About Ghardaia
Ghardaia is one of the unique Saharan cities from an architectural, urban and environmental point of view, situated in the center of the Northern part of the Sahara. The M'Zab valley reaches up to Ghardaia with an altitude of 500 meters. It is in the hollow of Oued M'Zab, a long valley on the edge of the Sahara built on rocky peaks, that the pentapole was erected. It is a cluster of 5 towns namely : Ghardaia, Melika, Beni Isguen, Bou Noura and El-Atteuf. Each of these five (05) towns is surrounded by hills ravaged by rain erosion. The city was inscribed under the UNESCO world heritage list in 1982.
Roaming around the city of Ghardaia will help you to discover and admire the peculiar architecture of the Ksours imposed by the rigor due to the social ideal of rationality and functionality that is dictated by the harshness of the environment.
You are going to leave the modern world behind by exploring the old towns of the M'Zab Valley and meet with the authenticity of another world with another atmosphere. It is a place where you are going to experience the world of souks, narrow cobbled streets, small shops and traditionally dressed men and women of all ages.
If you want to visit this exotic city. Our travel experts will be happy to assist you to plan a memorable moment.
Itinerary
09h00
After breakfast, you will meet your guide in the hotel's lobby at 9h00.
Our starting point begins with the exploration of the surrounding M'zab Valley comprised of five villages. We start with El Atteuf which is the first village erected by the Mzabite people in the region in 1020 where you can notice palmeraies with the city behind them. You will wander around the narrow passageways of the town, admire the minarets with the distinctive architecture and visit the graves and the 700 year old mosque of Shikh Sidi Brahim.
Then we continue our visit to the Ksar of Ghardaia , also called the pearl of the oases and the capital of the M'zab Valley organized around a hill. where yu are going to see a great mosque which is considered to be the central and focal point around which all the other elements of religious and worldly life are articulated.
After the tour we take lunch at a local restaurant where you are going to taste the traditional cuisine in a place decorated with Ghardaian hand-made tapestry.
With the batteries recharged, we are going straight to the fortified city of Beni Isguen, the most enigmatic of all the M'Zab cities, where you can navigate your way through the narrow maze-like streets with numerous wells through archways and passageways to a small whitewashed old building and also visit the extreme watchtower to have a fantastic view of the town.
We finish our tour by visiting the local liveliest market place of Beni Isguen. The market square of Criée is far from the city center and is located on the outskirts of Ksar. It's the best place where you can buy goods and souvenirs. This place opens daily just after the "Asr" prayer except on Fridays.
17h00
Return back to the hotel.
Price
120€
What is included ?
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All transfers.
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Professional English speaking guide.
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Entrance fees to museums
Duration : between 7 to 8 hours.
Accommodations: 3★, 4★, or 5★ options
PLEASE NOTE
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Dress code must be respectful.
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On Fridays from 12:00 to 14:00, stay at the hotel.
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This is not a fixed itinerary tour so depending on your choice. We can adopt a flexible itinerary and we are open to any other suggestions.
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Tour subject to change based on local conditions
Clients' Experience
