Threads of Time

Nicknamed “Dar Es Soltane” which offers an incomparable view of the bay of Algiers; this palace, one of the most prestigious of the Ottoman era, is quite dilapidated but recalls the power of the ‘Sublime Porte’ in the 16th century. It was within its walls that the famous fan blow given on April 29, 1827 by Dey Hussein to Consul Duval took place.

You will continue with a visit to the Millenarian house; A replica of the traditional Casbah house, it was built by France to celebrate the centenary of colonisation and the millennium of the founding of Algiers: it allows you to discover the different spaces and decorative elements of a traditional Arab house.

You will then visit “Side Ramadan” mosque which dates from the time of the mediaeval Berber dynasties, before passing in front of the magnificent Birr Chebana fountain. You will also visit the Palace of Princess Khedaoudj which today houses the national museum of arts and traditions.

In the morning, you will take a short drive to Tipaza, famous for its Roman archaeological remains. Located by the sea, the site preserves the remains of the ancient port and the ancient city located on the west hill with its theatre, its circus, its thermal baths... Numerous Punic, Roman, Christian and African remains attest to the richness of the history of this region.

At 14:00 possibility of doing horseback riding in the forest for hour and half On the way back, you will reach the heights of Algiers to visit the Notre-Dame d'Afrique basilica which overlooks the Bab el-Oued district: unforgettable sunset over the bay.

In the morning, you will visit the European district by going to the famous Grande Poste, a magnificent building from the beginning of the 20th century, built in a neo-Moorish style. The interior, splendid and of great refinement, is inspired by the Hispano-Moorish style of Andalusia. You will also see the national theatre, the Wilaya (Algiers prefecture) and the Galeries de France, now converted into a modern art museum.

After exploring the port, you will continue with a walk in the Jardin d’Essai, a true green gem in the heart of the capital.

Early in the morning, you will head due east towards Constantine to reach Djemila. This site houses the remains of the ancient Cuicul, a Roman city listed as a UNESCO world heritage site; you will discover the remains of a rich city from Antiquity. Founded by Nerve at the end of the 1st century BC, it is with Timgad, one of the last deduction colonies in Proconsular Africa; the site preserves magnificent colonnades, but also a splendid triumphal arch, a theatre which rests on steep terrain and which offers an incomparable view of a landscape, undoubtedly the most Virgilian of African landscapes!

You will then join Constantine. Ancient Cirta, capital of the Kingdom of Numidia between 300 and 46 BC, remembers the famous Numidian kings Syphax and Jugurtha! It owes its current name to Constantine; it is one of the most important cities in eastern Algeria, it is famous for its suspension bridges!

Early morning departure for Timgad with a stopover at the oldest preserved ancient royal mausoleum in North Africa.

After an hour and a half drive, you will stop in front of the Medghassen mausoleum. Impressive in its size and architecture, it is of Numidian work dating from the 3rd century BC. According to mediaeval historians, it takes its name from a king of Numidia, named Madghis.

After this first visit, we continued our journey towards Timgad (1h30). We arrive in the Roman city which once bore the name of Thamugadi in antiquity, founded by the emperor Trajan. Lunch will be before the visit.

Finally, continue with a visit to Lambèse, ancient Lambaesis. The size and state of conservation of the ruins allow any visitor to immerse themselves in a real, centuries-old Roman city.

At the end of the afternoon, we will take the return road to Constantine.

Discover the different districts of Constantine and its surroundings with numerous historical monuments. In the 16th century, the capital of the Beylik of Constantine was the seat of Beylical power, vassal of the regency of Algiers. During the conquest of Algeria by the French, it was taken in 1837, after a failure in 1836. You will go to the impressive Rhumel gorge which you can admire from the various bridges and footbridges which cross it: suspension bridge of Sidi M ‘Cid, El Kantara bridge...

In the afternoon you will head towards the Roman site of Tiddis. The ruins of the city are located a few dozen kilometres from Constantine, whose protection it was responsible for during Roman times. Its fortified position at the entrance to the Khreneg gorges made it an ideal outpost.

An imposing gate topped with an arch marked the entrance to the city. Some buildings have been exhumed and form ocher-coloured spots in the middle of wild vegetation.

After breakfast, we leave Constantine and travel toward Bejaia. Along the way, we stop in Jijel, renowned for its Corniche Jijelienne, where stunning Mediterranean views meet lush, mountainous landscapes.

As we continue through the Kabyle region, we admire its rich Berber heritage and beautiful olive groves, known for producing world-class olive oil. The journey offers breathtaking vistas of rugged mountains and charming countryside. The day concludes with a mesmerizing sunset over the Kabylie hills before arriving in Bejaia.

Start your morning with a coffee at a cozy café overlooking Bejaia Bay, setting the tone for the day ahead.

Visit Cap Carbon, home to one of the Mediterranean’s tallest lighthouses, and take in breathtaking coastal views. Then, explore Gouraya National Park, where scenic trails and wildlife like Barbary macaques await. Stop at the Yemma Gouraya Shrine for panoramic views and cultural insight.

Enjoy a delicious Kabyle lunch, featuring couscous, seafood, and traditional desserts, at a local restaurant.

Stroll through the historic casbah of Bejaia, explore the ancient Roman ruins of Saldae, and learn about the city’s fascinating past.

End your day at a lively artisan market, perfect for finding handcrafted souvenirs, before relaxing at your hotel with a stunning view of the Mediterranean Sea.

After days of adventure and exploration, it’s time to relax and recharge. Spend your day at one of Bejaia’s serene beaches, like Tichy or Boulimat, where soft golden sands meet the sparkling Mediterranean Sea.

Take a refreshing swim in the crystal-clear waters or simply lounge on the shore, soaking up the sun and enjoying the tranquil sound of the waves. For a more active experience, try beachside activities like paddleboarding or snorkeling. Enjoy delicious seafood at a nearby beach café and take in the breathtaking coastal views as you reflect on the journey so far. This relaxing day is the perfect way to conclude your Bejaia adventure.

As an overall ethos, wherever possible we aim to use characterful accommodation that enhances the overall travel experience, not just offers a bed for the night. This can obviously vary dramatically from trip to trip.

This tour includes only one night of wild camping, giving you a short but exciting taste of the outdoors.Whether you're nestled under a canopy of stars or waking up to the serene sounds of nature, this experience promises a memorable adventure. Our dedicated team ensures that you have all the essentials to make your night comfortable and safe, even in the wilderness. For the rest of the journey, you'll be staying in charming lodgings that reflect the local culture and history, adding a unique flavor to your travel story. Each location is carefully selected to provide a genuine connection to the area, making your travels as enriching as they are enjoyable.

to sprinkle a bit of comfort in the desert, we’ll provide camping tables and chairs. But let’s be clear—this isn’t glamping with all the bells and whistles! You’ll have sleeping mats and pillows at your disposal, but don’t forget to pack your trusty sleeping bag.

Visa on Arrival – Free Support Service

To make travel easier, we also provide a free Visa on Arrival support service. There is no need to visit a consulate. You simply complete a short form and provide the required details, and we take care of the process for you, ensuring a smooth and stress-free arrival in Algeria.

If you would like us to send you a quote for the suggested tour flights or on any alternative flight that may suit you better, please let us know, For this trip our suggested flights from the UK (subject to change) are shown below.

If you plan to book your own flights, please check with us first to confirm the trip is going ahead. We also recommend choosing flights that are flexible and preferably refundable, as adventure travel plans can change at any time. For full details, please see our booking conditions.

Letters of Invitation can only be issued when your full travel plans, both before and after the tour, are arranged through us. ALGERIAN ADVENTURE serves as your sponsor during your visit, so we’re unable to provide this document if any part of your trip is booked independently. Our team is happy to guide you before you confirm any plans to make sure all required paperwork can be arranged.

Algeria has minimal tourist infrastructure and receives far fewer visitors than neighbouring countries like Morocco or Tunisia. As such service levels cannot be compared and logistically Algeria remains a ‘challenging’ destination, almost guaranteeing that things are unlikely to always go according to plan! However for us that is half the enjoyment of travelling in Algeria.

Anyone in a reasonable state of health, with an open mind and a sense of adventure should be perfectly able to cope with this tour, as many of the activities are optional. Although there are no major walks involved in this trip, please be aware that some of the Roman sites and city tours can involve a fair amount of walking uphill and downhill over uneven ground and on stairs.

It is important to note that during the trip, some restroom facilities may be traditional squat toilets or long-drop toilets. We recommend bringing toilet paper and hand sanitizer.

Please note that when driving in Algeria it is often compulsory for tourist groups to be accompanied by a security convoy in places. The guards in the convoy will change over as we cross from one wilaya (province) to the next. This can significantly increase journey times, resulting in a number of quite long drives so please be prepared for this.

Please be aware that vegetarians can be catered for quite well but the selection and variety for vegans and especially for gluten-free can be very limited in places. People with specific dietary requirements should consider such limitations carefully and we suggest you discuss your needs with us before booking this tour.

Flexibility and the nature of travel in Algeria: For security reasons it might be necessary to change this itinerary at very short notice, and clients must be flexible enough to deal with this and acknowledge that this is an inherent part of travel to Algeria. While we will always try & visit as much of the itinerary as possible, we reserve the right to omit any destination due to security concerns and offer an alternative in its place.

Write to Us

Call Us

Threads of Time

Duration: 11 days

Maximum Group Size: 14

Tour Code: COT

Tour Price - £2195

Deposit

Highlights

At a Glance

Meals

Transport

Group Size

Carbon Contributions

Expert Team

Accommodation

Entrance Fees

Fitness Rating

Itinerary

Day 01 – Welcome to Algiers, embark on an enchanting journey through Algeria

Day 02 – Algiers: Casbah and Bab El Oued

Day 03 – Algiers – Tipaza – Algiers

Day 04 – Algiers, the European city

Day 05 – Algiers – Djemila – Constantine 380 km

Day 06 – Constantine – Timgad The ancient Roman city

Day 07 – Constantine – Tidis

Day 08 – Constantine – Jijel- Bejaia

Day 09 - Bejaia

Day 10 - Bejaia

Day 11 - Farewell Algeria

Accommodation

Getting There

Visa on Arrival – Free Support Service

Extensions

Ghardaia - door to the dunes ( 2–3 nights)

Tipaza – Roman Coast (2 nights)

Oran – The Andalusian Spirit (2–3 nights)

Tlemcen – Granada of Africa (2–3 nights)

Annaba – Saint Augustine’s City (2–3 nights)

Skikda – Hidden Coastal Gem (2 nights)

Climate

Key Aspects to Consider

What's Not Included

Dates and Prices

Write to Us

Call Us

Subscribe to our newsletter

There was an issue