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Algeria’s Sahara Desert Adventure

Algeria - Trip code AD Discovery
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899Kg of CO²e
Average carbon footprint per person
Carbon Footprint
You deserve to know everything about your holiday, from what is included, what to expect and every kilogram of CO2 emitted on average per person along the way.

We've partnered with ecollective to measure the carbon footprint of this tour based on an average group size. Find out more about how we calculate this and why we think it's important here.

 

The Algerian Sahara in the far south offers travellers one of the ultimate desert experiences. With vast expanses of sand, towering dunes, dramatic rock formations, canyons and an extraordinary concentration of ancient rock art, akin to an open-air museum; this is a trip for those wanting to take time away from the stresses of modern-day life amongst the breath-taking scenery of the Sahara.

Why we love this trip
  • Desert rock art - Algeria has one of the richest collections of pre-historic rock art in the Tassili n'Ajjer plateau, remarkably well preserved in the arid desert environment.
  • Digital detox - Switch off and embrace a slower pace (with no mobile signal) as we spend five nights wild camping in the desert with our crew.
  • Stunning landscapes - Catch the sunrise and sunset each day over a breathtaking backdrop of vast sand dunes.
  • Included meals

    Breakfast: 7

    Lunch: 4

    Dinner: 5

  • Trip staff

    Explore Tour Leader

    Camp Crew

    Cook

    Driver(s)

  • Transport

    Bus

    4WD

    Flight

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    Accommodation

    5 nights simple camping full service

    1 nights comfortable hotel

    1 nights simple hotel

  • i

    Trip pace:

    Moderate

  • i

    Group Size:

    Trip maximum 12

Itinerary

Day 1 - Trip starts in Algiers

Our tour starts in the Algerian capital, Algiers. The country's largest city, Algiers 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 it's 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. 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.

There are no activities planned today, so you're free to arrive in Algiers at any time. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Algiers International Airport, also known as Houari Boumediene International Airport (ALG), which is around a 30-minute drive from the hotel depending on traffic. For those arriving before 7pm, our tour leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception for a welcome meeting. We'll head out for dinner afterwards, should you wish. For those arriving later, your tour leader will catch up with you the following morning.

Accommodation:

Grade: Comfortable Hotel

Single room available

Swimming pool available

Meals Provided: None

Day 2 - City tour of Algiers; fly to Djanet deep in the Sahara

This morning, we'll head out to explore the capital of Algeria. First up, we visit the beautiful Church of Notre Dame d'Afrique that dominates the long bay above Bab El Oued. We'll then head into the 10th century city known as the Kasbah, one of the most impressive medinas in North Africa; we'll walk through the cobbled narrow streets and explore a mosaic complex of houses, palaces and mosques, many of which date back the Ottoman period.

Moving on, our next stop is one of the most important, prestigious and historical monuments of Algiers, Bastion 23 Palace which is located on the seafront. It's a set of three palaces (17, 18 and 23) we'll get to roam through secret rooms inside. Our next stop is the imposing 92-meter/300-foot-tall Monument to the Martyrs, situated on a hill and overlooking the whole city. Situated on a hill and overlooking the whole city, we'll get the opportunity for some great photos of the city from the vantage point, weather permitting.

This evening, we drive back to Algiers airport for a flight to Djanet in the heart of the Sahara. Upon arrival it's a short twenty minute drive to our hotel.

Accommodation:

Grade: Simple Hotel

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast

Day 3 - El Biredj canyon; first night wild camping in the desert

After breakfast, we'll leave behind the relative civilization of Djanet and head out into the Sahara. We'll be traveling in a convoy of 4WD off-road vehicles, perfect for tackling the desert terrain. With a maximum of three people, plus a driver in each car, everyone gets a window seat.

The first 120 kilometres (about 75 miles) are on paved roads, then we turn off toward El Biredj Oued Canyon and go another 80 kilometres (50 miles) off-road, winding through low rocky hills as we enter Oued El Biredj.

It doesn't take long to fall into the rhythm of desert travel, far from packed schedules and pressures of modern-day life, time matters less out here and with no distraction from mobile phones, we can focus on enjoying the natural beauty of one of the greatest wildernesses on earth. We'll set up camp at the entrance to Tadrart. Once the crew has pitched the tents, we'll get our first taste of Tuareg tea, also known as Maghrebi mint tea, relaxing around a campfire.

There's time to head out for a short walk and find a good spot to catch the sunset, desert sunsets are spectacular. After that, it's back to camp for dinner, freshly cooked by our crew.

One of the magical parts of this trip is how remote our desert camps are completely off the grid, in spectacular settings with no one else around. We'll be staying in dome tents, set up for either double, twin, or single use. Mattresses are provided and set up for us each night - remember to bring a sleeping bag (see the equipment section for more details). There's also a communal dining area with rugs and tables, plus a toilet tent set up away from the main camp.

Accommodation:

Grade: Simple Camping Full Service

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4 - Witness the pre historic rock art in the Tassili n'Ajjer plateau, a UNESCO world heritage site

Our day starts around sunrise with a cup of tea or coffee followed by breakfast consisting of bread, butter, jams and cheese. After breakfast, we'll head out for a walk to explore our surroundings whilst the campsite is broken down. Oued El Biredj is a wide canyon-like valley, opening out to the vast landscape of the Tardart with its 'rock forests' of eroded sandstone pillars.

There is less driving today, as we explore partly by 4WD and partly on foot. The highlight is encountering wonderfully preserved rock art paintings and engravings - we'll see paintings of hunting scenes, cattle and wild animals. To date there, have been over 15,000 paintings identified, there are so many works of art the area has been likened to a vast open air museum.

This evening, we'll set our camp in the high sand dunes of Markawandi. Our camping crew will prepare all our meals in the desert. Our evening meal is three courses, consisting of soup to start with followed by a main course of couscous or pasta or rice accompanied by vegetables and a meat-based dish (usually lamb stew or chicken) and bread cooked in the traditional Tuareg way, on hot coals under the sand. Dessert is seasonal fruit, followed by mint tea or coffee, dates and a cookie.

Accommodation:

Grade: Simple Camping Full Service

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5 - Head deeper into the Sahara desert, into the vast sand dunes at Moul El Naga. Overnight at Tin Koukak

Continuing our journey deeper into the Sahara, we reach the end of the El Biredj where the high orange-coloured sand dunes of Moul El Naga begin to appear. The sharpness and shades of the dunes make this a classic desert landscape - a photographer's dream. After driving through spectacular wind-sculptured arches (where we'll have our lunch), we head into the Tin Koukak region.

This afternoon, we'll see more ancient rock art and, if we're lucky, even spot wild camels and gazelles. Our camp tonight is at Tin Koukak, the sunsets here, against the backdrop of the vast sand dunes, are spectacular and we'll witness some of the clearest night skies imaginable.

Accommodation:

Grade: Simple Camping Full Service

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6 - Visit the striking Djaren Canyon and see desert rock art around Tin Koukak

There is an optional walk to visit rock art around Tin Koukak lasting a couple of hours, we'll set off early to avoid the heat of the day (4WD vehicles will be available for those who don't wish to walk).

Driving back towards Djanet, we'll make stops along the way to take in the picturesque scenery. Lunch will be at Oued Tlafzo. As we enter Djaren canyon, we'll step into one of the highest concentrations of rock art paintings in this part of Algeria, with over 70 locations exhibiting paintings and engravings found to date; we'll visit the best selection.

We set up camp and spend the night in the atmospheric Djaren canyon.

Accommodation:

Grade: Simple Camping Full Service

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 7 - Return to Djanet to freshen up. Afternoon head out to explore Timrass and Tekoubaouine

After breakfast our camp crew will pack up camp, drive directly back to the Tenere Village Hotel in Djanet where we'll get reacquainted with modern life. Day use rooms will be provided to have a shower, the hotel also has WiFi at reception to catch up with messages from home. Lunch (not included on this day) will be at the hotel.

This afternoon, we head into the desert once more for our final night. Driving one hour north of Djanet this time, we'll explore Timrass, a dramatic area of rocks protruding from the desert sand. Here we'll discover more rock art. We'll then continue to the landscapes of Tekoubaouine where we camp in a great spot for sunset amongst the dunes, hills and rock formations, our last night in the desert. Our cook will have stocked up on fresh supplies in Djanet and will prepare a delicious last camping dinner for us.

Accommodation:

Grade: Simple Camping Full Service

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 8 - Erg Admer, crying cows engravings. Return to Djanet

After a morning walk we will explore more ancient rock art. This region is known for its vast towering sand dunes, we'll visit Erg Admer, set amongst a sea of sand dunes. Continuing back towards Djanet, lunch is at the crying cows engravings, an elaborate ancient engraving depicting cattle.

It's a short drive back to Djanet and the Tenere Village Hotel. Once again, day use rooms will be provided to freshen up and have a shower. The rest of the afternoon is free, you may wish to head into Djanet itself or rest at the hotel. This evening, there is the opportunity to join the group for dinner at a local restaurant or at the hotel to celebrate our last night together. We'll drive to Djanet airport, departing around 11pm for our night flight back to Algiers.

Meals Provided: Breakfast

Day 9 - Fly back to Algiers where the trip ends

Our flight back to Algiers departs in the early hours of the morning, arriving around 6am, whilst the flight timing is subject to change, at the time of publication this flight has a short scheduled stop at Tamanrasset. The trip ends here at Algiers International airport, also known as Houari Boumediene International Airport (ALG). We recommend booking onward flights from 10am onwards in case of delays. Should you wish to book a extra night's accommodation in Algiers, please get in touch.

Meals Provided: None

Trip information

Climate and country information

Algeria

Climate

Algeria has a semiarid to arid climate with mild, wet winters and hot dry summers. In Algiers the warmest temperatures occur during August, when the thermometer can reach up to 30°C, whilst January, its coldest month sees temperatures dropping as low as 10°C. Algiers has relatively high humidity (around 60%), with much of its rainfall occurring during the winter months.

Time difference to GMT

0

Plugs

2 Pin Round

Religion

Sunni Muslim, Christian and Jewish

Language

Arabic, French and Berber dialects.

Budgeting and packing

Clothing

Due to the extreme of temperatures between the day and night, careful consideration should be made for packing. We suggest loose and comfortable clothes, t-shirts and shorts for the day and a long armed sweater and a fleece with long trousers or tracksuit (jogging pants) and a woolly hat for the chilly evenings.

Bring a headscarf or a bandanna or large handkerchief for dusty tracks in the desert.
Nights are cold so take warm nightwear, especially if you feel the cold.

Algeria is a Muslim country and it is important to dress with respect for local customs. People may be offended by short shorts or revealing dresses, which can attract unwelcome attention. Transparent, plunging necklines and tightfitting clothes should be avoided. Women should also cover their heads when entering places of worship.

Luggage

20Kg

Luggage: On tour

Due to domestic airline weight restrictions, please ensure that your main luggage is limited to one piece weighing a maximum of 20kg.

Equipment

A torch is essential as is a minimum three season sleeping bag and liner. Bring sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat or cap to protect the head from sun.

Tipping

Explore leader
Tour Leader: In Algeria, it is customary to tip the tour leader in appreciation of the efficiency and service you receive. We would recommend allowing £30 per person for this trip as a guideline, but this is at your discretion.
Local crew
Although entirely voluntary, tipping is a recognized part of life in this region of the world. Some local staff will look to members of the group for personal recognition of particular services provided. In order to make things easier for you, your leader may organise a group's tips kitty for the driver(s), included activities and meals and if this is the case, they will account for it throughout the tour.

Accordingly, you should allow £40.00 per person for group tipping. This can be paid in GBP, euros, US dollars or Algerian Dinar.

Algeria

Food and drink

The costs for meals may vary depending upon location, type of restaurant and number of courses eaten and so the prices given are an average guide. Local restaurants located off the beaten track may be less expensive, whereas an upmarket restaurant located in the centre of a major city may charge more.


Lunch price
£8.00 - 12.00
Dinner price
£12.00 - 15.00
Beer price
£3.00
Water price
£1.00
Foreign Exchange
Local currency
Algerian Dinar.
Recommended Currency For Exchange
We recommend you take spending money in Euros or GBP cash.
Where To Exchange
Banks or 'Forex' offices the airport or Algiers - Your Tour leader will advise you on arrival.
ATM Availability
Very limited and unreliable. We do not recommend using ATMs
Credit Card Acceptance
Limited.
Transport, Accommodation, Food & Drink

Transport Information

Bus, 4WD, Flight

Accommodation notes

This trip is centred in the deep south of Algeria in the heart of the Sahara. For five nights we will be camping in exceptionally remote locations with very basic facilities. We'll provide two person dome tents with a five centimetre thermarest mattress, it is possible to book a single tent option should you wish, please request at the time of booking. There is a communal area with rugs, tables and chairs, where we eat and relax after our meal. Our camp crew will prepare a fire each night. A toilet tent set will be set up a little way from the campsite. It is worth noting that the temperature falls away sharply in the desert so a well insulated sleeping bag is required. If you would prefer to rent one locally rather than bringing your own, the cost will be €30 and should be requested at the time of booking.

Our hotel in Algiers is rated as five star, however this is not comparable to the equivalent ratings in Europe; as such we have rated it as comfortable rather than premium. It offers excellent facilities including a swimming pool and is in convenient location in the heart of the city. Our hotel in Djanet is a family owned property in a beautiful setting just outside the town and the bedrooms are in individual rondavel style units. Whilst basic, they are comfortable and air conditioned, and there is wifi in the central reception area.

Food and drink

Whilst Algerian cuisine is not as diverse as neighbouring Tunisia or Morocco, you can still expect to find a good variety of dishes including hearty soups, delicious freshly baked bread, tagines and couscous with seasonal vegetables.

Vegetarians can be catered for but the selection and variety can be very limited in places, especially in the Sahara region. Vegans and those with a gluten intollerance will struggle and need to be prepared to top up by bringing food from home. People with specific dietary requirements should consider such limitations carefully before booking, please speak to us if you have concernsor questions.

Alcohol is not widely available throughout, Algeria except in the larger cities in the north. It is permitted to bring alcohol into the county, but you should be discreet about when and where you consume it.

Essential Information

Government Travel Safety Advice

We strongly recommend that you check your government's travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination's safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs. Relevant government website links for UK, US, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand citizens are available on our Travel Safety page.

If you'd like some inital information on country-specific entry requirements, such as visas or any health declaration forms, please refer to our Entry Requirements page.  The services and information on this page are provided by a third party, and so we will still recommend that you cross check this against your government website for the latest advice.
 

Under 18 immigration guidance

Please note that some countries require proof of parental consent when travelling overseas with under 18s. Please check requirements with the relevant embassy or consular office well in advance of travel if this applies to your party.

Price Guarantee

Once your booking has been confirmed we guarantee the price will not increase, whatever the circumstances. However, please note that if you voluntarily make any changes to your booking including changing your trip or departure date, any additional costs or charges incurred will not be covered. Before booking please ensure you have read our important tour pricing information.Booking Conditions
 

Visa and Passport Information


For most nationalities a visa is required to travel to Algeria and needs to be obtained before travel. We recommend applying for your visa around six weeks prior to departure.

The Algerian Government needs to authorize all tourist visa applications through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Algiers. Our local ground agent will obtain the necessary permissions, however it is essential we have all passport details well in advance, this is also needed to book the internal flight.

Approximately 8 weeks prior to travel Explore will request the authorisation and invitation letter from our local agent. Once requested these take approximately two weeks to issue and we will then email these documents to you in order for you to proceed with your visa application.

UK nationals need to apply for their visa by following the instructions on the Algerian Consulate website:
https://www.algerian-consulate.org.uk/

All other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate in country.

Number of Entries: Single entry
Address during your stay:
El Aurassi Hotel
02 Ave du Docteur, Frantz Fanon, El Djazir, Algeria
Tel: +213 21 74 82 52

For the Visa Application you will need:
2 copies of a letter of invitation/tour itinerary letter - we will obtain this for you from Algeria
2 recent passport style photographs
2 completed visa application forms
A letter from your employer / or evidence of your income
2 photocopies of every page in your passport including the blank pages.

It should also be noted that anyone with a passport showing evidence of having visited Israel (including having entered or left Jordan/Egypt from posts which are known to border Israel) are likely to be denied a visa for Algeria.


If you do require assistance in obtaining a visa then you may be able to apply through Explore's recommended visa service in the UK, Travcour. See www.travcour.com to download the relevant visa application for your trip, if applicable (UK citizens only), along with details of how to apply for your visa through Travcour. The Team at Travcour will be happy to answer specific questions relating to visa applications, please call them directly on 0208 5431846.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of a full passport, with the correct validity for your chosen destination.
 

Booking conditions

Before booking your Explore trip, please ensure that you read both our Essential Information and Booking Conditions.
 

Minimum age restrictions

For our group tours, the minimum age is 16. The minimum age on Family trips varies between 7 and 11 - please check the 'Family information' section of the trip page for more information. 


Your safety and enjoyment on tour

We want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable holiday, so we ask you to confirm when booking this trip that you are fit and able to fully participate in all elements of the itinerary. If you have any concerns about your fitness or ability to complete any of the activities, please get in touch with our Customer Relations team at cr@explore.co.uk as soon as possible. Our tour leaders are trained and experienced in managing differing abilities within a group, but if they have concerns about a group member’s ability to safely participate in any element of the itinerary or believe someone’s presence could affect the safety or enjoyment of the holiday for others, in accordance with our Booking Conditions our tour leaders have the authority to ask an individual to miss an activity or activities. This decision would never be taken lightly, but on the rare occasions our tour leaders ask someone to sit out part of the tour, refunds will not be offered and individuals may be liable for additional costs incurred. 
 

Your Tour Leader

All tours aside from extensions, Galapagos cruises and polar expeditions will be led by one of our experienced Tour Leaders. We believe that our Tour Leaders are the key to the success of our tours; they are local experts who are bursting with first-hand knowledge which they love to share, and their unique insights will bring the destination to life. Your Tour Leader will be on hand throughout your tour to make sure arrangements run smoothly, to organise all the local logistics and to keep you safe. Your Tour Leader should be your first point of contact if you encounter any difficulties or disappointments in country – please raise any concerns, however small, with your Tour Leader as they are best placed to assist you.

Transfers

Find out more about Trip Transfer Terms and Conditions before you book.

Booking a land only package with Explore

Customers who have chosen to book on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements of our tour, please ensure that you have checked your tour specific ‘Joining Instructions’ prior to booking your own travel arrangements. Your joining instructions can be found below in the dates and prices information. 

You may also be eligible for the Free Explore Transfer.


Joining Tour Abroad

Customers booked on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements will receive a Free Transfer, provided you arrive and depart on the tour only itinerary start and end dates. The complimentary transfers will be arranged from the Explore designated airport or train station to your trips joining point, and then back from the ending point to the designated airport or train station. Generally the airport or station that Explore have selected will be the one that is closest to the town or city where the trip starts, or the one nearest to the joining point. It will be either an airport or train station but not both.

The exception to this rule is customers who are booked on a tour where the joining and ending point is at the designated airport or train station.  

Free transfers are not available for Polar customers.

If you are not eligible for the Free Transfer then you will need to make your own way through to the joining and ending point. On a majority of our tours Explore will be able to provide a private transfer at an additional cost. Please ask for a quote at the time of booking.  

For more information regarding the Explore Free Transfer click here

Insurance

It is a condition of booking with Explore that you have adequate valid travel insurance. It is your responsibility to arrange appropriate travel insurance and ensure you have read and understood the full terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy to ensure that you are covered for all activities you intend to undertake whilst on the tour, including all optional activities. Your Insurance Policy must fully cover you for medical expenses and emergency repatriation to your home country. Please ensure your policy includes medical emergency helicopter evacuation in the event of illness or injury and covers the entire duration of your holiday. If you are trekking at altitude please ensure that there is no upper altitude limit which may limit or exclude cover for your trip. The cost of many of our Polar Voyages will exceed the capped amount covered by standard insurance premiums and you will be required to pay an additional premium to cover the full value of your trip. Please ensure that you are covered for the full amount of your holiday cost, as insufficient cover could invalidate a claim under the policy. Medical and repatriation insurance cover is not mandatory for UK residents who are travelling on trips within the United Kingdom.
Read more information about what travel insurance is required.

Flight information

Explore can arrange your flights for you, to make joining and leaving our trips easy. Read more about them here.


Flight Information

You are able to book this tour on a 'land only' basis or as a ‘flight inclusive’ package. Your flight inclusive package will be fully protected by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) ATOL protection scheme.

 

Booking a flight inclusive package with Explore

We have a good selection of flights not only from London but from many regional airports around the UK allowing us to compare fares between scheduled carriers as well as low cost and charter airlines. Our dedicated flights team will match the best flight options to your arrival and departure airport.

On our website we display the price of the tour only. Please call us or select the flight option during the online checkout to receive a quote for a flight inclusive package. To avoid paying supplements or to secure your preferred flight option, we recommend booking as early as possible, especially for peak travel dates.

Algeria

Vaccinations

We recommend protection against diphtheria; tetanus; poliomyelitis; hepatitis A; typhoid. The risk of malaria is limited to Ihrir and antimalarial tablets are not normally recommended. Yellow fever certificate required if over 1 year old and entering from an infected area. Special Note: Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure. Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. The above is not an exhaustive list. Information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by on the NaTHNaC website and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed by you before travelling.

Discovery information
Award Winning Explore Leaders
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Price Guarantee Promise
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Airport Transfers
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Print Trip Notes

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