Algeria Grand Erg OccidentalCustomised and Open Registration 7 March 2026 - 23 March 2026
|
|
|
Across the Soul of the Sahara Lose (or find ;-) yourself in the endless dunes of the Grand Erg Occidental and embark on a 4x4/motorcycle expedition through the heart of the Algerian Desert. Pure, rugged, and unforgettable. Brief Data March 7 - March 23, 2026 Participants: Minimum 10 Self-sufficiency: 1000 km of asphalt Duration: 17 days – 16 nights Difficulty level: Medium Total kilometers: approx. 3,000 km in Algeria THE JOURNEY ALGERIA 4X4/motorbike – GRAND ERG OCCIDENTALE The dunes of the Grand Erg Occidentale, its valleys, its cliffs! Timimoun and Ghardaia – two pearls that alone are worth the trip! A 4x4 journey through the endless charm of the dunes of the Grand Erg Occidentale, which dominate the landscape and form a backdrop of ever-changing hues stretching out as far as the eye can see. With landscapes among the most evocative in the Sahara, and oases that are true architectural jewels – immersed in the prehistoric Saharan world – thanks to beautiful rock carvings and magical wells from Bedouin legends. A place of silence, magnificence, and simplicity. We will explore this northern part of the Algerian Sahara, which also reveals two different facets of the civilizations that, for millennia and through tireless effort, made parts of the desert habitable by adapting it to human needs. Timimoun, an enchanting place, described in books as “the red oasis” due to the color of its soil and the distinctive red clay buildings. Thanks to its location – perched on the edge of a rocky plateau next to an ancient salt lake, with sand dunes in the background – it offers stunning views with clusters of small villages, deep red caves, and lush palm groves. The oasis of Timimoun is one of the oldest examples of long underground canals (some several kilometers long) used to collect and distribute water. These are still partially functional and are known as Foggara. Ghardaia, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, lies in the strikingly deep and narrow valley of the M’Zab. It is surrounded by a pentapolis of five towns rising from the landscape, each characterized by pastel-colored buildings, narrow winding alleys, and covered passageways – a true delight to explore. This place was chosen to protect a persecuted population, the Mozabites, followers of a minority interpretation of Islam. Of pure Berber origin, their strict beliefs and religious practices have preserved their racial purity and maintained customs and traditions unchanged through the centuries. With their own hands, they dug wells, planted palm groves, and built – one by one – the five cities of the M’Zab: Beni Isguen the holy city, Melika the queen, Bou Nura the radiant, El Atteuf the oldest, and Ghardaia the capital. And with our romantic spirit – typical of anyone who loves the desert – we cannot help but be enchanted by the legend of Ghardaia’s origin: It tells of a young woman named “Daia” who was traveling through the M’Zab with a group of nomads when she decided to wander off in search of water. She soon realized the group had left her behind. Alone and frightened, she found shelter in a cave – Ghar in the local language. At night, she would light a fire for warmth and protection. The fire’s light was seen by a man camped in the hills above. Curious about the flickering light, he sent his servant to investigate. The servant returned with the beautiful Daia. The man fell in love with her and married her, founding a city in her honor and naming it after her… A journey that invites you to embrace a people who have left their mark through the centuries, set against a backdrop of nature’s raw and overwhelming beauty. Thanks Moh Mouissi for these pictures.
|
ITINERARY March 7: Departure from Genoa: ferry departs at 7:00 PM. Departure from Palermo: ferry departs late morning. Arrival expected late evening in Tunis. After leaving the port, transfer to Hammamet for overnight stay. March 8: After disembarking in Tunis, transfer by road to Gafsa. We hope to leave the port quickly. This stretch (after some extra sleep on the ferry) brings us closer to the Algerian border, saving time the next day for customs procedures, which are notoriously long and tedious. Meet-up with the participants departing from Palermo. Dinner on your own along the way. We will travel in small groups. Overnight in hotel. March 9: We reach Taleb Larbi and meet the group that left a few days earlier. Border crossing – usually takes 4 to 5 hours. Late afternoon arrival in El Oued, all on paved roads. March 10: We continue by asphalt road toward Ghardaia. Before entering the city, we turn toward Brezina and pass through beautiful Metlili, nestled in an oasis at the foot of cliffs. Around midday we finally leave the asphalt behind and head west – the “real” expedition begins. First night camping under the stars. March 11–15: We cross the northern side of the Grand Erg Occidentale from east to west: an immense sea of dunes, the desert of our imagination. Along the way, we find abandoned fortified villages and magical desert landscapes painted in natural colors. We’ll drive over dune belts, fast tracks, and dry riverbeds, eventually reaching the magnificent oases surrounding the sebka of Timimoun – named after the red clay used to build the houses. We’ll camp along the route and stay on the campground in Timimoun. March 16: We leave Timimoun after visiting the sebka (the dried bottom of an ancient lake, now a salt basin lined with small oases and irrigated palm groves fed by ingenious water systems). We then head directly toward Ghardaia. Wild camping. March 17–18: We ascend northward toward Ghardaia, re-entering the dunes – as a farewell to this sandy wonderland. Camping along the way. March 19: Ghardaia: Visit to the holy city of Beni Isghen, the most traditional and best preserved. A walking tour of the town, a marvel of beauty and constructive intelligence. Built on a hill inside a rocky canyon, it is walled and crowned by a minaret in Sudanese style. The pastel-colored houses cascade down the slopes. The city’s functional architecture inspired many modern architects, including Le Corbusier. The market square is surrounded by arcaded houses, with facades decorated with carpets. Everything can be found here, from silver bracelets to fabrics, from tomatoes to dates. March 20: Morning departure toward the Tunisian border. March 21: Customs procedures in the morning and entry into Tunisia. Transfer to Gafsa. Dinner and overnight in hotel. Return to Palermo: Once in Tunisia, transfer to the port of Tunis for the ferry. Scheduled departure at 3:30 AM on February 18. Arrival in Palermo on February 18 at 4:30 PM. March 22: Transfer to the port of Tunis where we board in the afternoon for Italy. Arrival in Genoa on March 23. NOTE: ferry departure and arrival times may be subject to change. Due to the nature of the itinerary – planned in “challenging” areas – significant changes may occur due to weather, security issues, or revoked permits. In such cases, (the travel company) will make the necessary changes in agreement with local authorities, always prioritizing the safety of participants. PRICES:
FROM CIVITAVECCHIA/PALERMO:Price to be calculated at time of booking INCLUDED IN THE PRICE (valid for minimum 10 participants):
EXTRA INCLUSIONS FOR PASSENGERS IN ORGANIZATION VEHICLES:
NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:
|
