Gîte TARIST — Hotel in Bounoura

We stayed at Gite Tarist from October 21-23 during our visit to Ghardaia, and it was truly one of the highlights of our trip to Algeria. From the moment we arrived, we were warmly welcomed by Slimane and Omar, two brothers who own the guest house.||||Our accommodation in Suite 22 was arranged by Islam from Fancy Yellow, who also helped plan our stay in Ghardaia. The suite was beautifully decorated in a traditional style and equipped with modern comforts. It was cozy and unique, providing the perfect space to relax after our days exploring the M’zab Valley. The location of the guesthouse, set away from the main road, ensured peace and quiet nights in the heart of the desert.||||On our first night, we enjoyed an incredible three-course meal prepared by Omar's wife. The dinner featured camel meat in a tagine with white and green couscous, accompanied by a delicious potato stew and finished with fresh dates and delightful mint tea. Every meal during our stay was made by Omar's wife and was a showcase of local flavors and culinary excellence.||||Our tours in the region were conducted by Said at Discover Ghardaia, with Bekhir as our driver. Both were amazing guides—knowledgeable, hospitable, and genuinely passionate about sharing the history and culture of the M’zab Valley. Their insights and warm company made our exploration of Ghardaia and its surroundings truly memorable.||||While the property features a beautiful pool that stays refreshingly cool even in the summer heat, we didn’t have the chance to use it, as we focused on exploring the towns of Ghardaia during our short visit.||||One of the standout moments of our stay was Omar’s kindness in extending our check-out time. Since our flight to Constantine was at midnight on Wednesday, he allowed us to stay late without charging any extra fees. This thoughtful gesture was truly appreciated and made our experience even more comfortable.||||Slimane and Omar went above and beyond to make us feel at home and help us appreciate the beauty of the M’zab Valley. Despite a language barrier—since we don’t speak Arabic or French—Google Translate proved invaluable in ensuring smooth communication. Breakfast was simple yet satisfying, with coffee, tea, bread, and jam. While we didn’t arrange tours through Slimane and Omar, they mentioned that they could easily organize tours for guests who wish to do so.||||Our time at Gite Tarist was truly unforgettable. We left with a deep appreciation for the warmth and hospitality of Slimane and Omar. Thank you for an exceptional and...

I had tried to organise a 2 to 3 night trip at this Gite and although the owner Slimane stopped answering the email request I finally got him on the phone and he confirmed that he would collect me at the airport and that I would have a driver/guide and car for DZ 3000 per day. The place itself is not within walking distance of anything so one is dependent on Slimane or private transport; it is quite basic bearing in mind this is the desert. That said, the room was very comfortable, the private bathroom covered all my needs and the dinners were excellent although the breakfast very light on choice. My problem was that the first morning I had a Russian couple join me and was asked to 'help' with the interpretation which I did all morning as the only available guide was French speaking and the couple only spoke English. Rather exhausting but I was looking forward to being alone with my guide in the afternoon. Unfortunately I was then put with a French group who wanted to go for lunch which I didn't and two of the three sights they wanted to see I didn't (a mini-zoo amongst them). It was by then too late to do what I had wanted to do so we went back to the Gite and stayed there. The following morning one visit I was looking forward to was cancelled - noone's fault - and I decided not to spend another day being dissatisfied and dependent on other people so I decided to leave immediately. Slimane informed me then that I would still have to pay a half day to the driver/guide (who was very good) because he had been waiting 45 minutes for me(!! normally I was the one waiting even though I kept asking for an earlier breakfast!!) I found Slimane's attitude too concentrated on the next client and he did like to boast about the diplomats who visited. Obviously rank and numbers are more important to him than individual client satisfaction as my wishes were completely ignored to the point of not being allowed to visit one small shop, and he never even bothered to thank me for my lost morning interpreting. A shame. Good for one night and Ghardaia sights can be done in one day; taxis are very cheap and guides available (and are imposed) at the three main sights I.e. Beni Iguen, Ghatdaia old town and Al Atteuf) once in the town centre everything...

I had a truly incredible experience visiting the Ghardaia area, and a large part of what made it special is the warm welcome I received at Gite Tarist guesthouse. When I booked my room I was in touch with Slimane, one of the owners, and ahead of my arrival, he was kind enough to arrange everything for me – airport transfer, driver, tour guides, translators, etc – for the days of my stay. He and his brother Omar were so kind and welcoming and ensured I wanted for nothing.||||The guesthouse itself is wonderful, decorated in a traditional style with very unique and comfortable ensuite rooms. The location is a bit away from the road so it is very quiet and peaceful at night. The meals were delicious. There is also a gorgeous pool out back which is kept cool even in summer – this was great as it was very hot when I visited! All in all, it was a perfect place to spend a few days, and honestly I was sad to leave.||||I would highly recommend visiting the M’Zab Valley region. This is a fascinating and welcoming part of the world, and if you stay at Gite Tarist, you will feel...