Private tour itinerary
Timimoun Desert Escape — 5 Days
Five days in the red oasis country of Timimoun — ksour and palm groves, ancient water channels, great dunes, and dinner under the stars. Private trip on your own dates, with a licensed local guide.
Day by day
Day 1Arrival in Timimoun
Welcome at Timimoun and transfer to the Ti Massin guesthouse, with time to settle in before a traditional dinner and overnight stay.
- Timimoun — The "red oasis" of the Gourara — an entire town built in red-ochre Sudanese-style earth architecture above a salt lake.
- The Ti Massin guesthouse — A traditional red-earth house of courtyards and terraces, and the base for the whole stay.
- The escarpment at sunset — The ledge above the sebkha where Timimoun’s walls turn deep orange in the last light, before a traditional dinner.
Day 2Charouine — ksour & palm groves
An excursion to Charouine for Ksar Guentour and its palm grove, an open-air lunch, and the ksar and oasis at Tala, returning for a dune sunset and a festive evening with music.
- Ksar Guentour & its palm grove — A red-mud ksar above its palmery — classic Gourara architecture.
- The ksar & oasis at Tala — Another oasis of earthen towers among the palms.
- Dune sunset & music evening — Sand at dusk and an evening of local Gourara music.
Day 3Aghlad & Ouled Saïd — foggaras
Visit the gardens and ancient foggara channels of Ouled Saïd, a palm-grove picnic with tea at Beni Aïssi and its ksar, and sunset over the large dunes.
- The Ouled Saïd foggaras — Ancient underground irrigation galleries threading water to the gardens — Saharan ingenuity at its finest.
- Beni Aïssi & its ksar — A palm-grove picnic and tea beside an old ksar.
- The large dunes — Sunset over the high sand.
Day 4Desert adventure & star dinner
The Ighzer site in the morning, then an afternoon 4x4 safari across golden dunes to a panoramic sunset, followed by a desert-camp 'Merdoum' dinner under the stars.
- The Ighzer site — A desert site explored in the cool of the morning.
- 4×4 dune safari — Golden dunes to a panoramic sunset.
- A 'Merdoum' camp dinner — A traditional sand-pit-roasted Merdoum feast under the stars.
Day 5Market & departure
Visit Timimoun's traditional market for spices and handicrafts, then the return transfer toward Algiers.
- Timimoun's market — The red town's market for spices and handicrafts.
- The old ksar quarter — A last walk through the red-earth lanes and the arcaded covered passages of the old town.
- The road north — The return transfer toward Algiers along the northern edge of the Grand Erg Occidental.
Included
- Pickup and drop-off in Timimoun
- Air-conditioned vehicle / 4x4 for excursions
- 4 nights at the Ti Massin guesthouse
- Daily breakfast
- Lunches and dinners as per program
- Traditional 'Merdoum' desert dinner
- Professional local guide
- Entrance fees and local taxes
Not included
- International and domestic flights
- Lunch on day 5
- Personal expenses
- Drinks outside meals
- Travel insurance
- Tips
Good to know
- Best season: October–March
- Pace: Easy to moderate
- Style: Private, guided, 4 nights at a guesthouse; meals as listed
- Bring: Warm layers for night, sun protection, modest dress
How to book
- Your dates are held free for 72 hours while we confirm.
- Free cancellation up to 5 days before departure.
- 5% off when you book 60+ days ahead.
- Visa support included; full refund if your visa is refused.
https://algeriacompass.com/tours/timimoun-desert-escape/