Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > North Africa
Algeria (may 2018) trip report Algeria (may 2018) trip report
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
North Africa Topics specific to North Africa and the Sahara down to the 17th parallel (excludes Morocco)
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Trans Sahara Routes.

Like Tree2Likes
  • 1 Post By Chris Scott
  • 1 Post By tom cruiser

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 7 May 2018
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Slovenia
Posts: 48
Algeria (may 2018) trip report
We have just returned from two week trip to Algeria. Our initial plan was to cross erg occidental from Ghardaia to Timimoun.
This was my forth trip to Algeria and the first one I almost regret. Guide at Taleb Larbi is a must but now you also get a gendarmerie escort for all the transfers. But the escort changes in almost every gendarmerie station along the way. So the transfer to Ghardia lasted 12 hours instead of planned 6-hours. The initial plan was also abandoned due to gendarmerie last minute decisions.

If looks like the tourist with their own vehicles are simply not welcome any more in Algeria. And if they somehow manage to show up then they must be well protected in order to minimise the potential "bad news" spreading out of the country. So oil&gas business .... is safe. According to our experiences the only reasonable option is to fly in and use the local agencies to drive you around. But also their range is quite limited.

Tom

p.s.
No problems with visas ... we got them in couple of days
Last edited by tom cruiser; 7 May 2018 at 13:33.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 7 May 2018
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Sweden
Posts: 1,465
Do you think it would be the same all over the country? I was thinking of taking the ferry to Oran and make a circuit over Tlemcen, Bechar and Timimoun up to Ghardaia, Constantine and exit via Tunisia.
Always with the aim of pushing the envelope to see how far we can go and if they will let us go alone. Which may take some negotiating. I have done it before (2009) but I think it is impossible to try to divine what the DRS will say this time.
On some level in the system, there must be a discussion about trying to encourage tourism. In Tamanrasset they are fed up with the current situation.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 8 May 2018
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Slovenia
Posts: 48
I haven't been to Oran but in Bechar and Ghardaia we got an escort and there is plenty of checkpoints so I think sooner or latter you will end up with them. In region of Taghit we were allowed to do the daily trips into the desert. But our passports were kept in gendarmerie station. Basicaly from the border our passports were not in our possession as they were exchanged between the escorts. Is is a very strange situation ...
There is another point with the escorts - in some regions they are very strict about the speed limit of the "escort convoy" ... it is 80 km/h in some cases even 60 km/h. Straight empty road and you have to drive 60 km/h for 150 km ... it is painful.

According to the discussions we had with the locals and the guides the forecast regarding tourism is rather pessimistic ...

It is a big shame ... such beautiful country but such terrible regulations.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 8 May 2018
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Sweden
Posts: 1,465
I would think that at least they could gather up courage to let you drive alone along the northern coast?

Driving for days with a convoy would be insufferable.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 11 May 2018
Chris Scott's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,932
My experience from earlier this year and 2011 is the the gendarmerie will escort you from the border/port (or soon after the port) to the desert (Gassi Touil; In Salah) and then leave you with you agency guide/escort. The connections of a given agency can have a bearing on how efficiently this all passes.
Certainly I've not heard of them following you onto the piste - what little there is to currently explore.
But I'm not surprised they nixed a traverse of the GE Occ - if that's what you were planning, TC.
Sounds way too ambitious for them, like something from the 1980s.

As with other matters in DZ, you get the feeling that factions are pulling left and right to get their way. Unfortunately, with all its risks in a country this size, desert tourism, even agency organised rather than merely escorted, is not a priority.

Recent car report:
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntr...a-with-own-car
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 11 May 2018
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Slovenia
Posts: 48
We knew at the beginning that our plan fails into the "gray" zone. But there were couple of reports by the Italian groups doing this route in 2017. So it was not "mission impossible". Our guide got an information that the route is doable so we decided to go. We were aware that the situation might change in the mean time ... but we took a risk. The plan B was to do a daily trips etc...
Our main problem was that we had a tight schedule so the escort pace was a quite an issue for us.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Magadan to London on an Old MZ 250 Krixos Ride Tales 20 12 Jul 2019 13:51
Motor trip South America Jan 2018 - May 2018 willem1985 Travellers Seeking Travellers 14 21 Dec 2017 01:58
North Caucasus Trip Report eurasiaoverland Northern and Central Asia 1 14 Dec 2014 06:26
Niger trip report Jose Brito North Africa 1 17 May 2012 19:33
Travel report, Kola Peninsula summer 2011 jah Northern and Central Asia 0 31 Jan 2012 00:58

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27 2025
Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
CanWest: July 10-13 2025
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21 2025
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 23:40.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top