# Eastern Algeria & Sahara Discovery — 6 Days

> A six-day arc across eastern Algeria — the bridges of Constantine, Roman Djémila and Timgad, a Saharan gateway at Bou Saada and a day at Béjaïa.

- Price: from €912 per person (private trip or small group)
- Duration: 6 days · 5 nights
- Starts: Algiers — Airport
- Best season: Spring & autumn
- Guides speak: English, French, Spanish, Italian, Arabic, German, Russian
- Visa on arrival at Algiers airport possible: yes (the programme includes the Sahara)
- Web page: https://algeriacompass.com/tours/algeria-eastern-sahara-discovery/
- Book (request, no payment to enquire): https://algeriacompass.com/contact/?tour=algeria-eastern-sahara-discovery

## Overview

A grand loop through the Algerian east, where Roman cities, dramatic gorges, desert gateways and the Mediterranean sit within a day's drive of each other. You take in Constantine, the vertiginous city of bridges; the UNESCO Roman cities of Djémila and Timgad; the oasis edge around Bou Saada and Biskra; and a final coastal day at Béjaïa. It's the richest single route through the country's north-east.

## Highlights

- The suspension bridges of Constantine
- The Roman ruins of Djémila and Timgad (UNESCO)
- Oasis and desert landscapes around Bou Saada
- The Mediterranean coast at Béjaïa
- Algiers, the historic capital

## Day by day

### Day 1 — Algiers to Constantine

Arrive in Algiers and transfer to Constantine, with its suspension bridges, the Emir Abdelkader Mosque and the old town; overnight in Constantine.
- **Constantine's bridges**: The 'City of Bridges' spanning the dizzying Rhumel gorge, the Sidi M'Cid footbridge slung high above it.
- **The Emir Abdelkader Mosque**: One of Africa’s largest mosques, its twin minarets a modern landmark of Constantine.
- **The Souika old town**: The tight lanes of Constantine’s old medina clinging to the rock.

### Day 2 — Constantine to Sétif

Travel to Sétif and the UNESCO Roman ruins of Djémila, then explore the city center; overnight in Sétif.
- **Djémila (Cuicul)**: A UNESCO Roman city in green mountains, superbly preserved — forum, temples and a steep theatre.
- **The Djémila mosaics**: On-site mosaics among the richest in the Roman world, in the site museum.
- **Aïn El Fouara, Sétif**: The beloved 1898 fountain at the city's heart, Sétif's enduring symbol.

### Day 3 — Sétif to Batna

Continue to Batna and the UNESCO Roman city of Timgad, with time at local heritage sites; overnight in Batna.
- **Timgad**: Trajan's grid-planned colony of AD 100 — the 'Pompeii of the Aurès', laid out across the open plain.
- **Trajan's Arch**: The triumphal arch framing Timgad's main street — the city's iconic silhouette.
- **The Timgad library & theatre**: The ruins of a rare Roman public library and a 3,500-seat theatre still in use today.

### Day 4 — Batna to Biskra to Bou Saada

Cross to Biskra, the gateway to the Sahara, for its palm groves and oasis scenery, then on to Bou Saada and its traditional markets; overnight in Bou Saada.
- **Biskra palm groves**: The 'Queen of the Ziban' — a great date-palm oasis marking the true start of the Sahara.
- **Bou Saada**: The 'City of Happiness', an oasis town long beloved of painters.
- **Bou Saada souks**: Traditional markets for silver, wool and dates.

### Day 5 — Bou Saada to Algiers

Visit Zaouia El Hamel and nearby heritage, then transfer to Algiers for a free evening; overnight in Algiers.
- **The El Hamel zawiya**: A hilltop Rahmaniyya Sufi shrine and Quranic school above Bou Saada — calm, austere and panoramic.
- **Bou Saada and the Ouled Naïl foothills**: The "city of happiness" — a palm oasis at the foot of bare ochre hills, and a painters’ town since the 19th century.
- **The road north to Algiers**: Up out of the steppe across the Hodna plain and over the Tell Atlas, arriving in the capital for a free evening.

### Day 6 — Béjaïa & departure

A day trip to Béjaïa for its fortress, Cap Carbon and coastal views, then the transfer to the airport.
- **Gouraya fort, Béjaïa**: A fort high above Béjaïa with sweeping Kabyle-coast views.
- **Cap Carbon**: A dramatic cape and lighthouse on one of the Mediterranean's most beautiful coastlines.
- **The Béjaïa corniche**: The cliff road between Gouraya and Cap Carbon, above the coves that made this stretch of the Kabyle coast famous.

## Included

- Airport meet & assist and transfers
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- 5 nights hotel accommodation
- Daily breakfast
- Licensed tour guide
- All entrance fees
- Béjaïa day excursion

## Not included

- International flights
- Lunches and dinners
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Tips

## Questions

**Which UNESCO sites are included?**
The Roman cities of Djémila and Timgad.

**Is there a lot of driving?**
Yes — it's a touring route across the east, with scenic transfers each day.

**Is the desert part deep-desert camping?**
No — you reach the Saharan gateway around Bou Saada and Biskra rather than deep-desert camps.

**Is breakfast included?**
Yes — daily breakfast, plus the Béjaïa excursion and entrance fees.

## Booking & policies

- Request to book: dates are held free for 72 hours with no payment while availability, permits and flights are confirmed; a 20% deposit paid before arrival then secures the trip, and the balance is paid on arrival in Algeria. Payment by bank transfer, card or PayPal.
- 5% off when booked at least 60 days before departure.
- Free cancellation up to 5 days before departure, full refund. Within 5 days, committed costs may not be recoverable; the rest is refunded.
- If the visa is refused, everything paid to Algeria Compass is refunded.
- Visa: Consulate route: invitation letter 25 USD for a programme of at least 3 days with airport pickup and drop-off. Visa on arrival at Algiers airport for organised programmes that include the Sahara: authorisation 45 USD, plus the arrival stamp paid at the airport (by length of stay).