Is Algeria possible these days without a guide?

[Pat Garrod]

Heading across the Sahara for third time 2-up on R100GS. Aiming to leave November 2006. Having ridden Egypt/Sudan route (Cairo to Cape Town 1995) and western Atlantic route (4 yr round-the-world 1998 to 2002) now aching to see the real Sahara - Algeria. Questions++:
Do we HAVE to have a guide?
Can a guide be sorted on Tunisian border?
If so can we get Algerian visas without having pre-sorted a guide here from UK?
Seems to be Catch-22 in that can't get visa without invitation involving group tour/travel agency/expensive (UK organised) guide.
Would be happy to ride to Tunisia and take chances with meeting other travellers with whom to share cost of guide but must leave UK with Algerian visa in hand.
It seems that Libya to Algeria not currently feasible due to closed southern borders?
Anyone any advice??
My wife (pillion) spoke with Toby Savage who suggested this Forum. Are you out there Chris S? Am a huge fan having bought your A4 Desert Biking bible back in 1994 and watched and used its metamorphosis ever since. Thanks for making it all possible.

[Chris Scott]

Hi Pat, sadly not possible in the desert south which is a pain on a bike I know.
Must be sorted (with visas, invites, etc) in advance:
See http://www.sahara-overland.com/country/algeria.htm

>>>It seems that Libya to Algeria not currently feasible due to closed southern borders?

No longer so, apparently (see other post).

>>> A4 Desert Biking bible back in 1994...
people are always mentioning it - all I can say is that it's got a lot better since!

Even with an escort it will be a great ride - far more impressive than your other 2 routes IMO, even if you just take the TS Highway as far as you can.

Ch

[Haakonbj]

Hi Chris!
In youre recent update about Algerie, youre stating the possibility to aquire a transit visa for Algerie in Agadez. My question is, what about the guide you need. Is that also possible to arrange from Agadez then??

Others with that kind of knollege are off course welcom to answer my question.

In advance, thanks


Cheers
Haakon

[Chris Scott]

My question is, what about the guide you need. Is that also possible to arrange from Agadez then??

Dont know, never tried it or know anyone who has yet. I would say do it all in advance, but you do need a guide from IGZ. Daedalus (??) Films guy on a moto is also looking to share a guide (in March).

hope this helps

Ch

[Sam Rutherford]

If you can organise your Algerian guide from London, then you can also do it from Agadez! All you need is a telephone and a fax. If you don't have some Tamanrasset agency numbers with you, then an internet cafe in Agadez will even provide those...

Sam.

[Haakonbj]

Thank you Chris, thank you Sam!

Looks like daedalus and myself are going in April. Others that wants to tag along, write me on haakonj@fuoslo.no


Cheers
Haakon