We will dedicate this day to discovering the capital of Algeria. We’ll take a walk through the oldest district — the famous Casbah, built between 1516 and 1830 on the ruins of ancient Icosium. We’ll view the Ottoman citadel from the outside (as it is currently used as a military fort), and then dive into a maze of narrow streets and alleys that still carry their unique charm, even in their current decay. Eventually, we’ll reach the elegant doors of former Ottoman palaces. Then, we’ll have lunch.

In the afternoon, we’ll visit the Notre Dame d’Afrique cathedral, perched in a stunning panoramic position overlooking the Bay of Algiers. In the evening, we’ll enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and spend the night at the hotel.

In the morning, we will head to the coast east of the capital. Our first stop will be the “Tomb of the Christian,” a unique circular monument set in a panoramic location on the Algerian coast. It is believed to be the mausoleum of King Juba II and his wife Cleopatra Selene.

Then we’ll continue to the city of Cherchell (around 80 km), formerly known as Caesarea. This city was part of the Phoenician maritime network and was later renamed by the Romans in honor of the emperor. It became the capital of the Kingdom of Mauretania, a key and loyal Roman ally. In the city center, we’ll visit an impressive museum that houses some of the finest Greek and Roman sculptures in North Africa.

After that, we will travel east to Tipasa, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, and visit the archaeological site overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Tipasa was originally founded by the Phoenicians, then turned into a military colony by Emperor Claudius, and later became a Roman municipality. The ancient city is spread across three hills near the sea, and features ruins of three churches, two cemeteries, baths, an amphitheater, and a nymphaeum. In 1982, the site was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list.

In the afternoon, we will return to Algiers. Dinner at a restaurant.

In the morning, we depart for Djemila — truly “the beautiful.” Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this is the best-preserved Roman city in North Africa. It lies on a rocky spur where two wadis meet at the base of a 1400-meter mountain. Founded at the end of the 1st century as a colony for Roman veterans, Djemila is one of the most breathtaking Roman sites, set in a stunning natural landscape. We’ll explore the forum of Septimius Severus, the temple dedicated to Mars — the city’s patron god — and the Arch of Caracalla. At the on-site museum, we’ll admire vibrant mosaics and ancient everyday objects.

After lunch, we’ll head toward Constantine. We’ll arrive in the late afternoon. Dinner at the hotel.

Early in the morning, we'll begin our tour of Constantine, a city of incredible beauty, with both modern and modern bridges, markets and restaurants, souvenir shops, and stalls of local vendors. Transfer to the domestic terminal for your flight for the 23:20 flight to Djanet. Land at 01:30, meet our Tuareg crew, transfer to the desert camp, and overnight in a bivouac.

We enter the vast, sculpted dunes of Erg Admer—one of the Sahara’s largest sand seas—and continue to Tegharghart to view the famed “Crying Cow” petroglyph, over 7,000 years old. Tuareg guides and researchers regard it as a Neolithic masterpiece for its incision work, realism, and the emotion it conveys. Overnight in a bivouac.

We cross golden dunes to the secluded Iherir oasis—a living sanctuary in the desert. The valley, part of the Tassili n’Ajjer UNESCO World Heritage and a UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Reserve, holds the region’s only perennial water source. We explore wadis and gueltas that reveal unexpectedly lush scenery. Overnight in a guesthouse.

A guided hike leads us through oleander-lined passages of Essendilene Canyon for a vivid, multi-sensory walk: vibrant colors, the heady scent of blossoms, and light filtering into natural “tunnels.” The rock walls rise and draw closer, shaping an impressive gorge that opens onto an emerald guelta. Along a dusty track, a nomadic village appears—traditional tents woven from natural fibers resting under the wide desert sky. We pause here to share an authentic moment with Tuareg women and children. Overnight in a bivouac.

Across shifting landscapes we reach Tikoubaouine, a signature site of Tassili n’Ajjer. Before us rises a sandstone arch in the shape of an elephant, a natural sculpture carved by millennia of wind and time. The surrounding formations resemble works by an unseen artist, and among the dunes we come upon a pre-Islamic tomb—a quiet relic that pulls us back through the centuries. Along the way we pause at shelter after shelter to admire multiple rock paintings that carry us into the Neolithic: hunting scenes, wild fauna, and traces of everyday life left by prehistoric artists. Overnight in a bivouac.

We continue via Tifartasen and drive to Djanet, the cradle of Tuareg culture. We tour the old town and browse the local market, where Tuareg craftsmanship comes alive—shimmering textiles, jewelry, and handmade goods reflecting the region’s rich heritage. Check in to a guesthouse for dinner and a shower. Overnight in a guesthouse.