These are the questions we are actually asked, in the order we are asked them. If yours is not here, write to us on WhatsApp and we will answer it directly.
The tourist regions of Algeria are safe, and the country receives visitors from across Europe, Asia and the Americas every season. Petty crime rates are low by regional standards, and Algerians are notably hospitable towards foreign visitors.
The important nuance is geographic. Border zones with Libya, Mali and Niger carry travel restrictions, and the Algerian authorities require permits and licensed guides for travel in parts of the deep south. Our itineraries operate only in permitted areas, with all authorisations arranged in advance. Check your own government’s current travel advice as well – it is written for your nationality and updated regularly.
Almost certainly yes, and there is no e-visa for Algeria. Depending on your itinerary you will either apply at an Algerian consulate before travelling, or receive a visa on arrival at a southern airport – the latter available only to travellers with a licensed local operator. We cover both routes in detail on our Algeria visa guide, and we issue the required invitation letter for every confirmed booking.
We quote each request individually because the honest answer depends on group size, season and comfort level. A four-day desert itinerary and a nine-day expedition with internal flights are different propositions, and a couple travelling privately pays a different rate per person than a group of eight.
What is fixed: our quotes are all-inclusive on the ground. Transfers, guide, full board, accommodation, permits and site entries are in the price. The two costs outside it are your international flights and your visa fee. Published starting prices are on the packages page.
For Sahara departures between December and February, three to four months ahead. Those windows fill first and the visa process needs runway. For other periods, six to eight weeks is usually enough. Northern Algeria can often be arranged with less notice.
| Region | Best months | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Sahara (Djanet, Hoggar, Timimoun, M’Zab) | October to April | May to September – dangerous daytime heat |
| Northern cities (Algiers, Constantine, Oran) | March to June, September to November | July and August – hot and crowded |
| Mountains (Kabylie, Djurdjura, Aures) | April to June, September to October | January and February – snow at altitude |
December and January give the clearest desert skies and the coldest nights – temperatures near freezing after dark are normal in the erg. Pack accordingly.
Algerian cooking is Mediterranean and Berber rather than heavily spiced: couscous, tagines, grilled meats, fresh bread, dates, and mint tea served throughout the day. On desert itineraries our cooks prepare meals on site, including Merdoum – meat slow-cooked under hot sand, a genuinely distinctive regional dish rather than a tourist performance.
Vegetarian travellers are easy to accommodate. Vegan, gluten-free and other specific diets are possible but need advance notice so we can plan supplies before leaving the last town.
A mix, depending on the itinerary: guesthouses and small hotels in towns, and bivouac camps in the desert. Camps mean mattresses and blankets under the open sky or in Tuareg tents, with a communal fire and simple washing facilities. It is comfortable but it is not a hotel, and that is the point.
Mobile coverage is good in cities and in southern towns like Djanet, Tamanrasset and Ghardaia. It disappears in the erg and on the Tassili plateau, sometimes for two or three days at a time. Our teams carry satellite communication for emergencies. Tell anyone at home to expect silence for stretches – it is normal, not a problem.
Stick to bottled or filtered water, which we supply throughout your trip. It is included in your itinerary, not an extra.
Algeria is a Muslim country and alcohol is not served in most places, particularly in the south. We do not include it in our itineraries. If this matters to your trip, raise it before booking.
Yes, and we host solo women travellers regularly. Algeria is a conservative country, and dressing modestly – covered shoulders and knees – avoids unwanted attention and is appreciated. On our expeditions you are with a guide throughout, which removes most of the friction of navigating a country where English is not widely spoken.
Most itineraries involve two to four hours of walking on some days, over sand or rock, at a relaxed pace. No technical skill or previous trekking experience is required. The Hoggar and Tassili routes are the most demanding; the M’Zab, Taghit and northern city routes are the gentlest. Tell us about knees, backs, altitude sensitivity or mobility limits in advance and we will adapt the route rather than let you discover the problem on day three.
Yes. Shorter Sahara routes and northern itineraries work well for families. We adjust driving distances, add rest time and keep walking sections manageable. Tell us your children’s ages when you enquire and we will tell you honestly which itineraries fit.
Cancellation terms are set out in the proposal we send you, before you pay anything. We aim to be reasonable: circumstances change, and a rigid policy helps nobody. What we cannot recover are costs already committed on your behalf – internal flights, permits and accommodation deposits.
Yes, on any itinerary and any dates. Private departures suit couples, families, photography groups and anyone who prefers to set their own pace. Tell us what you have in mind and we will build it. See also our VIP programmes and our full list of services.
Write to us. We answer everything, including questions from people who are still deciding whether to come at all.
WhatsApp +213 770 73 72 54 | Phone +213 698 91 34 93 | a94mine@gmail.com
You can also browse our tour packages or read the travel journal.
