× title-placeholder message-placeholder 🛖 TakeYourBackpack.com find your next backpacking destination covering all countries in the world extensive info per country personal stories and photos learn how to backpack like a pro Skip to main content home advisor destinations Africa Asia Europe North America South America Oceania All countries Where to go? inspiration Photos & stories World cities Famous hikes National parks Best beaches Famous festivals World wonders UNESCO sites All highlights planning search bucketlist Algeria 🇩🇿 Ghardaia Moussem Celebrate the Ghardaia Moussem, Algeria. Check the dates, what to do and where to go Explore National Festival of the Ahellil of Gourara Explore International Arab Film Festival Intro | Highlights | Map | Date of event | Where to stay? | Guide | Algeria | FAQ | What to expect when backpacking in Ghardaia Moussem The Ghardaia Moussem in Algeria is a vibrant festival that showcases the rich cultural tapestry of the M’zab Valley, blending traditional Berber music with lively dance and local crafts. Typically attracting a mix of locals and adventurous travelers, the vibe is a colorful celebration of community and heritage, steeped in history and authenticity. Held annually for about a week in late summer, the festival takes place in Ghardaia, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its stunning architecture and unique desert landscape. If you’re looking for a genuine cultural experience away from the usual tourist traps, this festival is definitely worth the journey—just be prepared for some serious heat and a crowd that knows how to party! Discover everything you want to know in the 📖  Algeria Travel Guide . Organized yearly : in September – October Duration: 7 days Get your Algeria Travel Guide 💡 Top Highlights Best things to do in and around Ghardaia Moussem Algeria Grab your own Travelguide for only The M’Zab Medina — a living UNESCO stage The festival takes place inside a striking, white-walled M’Zab valley medina where the architecture itself becomes part of the show. Narrow alleys, terraces and lookout points fill with people, light and color — it’s atmospheric in a way a normal city festival can’t be, because the whole town is the set. Traditional music, dance and storytelling Local ensembles, call-and-response singing and rhythmic percussion appear throughout the mousem, often in improvised settings. Performances feel authentic and lived-in rather than polished for tourists, so you’ll catch traditions being practiced, passed on and celebrated in real time. Bustling souks and the date market Artisans set out silverwork, textiles, pottery and other crafts, and you’ll find stalls dedicated to dozens of date varieties and regional treats. It’s the best place to haggle for a handmade piece or sample dates straight from the producers — small, honest commerce, not a tourist mall. Processions and traditional dress Groups parade through the streets in distinct local robes, turbans and embroidered garments, turning ordinary corners into colorful tableaux. The pageantry is visual storytelling: you see social identity and local pride carried and worn, which makes for memorable photos and encounters. Communal feasts, tea rituals and everyday hospitality Eating and sharing is central — expect open invitations to sit for tea, dates and regional dishes, and to watch family-style cooking and serving traditions. The warm, communal atmosphere is the heart of the mousem; food is how people talk, welcome guests and celebrate together. Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact me. To view the map, please enable javascript Loading the map 🌍 CLICK TO FILTER city town unique site national park hike beach festival show all 🌤️ When to Go? When is Ghardaia Moussem? The Ghardaia Moussem, a vibrant festival in Algeria, usually takes place in late September or early October, but the exact date shifts each year since it’s based on the Islamic lunar calendar. This means it can vary quite a bit, so it’s a good idea to double-check closer to your travel date. The festival is a colorful celebration of the region’s culture, with music, dance, and traditional crafts. If you’re planning to go, expect lots of locals and visitors mingling, so it’s a great way to soak up the atmosphere. Pro tip: Book your accommodations well in advance. Places fill up quickly during the festival, and you don’t want to be left scrambling for a spot after a long journey. JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 🛏️ Where to Stay? Best Places to Stay in Ghardaia Moussem If you enjoy meeting fellow travelers, consider choosing hostels with high ratings for atmosphere. On the other hand, if you prefer having your own space, a hotel might be a better option. Best hostels in Algeria Best quality hotels in Algeria ✈️ Get your own digital guidebook Algeria Travel Guide Discover the best Algeria has to offer — handpicked hikes, must-see cities, hidden gems, local festivals, and more. All in one handy downloadable pdf Algeria 166 pages full of highlights ✅ Why visit & When to go ✅ 79 must-see highlights ✅ 21-day country itinerary ✅ Top hikes & National parks ▼ More inside ✅ Best areas to stay ✅ History of country & cities ✅ Essential phrases & customs ✅ Key festivals & Events ✅ Money, food & transport Get your Guide Now Start planning today! 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Explore Algeria Ghardaia Moussem isn’t the only highlight in Algeria. Explore all what Algeria has to offer. 🌆 Cities        Compare the top best cities : Algiers, Oran, Constantine , see all 🏡 Towns        Compare the top best towns : Djanet, Timimoun, In Salah , see all ⭐️ Unique sites        Compare the top best wonders : Sahara Desert, Kasbah of Algiers, Ancient ruins of Djemila, see all 🏞️ National parks        Compare the top best parks : Ahaggar, Tassili n’Ajjer, Djurdjura , see all 🚶‍♀️ Hikes        Compare the top best hikes : Hoggar Mountains, Djebel Chelia, Djurdjura Mountains, see all 🏖️ Beaches        Compare the top best beaches : Plage de Tipaza, Plage Clovis, Plage de Sidi Fredj, see all 🎎 Festivals        Compare the top best festivals : International of the Sahara, DimaJazz, Timgad International Music , see all Explore Algeria ✈️ Ready to Go? Ghardaia Moussem FAQ Get your own 2025 guide book for Algeria The TakeYourBackpack guidebooks are your all-in-one travel companion, featuring the best cities, national parks, hikes, beaches, and unique sites, along with essential tips on when to go, how to get around, exchanging money, and even local phrases to get you started — everything you need for a smooth, unforgettable backpacking adventure. Algeria Grab your own Travelguide for only How do I find the best and cheapest places to stay in Ghardaia Moussem? Personal tip: I normally search on good rating for atmosphere (for meeting people) and location (for easy exploring). Cleanliness as a bonus. Best hostels in Algeria Best quality hotels in Algeria What should I pack for a backpacking trip to Algeria? Algeria’s climate can be a bit of a rollercoaster, so pack with variety in mind. In the north, expect Mediterranean vibes—hot, dry summers and rainy winters. But if you’re heading south to the Sahara, brace for extreme heat during the day and surprisingly chilly nights. Terrain-wise, you’ll find everything from beaches to mountains, so sturdy footwear is a must. Culturally, modest dress is key, especially in rural areas and religious sites. Think long sleeves and pants or skirts that cover the knees. Apart from this country specific advice, I have also crafted a general packing list that should help on any trip. Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of packing minimally. It’s so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you’re headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere. Money & Documents Passport, visa (originals + some photo copies) Passport photographs Credit and debit cards (on world profile) Cash (US$ or €) Money belt Vaccination proofs Clothing Light, quick-dry clothing No jeans, too heavy Ultralight rain/wind jacket Thermo underwear Quick-dry towel Sunglasses Electronics Mobile phone + charger Power bank Travel adapter Local sim card (buy it on arrival) Health Toothbrush Deo Sunscreen, lips sunburn Anti-diarrhea Paracetamol Vitamin C Blister plasters Iodine (for desinfecting wounds) Anti-mosquito (DEET) Bit of emergency toilet paper Nail scissors Others Small number lock Waterproof packing cubes (for dirty clothes) Deck of cards(!) Ear plugs Travel pillow Spare glasses/contacts Kobo reader Moneybelt “Best way to carry your important documents” Light Backpack “Handy, lightweight backpack, excellent for backpackers who travel light” Large Backpack “Waterproof large lightweight backpack, excellent for backpackers who want to bring a lot” Outlander daypack “Handy Lightweight Travel Hiking Backpack Daypack, available in many colours” Carry on Backpack 40L “Whenever you can, travel with just carry-on luggage, saves costs and makes traveling much easier” Quick dry pant “Nothing beats these quick dry and light pants when traveling” Light rain jacket “Hiking in rainy season? These keep you dry” Thermo underwear “Less weight and volume than bulky sweaters or jackets” Quick dry towel “Normal towels get smelly and heavy when traveling” Travel adapter “Needed as each country has its own electricity plugs” Number lock “No chance of losing your key; handy for lockers in dormitories” Packing cubes “Keep your wet or dirty clothes separate from the rest” Travel pillow “Light and great for flights and long bus journeys” Lightweight, small mosquito net “Easy to carry, great for those nights where mosquitos are all around you” Kobo Reader “For reading 1.000s of books while carrying only one” Power bank “Pick a small and light one, with 10.000mAh or more” DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Vlogging Camera “The camera for quick videos while traveling” Waterproof action camera “Great action camera for outdoor active enthousiasts” Panasonic LUMIX FZ80D Compact Camera “When you need a large optical zoom (e.g. for safaris), look no further. The Lumix has a massive 20-1200mm zoom lens” Go Pro “The absolute champion in action videos” Ultra light tent “With only 1.08kg (2.38 pounds) this one is just the best you can get.” Ultra light sleeping airbed “Ultra light, still very comfortable and isolating!” Vitamin C “Vitamin C pills to compensate for less balanced food” Blister Plasters “Blister plasters for those long hikes” Iodine “Iodine for self desinfecting small open wounds” Mosquito repellant “Let‘s give those mosquito‘s no chance with 98% DEET” Got more questions? See the FAQ for all questions and answers for backpacking in Algeria. I 💚 feedback Final Thoughts If you hit up the Ghardaia Moussem, brace yourself for a sensory overload—think vibrant colors, bustling markets, and the smell of spices wafting through the air. The best surprise? Stumbling upon impromptu music sessions that’ll have you tapping your feet. Just a heads-up: the crowds can get intense, so keep your belongings close and your patience handy. It’s chaotic, but that’s part of the charm! 🫱 Share this page 🙋‍♂️ Give feedback last page update: 19 November 2025 Take  Your  Backpack Home Advisor Destinations Inspiration Planning Search To sign up for the nesletter, please enable javascript STAY UP TO DATE Sign up for the newsletter Africa Algeria Angola Benin Botswana Burkina Faso Burundi Cabo Verde (Cape Verde) Cameroon Central African Republic Chad Côte d’Ivoire Dem. Rep. of the Congo Djibouti Egypt Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Eswatini Ethiopia Gabon Gambia Ghana Guinea Guinea-Bissau Ivory Coast Kenya Lesotho Liberia Libya Madagascar Malawi Mali Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Morocco Mozambique Namibia Niger Nigeria Republic of the Congo Réunion Rwanda São Tomé and Príncipe Senegal Seychelles Sierra Leone Somalia South Africa South Sudan Sudan Tanzania Togo Tunisia Uganda Western Sahara Zambia Zimbabwe Asia Afghanistan Armenia Azerbaijan Bahrain Bangladesh Bhutan Brunei Cambodia China Georgia Hong Kong India Indonesia Iran Iraq Israel Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Lebanon Macau Malaysia Maldives Mongolia Myanmar Nepal North Korea Oman Pakistan Palestine Philippines Qatar Russia Saudi Arabia Singapore South Korea Sri Lanka Syria Taiwan Tajikistan Thailand Türkiye (Turkey) Turkmenistan United Arab Emirates Uzbekistan Vietnam Yemen Europe Albania Andorra Austria Belarus Belgium Bosnia & Herzegovina Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Czechia (Czech Republic) Denmark Estonia Faroe Islands Finland France Germany Gibraltar Greece Guernsey Hungary Iceland Ireland Italy Jersey Kosovo Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Moldova Monaco Montenegro Netherlands North Macedonia Norway Poland Portugal Romania Russia San Marino Serbia Slovakia Slovenia Spain Svalbard Sweden Switzerland Türkiye (Turkey) Ukraine United Kingdom Vatican City State North  America Antigua and Barbuda Aruba Bahamas Barbados Belize British Virgin Islands Canada Cayman Islands Costa Rica Cuba Dominica Dominican Republic El Salvador Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guatemala Haiti Honduras Jamaica Martinique Mexico Nicaragua Panama Puerto Rico Saint Barthélemy Saint Lucia Saint Martin Saint Vincent & the Grenadines Sint Maarten Trinidad and Tobago Turks and Caicos Islands United States United States Virgin Islands Oceania American Samoa Australia Cook Islands East Timor Fiji French Polynesia Guam Kiribati Marshall Islands Nauru New Caledonia New Zealand Palau Papua New Guinea Samoa Solomon Islands Timor-Leste Tonga Tuvalu Vanuatu South  America Argentina Bolivia Brazil Chile Colombia Curaçao Ecuador Falkland Islands French Guiana Guyana Paraguay Peru Suriname Uruguay Venezuela Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Cookies | About me To use these links, please enable javascript © takeyourbackpack.com | Contact To contact me enable javascript