Ancient Algeria and MZab Valley

1-Join tour Algiers. Afternoon city tour
Beginning our journey in the Algerian capital we take a tour of the city this afternoon. The country’s largest city, Algiers today is a bustling Mediterranean port
that can trace its origins back to Carthaginian traders of the 4th century BC. Dominated by the imposing walls of its great Citadel, the kasbah quarter of the old
town is a wonderful collection of meandering alleyways, palaces and mosques that now fall under the protection of UNESCO, whilst, away from the old town, the city’s
French colonial heritage embraces a collection of grand buildings and wide boulevards that sweep around the coastline.
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Room option available

2-Fly to Annaba: visit Hippo Regius and St Augustine’s Basilica
An early morning flight to Annaba brings us to Algeria’s north-east coast, overlooking one of the finest natural harbours in the region. Developed by the early Phoenicians, the old port of Hippo Regius rose to prominence during the Roman colonisation of North Africa. Exploring the ancient ruins today, we view the 3rd century mosaics and the remains of the Roman villas, as well as the grand basilica of St Augustine, the 4th century bishop whose writings went on to play such a significant part in the development of western Christianity.
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Room option available

3-Drive to Guelma via Souk Ahras, Madaure and Khemissa
This morning we drive to Souk Ahras, the birthplace of St Augustine, before moving on to the old Roman settlement of Madaure. Founded in 125AD, Madaure represents one of the oldest Roman colonies in Africa. Set amidst a landscape of wooded hills it provides an ideal spot for a picnic lunch, after which we drive on to Khemissa. Set on top of a 950 metre peak, Khemissa, which was founded in the 2nd century AD, is home to one of the best preserved Roman theatres in Algeria, as well as a large 7th century Byzantine fortress. After our visit we continue to Guelma.
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Room option available

4-Drive to Constantine. Afternoon city tour
Strategically situated in the heart of a fertile belt of agricultural land, Guelma can boast a rich and varied past, benefiting from the influences of the Romans, Byzantines, Arabs and the French. This morning we pay a visit to its ancient theatre and mausoleum, before continuing by road to the city of Constantine. Spectacularly perched above the Oued Rhumel River Valley, the city was once the capital of the Berber kingdom of Numidia, destroyed by the Romans in 311AD. This afternoon we take a tour of the old city in the company of our guide.
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Room option available

5-Visit Djemila
Today we explore the little visited Roman ruins of Tiddis and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Djemila. Lying 150 kilometres to the east of Constantine, Djemila is one of the most important, and picturesque, Roman cities in Algeria. Occupying a hilltop some 900 metres above sea level, it provides a fascinating example of how traditional Roman planning was adapted to a mountain setting. Following our visits we drive to Setif where we stay overnight.
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Room option available

6-Morning drive to Timgad. Afternoon visit Lambaesis, then continue to Biskra
This morning we drive towards the Aures massif, part of the great Atlas Mountains chain that separates the coastal lands from the Sahara Desert. Our first visit of the day is to the ruins of Timgad, another UNESCO World Heritage Site that was originally built by the Emperor Trajan as a retirement city for his Roman troops. Following lunch, we visit the old Roman military base at Lambaesis, once the capital of Roman Numidia, before ending our day’s journey in the north-eastern oasis town of Biskra.
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Room option available

7-Drive to el-Oued via the viewpoint at Rhoufi
Our destination for today is the town of el-Oued, the largest of the Souf Oases of north-eastern Algeria. Our drive takes us by way of the viewpoint at Rhoufi and into the desert dunes of the Grand Erg Occidental (the Western Sand Sea). On arrival we take a stroll around the town, enjoying its atmospheric and narrow, winding streets and its dome topped clay-stone buildings.
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Room option available

8-Drive to Touggourt
This morning we drive to Touggourt, nestling amongst the dunes and salt lakes of the Wadi Igharghar Valley. One of the largest cities in the Sahara, it presents us with a fine example of a traditional Saharan town and provides a fascinating destination for our tour this afternoon. Once the power-base of the Sultanate of Touggourt, the city is renowned for its date groves and its beautiful mosque fortress, which contains the tombs of the old Beni Djellab kings.
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Room option available

9-Drive to Ghardaïa via Ouargla
This morning we drive to Ouargla, the capital of Ouargla Province, where we will stop for lunch before continuing our journey to Ghardaïa on the left bank of the Wadi M’zab. Our gateway into the UNESCO World Heritage setting of the M’zab Valley, Ghardaïa is one of five ksours that were founded by members of the Muslim Ibadi sect nearly a thousand years ago. Centred around its historic mosque, the town’s collection of distinctive white, pink and red houses was once described by the French philosopher, Simone de Beauvoir as a Cubist painting beautifully constructed.
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Room option available

10-Exploring the M’Zab Valley
Some 600 kilometres to the south of Algiers, the desert landscapes of the M’zab Valley have preserved a culture and a way of life that can trace its beginnings back to the Mo-zabite Berbers of the 11th century. Today we have a chance to discover some of this rich cultural heritage for ourselves as we tour the walled villages, exploring Ghardaïa, Melika and Beni Isguen, religiously the most important of these desert communities. Later we drive back to Ghardaïa for our second night in the valley.
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Room option available

11-Fly to Algiers. Afternoon walking tour of the kasbah
This morning we fly back to Algiers. A guided walking tour of the kasbah later this afternoon takes us through the historic heart of the old Ottoman city. Ending at the impressive facade of the 18th century Ketchaoua Mosque, we then continue on to visit the Cathedral of Notre Dame d’Afrique. An iconic landmark, set on top of a cliff on the north side of the city, the cathedral overlooks the Bay of Algiers and provides us with a sweeping viewpoint across the city and out to the Mediterranean beyond.
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Room option available

12-Visit Tipaza and Cherchell
Driving west along the coast this morning we visit the Mausoleum of Mauritania, final resting place of the last king and queen of Numidia. From here we continue on to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Tipaza, to explore the unique ruins and ancient necropolis of one of the most significant archaeological sites in North Africa. This afternoon we then visit Cherchell, the former capital of ancient Mauritania, which today is blessed with a collection of magnificent temples and monuments that span the Punic, Numidian and Roman periods. After our visit we return to Algiers.
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Room option available

13-Tour ends Algiers
The tour ends today in Algiers after breakfast.

Tour includes:

12 Breakfast
Transport:
Bus, Flight
Accommodation:
12 nights Standard Hotel
Tour Staff:
Driver(s), Explore Tour Leader, Local Guide(s)
Group Size:
Generally 10 – 16

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