Fra_Diavolo

I'm planning a a trip to Algeria for October this year, but I'm having trouble finding information. The LP guidebook was last updated in 2007. I have looked at the TA Algeria Forum as well. My plan is to spend about five days in country, three in Algiers and two in Constantine, then fly out to Tunis. Is this practicable? The reason for the trip to Constantine is to visit the Roman ruins of Timgad. Appreciate any help.

neckervd

If you don't plan to visit Djemila or Constantine, You can reach Batna by direct bus from Alger.
There are also buses (and the afternoon train) from Constantine.

I think that it should be possible to cross the Algerian-Tunesian border between Tebesssa and Haidra until October.
https://www.algerie-focus.com/ouvert...r-de-vendredi/
If not, pass through Souk Ahras
https://www.lexpressiondz.com/nation...service-378339

Once in Tunisia, you could of course go on visiting roman ruins (Bulla Regia, Dougga, Sbeitla, Kasserine.....)

Fra_Diavolo

Thanks for that information. Do you think Batna is a better center for visiting Timgad? I do also plan to visit Djemila. My intention is to see further Roman sites in Tunisia, but that's much easier to research!

LAX_Esq

Here's my trip report from 2019 for 5 days in Algiers and Constantine: Trip Notes: 5 Nights in Algeria . It's very practicable and a great trip. Djemila and Timgad are both excellent. There's no reason to stay in Batna. If you can spring for a private driver, get in touch with Mohammad of Fancy Yellow -- he's still active, even though my report is several years old.

Nelson

Back around 1980 we had booked and paid for a camel trek to the Hoggar Mountains. The entire trip was about two weeks, with maybe half of that on the trek. Shortly before we were to leave there was some political unrest in the country and the outfitter (REI) cancelled the trip. We were always sorry we missed it. Hope you have a fabulous time, Fra.

Fra_Diavolo

LAX -- Thank you very much for that very detailed and complete trip report. It was exactly what I was looking for . I'll look for your Tunisian report.

Nelson -- sorry your trip was cancelled. Things did get dicey there a while back, and I gather some parts of the country, mostly in the south and on the corders, are still considered dangerous.

LAX_Esq

Here you go: Trip Notes: 3 Nights in Tunisia

Fra_Diavolo

LAX -- Thanks again for another very useful report (and for saving me the scrolling to find it!). My plan is to spend four or five days there, and then move on to either Sicily or Malta, whichever works out better logistically. Sorry to hear about the Air Tunis debacle.

neckervd

It's up to you whether you want to go directly from Setif (Demilah) to Batna - Timgad or whether you plan to visit Constantine (a charming city).
But if the border post of Haidra will be open in October, I would go directly from Timgad to Tebessa and Haidra (by louage/taxi collectif).
You can then go on to Kasserine - Sbeitla - Sfax - El Djem - Kairouan - Siliana - Dougga - Bulla Regia - Carthage - Tunis or whatever you like.

Neither direct fllights from Tunis to Palermo nor such to Malta ar daily.
The Grimaldi fery from Tunis to Palermo runs once weekly.

Fra_Diavolo

Yes, I guess timing will be a problem. Thanks!

zebec

Fra, we've never been but I'll bet that some folks over on Lonely Planet's resurrected 'Thorn Tree' forum have visited Algeria. That new forum is on a sub-Reddit and although our members there represent a mere fraction of the heyday heights, a number of ongoing mainstays still frequent the discussions. LucaPal (a Palermo resident) seems to been to virtually every nation and is one of the main mods. He is very approachable. You could ask him. Another key mod there is Cali's 'Nutrax'. She may have visited Algeria. She too (speaking from personal experience) is very willing to advise fellow travelers.

All I have to offer are listening suggestions by the following pair of excellent Algerian musicians:
1) 'Full Moon' by Abdelli.
2) the late great Rachid Taha's rai masterpiece 'Diwan'.

Best of luck.
I am done. the dunes

Fra_Diavolo

Thanks zebec -- I hadn't heard that the much-missed Thorn Tree Forum had been resurrected. I'll take a look.

odie1

anyone have a link for the resurrected Thorn Tree? I could not seem to find it.

zebec

https://www.reddit.com/r/ThornTree/

ekscrunchy

I took that Palermo Tunis ferry 100 years ago..

Are you going on this trip, Fra?
I can't wait to read your plans and your report after.....
Good luck!

neckervd

To zebec:
and what's about that:
https://www.thorntreeforum.com/

zebec

Neck', I have seen that alternate TT site. Seems to be another group of travelers who were unawares that Luca, Giora, and Nutrax had already resurrected the original forum. Luca and others actually commented on this interloper's sudden existence.
Fra will return from time spent in Algiers with a new name, Fra Shabazz al Manhattico.
I am done. the rai rock

ekscrunchy

Go ahead: Rock the Casbah, Fra Shabazz!!!

(Maybe someday soon to be El Haji Fra Shabazz M.). (or is it La Haji!!)??