Tunisia
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Day One: Touchdown in Tunis
On arrival at Tunis Carthage International Airport, you will be met and assisted by your private guide and driver. Your Tunisian adventure begins in Sidi Bousaid - known as the white and blue city due to it's signature colour palette and enviable location overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Continuing to Carthage climb the steps of the ancient amphitheatre and take a virtual dip in the Bath of Antoninus. A well earned lunch stop in La Goulette, the Port of Tunis, marks the start of the afternoon dedicated to exploring downtown Tunis. This includes a stop at the National Museum of Bardo (which contains one of the largest collections of mosaics in North Africa) before being drawn into the narrow streets of the Medina of Tunis.
Overnight in Tunis
For hotel details, click on the hotel name below.
Premium Hotel - Dar El Jeld & Spa
Meals included: Dinner
Day Two: Traditions and Tozeur
After breakfast, you will start to head southwards and further back in time on your first stop in the holy city of Kairouan, the foundation of which dates back to the year 670. Known as the capital of Islam, Islamic history and culture is evidenced by mosques and mausoleums. Stop at one of the architectural testimonies of the 14th Century, the Zaouia of Sidi Abid El-Ghariani, which, to this day, is home to Koran classes as well as the Association of Medina's heritage. Once you have had time to wonder at the beauty of this building you will make your way to the Medina of Kairouan to freshen up before lunch in the 17th century Barrouta Well, with water believed to be holy. Lunch is served at a traditional house in the Medina after which your journey to the South continues until you reach Tozeur. Dinner is served downtown - a delicious crock-pot of lamb - before you head to the center of a palm grove and your lodge for the night.
Overnight in Tozeur
Premium Hotel - Diar Abou Habibi
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day Three: Traverse Tozeur and the Tunisian Sahara
Early birds may start the day at 7 A.M. with an optional land rover excursion (please see our Extras Tab for further information and costs), to discover the oasis of Chebika and Tamerza, located between canyons, a few kilometres from the Algerian border. If you prefer a lie in, enjoy a lazy morning before your horse back ride through the oasis of Tozeur. Traverse the main hamlets of the city, dotted with palm trees and streams, before stopping for lunch. After lunch cross the vast salt lake of Chott Djerid (a talking point itself as, according to legend, the Greek goddess Athena was born here) to Douz where your desert experience begins. On arrival at Camp Mars you will have dinner and enjoy the campfire, Saharan style, before settling down for the night in your tent. Although the accommodation is basic one must bear in mind that, as the owner of Camp Mars has been quoted to have said - "the concept of comfort makes sense in a place where there is nothing but dunes".
Overnight in Douz
Camp Mars tented accommodation
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day Four: Tatooine and Troglodytes
Your desert adventure continues after breakfast as you get to discover the surrounding of Camp Mars behind the wheel of your own Desert Rover System. You could almost believe you were on planet Mars as you rove your way through the dunes, enjoying a few more hours in the desert before heading back to Douz and civilization. After lunch in Douz, you will head towards the village of Matmata and an alternative galaxy, far, far away as you visit Luke Skywalker's Tatooine home, part of the incredible set from the Star Wars trilogy. Dinner and lodging this evening is in an in-ground-built troglodyte habitation. This echoes a handful of the South Tunisian population who were, and, to an extent, still are, cave dwellers.
Overnight in a troglodyte habitation
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day Five: Tranquility and Touting
Start a day of exploration with a hearty breakfast before taking the ferry to Djerba, the Island of Dreams. Your first stop in Djerba will be the olive oil mills, in use since the roman era, built underground to maintain ideal temperatures year round. The surrounding area features a number of mosques, the most important being Mosque El Fadhloun, with it's modest whitewashed walls, symbolizing the serenity of the island. Head to the market in Houmt Souk to bid at a local auction for fish, which will be taken to a restaurant to be grilled to perfection for your lunch. The afternoon is spent walking the streets of the village of Guellala, renowned for pottery making which forms the main economic base of the locals. Your overnight stop is just a short walk from the famous Djerba Hood, an open air museum featuring the works of a hundred artists of varying nationalities who, in 2014, invested in the village with their Street Art paintings.
Overnight in Djerba
Premium Hotel - Dar Dhiafa
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day Six: Trees and Takrouna
Bid a fond farewell to the Island of Dreams and begin your journey back to the North. The start of the journey takes you along the ancient 7 kilometre long bridge (built in the 3rd century BC by the Carthaginians), then onto Gabes, A stop at the colourful spice market of Jara is worthwhile as you can shop for spices and henna as momentos of your time in Tunisia. Lunch is served at a local farmhouse in El Djem where the owner will take you on a stroll through the olive groves and fruit orchards. Your next stop on the journey northwards is Takrouna, approximately 200 metres above sea level and offering panoramic views of "Sahel" to the east, the plain of Kairouan to the South and Djebel Zaghouan to the North. Your last night in Tunisia is spent at an ecological farmhouse, framed with colourful patches of grass and almond trees.
Overnight in Zaghouan
Premium Hotel - The Farmhouse of Dar Zaghouan
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day Seven: Time to Fly
After breakfast, you'll be transferred to Tunis and assisted with your departure flight.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overall meals included: 6 breakfasts; 5 lunches; 6 dinners
What's included:
- Private English speaking guides
- Airport pick up and drop off
- Private transfers unless stated otherwise
- Entrance tickets and permits unless stated otherwise
- Meals as listed
- Mandatory taxes and service fees
What's not included:
- International flights to/from experience:
call 0208 251 0425 for AX specially negotiated flight rates - Tips for guides, drivers, hotel and restaurant staff
- Any visa, customs, airport taxes or similar charges before or after the tour
- We cannot guarantee the included hotel breakfast for early departures
- Drinks during meals unless stated otherwise
- Personal expenses, such as laundry
If you intend to travel solo, contact us on 0208 251 0425
GETTING THERE
Typical economy flights (direct) from London to Tunis (return) cost around £290 per person.
Experience start point: Tunis (TUN)
End point: Tunis (TUN)
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