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© SAIGA Tours
Start
Nov 23, 2026
Nouakchott
Nouakchott
2026-11-23
End
Dec 13, 2026
Tripoli
Tripoli
2026-12-13
Duration
21 days
Price
EUR5195.00
TOUR OVERVIEW
We'll start this adventure off in the most rugged of these North African countries - Mauritania. In this huge country that is 90% Saharan desert, we'll see incredible monoliths and desertscapes, sunsets from sand dunes, and ancient brick cities with rich histories. We'll see the distinct local dress and maybe even dress up like the locals ourselves! And of course, we'll take an epic journey across the Sahara on the iron ore train. Upon returning to Nouakchott, we'll see some of the colorful highlights of Mauritania's sandy capital city, before moving on to our next country!
Our first day in Algiers is designed to let us catch up on some rest after a late-night flight. After that, we'll sit out for a full city tour that will feel unbelievably modern and bustling compared to Mauritania. The highlight will be the centuries-old alleyways of the Kasbah. From there, we'll fly to North Africa's most breathtaking city, Constantine, and explore the city before heading to the well-preserved Roman ruins of Timgad. Flying south to Djanet, we'll see striking rock formations, red sand dunes, and the most impressive 8000 year-old art you will ever see. We'll take in some Tuareg customs and notice that things feel decidedly different from the north. Next, we'll fly back north to visit one more UNESCO collection of Roman ruins and eat at our favorite seafood restaurant in the world.
Before we head to Libya, we'll make a quick stop in Tunisia! We'll visit ancient Carthage, and the remarkable picturesque town of Sidi Bou Said, which is often compared to Santorini. Upon returning to the relaxed capital of Tunis, we'll explore the bustling market streets of the Medina, which is one of the best-preserved medinas in the Arab world.
Finally, we head to Libya! One of the most misunderstood countries in the world. In Libya, we'll see magnificent Roman ruins, from the massive site of Leptis Magna, to the extremely well-preserved theatre of Sabratah, as well as fascinating Berber granaries and villages. We'll also head south to the old city of Ghadames, which is not only beautiful but full of interesting technology. While in the Libyan Sahara, we'll have another sand dune sunset, and even some dune-bashing for those seeking a thrill. In Tripoli, we'll visit the newly renovated Martyr's Square and hang out with the locals before exploring the markets of the old city and the Arch of Marcus Aurelius. We'll have one last group dinner at one of our favorite restaurants in the city, before saying our goodbyes the next morning.
If you like the look of this tour but the dates don't work for you, or you'd like to do part of the tour, please get in touch and let us know. All our tours are able to be split into smaller sections, we're always scheduling new tours and your dates might work for one of them, or we can always organise an independent tour.
This tour is actually made up of three separate tours, of which you can do as much or as little suits you. If you'd like to see each section separately, have a look at our Mauritania Iron Ore Train Tour , the Algeria Winter Tour , and the Libya Winter Tour .
| Start | End | Days | Price | Single Sup. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Nov 23
Nouakchott |
Nov 29 Nouakchott |
7 | €1575 | €300 | |
|
Nov 30 Algiers |
Dec 6
|
7 | €1695 | €495 | |
|
Dec 7
Tripoli |
Dec 13 Tripoli |
7 | €1995 | €600 | |
|
Nov 23
Nouakchott |
Dec 6
Algiers |
14 | €3195 | €795 | |
|
Nov 30 Algiers |
Dec 13 Tripoli |
14 | €3525 | €825 | |
|
The Extreme North Africa Tour |
Nov 23
Nouakchott |
Dec 13 Tripoli |
21 | €5195 | €1295 |
*A small note: there is actually a night in Tunis (Tunisia) between the Algeria and Libya tours. So anyone doing the Algeria and Libya Winter Combo Tour, or the Extreme North Africa Tour, will also visit Tunisia.
INCLUSIONS:
|
✓ |
Visa pre-approval for Algeria and LOI assistance for Libya |
|
✓ |
Accommodation in twin share at roughly 3 star hotels/guesthouses, breakfast included |
|
✓ |
Transport, beginning and ending in Tripoli |
|
✓ |
Entrance fees to all sites mentioned in the itinerary |
|
✓ |
Western and local guides, and all required security precautions |
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: EUR 1295
What is the single supplement? This is paid to guarantee a single room. If you are travelling alone and would like to be roomed with another single traveller, you do not need to pay this.
EXCLUSIONS:
|
⨯ |
Visa fees for Algeria (paid at airport), Mauritania (paid online) and Libya (paid online) |
|
⨯ |
Meals other than breakfast |
|
⨯ |
Flights from Nouakchott to Algiers |
|
⨯ |
Flights from Algiers to Tunis |
|
⨯ |
Return flights from Tunis to Tripoli |
|
⨯ |
Personal expenses such as souvenirs or any optional activities |
|
⨯ |
Any COVID related expenses or other travel expenses |
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Experience the wonders of the Sahara in three different countries
Explore the Roman ruins of Leptis Magna, Sabratah, Timgad and Tipasa
Delve into the little known Berber lifestyle , deep in the Libyan and Algerian desert
Ride the famous iron ore train through the desert
*A note about pricing: whilst most of our tours are priced and paid for in USD, EUR is king in North Africa, so it makes much more logical sense to price everything in and receive Euros for our North Africa tours.
Itinerary
Day 1Mon Nov 23
Nouakchott, Tergit
- In the morning, we’ll depart Nouakchott and get our first taste of driving through the Sahara as we head to Tergit Oasis in 4x4 vehicles.
- At the oasis we will explore the nomadic home structures, swim, and have the option to hike up a nearby cliff to watch the sunset over the desert
- Tonight we will camp at the oasis in traditional tents.
Day 2Tue Nov 24
Tergit, Chinguetti
- In the morning, we will depart the oasis for Chinguetti.
- After lunch, we’ll spend the afternoon exploring the UNESCO World Heritage site of Chinguetti’s old town, including the Great Mosque and the old libraries. In the 8th century, Chinguetti was a common stop on the pilgrimage to Mecca and soon became an important city of libraries, five of which still exist today and house medieval Quranic texts and local history.
- Sunset and tea on a sand dune.
- Tonight we will have an outdoor feast followed by live music from some local musicians, and of course some dancing!
- Overnight in Chinguetti.
Day 3Wed Nov 25
Chinguetti, Atar, Iron Ore Train
- Today we will drive to Choum for the highlight of the trip, the Iron Ore Train!
- We’ll make stops at Azoughi Oasis and the Amougjar Pass, where we can see 2000 year old cave drawings and will get incredible views of the surrounding areas.
- In Atar, we will stop at the market to discover local handicrafts and goods and stock up on snacks for our upcoming epic train ride.
- We’ll continue the journey to Choum, a desert village known as a stopover for the Iron Ore Train. Here, we’ll rest and have tea in a local home as we wait for the train to arrive.
- Overnight on the Iron Ore Train.
Day 4Thu Nov 26
Nouadhibu
- We’ll arrive in Nouadhibou at some point between 6am and 10am, filthy and exhausted, but full of adrenalin!
- After arriving, we’ll head straight to the hotel to clean up. You can either catch up on sleep or have free time to explore the city.
- In the afternoon, we’ll visit Cap Blanc, known for its white sand dunes and picturesque coastline. And for a bit of a change of pace and scenery, here, you can go for a swim in the sea if you’d like!
- In the evening, we’ll see a bit more of Nouadhibou and can eat at our favorite Chinese restaurant if we’re ready for some variety in cuisine.
- Overnight in Nouadhibou.
Day 5Fri Nov 27
Nouadhibu
- Today we’ll have a full day of driving from Nouadhibou to Nouakchott.
- We’ll make a stop for lunch by the sea in Banc D'Arguin National Park.
- Depending on how our drive goes, we will likely have some time to explore the Central Market or other parts of the city after we arrive back in Nouakchott.
- Overnight in Nouakchott.
Day 6Sat Nov 28
Nouakchott, Algiers
- In the morning, we will visit the fish market, where we can witness the bustling trade of fresh seafood and see the countless unique and colorfully painted boats on the shore
- We’ll then explore the camel market, where you can observe and interact with camels as far as the eye can see.
- Visit the National Museum in Nouakchott to delve into Mauritania's history and culture.
- In the evening, we will take the direct flight from Nouakchott to Algiers on Air Algiers
Day 7Sun Nov 29
Algiers
- We will arrive early morning into Houari Boumediene Airport. Here we will go through the visa procedure which should take about one hour.
- We will then transfer to our hotel for some well deserved rest.
- In the afternoon, you can go out with your Saiga guide to begin exploring the city and enjoy some amazing Algerian food. If you want, you could even check out one of Algiers' hammams or take time by yourself to become acquainted with the local markets.
- Overnight in Algiers.
Day 8Mon Nov 30
Algiers
-
Today we will explore the vibrant Algerian capital of Algiers.
- We'll begin the day with a walk through the botanical gardens of Algiers (which is surprisingly large). This is the site of the filming of the original 1923 Tarzan movie.
- Next, we continue on to visit the amazing architecture of the Martyrs' Memorial, which is one of the most famous symbols of Algeria. The monument was opened in 1982, celebrating 20 years of independence.
- In the afternoon, we will head to the oldest part of Algiers, the kasbah, where we will navigate through the windy streets and learn about the different histories from Arab and Amazigh, to Ottoman and French.
- In the evening, we will have free time for dinner where we can explore one of Algiers' many amazing restaurants and maybe even stop in a brasserie for a beer!
Day 9Tue Dec 1
Constantine
-
In the morning, we will fly to Constantine, also known as the city of bridges.
- We'll spend the day exploring the amazing beauty of this city by visiting many different viewpoints, both above and below the bridges of the city. The city is built on a massive rock and has seven bridges built during different periods that span a massive chasm that cuts through the city.
- Later on, we will have time to walk through the city and explore the streets of Constantine. We will also get a chance to sample djouzia, which is a famous desert from Constantine.
- Free time in the evening.
- Overnight in Constantine.
Day 10Wed Dec 2
Timgad, Djanet
-
In the morning, we will make the two and a half hour drive to Timgad, the premier Roman ruin site in Algeria. Whether you’re a history buff or not, this place is absolutely incredible and show cases some amazing Roman architecture and some of the best preserved mosaics from the Roman period.
- We will have lunch in Timgad before heading back towards Constantine, where we can relax before heading to the airport to fly to Djanet.
- Overnight in Djanet.
Day 11Thu Dec 3
Djanet, Sahara Desert
- Today we will head out to see the amazing scenery of this region.
- Start the adventure after breakfast, by heading towards the Essendilene canyon and visiting the local nomadic camps.
- In the afternoon, we will head towards the Essendilene dunes to see the amazing rolling orange and red sand sea.
- We will then head back to our accommodation for a relaxing evening.
- Overnight in Djanet.
Day 12Fri Dec 4
Djanet
- Continuing the adventure, we'll start off today with a visit to the site of Tikoubaouine with its magnificent landscapes.
- We will then head over to Tilane or Timghas for a lunch stop.
- After lunch, we will head towards Tegharghart to see the famous Crying Cow, Algeria’s most famous rock carving, believed to be around 7000 years old! Yes, that's the right number of 0s.
- After experiencing more amazing scenery in the desert we will head back to the accommodation in Djanet for a relaxing evening.
- Overnight in Djanet.
Day 13Sat Dec 5
Djanet, Tipasa, Algiers
-
This morning we will head to the airport for our midday flight back to Algiers.
- Once we arrive back in Algiers we will head straight to Tipasa to visit the ancient Roman ruins by the sea.
- Here we will also have an opportunity to eat at one of the best seafood restaurants in all of Algeria (in our opinion anyway!).
- On our way back to Algiers we will also stop by the Mausoleum of Cleopatra II who is allegedly the daughter of Cleopatra and Mark Antony.
- Arriving back in Algiers, tonight we will have a free evening, giving you the opportunity to explore some of the nightlife on offer in Algiers if that's something you're interested in doing.
- Overnight in Algiers.
Day 14Sun Dec 6
Algiers, Tunis
- This morning, we will fly to Tunis for an overnight stop before we continue our journey on to Libya the following day.
- Arriving at Tunis airport, we'll have a quick stop at our hotel before heading out to see the highlights of Tunis, including visiting Sidi Bou Said and the ancient site of Carthage.
- Later in the day we will head to the old Medina to get lost in the winding alleys.
- This evening we'll have some free time so everyone will get a chance to recharge their batteries.
- Overnight in Tunis.
Day 15Mon Dec 7
Tripoli
- We'll take the early morning flight this morning from Tunis to Tripoli.
-
Checking into the hotel, we'll spend the rest of the day exploring Tripoli.
- While exploring Tripoli we will visit the Red Castle Museum, the Arch of Marcus Aurelius, and the main souq. We will also wander around the streets and get a feel for the unique style of the city with coffee and gelato stops.
- In the evening we'll go to our favourite takeaway burger shop, famous in Tripoli and always busy. The winding queue is one of our favourite parts of it actually, as it's a great opportunity to do some people watching and strike up a conversation with a fellow burger-waitee. All part of the experience! We'll collect our burgers and then go and wander through and sit in a nearby park, to continue soaking in some of the evening atmosphere.
Day 16Tue Dec 8
Sabratah, Tripoli
-
In the morning we'll leave the city and visit the UNESCO ancient Roman site of Sabratah. Located right on the Mediterranean Sea, with spectacular views throughout the site, Sabratah is famous for the absolutely magnificently preserved and restored amphitheatre.
- We'll spend several hours exploring this magnificent site, before returning to Tripoli in the afternoon.
- Overnight in Tripoli.
Day 17Wed Dec 9
Tripoli, Berber Granaries and Villages, Ghadames
-
Leaving Tripoli we'll make our way south towards Ghadames, spending the day stopping at Berber granaries and villages as we drive through the Nafusa mountains.
Read more about the Berbers here.
- Our first stop will be Qasr Haj, a strikingly large round granary built in the 13 th century.
- After that we will visit a former Amazigh village built on a clifftop with epic views.
- The third village and granary we will stop at is a bit funkier than the others. You will have the opportunity to explore by climbing up the walls or into the chambers of the granary, and can even test your strength by pushing the wheel of an old olive oil press.
- In the evening, we will arrive in Ghadames. For dinner, we will get our first peek of the old city and have a traditional Libyan meal prepared for us at an outdoor café.
- Overnight in Ghadames.
Day 18Thu Dec 10
Ghadames
-
We will spend most of the day visiting the fascinating old city of Ghadames.
- We will explore from both above and below, in a very unique double storey maze. There's the labyrinth of covered walkways on the ground that were traditionally used by the men of the city, as well as the narrow pathways above which connect the roofs of the entire city, and were used exclusively by the women.
- After our exploration, we'll have a traditional Libyan meal in one of the homes of the old town.
-
Leaving the city itself, we'll take 4x4s out into the desert to slide down the dunes and see the sunset over the Sahara.
Those seeking a thrill can hop into the backseat of a local’s car for some dune bashing.
- On our way to the dunes, we’ll stop at the ruins of an ancient Roman fortress where we can see the neighboring countries of Tunisia and Algeria. Sand dunes, ruins, and an international land border all in one spot!
- After sunset, we'll try a local specialty of bread cooked in the sand and enjoy some peanut tea.
- Overnight in Ghadames.
Day 19Fri Dec 11
Ghadames, Gharyan, Tripoli
-
In the morning, we will start to make our way back to Tripoli via Nalut.
- Along the way we will be stopping to see more incredible Berber architecture and more beautiful Saharan desert scenery. We will also be able to catch a glimpse of one of the few remaining posters from the Gaddafi era.
- For lunch, we will have the opportunity to eat in an underground troglodyte home and enjoy a local specialty.
- Overnight in Tripoli.
Day 20Sat Dec 12
Leptis Magna, Tripoli
-
Today we head to the highlight of every trip to Libya, the UNESCO site of Leptis Magna.
- We will spend a few hours exploring the ruins of one of the largest Roman ruin sites in the world. Here we will walk down ancient colonnaded streets, see impressive arches, and learn about the uniqueness of this ancient marvel. And all of course without another tourist in sight!
- In the afternoon, we will return to Tripoli and you'll have the chance to do any last minute shopping for souvenirs that you might be looking for.
- Overnight in Tripoli.
Day 21Sun Dec 13
Tripoli, End of Tour
- This brings us to the end of our Libya tour, however for those who would like to explore more parts of this vast and fascinating country, please get in touch about organising an extension.
Extensions
Benghazi Extension
Explore modern and ancient cities in the other half of this extremely divided country.
Other Tours
Mauritania Iron Ore Train Tour
With ancient cities, epic sand dunes, the most camels you've ever seen in one place, and an unforgettable train journey, this is going to be a tour to remember.
Mauritania and Algeria Winter Combo Tour
Get a double dose of Saharan adventure in this combo tour of two of North Africa's least-visited countries.
Algeria Winter Tour
We'll explore the beautiful Mediterranean cities of the north and the dramatic desert landscapes of the south on this tour of Africa's largest country.
Algeria and Libya Winter Combo Tour
We'll see three incredible Mediterranean capitals, magnificent Roman ruins, and unforgettable desert landscapes on this incredible North African journey.