Point Afrique Flights to South Algeria
 

Hmmm, something else might be going on, I just saw this on Point Afriques webpage:

Maurice Freund Le patron de Point Afrique Maurice Freund est confronté

^^ Hmmm, cant seem to post the text....basically saying that Point Afrique is having trouble with its flights into south Algeria because of 'intelligence' issues.

Anybody have an idea what is happening?

Mho
 

I dont think they would close Dj-Tam piste to 'clear the way' for that banger Rally unless they have a budget equal to TSO. If it gets in I suspect that rally will be escorted fast down the TSH and out into Niger asap.
Djanet-Tam has closed mysteriously before over the years while other pistes remain open and Alg is a big country, but this could all be a bigger deal in the deep south.
Just as well it's at the end of the season.

Ch

Regane to Bidon V
 

Hello

Does any one have experience in going south from Regane to Bidon V and then turning East to TAM?

I think that there are some pists from Bordj Badji Mokhtar to TAM but I don’t want to go further south then Bidon V. (By the way is it possible do this nowadays?)

I have not done exactly this but terrain wise there is not much to stop you turning east at Bidon V or anywhere around there; it's all wide open as long as you have the fuel.

Right now I am not sure whether it's possible - the border area is closed AFAIU. Cutting SE further north through Ahnet of via In Ziza would be more interesting and may be allowed too.

Ch

So you would suggest go S from Regane (N6) and then after 250-300kms turn SE and passing between Ahnet and In Ziza. (off piste) in the direction of Tam?

Looks like an interesting option since will pass the small erg south Ahnet.

We have done the Adrar-Regane piste in December and we had to join the military convoy. We stoped at bidon 5 to change the military vehicles but I don't think they would let you go on your own in any other direction then the one where the convoy is heading (to Bordj ...).

Regards,
Tomaz

Hi,
to avoid travel with Gendarms escort you have to leave the Wilaya Adrar.
Frequent practice is to drive east until the oasis Akabli and enter the Ahnet there.
Much more pistes exist than documented on maps and guide books.

We worry too much?
 

According to my friend in Djanet there was one week when the route to Tamanrassett (only) had to be done with gendarme escort, No reason given. Now back to normal, and they're fully booked 'til the end of April.

Algerian routes closed...
 

Hi! In Tamanrasset now, got back from Assekrem at noon. Entered Algeria at Oran from Alicante (Spain) and had compulsory police escourt with flashing lights and sirens from Oran to Tiret and the next day all the way to Ghardaia. Then only accompanied by guide, signed in at Gendermerie along all the way to Reganne and then easier going to Tamanrasset along the Old Hoggar road.
Met a dutch couple and two German walkers at Assekrem last night who said that since the previous day yet another park was closed to tourists. The route from Reganne to Bordj Mohktar is still closed and since end of Feb (apparently) also the the route from Djanet to Tam. Bummer! Really wanted to see Djanet but would have meant having to back-track to Ghardaia...
Best to check with local agancy about route closures. Will see what i can find out today/tomorrow in Tam before leaving for Niger.

Safe riding!
Kobus

If well I understood you settled of visas in Europe and you sailed out of Alicante to Oranu. Without no earlier organising the guide. The guide attached to you in Ghardia. That is earlier you didn't organize the guide?

Regards
Bartosz

Good luck Kobus and be sure to keep us posted how you are doing.

Algerian Guides, police escourts & ATMs
 

Hi Bartosh,

I had to have an invitation from an Algerian guide agency as a prerequisite for being granted a visa, applied in South Africa. Ian Chappel, also on HU, is currently travelling with me and the same was required from him, applying for the visa in England.

There was no chance of leaving Oran port or even getting through customs before our guide showed up. Afterward we had to keep waiting for "just 5 more minutes" for the police escourt to show up. They arrived 2 hours after we were done with Customs & Immigration.

The guide agency applied for permits from the police for the routes we chose. Some were granted, some were not because thjose roads were closed for tourists.

We followed the police vehicle and the guide followed us, all the way to Ghardaia. Even when Ian tried to draw money from an ATM in Oran there were three cops and a guide looking over his shoulder (I suggested he should destroy the card!). By the way, don't rely on any kind of ATM processing your transaction. The VISA ATM's at Oran port and the Sheraton Hotel in Oran were out of order and the one at Ghardaia airport was out of cash. In Tamanrasset an ATM accepted my VISA card, went through all the motions asking how much and from which account but then could not process the transaction.

The Euro-Dinar exchange rate hovers around 80 dinar for 1 Euro. You'll get about 72 dinar cents for 1 US$, about 10% less than what it should be I think.

In shops they generally show two 'extra' zeros, in other words indicating the price in cents and it can at times be a bit confusing. Sometimes they'll write out eg. 100 dinar but in actual fact mean 1000dinar so it seems even the locals are a bit confused about the numbers.

Everyone had been exceptionally friendly and we have never felt unsafe in Algeria. There's a police presence at every town and the Gendermerie are all over the place so Algeria's main roads are pretty well checked at every town/city. But all very friendly.

Let me know if you have any other specific questions. I'll post if I can get any definite info re currently closed routes tonight or tomorrow.

Hi Gottoride
Thank you for infos. I was strongly thinking about trip to Algeria this year, but at the end I turned in another direction.
For 2 weeks I will start to Iran and then back through Armenia and Georgia.
I was last year in Libia and my wife said: stop with this sand for one year.
I also think that Iran is good direction. Fact that today we can go there but we never know what will be tomorrow with this country.

Once again thanks, keep us inform, and safe riding

Bartosz

Hi again.

two weeks ago I had near the same situations. I never used the ATM machines. From the hotels receptions I got 11,400. DA for 100 euros. The guy told me that with more time you can reach 12.000 DA for 100 euros (2-11 March 2010), but always far away from the banks! By the way: who believes in banks, today?. That´s right, they make some confusions with the zeros! The green gerdarmes were very friendly, but you feel better riding alone. Things are very flexible.

A quick note about Iran: I was there in 2005, alone and using public transports. Very nice, without any problems at all. One of my best experiences was a night train journey from Teheran to Esfahan. Please Bartosz, do yourself a favour: visit Esfahan.

Gotoride: thanks again for your important post. Soon I want to return and visit Tamanrasset. Maybe next October... All your informations are very important. Safe ride, my friend!

Rui Pedro Tremoceiro
Portugal