Saharan & Oases Archaeological Tour
Ghardaia -Timimoun -El-Goléa-Algiers
WT-CODE 3595
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As in Northern Algeria ,There are some ancient civilisations belongs to the Sahara established typical citadels and fortress either on hills or in the oases ,remark their passing in these rural areas .Todays the ruins witness about the willing of some to challenge the difficult circumstance in the area Join us to discover this marvellous and amazing architecture in the Sahara and oases .....
For fifteen days, Either traveller or expert enjoys a visit to the unique places of archaelogy sites in Southern Algeria including oases (White,Red and Pearl) with a diffrent mud and brick arhitecture .Among them some are classified as UNESCO classified sites. Let's discover them in this trip !
Itineraries
Day 1
Time : 18:00
Algiers-El-0ued
Reception and assistance at Houari Boumeddiene Airport (Algiers), then transfer to the domestic airport to fly to El-oued where the first night is spent (depends on the arrival time).
Day 2
Time : 08:00
El-Oued
Early in the morning ,we have breakfast in the residence) then we go to visit the town for its unique saharan artitecture (domes) classified by the UNESCO.In the afternoon,we finish our visit to the city centre .Later in the afternoon we spend the rest of the day in a Safari place around the dunes.
Day 3
Time : 08:00
El-Oued –Touggourt
Today we drive early after breakfast to Touggourt (95Kms) , southward .After a short rest in the residence ,we go to visit the city characterised of local artichicture of houses (mud + stone) .After lunch we visit the historic mosque then the tombs of the Beni Djellab kings located together under a large dome.
Day 4
Time : 08:00
Touggourt
After breakfast, we head to Tamacine to visit the historical cities of Temacine and –Tamelhat ,that are the main ancient one in Touggourt , where we spend the whole day . Late in the afternoon , we spend an overnight in the residence : traditional local dishes & some amusement.
Day 5
Time : 08:00
Touggourt-Ghardaia
Early In the morning after breakfast, we will drive towards Ghardaia ( 340kms) .In our route ,we stop in Ouargla (160 Kms from Touggourt) where we visit the Old Ksar and having our lunch.After a rest ,we continue towards Ghardaia ( 190 distant from Ouargla) . Arriving at our destination, we move to a guest house or a hotel where we have a short rest After that , we stroll in the town and its covered market full of Bio local produce. We enjoy seeing the sun set in/on the outskirt of the oasis. Then, the day is finished by having the dinner with enjoying listening to traditional Mazabit local music .Return to the guest house or similar.
Day 6
Time : 08:00
Ghardaïa
Early In the morning after breakfast, we will drive towards Ghardaia ( 340kms) .In our route ,we stop in Ouargla (160 Kms from Touggourt) where we visit the Old Ksar and having our lunch.After a rest ,we continue towards Ghardaia ( 190 distant from Ouargla) . Arriving at our destination, we move to a guest house or a hotel where we have a short rest After that , we stroll in the town and its covered market full of Bio local produce. Then we continue to Boulila Tower where we enjoy seeing the sun set. The day is finished by having the dinner with enjoying listening to traditional Mazabit local music .Return to the guest house or similar.
Day 7
Time : 08:00
Ghardaia
Early in the morning, We have breakfast then the group leaves to visit the five villages that are classified as a UNESCO World Heritage ( Beni Izghen,Bounoura , Melika and El-Atteuf). Our day programme is ended with an overnight at the residence.
Day 8
Time : 08:00
Ghardaia -El-Goléa
In the early hours of the morning, we have our breakfast ,we drive towards the Jewel of the Oases , El-Meniaa (ex- El-Goléa ) .The distance of 270 Kms can be crossed by road in 3-4 hours. The oasis is situated at the centre of Algeria at the eastern of the Grand Erg Occidental as a gateway to Southern Algeria. In the way to Goléa, we rest in Sebseb for a while. When we reach El-Meniaa ,we have our lunch. Following a short rest, we head towards the church of Bel-Bachir (close to the church, there is tomb of the Catholic priest Charles De Foucault , then we enjoy the sunset on the dunes.
Day 9
Time : 08:00
El-Goléa
Today we leave the residence to visit some places starting by the 9th century Citadel known as ‘Vieux ksar ‘, built on a 75 m high hill. In this old castle which was the refuge for the ancestors who dwelt for centuries. Next we visit the unique Sahara museum (town centre) where there are a lots collections gathered for decades by René Le Clerc (b1925-d 2010), then we go in an excursion to the dunes of the Grand Erg Occidental where we spend the afternoon ,dine and return to residence.
Day 10
Time : 08:00
El-Goléa -Timimoun
Early In the morning after breakfast, we will drive southwards to the Red Oasis, Timimoun.we rest in M’Guiden’s Café for a while. The journey to Timimoun (362 kms) is to be crossed in 4 hours. Arriving at our destination, we move to the residence) where we have our lunch.In the afternoon, a visit is organised to Foggaras (hydraulic heritage) of Ouled Said &Hadj Guelmane ended with a traditional dinner accompanied with a traditional local folk amusement. Then, the day is finished by having the dinner while enjoying listening to traditional Gnawa music (using musical instrument Qraqeb and hand-made drum). Return to the guest house or similar.
Day 11
Time : 08:00
Timimoun
Shortly after breakfast ,we drive to visit the skours (local beautiful architecture ) where we have a traditional lunch in the afternoon. Then we continue exploring the amazing open museums as the cave and the cliffs of Ighzer , Kali Ksours ,Ouled Haroun castle and Timimoun’s old castle , and we finish the day with a sunset viewing on the dunes of the Oasis . Overnight at the residence or the hotel.
Day 12
Time : 08:00
Timimoun –El-Ouata -Beni Abbès
Early in the moring after breakfast , we head to the local market .then we drive to Beni Abbes (341 Kms).After four hours of drive, we arrive there we visit the Hermitage of Father Charles de Foucauld where we have our lunch in the chapel’s garden; we also visit the Sahara Museum (if time allows), and the ksours of Beni Abbes ,the engravings of marhouma and then we move to El_Ouata where spend the night .
Day 13
Time : 08:00
El-Ouata -Taghit
Early after breakfast, We visit the El6ouata ksar then we leave to Taghit (146 Kms) .After two hours of drive , the visit programme begins with driving to spots of the historical petroglyphs (cave paintings of animals as: giraffes, ostriches, horses, elephants and antelopes, etc.), the Old Ksar, Ksour valley that overlook the palm grove .We enjoy a traditional meal outdoor. The day ends with a strolling and walking through the palm groves to reach the dunes of the Greatest Western Erg (up to 120 m high of some dunes) where we can walk on sand (crescent-shaped one) .We end the day by a sun set seeing and we might have our dinner there. Return to a hotel or similar.
Day 14
Time : 08:00
Taghit -Béchar-Algiers
After breakfast, we move to Bechar city centre where we stroll then we move to the Airport (105 kms) to take our plane to Houari Boumeddiene Domestic Airport (Algiers) .We transfer to the hotel or guest house. After a short rest we go for a visit to the Riyadh Elfath Monument (Symbol of Algeria) hotel .After having our dinner ,we return to the hotel.
Day 15
Time : 08:00
Algiers-Home
After breakfast ,we visit the UNESCO World Heritage site, Casbah for 2 hours ( the Palace of the Dey, the Centenary House, the Sidi Ramdane Mosque, the Palace of Princess Khedaoudj, the Jamaa-al-Jdid Mosque and the Mustapha Pasha Palace ).After lunch, we continue our programme by visiting the Museum of Antiquities and the National Museum of Bardo and Notre Dame d'Afrique Cathederal. Following that the visitors are to be
transferred to Houari Boumediene International Airport for departure. Assistance is given until the boarding.
- Airport transfers and assistance - Accommodation in hotels (3-4 stars),traditional guest houses or similar during the tour (Twin share accommodation). -Full board bases: breakfast, lunch and dinner (water & soft drinks only). -Comfort mini -bus or cars+ driver.
- Experienced tour guides. -Domestic Flights: Algiers-El-Oued & Béchar- Algiers (Economic Class). -Entrance fees to museums or sites included in the itinerary. - Applying for visa and/ or supplying visa application/documents.
- International flights.
- Travel insurance.
- Visa fees -Extras and personal expenses -Single Supplement : € 265
The agency representative will be waiting you at the exit of the arrivals at the relevant airport holding a sign with your name on it.
We arrange our travel packages by combining people depending on the language required and the destination.
To get an entrance visa to Algeria, insurance is required so it is advised to do it by yourself but also, we make insurance for tools used during the tour.
After your booking of a tour we proceed with confirming all services accordingly.
We kindly request a booking deposit (30 %) to be paid to one of our accounts in an EU bank (France at the moment) to secure your reservations then the remaining balance (70 %) to be received no later than 50 days before the start date of the tour.
See below in the FAQ under 'Booking, Cancellation and Refund Policy '
Visa requirements is a must to enter Algeria for most internationals. In some case,you book a trip with us , as an official fully licenced tourism and travel agency , we can apply for an entrance visa on your behalf which guarantees a quick response and providing you with the necessary information and official documentation as the invitation letter after the reception of the deposit required by the agency.
Most ATMs are for local money and local credit and debit cards and it is rarely where ATMs for other currencies or cards are to be found .
Except in few places ,foreign credit cards and debit cards are not accepted in purchases. It is advisable to carry some cash with you.
No, most of the international GSM operators do not provide coverage in Algeria but you can receive SMS and MMS and you get the signal .Arrange with your GSM operator to activate the international roaming function of your mobile phone before coming to Algeria and we can supply you with a new SIM card from local operators (conditions) .
Tipping is not common in Algeria and many refuse to accept it.However it is a guesture of satisfaction by the client.
Yes,18 years old when the traveller is alone .
1- As a team of EL-GOLEA Tourism & Travel, we are very pleased to be chosen by travellers to serve them during their visit to Algeria and we consider them as our guests during the whole duration of the trip.
2-When you select the tour, sign the booking document sent by the agency and receive the confirmation by email, you pay the deposit of 30 % of the tour or the whole cost. contacts are made by email.
3-After reception of the deposit or the entire of the trip’s cost, supplying of the requested identity documents, we sent the letter of invitation to the Algerian consulate in your country of residence for the visa. The agency helps you to get the necessary information on the issue, but it is the traveller’s responsibility to apply earlier and be fully aware of all requirements for visiting Algeria. However, the agency is ready to provide the necessary information on the tour.
4-The rest of the tour cost must be received 45 to 50 days prior to the start date. For any case of non-majeure force, if you do not pay the rest, it is considered as wish of cancellation to cancel your booking.
5-We hope that the visitor can come but in case of contrary, the cancellation must be made by writing in advance. Be aware there are cancellation and charges requested by the service providers. consequently, the charges are cut off the deposit and can go higher when it is made few days or weeks before the start date.
6-Cancellation charges are calculated as follow:
45 days before the start date of the tour - loss of deposit
30 days before the start date of the tour - 50% of tour cost
15 days before the start date of the tour - 75% of tour cost
7 days before the start date of the tour- No refund.
7-Although the above-mentioned measures are to be applied as explained before. But as our main goal is to serve and satisfy our clients, we often take their circumstances in consideration, and we try to find a better solution for them.
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