Algeria with public transport

[Rafke]

FWIW, Just back from 4 weeks in Algeria using public transport. There was no problem of any kind, even never had to show my passport at the checkpoints. I have to add that my unshaved, tanned look did even mislead locals who thought many times I was a kabylian

Route: Algiers - Oran (train) - Béchar (train) - Taghit (bus) - Adrar (bus) - Timimoun (bus) - Ghardaïa (bus) - Algiers (bus).

Stayed 2 weeks in the Gourara for the Sbou of Timimoun and extensive visit of the region from the Tademaït to the Tinerkouk. Great it was.

Some pictures here and a short video of the Sbou here.

Cheers,
Raf.

[jonathanhfxns]

That's good to know. Hopefully it stays that way in the future. I think I should time my return to coincide with Sbou.

[Chris Scott]

Great pictures Raf. Those old ksars up the Tinerkouk look great - like a mini Djado. Would have been nice to explore up there on my recent trip but as you may know it did not work out that way.

One of the guys from the agency was heading for the Sbou as we left In Salah coming back. What is it, just a religious parade, one of many around Alg or special to Timi?

Good to know that you can get by on trains and buses up north too. I know I was not asked for an escort when I arrived at Algiers airport last month, so could have slipped out.

How did it work with the visa - just a return ticket or a booked hotel somewhere?

Ch

[Rafke]

Great pictures Raf. Those old ksars up the Tinerkouk look great - like a mini Djado. Would have been nice to explore up there on my recent trip but as you may know it did not work out that way.

Thanks Chris. The Gourara is a region with a rich history and very pleasant atmosphere. 300+ of those old ksars abound. It is quite populated and has a relative big network of tarmac roads however compared to the regions more south I guess.

One of the guys from the agency was heading for the Sbou as we left In Salah coming back. What is it, just a religious parade, one of many around Alg or special to Timi?

Don't really know much about the other religious parades in Alg, but the Sbou is specific to Timimoun ad attracts visitors from over the country as you know. It memories the 7th day of the birth of the prophet, and starts a week before with the different villages of the Gourara joining and coming down to Timi, with other festivities ("moulouds") in the villages around Timi. It was worth to stay.

How did it work with the visa - just a return ticket or a booked hotel somewhere?

Just a CDH from a hotel, no return tickets demanded.

Raf