli. Pasta and rice are also essential.

Pastries feature honey, orange blossom and almonds.

In the Sahara, nomads traditionally eat goat's milk, cereals, dates and, more rarely, meat. Millet, sorghum and wheat are used to make porridges, galettes and couscous.

Accommodation

You will spend 7 or 8 nights in 2* and 3* hotels (local standards) or guesthouses. In these comfortable, albeit small, accommodations, the rooms are all equipped with private sanitary facilities, air-conditioning and wi-fi. In the oases, the atmosphere is festive and family-friendly. As the number of guesthouses is limited, you'll need to be adaptable. Your trip will be all the richer for your encounters!

The names of the hotels on this tour will be sent to you at least 15 days before departure. Depending on the state of bookings, we may be able to accommodate you in similar hotels of the same category (local standards):

Oran: 3* hotel

Taghit: hotel

Bénis-Abbès Oasis: 3* hotel

Timimoun: guest house

El Goléa: 3* hotel

Ghardaïa: hotel

Algiers: 3* hotel

In Oran, Algiers or the Grand Erg Occidental, more than 40,000 years of history dominate the region, where rock paintings, ancient remains and neo-Moorish heritage stand side by side. Between desert and palm groves, you'll cross magnificent landscapes sublimated by the sunset, and meet the locals in the markets or guest houses that will welcome you.

Price includes

- Domestic flights Oran/Béchar and Ghardaïa/Alger on Air Algérie. - Round-trip airport transfers and domestic transport, according to program. - Accommodation in booked or similar establishments, in double rooms. - Full board from dinner on day 1 to lunch on day 13. - Mentioned excursions and visits. - Services of an English-speaking guide.

Price does not include

- Meals on your own and drinks.

- Optional excursions.

- Tips to guides and drivers.

- Expenses of a personal nature.

- Fees related to formalities.

- Insurance.