The old ksar
Red earth above the palms.
Chettouh Nabil — CC BY-SA 4.0 · BRAHIM DJELLOUL — CC BY-SA 4.0 · BRAHIM DJELLOUL — CC BY-SA 4.0 · BRAHIM DJELLOUL — CC BY-SA 4.0 · oulad ali abdelrazak — CC BY-SA 3.0
Taghit is an oasis in western Algeria whose palms run along the Oued Zousfana beneath the high dunes of the Grand Erg Occidental. An old earth ksar guards the scene, with rocky Djebel Baroun opposite, so sand, palms and rock meet here in one of the best-known views of the Algerian Sahara. Sources give two origins for its name, which may mean the stone or the hill in Berber. The palm grove runs for more than 20 km, and the commune has about 137,450 date palms. More than 6,000 people live here. The area has Neolithic rock engravings, which with the ksar, zawiya and dunes are the main draws, and the town fills with visitors at New Year. The old ksar stands on a hill above the palms, with red earth walls and narrow lanes, and from it you see the whole oasis with golden dunes behind. The great dune near town draws sand-skiers, runners and photographers, and quad bikes may be on it in season. Best of all is sunset, when the sand reddens above the green trees. Taghit is 79.1 km in a straight line south-east of Béchar and about 95 km by road. Foreign visitors to the south generally have to travel through an accredited Algerian agency and may have a police escort, so confirm current rules with the agency and the consulate. A local guide can take you to the rock engravings. Winter is the best season, with cold nights. The zawiya is a place of worship, so dress modestly and ask before taking photos. Do not climb the ksar after dark, as the ground is uneven.
Red earth above the palms.
Golden sand near town.
Neolithic marks in the area.
Taghit commune, Béchar Province
Especially at New Year, so book your stay early for that period.
By road from Béchar, and rules usually require an accredited agency for foreigners.