The cooler months — late October to early April — are the only realistic time. Days then are pleasant (15–25°C), nights cold (often near freezing in January) and the desert sky is clear. The summer heat from May to September is brutal, with daytime highs over 45°C, and sandstorms become more common.
The date harvest in October and the Sebiba and zerda festivals tied to the local Sufi calendar are particular drawcards. The big regional date festival happens in Timimoun itself, usually in October, and is a good time to be in town — music, markets, and an influx of visitors from across the Gourara.