From Algiers to the Mountains of Hoggar, a Journey to the Heart of a Plural Algeria

Arrival in Algiers. Welcome by our companion. Transfer to the Al Aurassi Hotel, a historic five-star luxury hotel in the city of Algiers, created in 1975 and designed by Italian architect Luigi Moretti. It overlooks Algiers Bay. Due to its elevated position, the hotel enjoys a privileged location in the heart of the Algerian capital.

Welcome to Algiers the radiant, jewel of the Mediterranean. Rich in its palaces, mosques, basilicas and gardens, it shines facing the sea like a very dynamic cultural melting pot animated by a young and very welcoming population, visit of the city center… Didouche Mourad Street, Audin Square, the main post office, Zighout Youcef Boulevard, Algiers Opera, Larbi ben M'hidi Street, Emir Abdelkader Square, Pasteur Avenue…

In the early evening, we will dine in these typical restaurants with flavorful atmospheres or at the hotel (Algerian restaurant DAKDAK).

We offer you a number of visits to make during your stay in the capital. These visits are given for informational purposes only and will be organized according to your choices and preferences. A guide will be at your disposal as well as a vehicle to facilitate your travel.

Visit to the Casbah of Algiers

Historic district listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992. Its history dates back to Antiquity, where it was first a Punic port, then Berber and finally Roman. Founded in the 10th century by the Berbers under the Zirid dynasty, it was later enriched by the contributions of other Berber dynasties that successively dominated central Maghreb. It played a central role during the Algerian War, serving as a stronghold for the mujahideen.

Visit to Notre-Dame d'Afrique

The Basilica of Notre-Dame d'Afrique is one of the minor basilicas of the Catholic Church. It is located in the municipality of Bologhine, west of Algiers, on a promontory overlooking the sea at 124 m altitude. It was built by architect Jean-Eugène Fromageau in the Romano-Byzantine style, and consecrated on July 2, 1872. The exterior is characterized by a high dome, fixed on a cylindrical drum. This basilica has the particularity of having the apse to the southwest, rather than to the east as is customary. It is accessible by a cable car that bears its name from Bologhine (formerly Saint-Eugène), where the Saint-Eugène cemetery is located. It is considered "the twin sister of the Marseille Basilica Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde".

At the end of the day, we head to Algiers airport to take the domestic flight to Tamanrasset. The flight between Algiers and Tamanrasset lasts approximately two and a half hours. Departure 23:59 for arrival in Tamanrasset at 02:25 (indicative times).
The flight also offers the opportunity to meet people from different regions and cultures.

Arrival at night. Welcome and transfer to the Adriane Guesthouse. Dinner on site at the restaurant (depending on arrival time).

In the morning, after a quiet breakfast, departure via the guelta road to the Tuareg village of Hirafok, a rock art site located in a region where vegetation is abundant. We set up our bivouac near the village.
In the afternoon, we visit rock art and painting sites in the region. Dinner and overnight in bivouac.

• Hiking

  • 1 hour (easy level)

  • Accommodation: in bivouac set up near the village

• Hermitage of Father Charles de Foucauld

  The hermitage of Father Charles de Foucauld is a place of prayer and contemplation located on the plateau of the Assekrem, in the Hoggar massif. It was there that Father de Foucauld, a former soldier and explorer, lived from 1905 to 1916, sharing the life of the Tuaregs and translating the New Testament into Tamasheq.
  He was assassinated by an armed band on December 1, 1916. His hermitage is today occupied by monks of the congregation of the Little Brothers of Jesus, founded by Father Voillaume in 1933, inspired by the spirituality of Father de Foucauld.

In the morning, after breakfast, departure to Tazrouk, this famous Tuareg village known for the riches of its gardens and its oasis. Thanks to water, the miracle of the strange vegetation that blooms endlessly in a wild and fabulous site at the same time.
Setting up camp near the village.

We visit the surroundings, Aokasit, one of the finest rock needles of the Hoggar.

Departure after breakfast via the Tamanrasset track. We arrive, having crossed the mountains of the Atakor, at the majestic site of Tagmart, its polished granite rocks, its engravings and rock paintings. Taghmart is also a small Tuareg village set in a movie-like scenery.

Last bivouac under the stars of the Hoggar.

We take time to stroll through these amazing places and discover this prehistoric site. We have lunch in the Taghmart region.

By car, we return to Tamanrasset in the afternoon. Opportunities to buy souvenirs at Tamanrasset market.

Last dinner.