7-Day Oases Tour in Algeria with M'zab Valley and Timimoun

• Reception and assistance at Houari Boumediene International Airport in Algiers.
• Transit on foot to the domestic airport, a 3-5 minute walk, to board the flight to Ghardaia.
• After arriving at Ghardaia Domestic Airport, Moufdi Zakaria, known as Noumérat.
• Transfer to the city centre, 15 km away, where the first overnight stay will be spent.

• After breakfast, we drive to visit three sites in the M'zab Valley: Mélika, Bounoura, and the palm gardens of Beni-Izghen, where we have lunch. These three sites are classified by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.
• After a rest, we visit Boulila Tower, Ghardaia's city centre, and its magnificent rectangular ancient stone market.

Dinner and overnight at the guest house or similar.

• In the early morning, we have breakfast and drive towards the Pearl of the Oases, El-Meniaa (formerly El-Goléa). The distance of 270 km can be covered by road in 3 hours.
• The oasis is situated in the centre of Algeria, at the eastern end of the Grand Erg Occidental, as a gateway to Southern Algeria. It is famous for its mineral water and agricultural products, including its palm grove of about 180,000 palm trees.
• When we reach El-Goléa around 11 a.m., we head to the guest house or similar for lunch.
• Following a short rest, we head towards the church of Bel-Bachir. Close to the church is the tomb of the Catholic priest Charles de Foucauld.
• Then we enjoy the sunset on the dunes while having dinner.

Return to the hotel.

• Today we leave the residence to visit several places, starting with the 9th-century Citadel known as the "Vieux ksar," built on a 75 m-high hill. In this old castle, which was the refuge of the ancestors who dwelt there for centuries, there are still ruins of the houses and the well used by settlers for water.
• Next, we visit the unique Sahara Museum in the town centre, where there are many collections gathered over decades by René Le Clerc (b. 1925-d. 2010).
• Afterward, we go on an excursion to the dunes of the Grand Erg Occidental, where we spend the afternoon, dine, and return to the residence.

• Early in the morning after breakfast, we drive southwards to the Red Oasis, Timimoun.
• We rest for a while at M'Guiden's Café.
• The journey to Timimoun, 362 km, is covered in 4 hours.
• Upon arrival at our destination, we move to a guest house or hotel where we have lunch.
• In the afternoon, a visit is organized to the Foggaras, the hydraulic heritage of Ouled Said and Hadj Guelmane, ending with a traditional dinner accompanied by traditional local folk amusement.
• The day concludes with dinner while enjoying traditional dance using the musical instruments Qraqeb and a hand-made drum.

Return to the guest house or similar.

• Shortly after breakfast, we stroll through the town and its covered market, full of bio local produce.
• After lunch, we move to Timimoun Airport, 4 km away.
• Transfer from Houari Boumediene Domestic Airport to the hotel.

Overnight at the residence or hotel.

• On the last day of the visit, we explore another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Casbah of Algiers, for 2 hours.
• Then we drive to the Church of Notre-Dame d'Afrique, 4 km from the Casbah.
• We complete the tour with a visit to Jardin d'Essai in Hamman, a unique garden in Africa dating back to the 1900s.
• Visitors are transferred to Houari Boumediene International Airport for departure.
• Assistance is provided until boarding.