Our very recent experience in November was this.

We had a planned itinerary that we used for application of our tourist visas. At the border, our very experienced guide did two things.
1) Asked if we wanted to change the itinerary to go further south - we agreed
2) Got police authorisation to take us into the desert

We didn't get the nitty gritty of what went on behind the closed doors but the essense is this. If you have a guide (through a travel agency) that knows his stuff, then it shouldn't be a problem once inside to modify the itinerary.

Our change was only small but still proves it's possible.

The other thing we did when wanting to wander freely without our guide in Ain Salah was to register with the local police our arrival. This meant that we could go where we wanted in the local area without being held up. We were stopped by police and the only things they asked us were:

1. What nationality are you?
2. Have you registered at the police station?
3. Is everything alright?

then it was... "Enjoy our village." and we were free to go.

If you want full detail of our trip see our blog: Riding2up Blog

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TurboCharger + Francois (our BMW R1200gs) '07
www.riding2up.net, blog.riding2up.net

I don't think In Salah is considered part of the Grand Sud, maybe it's the most southern you're allowed to travel in Algeria.......

Following my post above, and to shuffle a bit the discussion, just phoned the Algerian Embassy in Lisbon, Portugal.

The lady stated that touristic visas are being issued without any regional ban. I specifically asked her about a (potential) trip to Tam. in Jan2012 and she said that I just had to follow the normal procedure stated in their webpage (Portuguese, so use translator if necessary).
http://www.emb-argelia.pt/index.php?...ares&Itemid=53

BR,
Luis Cabrita

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Luis Cabrita, Honda XRV 750 Africa Twin '97
Flickr & PolarSteps

Hieronymus, you missed the point. I was stating that we could modify our travel plans when inside Algeria in response to Priffe. Whether further south or not, we could have without issue travelled to Tamaraset and in the desert with our guide. We choose not to go futher due to lack of time and not because of any travel restrictions.

Whether you choose to read what I wrote or not that's fine, just don't misinterpret for others please.

__________________
TurboCharger + Francois (our BMW R1200gs) '07
www.riding2up.net, blog.riding2up.net

TC was there before the latest restrictions and I imagine could have travelled in all the areas that are open (see this map).

As for the current situation, I just received this.

I could be wrong, but I suspect the Lisbon consulate may not have got the message rather than Portuguese be under some sort of exemption.

Ch

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Morocco Overland 4 (2025) • Trans Morocco Trail

I think you're right!

BR,
Luís Cabrita

__________________
Luis Cabrita, Honda XRV 750 Africa Twin '97
Flickr & PolarSteps

The link below is in line with the quote in my post a couple of days ago, ie: clearing the desert of tourists until the Libyan outflow is plugged.

Google Translate

Ch

Also spotted this 6-month old news on El K which I don't recall reading before. Ties Alg in closer with AQIM and ABZ - not something you read so often and makes you think the tourism there may have been skating on thin ice. Of course, who knows if it's all as it reads...

... conversation continued here

__________________
Morocco Overland 4 (2025) • Trans Morocco Trail

Saw this posting (see below) on the Lonely planet thorntree forum.
Can anyone confirm this?

Greetings,
Wilmar



Travel Restrictions - page 2 - Lonely Planet travel forum




Dear all,

I just read this very long thread and hope I can shed some light on it as a foreigner who has stayed in Algeria for 3 years and work in the tourism domain.

The southern areas, Tamanraset and Djanet included, was officially closed to foreigners between 1 to 10 dec. We know because one of our clients was granted a visa to go there only to have it officially revoked on 1 dec on grounds that the area was closed. On 10 dec, the director of tourism of Illizi, informed tour operators that the area was once again officially opened. So the 'strange reports' you've been getting is all true. It's just that the situation is very fluid for the moment. The proliferation of arms from Libya is a real threat to Algeria. While tourists may not like this fluidity, the government is playing it 'better safe than sorry'. Kidnapping of foreigners in the Maghreb always draws very big negative international attention - often overblown and not called-for. Nevertheless, that how the news works. So it may seem over the top to have so much police escort for tourists, and your company (Kira) having travel bans for you (many foreign companies have that here), but if you see it from their point of view, it makes sense. While having tourists would be very good for the grassroot economy, one incident can cost Algeria much more.

Now as for Adrar, there is no travel ban. In late October, after the incident in Tindouf (800+km from Timimoun), a gendamarie escort regulation is now enforced. That is tourists travelling by road between El Menia (otherwise known as El Golea, south of Ghardaia) and Ain Sefra must be registered with the gendamarie who will then provide armed escorts (FOC). I don't know how this will work for those travelling on public buses/taxi, but they are stopped for checks along the highway.

As for travelling to Tindouf, this is, as far as I know, off limits to tourists. Seeing some Spanish going there in the airport in no way means it's open. Most likely, you'll have to have special reasons for going there - and sight-seeing isn't one as there's nothing to see there.

The reason for seeming conflicting info/action from teh government is due to the lack of link between the various departments. The embassies can say one thing while the ministry of tourism says another. then you get to the immigration, and the officer does something else. And you finally get onto the road, the gendamarie road blocks may tell you something else. In the end, what matters is who you're dealing with at that precise moment. Tourists obviously find this extremely frustrating but that's just how the country works. Hence, in places like Algeria, it can be good to have an agency handle all these matters while you enjoy this otherwise, mavellous country.