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Algeria15 daysMax 12Solo-friendly

Algeria – Desert and History

Fifteen days from Algeria's Mediterranean coast through six UNESCO World Heritage Sites to the Saharan oases and sand seas of the Grand Erg Occidental.

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About this journey

The story behind the route

Algeria’s rich past, as part of the Roman province of Africa Proconsularis, lies beneath layers of Christian and Islamic conquest, and more recent Ottoman and French colonisation. A remarkable mix of Arab, Berber, and French cultural influences, Algeria’s political evolution is ongoing. To visit now offers not only a chance to explore Algeria’s remarkable and complex heritage, but also to experience history being made. From the cities of the coast with their colonial architecture, Roman ruins and cosmopolitan atmosphere to the oases tucked away among mighty sand seas, we encompass the very best that the country has to offer.

For a first-hand insight into the journey, read our traveller review from the April 2026 Algeria – Desert and History tour.

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The journey

Algeria – Desert and History

Key moments

The moments that define this trip

Drawn from the full tour dossier — the standout days, encounters and views our specialists keep coming back to.

Your route
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  1. Algiers: Notre Dame d'Afrique, Martyrs Monument, Casbah (UNESCO) & Palais des Rais

    Explore Algiers across two days - visiting Notre Dame d'Afrique, the Martyrs Monument and the Botanic Gardens before wandering the UNESCO-listed Casbah, an outstanding example of Maghreb architecture. Also visit Bastion 23, the Palais des Rais, notable for its architecture and as the last surviving quarter of the lower Casbah.

  2. Setif Museum & Djemila (UNESCO): Roman Mosaics and Cuicul Ruins

    Visit the National Museum of Setif, home to impressive mosaics from the local Roman period. Continue to Djemila, a UNESCO-listed Berbero-Roman site where the ancient garrison of Cuicul reveals forums, temples, basilicas and triumphal arches set in mountain scenery.

  3. Constantine: Rhumel Gorge, Palace of Ahmed Bey & Sidi M'Cid Bridge

    Discover Constantine, capital of eastern Algeria and named after Roman Emperor Constantine the Great. Visits include the WW1 memorial with views over the Rhumel river, the archaeological museum, the Palace of Ahmed Bey and the famous Sidi M'Cid suspension bridge spanning the dramatic Rhumel Gorge.

  4. Timgad (UNESCO): Arch of Trajan, Amphitheatre and Ancient Library

    Head south to Timgad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating from 100 AD and a remarkable example of ancient town planning. The site includes a library, colonnaded streets, temples, an amphitheatre, the Arch of Trajan and a basilica. On the way, stop at the Medracen - the Tomb of the Numidian Kings.

  5. Canyon of Ghoufi & El Oued on the Edge of the Grand Erg Oriental

    Pass through the gorges of Tighanimine and the breathtaking Canyon of Ghoufi before continuing past the ancient Sidi Okba mosque to El Oued, a city encircled by the sands of the Grand Erg Oriental. If time allows, watch the sunset over the Saharan dunes.

  6. Ghardaia & the M'Zab Valley

    Spend two days in the M'Zab Valley and its largest city Ghardaia, which has maintained a distinctive Mozabite culture unlike the rest of Algeria. The time is spent observing day-to-day routines and exploring the surrounding area.

Key moments for Algeria – Desert and History

Full itinerary · 15 days

Prefer a PDF? Get the printable dossier
Dates & prices

Pick your departure

Reserve your place with a 10% deposit. Final balance due 70 days before departure. Single-room supplements optional — most travellers happily share.

  • Departure
    26 Sept 202610 Oct 2026
    Guaranteed
    From
    £3,895£3,645 pp
    Single supp. +£535
    Book now
  • Departure
    17 Oct 202631 Oct 2026
    Sold out
    From
    £3,895 pp
    Single supp. +£535
    Closed
  • Departure
    11 Apr 202725 Apr 2027
    Guaranteed
    From
    £3,895 pp
    Single supp. +£535
    Book now
  • Departure
    17 Oct 202731 Oct 2027
    Guaranteed
    From
    £3,895 pp
    Single supp. +£535
    Book now
  • Departure
    26 Mar 20289 Apr 2028
    Guaranteed
    From
    £3,895 pp
    Single supp. +£535
    Book now
  • Departure
    8 Oct 202822 Oct 2028
    Guaranteed
    From
    £3,895 pp
    Single supp. +£535
    Book now

Can’t find the right fit?

Every one of our Algeria journeys can be rebuilt around your dates, pace and interests — or we’ll design something entirely new.

Tailor my trip
What's included

Everything covered — and what's not

Included in the price

  • Arrival and departure transfers
  • Overland transport throughout with professional driver
  • All accommodation
  • Services of English-speaking guide / tour leader
  • Meals as listed
  • Entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary

Budget separately for

  • International flights (contact us for expert advice and a quote)
  • Any airport taxes (except when prepaid with any domestic flights)
  • Travel Insurance
  • Visa – when required
  • Drinks
  • Items of personal nature
  • Tips (Discretionary)
Before you go

Essential information

Shared across all tours that visit this destination. Read alongside your individual tour dossier for trip-specific details.

Foreign Office travel advice

The FCDO advises against all travel to within 30km of Algeria's borders with Libya, Mauritania, Mali, Niger and parts of Tunisia. None of these areas are visited on any Undiscovered Destinations Algeria tour. We monitor FCDO guidance continuously and will contact you directly if advice changes in relation to any area on your itinerary.

Voices from the road

What travellers say about us

Reviews from across our small-group programme — Mongolia, Madagascar, the Silk Road and beyond. Independently rated 4.9 Excellent on AITO by 250+ travellers.

An amazing trip! We had the most amazing holiday — over two weeks we had a taste of the cities, the culture, the mountains, a safari, and time at the beach. Our driver/guide made the whole trip very relaxing, and we were welcomed warmly by everyone we met, enjoying fabulous food and drink along the way. Undiscovered Destinations planned a really amazing itinerary for us with great hotels, a fabulous guide/driver, and interesting places to visit — they took great care to ensure we had an excellent holiday. We look forward to booking another holiday with them in the future. Thank you, Mark!

Anna

This adventure was always going to be very full-on, which is how we like our trips. I didn't count on getting bronchitis and ending up in hospital, however. The itinerary was quickly amended to avoid high-altitude destinations as much as possible while still making sure we had a chance to enjoy interesting experiences. While obviously sad to have missed some of the original sites, the revised itinerary was the only sensible option under the circumstances. I was extremely impressed with how Undiscovered Destinations and their local team handled the situation — taking the stress out of it, smoothing the way, rearranging the itinerary and booking new hotels, translating for me with the medical staff, and making sure I always had transport, medicines and anything else I needed. Nothing was too much trouble, and they kept in touch with me, each other, and the insurance company throughout. I can't recommend them enough!

Grete

My wife and I had a wonderful tour with Undiscovered Destinations. We had a different guide at each stop, and all of them were friendly, cheerful and knowledgeable. The local people were welcoming, and we always felt safe and comfortable. The beaches were spectacularly beautiful and empty of people, with warm, clear water, and each stop had its own character — some we loved for their unspoiled scenery, others for their history and the warmth of the welcome. We took the opportunity to snorkel on one of the most pristine reefs we've experienced, swimming with sea turtles and enormous manta rays that came right up to us out of curiosity. A wonderful destination for nature lovers.

Frank

Excellent. Action packed. Our local agent was excellent, and a good choice by Undiscovered Destinations. Because there were only two of us on the holiday, we had different guides at each stop, each one making sure we were handed over safely. All manner of transport was used, and we appreciated the different guiding strategies, the wealth of information given, the high level of English, and the genuine wish to show off their country at its best. Excellent.

Cathy

Far exceeding my expectations, this was one of the best trips I've ever done. A beautiful destination, with interesting history, lively ceremonies, lovely people and — surprisingly, for somewhere that sees so few tourists — absolutely no hassle on the streets. Excellent service from start to finish, with a first-class tour leader.

Lynn

We had a two-week trip with Undiscovered Destinations, flying in for two days first to break up the journey. It was a great trip, because we managed to see so much more than just the capital cities. This was the fourth trip we've taken with Undiscovered Destinations, and each one has been wonderful. Our guides were lovely — very professional and helpful. We rate UD very highly.

Andy

We had a fabulous trip with an excellent local guide, who took great care of us and enthusiastically shared his knowledge of both ancient and recent history, with lots of fascinating personal stories of his own life. We highly recommend this trip — Undiscovered Destinations were great to work with, and we hope to use them again.

Jennie

Everything was great — we got to witness a wonderful variety of wildlife, and thoroughly enjoyed the scenery and the hospitality of the people. A fabulous trip from start to finish.

Debbie

Excellent all-round trip. Drivers were conscientious and careful, accommodation was better than expected, and the scenery was stunning throughout.

Alexis

Fabulous, unusual destination, and great people. A private tour of somewhere little-visited, with great service from start to finish and excellent knowledge and advice from Undiscovered Destinations throughout.

Steve

An amazing trip! We had the most amazing holiday — over two weeks we had a taste of the cities, the culture, the mountains, a safari, and time at the beach. Our driver/guide made the whole trip very relaxing, and we were welcomed warmly by everyone we met, enjoying fabulous food and drink along the way. Undiscovered Destinations planned a really amazing itinerary for us with great hotels, a fabulous guide/driver, and interesting places to visit — they took great care to ensure we had an excellent holiday. We look forward to booking another holiday with them in the future. Thank you, Mark!

Anna

This adventure was always going to be very full-on, which is how we like our trips. I didn't count on getting bronchitis and ending up in hospital, however. The itinerary was quickly amended to avoid high-altitude destinations as much as possible while still making sure we had a chance to enjoy interesting experiences. While obviously sad to have missed some of the original sites, the revised itinerary was the only sensible option under the circumstances. I was extremely impressed with how Undiscovered Destinations and their local team handled the situation — taking the stress out of it, smoothing the way, rearranging the itinerary and booking new hotels, translating for me with the medical staff, and making sure I always had transport, medicines and anything else I needed. Nothing was too much trouble, and they kept in touch with me, each other, and the insurance company throughout. I can't recommend them enough!

Grete

My wife and I had a wonderful tour with Undiscovered Destinations. We had a different guide at each stop, and all of them were friendly, cheerful and knowledgeable. The local people were welcoming, and we always felt safe and comfortable. The beaches were spectacularly beautiful and empty of people, with warm, clear water, and each stop had its own character — some we loved for their unspoiled scenery, others for their history and the warmth of the welcome. We took the opportunity to snorkel on one of the most pristine reefs we've experienced, swimming with sea turtles and enormous manta rays that came right up to us out of curiosity. A wonderful destination for nature lovers.

Frank

Excellent. Action packed. Our local agent was excellent, and a good choice by Undiscovered Destinations. Because there were only two of us on the holiday, we had different guides at each stop, each one making sure we were handed over safely. All manner of transport was used, and we appreciated the different guiding strategies, the wealth of information given, the high level of English, and the genuine wish to show off their country at its best. Excellent.

Cathy

Far exceeding my expectations, this was one of the best trips I've ever done. A beautiful destination, with interesting history, lively ceremonies, lovely people and — surprisingly, for somewhere that sees so few tourists — absolutely no hassle on the streets. Excellent service from start to finish, with a first-class tour leader.

Lynn

We had a two-week trip with Undiscovered Destinations, flying in for two days first to break up the journey. It was a great trip, because we managed to see so much more than just the capital cities. This was the fourth trip we've taken with Undiscovered Destinations, and each one has been wonderful. Our guides were lovely — very professional and helpful. We rate UD very highly.

Andy

We had a fabulous trip with an excellent local guide, who took great care of us and enthusiastically shared his knowledge of both ancient and recent history, with lots of fascinating personal stories of his own life. We highly recommend this trip — Undiscovered Destinations were great to work with, and we hope to use them again.

Jennie

Everything was great — we got to witness a wonderful variety of wildlife, and thoroughly enjoyed the scenery and the hospitality of the people. A fabulous trip from start to finish.

Debbie

Excellent all-round trip. Drivers were conscientious and careful, accommodation was better than expected, and the scenery was stunning throughout.

Alexis

Fabulous, unusual destination, and great people. A private tour of somewhere little-visited, with great service from start to finish and excellent knowledge and advice from Undiscovered Destinations throughout.

Steve

Want to customise this tour?

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More to explore

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Algeria – Highlights of Northern Algeria and the M’Zab Valley – Journeys for Women Collection
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Algeria – Highlights of Northern Algeria and the M’Zab Valley – Journeys for Women Collection

This women-only cultural journey through northern Algeria and the historic M’zab Valley offers a rare opportunity to explore one of North Africa’s most intriguing and least-visited destinations in the company of a local English-speaking female guide. Travelling from the Mediterranean capital of Algiers to the dramatic bridges of Constantine and the Saharan architecture of Ghardaïa, the itinerary reveals a rich tapestry of Roman heritage, Ottoman history, Berber traditions, and living desert culture. Encounters with traditional crafts, historic neighbourhoods, and authentic domestic settings provide meaningful insight into everyday Algerian life beyond the usual tourist routes.

From

£2,495

Ready when you are

Start planning your Algeria adventure

Join a small-group departure, or let our Algeria specialists craft a private journey shaped around your dates and interests.

Common questions

Things travellers usually ask

  • How many travellers will be in my group?

    Maximum 12 travellers — that's the cap on every Undiscovered Destinations small-group tour. Small enough to eat in a local family home; large enough to share the wonder with other like-minded travellers.

  • Can I travel solo?

    Yes — there's no compulsory single supplement on our small-group tours. You get your own room at no extra cost. About 60% of UD travellers come solo, so you'll be in good company.

  • How fit do I need to be?

    Fitness requirements vary by itinerary, from gentle to demanding. The day-by-day tour dossier sets out walking distances, terrain and any altitude so you know what to expect. If you have specific concerns, speak to our team before booking — they can talk you through a typical day.

  • When are the next departures?

    The next available departures are 26 September 2026; 11 April 2027; 17 October 2027. See the "Pick your departure" table further up the page for the full schedule and per-departure pricing.

  • What's included in the tour price?

    Included items vary by tour — see the full list above. On this trip, expect: Arrival and departure transfers; Overland transport throughout with professional driver; All accommodation; and more. International flights and travel insurance are not included.

  • Where exactly does this trip go?

    This tour visits Algeria. Each destination has its own page with practical information, climate, and the attractions our specialists recommend — linked from the itinerary above.

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