Discover the natural beauty of Tunisia on this eight-day tour. Start your adventure in Tunis and visit ancient cities bustling with rich historical past, well preserved medieval towns and charming villages. The country’s history is sure to impress, and the heritage of its past is as alive now as ever.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Tunis: Tunisia’s laid-back capital boasts beautiful Islamic architecture and neighbours the famous ruins of Carthage.
Sidi Bou Said: A Mediterranean dreamland, this town is full of white walls and beautifully blue accented doors and windows along with endless views of the Mediterranean.
Kairouan: Founded in the seventh century, Kairouan is considered the Islamic capital of Tunisia.
Tozeur: The desert town is a gateway to mountain oasis and desert adventures.
Day 1: ARRIVAL TUNIS – GAMMARTH (20km – 30 min)
Arrive at Tunis–Carthage Airport, where your professional guide and driver will be waiting for you. This day is dedicated to your arrival flight, depending on which you would either have some free time to explore the area surrounding your accommodation or head directly to Gammarth for overnight and dinner.
Overnight in Gammarth.
Day 2: TUNIS – CARTHAGE – SIDI BOUSAID – BARDO – KAIROUAN (200 km – 3 hrs)
Today starts with a transfer to the picturesque Sidi Bou Said after breakfast at the hotel. This charming village is known for its white walls and indigo blue windows and doors and features dazzling views over the Mediterranean Sea, set at an altitude of over 100 metres high. Your next stop is at the neighbouring archaeological site of Carthage, located on a magnificent coastline. Although the ancient city was destroyed by the Romans, this UNESCO World Heritage Site features excavations of homes, baths and sewage systems. The other significant site in the area is the Carthage amphitheatre, built towards the first century AD and later rebuilt by the Romans. After lunch, head towards downtown Tunis to visit the Bardo National Museum, renowned for its rich collection of mosaics and located in an old Beylical castle in the middle of the old city of Tunis. The day concludes with a visit and free time in the ancient Medina of Tunis before you head to Kairouan to check in to your hotel and have dinner.
Overnight in Kairouan.
Day 3: KAIROUAN – SBEITLA – GAFSA – TOZEUR (330 km - 5 hrs)
As the day starts, your guide will walk you through the old Medina of Kairouan to the Great Mosque of Kairouan, located in the middle of the Medina and built by the Arab general Uqba Ibn Nafi in 670 AD. The site attracts thousands of local and international visitors for its magnificent architectural and spiritual value. The next visit is to the Aghlabid water site, where two large basins and a few cisterns shave survived the centuries after they have served during decades of scarce drinking water resources. After lunch, the tour heads towards The Roman ruins of Sufetula, containing the best preserved Roman forum temples in Tunisia. It was the entry point of the Muslim conquest of North Africa. Head south via Gafsa to arrive at Tozeur, the city of palm trees.
Overnight in Tozeur.
Day 4: TOZEUR – CHEBIKA – TAMERZA – ONG JMEL – TOZEUR (190 km - 3 hrs)
Today you will hop on your 4x4 to discover the oasis, where you will drive through the desert and the occasional dry salt lakes to arrive at the mountain oasis of Chebika and the Canyons of Tamerza. On the way back to Tozeur, you will make a stop at the site of the Star Wars movie located in the middle of the Sahara Desert, which is only a couple of minutes from Tozeur, so you might get lucky and catch the sunset there. In the evening, enjoy dinner at the hotel.
Overnight in Tozeur.
Day 5: TOZEUR – CHOTT DJERID – DOUZ – CAMPEMENT ZMELA
After breakfast and on the way out of Tozeur, you will visit the downtown of the small city and spot the different architectural styles on the facades of the houses. Afterwards, you will ride through the biggest Salt Lake in the country, Chott Djerid, with an outstanding never ending view of white and sometimes pink mirages. Upon your arrival to Douz, also called the Gate of the Sahara, you will enjoy the sight of sand hovering over the south side of the city. After lunch in Douz, you will cross the Sahara desert to arrive at your camp where you will enjoy your dinner and overnight.
Overnight in Campement Zmela.
Day 6: CAMP ZMELA – MATMATA – CHENINI – DOUIRET – TATAOUINE (250 km - 4 hrs)
This day is all about discovering the Berber culture. There are about 150 Berber Ksours between Matmata, Chenini and Tataouine. Ksousr, plural of Ksar, are what the Berber called their habitations. Most of these sites are only accessible by 4-wheelers for they are perched on ridges like Chenini’s Ksours and hanging on hillsides like the Old Guermassa. Some of these Ksours were even used for the filming of the Star Wars movies such as the ones in Ksar Haddada, made of 380 ghorfas, rooms, located on the same level. End the day in the Berber village of Tataouine.
Overnight in Tataouine.
Day 7: TATAOUINE – GABES – SFAX (350 km - 4 hrs)
Make your way out of the Berber area and start heading back north to Gabes, where you will visit the Spice Market and admire the freshness of the colors and the smells. Enjoy a local lunch in Gabes. After that arrive in Sfax for a tour around the town before you check in to your hotel.
Overnight in Sfax.
Day 8: SFAX – EL DJEM – MONASTIR – PORT EL KANTAOUI – HAMMAMET(250 km – 3.5 hrs)
The day starts with the transfer to El Djem, home of the Roman amphitheatre of El Djem, the second largest Roman Amphitheatre, built around 18 centuries ago, and still today exceptionally well preserved. The site was mainly used for spectator events, namely gladiator battles. After lunch in El Djem, continue to Monastir to visit the Mausoleum of Habib Bourguiba and the big Ribat Tour of Monastir. Continue to one of the most famous coastal cities, Sousse where you will enjoy free time at the leisure harbour of Port El Kantaoui before finishing the day in Hammamet for your stay extension (not included).
Comfortable and light clothing is the most suitable for travelling in Tunisia, though a warm jumper and jacket are advisable in the cooler months. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting religious or official buildings. Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay
