Between oases and sands of Gouroura
Six days of camel trekking across the shifting dunes of the Grand Erg Occidental, from Timimoun to the hidden palm groves of Béni Aïssi.
Duration
9 days
Ideal seasons
Jan, Feb, Mar, Oct, Nov, Dec
Style
Expeditions
Comfort
rustique
Travelers
Solo, With friends, Couple
The spirit of travel
The Grand Erg Occidental spreads out a vast sea of sand in a crescent shape over nearly 80,000 km². Here, no mountains, but a succession of dunes reaching up to 120 metres high, shaped by winds and time. A territory where progression is difficult, even for camels, and which the great trans-Saharan caravans long skirted by following its natural boundaries: the Tademaït plateau to the south, the Saoura valley to the west and the Anti-Atlas to the north. For nearly two millennia, these routes made the desert a true crossroads of exchanges. Throughout your camel trek, you advance through a landscape composed of small dune massifs separated by vast depressions of grey sand. The ochre dunes alternate with the darker hues of the hollows, creating a setting that evolves with the rhythm of your progression.
This crossing also immerses you in a desert marked by a long human presence. Palm groves, wells, ancient ksour and caravan trails punctuate your itinerary and testify to its history. An immersion in the heart of the Gourara, between Saharan landscapes, local traditions and nights under the stars.
The stages of your journey
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
Arrival in Timimoun via Algiers
You take your international flight to Algiers. Upon arrival, a representative assists you with formalities and helps you with the transfer between the international terminal and the domestic terminal.
You then continue your journey to Timimoun, where you arrive in the evening. Upon arrival, you are welcomed and transferred to your hotel for check-in.
From Timimoun to Tabelkoza
Timimoun, the red city, reveals its alleys, its vast palm grove, its lush gardens and its particularly ingenious irrigation system, based on water-sharing combs.
Timimoun → Tabelkoza
After the meal, you leave Timimoun and drive towards Tabelkoza (379 m), a small oasis located at the foot of the dunes. At Zaouiet Debarh, the road gives way to a sandy track that you follow to Tabelkoza. Here you meet up with the camel team who will accompany you for the rest of your journey.
On the Trails of Caravans at Qambou Well
Tabelkoza → Oued Boubaker
After the camel loading, you set off on your trek. You cross a first dune ridge before reaching the Oued Boubaker, a vast expanse devoid of dunes. You then return to the sand landscapes that will accompany you until you exit the erg. Your progress takes you through the Tit depression, then into a vast basin where you discover the dry well of Bent Abbad (405 m).
Oued Boubaker → Qambou
You continue your progression to the Qambou well, where water is still present despite the progressive silting up of the well.
Around you, numerous traces bear witness to the passage of caravans, recalling the itineraries taken through these desert landscapes.
Qambou → Ounaïch
After stocking up on water, you continue your hike towards the southwest and pass through the Ounaïch well (414 m). Your route then crosses numerous dune cirques oriented from northeast to southwest. As you progress, small groves of alenda dot the sandy expanses, becoming more numerous at the bottom of the depressions.
Hiking between the dunes and bivouac
Ounaïch → Puits Aïssa
You continue your hike towards the south-west, winding between the dunes whose orientation does not allow you to move in a straight line. Along the way, you may catch a glimpse of the Aïssa well, now filled in by the sand. No water supply is necessary at this stage. At the end of the day, you set up your bivouac in the heart of the dunes for the night.
Camel trek towards Arelab basin
Puits Aïssa → Oulad Aïach
You continue your camel trek heading south, following the desert landscapes. This stage allows you to observe the traces of desert life: Rym gazelles, fennecs, hares or even the skink, this sand fish that burrows into the sand.
You then pass near the significant palm grove of Oulad Aïach (361 m), before reaching the Arelab basin area (351 m), dominated by its ruined ksar. A long sand ridge allows you to access it and observe the surrounding dunes. At the end of the day, you set up your camp in the Arelab basin area.
Oulad Aïach → Béni Aïssi
You join the palm grove of the village of Béni Aïssi, dominated by three imposing ksour installed on the heights of the oasis.
As you progress, the landscape evolves: the dunes gradually lose their vegetation, while you gradually approach the western edge of the erg.
Return to Timimoun
Béni Aïssi → Semouta
You leave the erg to the east and continue your hike through a wide corridor dotted with many small palm groves covered in sand. Following the edge of the rocky coast, you discover several forts, sometimes impressive, including El Mabrouk and Tezmaia, which you take time to visit.
You end your hike in a small palm grove in the village of Semouta, located approximately 15 km from Timimoun.
Semouta → Timimoun
You leave Semouta by car to reach Timimoun. Upon arrival, you settle into your hotel for the night.
Departure from Timimoun and return flight
Price per person
This trip can be tailored to your preferences
This itinerary provides an excellent foundation for discovery, but it can be fully customized. Our local advisors build each trip tailored to your budget, dates and preferences.
Not included
- Visa fees
- The pre-conveyance Province-Paris
- Cancellation Insurance, Repatriation and Travel Risks
- Your personal expenses: beverages, phones, tips
- Costs incurred by a possible extended stay
Included
- Air taxes and security fees
- Transfers according to the program
- Full board throughout the stay
Practical Information
Registration is considered firm and final after payment of a deposit of 30% of the total price and acceptance of the specific terms of sale.
The balance must be paid no later than 45 days before the departure date.
See our specific terms of sale for full details.
In the event of cancellation by the traveller, the following fees apply:
- Plus de 60 jours avant le départ : 40 % du prix total (acompte retenu)
- Entre 60 et 30 jours avant le départ : 50 % du prix total
- Moins de 30 jours avant le départ : 100 % du prix total
We strongly recommend taking out cancellation insurance. See our specific terms of sale for full details.
The information below concerns travelers who are nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland, and Canada traveling to Algeria for a tourist stay. As entry rules may change, we recommend verifying this information with the official authorities before your departure.
Passport
To enter Algeria, your passport must be valid for at least six months after your date of entry into the country and have at least one blank page for immigration stamps.
The document must be in good condition (no damaged, torn, or altered pages).
Visa
Nationals of the European Economic Area, Switzerland, and Canada must be in possession of a valid visa to enter Algeria for a tourist stay. There is no visa exemption for these nationalities.
The visa must be obtained before departure, from the Algerian embassy or consulate responsible for your country of residence. It is recommended to apply several weeks in advance, as processing times may vary.
Documents generally required for a visa application include:
a valid passport with at least six months of remaining validity,
a completed and signed visa application form,
recent passport-sized photos complying with required standards,
a return flight ticket or booking,
proof of accommodation (hotel reservation or invitation),
proof of sufficient financial resources for the duration of your stay.
The authorized length of stay is generally 30 days, depending on the conditions mentioned on the visa issued.
Travel with children
Minors must be holders of their own valid passport covering the duration of their stay.
In some European countries, when a minor travels without one of their parents, an authorization to exit the territory may be required according to the regulations of their country of residence.
Health
No vaccination is officially required to enter Algeria for nationals of the EEA, Switzerland, and Canada. However, it is recommended to consult a doctor or vaccination center before departure and to ensure that basic vaccinations are up to date (diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, hepatitis A).
It is also advisable to take out international health insurance covering medical expenses and repatriation for the entire duration of your stay.
Other nationalities
Entry conditions may vary depending on nationality. Travelers concerned should inquire at the Algerian embassy or consulate of their country of residence.
To participate in our trips, it is strongly advised to have assistance-repatriation and foreign medical expenses insurance.
Your local agency encourages you to familiarize yourself with the specific policy developed with our partner CHAPKA ASSURANCES and AXA ASSISTANCE.
To subscribe to insurance, learn about coverage and rates, follow the link below.
CAP EXPLORER: The complete insurance solution designed for a worry-free trip!
Choose the plan that best suits you:
Explorer'Multirisque
Explorer'Annulation
Explorer'Assistance
Explorer' Complementary Credit Card
Specific to our trips, we strongly recommend subscribing to them.
If you choose to subscribe to one of these plans, the policy detailing all coverage and claims declaration procedures are available on the insurer's website.
Your local agency will be aware of this, but only the participant is responsible for complying with the claims declaration procedures. The participant must therefore keep this policy with them throughout their trip.
Chapka — Cap Explorer
Our insurance partnerTravel with peace of mind with our partner Chapka. Cancellation, repatriation, medical expenses, baggage… All the coverage for a worry-free trip.
Travel with peace of mind — I'll handle the insuranceFrequently asked questions
A tourist visa is required and must be requested from the consulate (consular fees apply, processing time 2-3 weeks). An invitation letter or accommodation certificate is required. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned entry date. Conditions can be stringent. We strongly recommend verifying the rules applicable to your nationality with the Algerian consular authorities before booking your trip.
Go to the My Trips section to find all your projects.
You can send a message to your host directly from the Tea Lounge.
For a tailor-made quality trip, budget between 140 and 240 euros per day and per person, including accommodation, meals, internal transfers and English-speaking guide. International flights (350-700 euros return) are additional. The Algerian Sahara (Tassili, Hoggar) requires a specific budget.
Your documents are accessible in the Documents tab of your trip.
Absolutely. We adapt each itinerary to match your travel profile. For families, we prioritize relaxed paces, family-friendly accommodations, engaging and educational activities, and comfortable private transfers. Our local English-speaking guides know how to captivate children with age-appropriate stories and anecdotes.
It's simple. You exchange with our local team to define your wishes, budget and dates. You receive a detailed itinerary proposal within 48 hours. You refine every detail together until you have the perfect version. You confirm and set off with peace of mind. Your local agency remains available 7 days a week throughout your trip.
In case of emergency, contact your local agency immediately.
Payment is generally made in two installments.
Our agency is part of the Nomadays network, registered in France. You benefit from APST guarantee (Professional Association of Tourism Solidarity) which covers 100% of your funds. Secure payment, repatriation insurance included, and English-speaking assistance 24/7 on site throughout your stay.
Let's talk about your adventure — Great Saharan South
Pioneer of Algeria's great deserts, based in Ghardaïa / M'zab (puis Alger à partir de 2006)
The desert is not crossed with an itinerary alone. It demands listening, respect, and a certain inner availability.
— Louiza
