Timimoun is a city in the Saharan region of Algeria.
Get in
There are buses entering from Adrar (2.5 hours) in the south and Ghardaia (7 hours) and El Gholea (4 hours) in the north. Timimoun has an airport (TMX). Air Algerie has several flights per week from Algiers and one flight per week from Oran (Wednesday). The only place to buy flight tickets in Timimoun is the Air Algerie ticket office, quite in the center of the town.
Get around
See
- The town is known for the red ochre color of its buildings.
Do
- The Sebkha circuit. This trip has some of the best sights to offer in Algeria. It includes a trip to an old Ksar (castle) which has a network of caves underneath - still used by villagers to escape the extreme heat in the summer months. The route continues along the edge of the cliff with breathtaking views of the Sahara - arid land, flat-top hills, oases and of course the sand dunes. The trip may include a picnic lunch in one of the oasis villages, a trip to see the rose de sable and a jaunt on the sand dunes. You will need to book the tour at least a day in advance since (as of November 2013) each trip into the desert requires the touring party to be accompanied by the police for security reasons. The police are very friendly and non-interfering though, so it should not affect your experience. Cost is 9500DA with a vehicle, driver and guide.
Buy
Eat
Drink
Sleep
- Hotel Djanane Malik (Located at the edge of the Palmeraie). The hotel is at a slight elevation overlooking the palm trees at the palmeraie and the dunes of the Grang Erg Occidental, offering fantastic views. Rooms on the upper floor have attached terraces. Wi-fi is included though the Internet service is not very reliable. 6000DA for a two-person room with private bath and air conditioning. 4500DA for a room with communal showers and no air-conditioners..
- 1 Auberge de Jeunesse (1.5km from the center). Offers dorms, basic but very cheap, and it might be a good place to meet local / domestic tourists. There is a cafeteria offering breakfast, coffee and such. Shared toilets and showers. 300DA for foreigners, 600DA for Algerians.