Ancient Algeria

Day 1
Fly to Algiers; transfers to our hotel. In the afternoon we enjoy a tour of Algiers visiting Notre-Dame, the 16th century Kasbah and the Bardo museum.

Day 2
Today we make our way to Ghardaia, driving through the mountains to the M'zab region, known for its unique beauty. Founded in 1053, the villages of Ghardaia resemble the shape of a pyramid and the region was added to the Unesco World Heritage list in 1982. Once there, we check in to our hotel for the night.

Day 3
Today we discover the charms of Ghardaia. Its names find its origins in a female saint named Daîa, who lived in a cave in the region in 11th century. Our visit takes us to the mosque, the cave of Daia, Beni Yezguen and the lively markets.

Day 4
Driving 400km to M'sila, we stop en route to visit the castle of Beni Hamad, Unesco World Heritage since 1980. Built in 1007, it is a wonderful example of a fortified Muslim city. We stay in M'sila for the night.

Day 5
We drive to Timgad, created in 100AD by the emperor Trajan. The whole site remains in excellent condition since it was not resettled after the abandonment, making it a uniquely preserved place of the Roman world. It offers an insight in life in Roman times, which is celebrated each year during the Festival of Timgad. In 1982 the site was added to the Unseco World Heritage list. We then continue to Batna where our hotel is located.

Day 6
We make our way to Constantine today. We enjoy a half day sightseeing tour of the city including the Passerelle Perregaux, El-Kantara bridge, the suspension bridge over the gorge of Sidi M'Cid, the memorial arch and the Grand Mosque. We spend the night in Constantine.

Day 7
En route to Setif, we stop to visit Djemila. This beautiful Roman city built by the emperor Nerva is considered the most remarkable Roman site in Algeria and in 1982 it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its unique adaptation of Roman architecture to a mountainous environment. We then head to our hotel in Setif.

Day 8
We drive approximately 3hrs to Tipaza. This Mediterranean coastal city is an ancient Punic trading-post and, after being conquered by the Romans, became a strategic base for the conquest of the kingdoms of Mauritania. Its architectural vestiges constitute a unique testimony of the contacts between indigenous populations and the Punic and Roman invaders and the site was therefore added to the Unesco World Heritage list in 1982. We then make our way to Cherchel, where we have time for a short city tour on our last evening in Algeria.

Day 9
Transfer to Algiers airport; fly to London.