Days 1-2: Algiers
Day 1: Arrive Algiers. Day 2: Casbah, National Museum of Antiquities, Notre Dame d’Afrique, Martyrs’ Memorial. Afternoon pool/leisure time. Overnight Algiers.
Days 3-4: Constantine
Day 3: Fly to Constantine. Walk Sidi M’Cid Bridge (175m above gorge), Ahmed Bey Palace. Day 4: Day trip to Timgad — the “Pompeii of Africa” (100 AD). Trajan’s Arch, 3,500-seat theater, library, baths, cardo maximus. Return to Constantine. Overnight Constantine.
Day 5: Djemila
Full day at Djemila — mountaintop Roman city. The Bacchus mosaic, Grand Baths, theater, Christian quarter. Picnic lunch with mountain views. Overnight Sétif.
Day 6: Fly to Béchar — Sahara Gateway
Morning flight south to Béchar, a Saharan frontier town. Afternoon: visit the old ksar (fortified quarter) and the local market. Overnight Béchar.
Days 7-8: Taghit — Sahara Dune Sea
Drive to Taghit (2 hours) — a spectacular oasis village of red mud-brick houses huddled at the base of the Grand Erg Occidental, a vast sand sea where dunes rise 200m. Explore the ksar (one of Algeria’s most beautiful), climb the dunes for sunset, try sandboarding, visit the 8,000-year-old rock engravings at the edge of the oasis, and cool off with a swim in the oasis pool. Evenings: campfire under Saharan stars, Tuareg music around the fire. Two nights in Taghit.
Day 9: Taghit to Béchar to Algiers
Morning exploration of Taghit. Afternoon drive to Béchar for flight to Algiers. Overnight Algiers.
Day 10: Tipaza & Cherchell
Coastal excursion: Roman ruins of Tipaza (UNESCO, sea-view basilicas) and Cherchell’s archaeological museum (Roman statuary from the ancient capital of Mauretania). Farewell dinner. Overnight Algiers.
Day 11: Departure
Transfer to Algiers Airport.
