Tour overview

This 16-day expedition combines the Roman cities and walled towns of northern Algeria with a week deep in the Sahara, in one of the least-visited countries in North Africa. A tour leader travels with the group, with a separate desert leader and camp crew in the south. You stay ten nights in hotels and five nights wild camping in the desert, with dome tents, mattresses and a dining tent, plus one glamping-style fixed camp. All meals are included in the desert.

From Algiers you visit the Roman ruins of Tipaza and Cherchell on the Mediterranean coast, then fly to Ghardaïa to explore the ancient fortified towns of the M’Zab Valley, a World Heritage Site. Driving north, you see the Al Qal’a of Beni Hammad and the vast Roman city of Timgad, the royal tomb of Madghacen and Constantine, the city of bridges spanning a deep gorge. The Roman ruins of Djemila, among the best preserved in North Africa, follow before you return to Algiers for a city tour.

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A flight takes you to Djanet in the far south. Travelling by 4WD with no more than three travellers per vehicle, you head into the Tadrart and the edge of the Ténéré, visiting the ‘crying cows’ engravings, the canyons of El Biredj and Djaren and the rock art of Tin Koukak. Each night you camp under some of the darkest skies on Earth before returning to Djanet and flying back to Algiers.

The physical rating is medium, and the desert section involves basic wild camping. This trip suits adventurous travellers who want to discover a remarkable and little-known country.

Trip highlights

  • Roman Tipaza on the coast (Day 2)
  • The M’Zab Valley (Day 3)
  • Timgad (Day 5)
  • Constantine, the city of bridges (Day 7)
  • Djemila (Day 8)
  • Five nights in the Sahara (Days 10–14)

Your route

14 stops from Algiers to Djaren Canyon (Tin Koukak)

16-day route: Algiers – Tipaza – Ghardaïa – Timgad – Constantine – Djemila – Algiers – Djanet – Tadrart – Algiers
  1. Algiers Days 1 & 16
  2. Tipaza Day 2
  3. Ghardaia Days 2–3
  4. M'Sila Day 4
  5. Al Qal'a of Beni Hammad Day 5
  6. Timgad Day 5
  7. Batna Day 5
  8. Constantine Days 6–7
  9. Djemila Day 8
  10. Setif Day 8
  11. Djanet Days 9 & 15
  12. Tekoubaouine Days 10–11
  13. El Biredj Canyon Day 12
  14. Djaren Canyon (Tin Koukak) Days 13–14

Why choose this tour

Northern Algeria’s Roman heritage plus the deep Sahara. Rock art and canyons few travellers ever see.

Best suited to

  • Adventurous, well-travelled travellers
  • History and archaeology lovers
  • Desert and photography lovers
  • Solo travellers and couples
The colonnaded street of Roman Timgad

Day-by-day itinerary

16 days from Algiers, Algeria to Algiers, Algeria

  1. Day 1 · Algiers Algiers

    The trip begins.

    Hotel
    El Aurassi Hotel
  2. Day 2 · Tipaza, Cherchell, Ghardaïa Tipaza and Ghardaïa

    Roman ruins and a flight south.

    Hotel
    Hotel Le Belvédère
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  3. Day 3 · Ghardaïa, Beni Isguen, El Ateuf M’Zab Valley

    Fortified desert towns.

    Hotel
    Hotel Le Belvédère
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  4. Day 4 · M’sila M’sila

    A long drive north.

    Hotel
    Hotel K’Sob
    Meals
    Breakfast
  5. Day 5 · Beni Hammad, Timgad, Batna Timgad

    A vast Roman city.

    Hotel
    Timgad Hotel Hazem
    Meals
    Breakfast
  6. Day 6 · Madghacen, Constantine Constantine

    A royal tomb and the city of bridges.

    Hotel
    Novotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  7. Day 7 · Constantine Constantine

    Bridges over the gorge.

    Hotel
    Novotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  8. Day 8 · Djemila, Sétif Sétif

    Roman Djemila.

    Hotel
    Hotel Tadj El Mouada
    Meals
    Breakfast
  9. Day 9 · Algiers, Djanet Djanet

    A city tour and a flight south.

    Hotel
    Hotel Ténéré
    Meals
    Breakfast
  10. Day 10 · Timrass, Tikoubaouine Tadrart

    The first night in the desert.

    Hotel
    Wild camp
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  11. Day 11 · Ali Dema Ténéré

    The crying cows engravings.

    Hotel
    Wild camp
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  12. Day 12 · El Biredj Canyon El Biredj

    Deeper into the Sahara.

    Hotel
    Wild camp
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  13. Day 13 · Djaren Canyon, Tin Koukak Tin Koukak

    Canyons and rock art.

    Hotel
    Wild camp
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  14. Day 14 · Djaren Canyon Djaren Canyon

    A last desert day.

    Hotel
    Wild camp
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  15. Day 15 · Djanet Djanet

    Back to Djanet.

    Hotel
    Day-use hotel room
    Meals
    Breakfast
  16. Day 16 · Algiers Algiers

    An early flight to Algiers.

The hilltop town of Ghardaïa in the M'Zab Valley

Where you stay

  • Algiers (1 night) El Aurassi Hotel
  • Ghardaïa (2 nights) Hotel Le Belvédère
  • M’sila (1 night) Hotel K’Sob
  • Batna (1 night) Timgad Hotel Hazem
  • Constantine (2 nights) Novotel
  • Sétif (1 night) Hotel Tadj El Mouada
  • Djanet (1 night) Hotel Ténéré
  • Sahara (5 nights) Wild camping
  • Djanet (1 night) Day-use room before an early flight

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 10 hotel nights and 5 nights wild camping
  • Meals 14 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 5 dinners
  • Domestic flights to Ghardaïa and Djanet
  • 4WD vehicles in the desert
  • Tipaza, Timgad, Djemila and Constantine visits
  • Desert crew and camping equipment
  • Tour leader throughout

Not included

  • International flights
  • Visa
  • Meals not included 1 breakfast, 8 lunches and 10 dinners
  • Travel insurance and personal spending
The Roman ruins of Djemila

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You don’t want to camp
  • You want comfortable hotels throughout
  • You dislike long drives
  • You want international flights included — they are not

Good to know

Meals by day Breakfast: Days 2–15 · Lunch: Days 2–3 and 10–13 · Dinner: Days 10–14
FCDO advice UK FCDO travel advice for Algeria
Constantine above its gorge

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £3,840 per person, twin share, tour only. 10 upcoming departures.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

What is the wild camping like?

Dome tents with mattresses, a dining tent and a toilet tent, set up by the crew in remote desert locations.

Is Algeria safe to visit?

Check the latest FCDO advice before you travel. The desert section runs with local crews and permits.

Do I need a visa?

Yes, UK citizens need a visa for Algeria, arranged in advance.

How do you travel in the desert?

By 4WD, with no more than three travellers per vehicle.

Are domestic flights included?

Yes, to Ghardaïa and to and from Djanet.

Who leads the trip?

A tour leader, with a desert leader and crew in the south.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary

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