Arrive in Algeria’s bustling capital. After a warm welcome and check-in to your boutique hotel, enjoy a guided orientation walk through central Algiers. Visit the National Museum of Antiquities or stroll along the French-colonial boulevards to get a first taste of the country’s layered history. Dinner in a traditional Algerian restaurant introduces you to local cuisine.

Head east into the Kabylia region, where rugged mountains cradle Berber villages. Visit artisan workshops where silversmiths and weavers still create jewelry and rugs using ancient techniques. In the evening, share a family-style Kabyle dinner with music and folk stories, staying overnight in a charming mountain guesthouse.

Explore more of Kabylia’s villages before journeying to Djemila (ancient Cuicul), a UNESCO-listed Roman city set high in the mountains. Wander among temples, theaters, and mosaics that reveal the blending of Roman and Berber life. Return to Kabylia for the night, savoring mountain air and traditional hospitality.

Travel east toward Batna and the Aurès range, homeland of the Chaoui Berbers. Visit Medracen, the vast Numidian royal tomb, a reminder of pre-Roman kingdoms. Continue into the mountains to meet Chaoui villagers, known for their distinctive music, dances, and woven textiles. Overnight in a rustic but comfortable guesthouse.

Spend the day at Timgad, one of North Africa’s most spectacular Roman sites. Walk the stone-paved streets, forums, and arches of this UNESCO World Heritage city, built by Emperor Trajan. Later, enjoy a picnic in the high plains and return to your guesthouse. Evening features Chaoui folk music, a cultural performance passed down through generations.

Drive to Constantine, perched dramatically above a deep gorge. Explore its suspension bridges, Ottoman palaces, and lively markets. Visit the Ahmed Bey Palace and enjoy coffee with panoramic views. Constantine offers a rich contrast — urban sophistication blended with Berber and Ottoman traditions. Overnight in a boutique city hotel.

Fly (or drive) to Ghardaïa, at the edge of the Sahara. Explore the ingenious Ibadi Berber architecture of this UNESCO-listed valley, where fortified towns rise like citadels from the desert. Visit Ghardaïa’s market and enjoy tea with a Mozabite family, learning about their communal traditions.

Tour the neighboring ksour (fortified villages) such as Beni Isguen and El Atteuf, each with unique customs and historic mosques. Witness the vibrant market in Beni Isguen, guided by locals who explain its centuries-old rules. In the afternoon, relax with a picnic in a palm oasis. Optional: head into the surrounding desert for a night of camping under the stars.

Enjoy a slower-paced day in the valley: visit cooperatives where traditional carpets and leather goods are crafted, stroll through palm groves, and savor a farewell dinner of Mozabite dishes. Overnight in a boutique desert lodge.

Fly back to Algiers. Depending on your flight time, enjoy a final guided stroll through the Kasbah or visit the Notre-Dame d’Afrique Basilica overlooking the bay. Transfer to the airport for your onward journey, taking with you memories of Algeria’s heartland cultures and landscapes.