9

The Authors 11

Destination Algeria 13

Getting Started 14

Itineraries 17

Snapshot 22

History 23

The Culture 38

Environment 60

Travelling in the Sahara 66BEFORE YOU GO 66Reading Up 66When to Go 67What to Bring 68Responsible Saharan Travel 71Trekking Safety 72ON THE GROUND 74Reaching the Sahara 74Types of Expedition 74Routes 76Tour Operators 78

Saharan Rock Art 80The Discovery of Saharan Rock Art 80The Climatic Context 81Types of Rock Art 81Periods of Saharan Rock Art 83Where to See Rock Art in Algeria 83The Protection of Rock Art 84Rock Art Associations 85

Algiers & Around 86History 87Orientation 90Information 91Dangers & Annoyances 92Sights 92Activities 97Walking Tour 97Tours 99Sleeping 99Eating 100Drinking 102Entertainment 102Getting There & Away 102Getting Around 103AROUND ALGIERS 104Tipaza 104Cherchell 106Between Tipaza & Algiers 107

Northeast Algeria 108Annaba 110Around Annaba 115Constantine 117Around Constantine 122Batna 123Around Batna 124Timgad 126Sétif 128Djemila 132

Northwest Algeria 137Oran 139Tlemcen 146Ghazaouet 151

Ghardaïa & the Grand Ergs 153GHARDAÏA & THE M’ZAB 155Ghardaïa 155Beni Isguen 160Melika 161El-Atteuf 162Bou Noura 162GRAND ERG OCCIDENTAL 162Aïn Sefra 162Beni Ounif 164Béchar 164

Contents© Lonely Planet Publications

10 C O N T E N T S

Taghit 165Beni Abbès 166Adrar 167Timimoun 169El-Goléa 171GRAND ERG ORIENTAL 172El-Oued 172Touggourt 175Around Touggourt 176Ouargla 176Hassi Messaoud 178

Tamanrasset, Djanet & the Sahara 179TAMANRASSET & THE ROUTE DU HOGGAR 180In Salah 181Around In Salah 182Arak 183Tamanrasset 183Around Tamanrasset 188Tassili du Hoggar 189In Guezzam 190DJANET & THE ROUTE DU TASSILI N’AJJER 190Illizi 191Around Illizi 191Djanet 191Around Djanet 194Tassili N’Ajjer National Park 194

Directory 196Accommodation 196Activities 197Business Hours 198Children 198Climate Charts 199Customs 199Dangers & Annoyances 199Embassies & Consulates 200Festivals & Events 201Food & Drink 201Gay & Lesbian Travellers 202Holidays 202Insurance 202Internet Access 202Legal Matters 203Maps 203Money 203Photography & Video 204Post 204Shopping 204Solo Travellers 205Telephone 205

Time 206Toilets 206Tourist Information 206Travellers with Disabilities 206Visas 206Women Travellers 207

Transport 208GETTING THERE & AWAY 208Entering the Country 208Air 208Land 211Sea 212Tours 213

GETTING AROUND 213Air 213Bus 214Car & Motorcycle 214Hitching 216Local Transport 216Shared Taxi 216

Tours 217Train 217

Health 218

Language 227

Glossary 238

Behind the Scenes 241

Index 249

World Time Zone 254

Map Legend 256

NorthwestAlgeria p138

NortheastAlgeria p109

Ghardaïa & theGrand Ergs p154

Tamanrasset, Djanet& the Sahara p180

Algiers &Around pp88–9

Regional Map Contents

© Lonely Planet Publications