Tunisia is prime territory for a straightforward sun-sand-and-sea holiday. But beyond the beaches, it’s a thrilling, underrated destination where distinct cultures and incredible extremes of landscape can be explored in just a few days. Tunis is refashioning itself as an ambitiously modern Arab capital, though both its long Ottoman and not-so-distant colonial past still have a powerful, palpable presence.
Day 01 Arrive Tunis
Check – In at hotel.
Arrival to Tunis airport, welcome and assistance. Transfer to the hotel in Tunis capital .
Day 02 Tunis –Carthage – Sousse (180 Kms / 2H 15M appx.)
After breakfast, visit of the world-famous Bardo Museum in Tunis, which has the finest collections of Roman mosaics in the world. There are also some interesting Early Christian mosaics which introduces the manner in which Christian art developed.
Next, we go for a short orientation tour by foot of the old Medina. Tunis is made up of two enclaves, the old town or Medina and the new town, built by the French as their administrative headquarters, a role it continues to fulfill today for modern Tunisia. The Medina was founded by the first Arab conquerors and it is full of monuments from both the Arab and Turkish periods, not least the Great Mosque built by the Aghlabid dynasty in the eighth century AD.
Free time for lunch and continuation to the site of ancient Carthage. Founded by Phoenician traders from the Levant as a trading depot en route to south-west Europe, it eventually became an independent and powerful entity in its own right.
This aroused Rome’s long-term enmity and there followed the famous Punic Wars which eventually saw Carthage’s total destruction. Subsequently re-founded by the Romans we will look over what remains of both cities. This will include the Byrsa Hill where Carthage was founded, c. 814 BC according to Roman sources; a site featuring the characteristic Tophet Graves of the Carthaginians; and the Archaeological Park centered on the Antonine Baths. We’ll visit as well the Second World War American cemetery in Carthage.
Nearby is the very handsome coastal town of Sidi Bou Said, much loved by painters, where we will have a short walking tour.
Day 03 Sousse – Kairouan – Gafsa – Tozeur (355 Kms / 5H appx.)
After breakfast departure to Kairouan, a purely Arab city filled with outstanding examples of the finest Islamic architecture in Tunisia: the Great Mosque of OKBA, the oldest place of worship in North Africa, and the mausoleum of Sidi Sahabi, a companion and a disciple of the Prophet Mohamed. We will see the impressive pools, built in the 9th century to collect and store winter rainwater. Then into the Medina (old town), the ancient market place encircled by 11th-century walls. Then a walking guided tour through workshops bakeries magnificent houses and religious monument Stop in Kairouan and panoramic visit to Islam Holy City. Continuation to Gafsa, Free time for lunch and departure to Tozeur.
On our arrival in Tozeur, it soon becomes quite clear that the main attraction of this desert city is its vast oasis. This oasis covers about ten square kilometers which has been planted with some 400,000 palms and is fed by 100 springs. We check in at the hotel in Tozeur.
We’ll have some time to relax then do some exploration of this very interesting and unique town. We will take a horse-drawn carriage into the oasis. We will learn about the date harvest and have the opportunity to sample some local dates or date wine “Legmi”, the medieval town with its distinctive desert architecture & decorative brickwork.Overnight at hotel.
Day 04 Tozeur – Chebika – Tamerza – Tozeur (201 Kms / 1H 50M appx.)
After brekafast, we will drive to the Mountain Oases of Chebika, Tamerza and Mides. Located amidst the rugged outcrop of the Atlas Mountains, not far from the Algerian frontier, these date back to Roman times, when they were military outposts to control the caravan trade. In Chebika, we take a walk to see the Berber village, waterfalls and the spring of the water, we continue to the picturesque village of Tamerza, with its spectacular sightseeing made famous in the film, The English Patient.
Return to Tozeur for lunch and depart for an adventure trip by 4X4 to visit the “Ong Jemal” among the sand dunes, and the desert site of one of the Star Wars films (episode 1 and 2 and Lars farm episode 2, 3 and 4.) Back to the hotel in Tozeur.
Day 05 Tozeur – Douz – Matmata (217 Kms / 3H 30M appx.)
This morning, we will drive across the Chott el Jerid, the Great Salt Lake, the barrier between the Sahara and fertile North. If we are lucky, we may see some mirages on the horizon. Arrival to the town of Douz called also the “Gateway of the Sahara”. Visit and possibility to have a camel ride passing through deserted landscape and picturesque sand dunes, Ultra- light airplane or motor glider, Car cross or buggy trip in the Sahara (optional).
Free time and departure to Matmata of Star Wars notoriety, but more importantly, center of the most extensive number of traditional troglodyte pit homes in the region. The Berber people built these simple underground dwellings to escape the extremes of weather and any unwelcome invaders, to get a feel for troglodyte living. We will visit one of these dwelling caves, then visit the hotel Sidi Driss, where scenes from the Lars homestead in Star Wars were filmed.
Day 06 Matmata – Chenini – Douiret –Tataouine (21 Kms / 3H appx.)
After breakfast, departure to Matmata of Star Wars notoriety, but more importantly, center of the most extensive number of traditional troglodyte pit homes in the region. The Berber people built these simple underground dwellings to escape the extremes of weather and any unwelcome invaders, to get a feel for troglodyte living. We will visit one of these dwelling caves, then visit the hotel Sidi Driss, where scenes from the Lars homestead in Star Wars were filmed.
Another interesting area with a special landscape and architecture is not far: Medenine and Tataouine known for the Berber tribes and the Ksour, the old granaries used by the nomadic Berber tribes to store their goods from food to olive oil, wheat and barley.
The city of the dinosaurs, that’s how Tataouine is called sometimes but certainly it’s the place where the most beautiful and authentic Berber villages are still standing on the top of the hills and mountain summits.
Continue to visit the village of Chenini and the village of Douiret both situated on the top of the local mountains.Check in at the hotel.
Day 07 Tataouine – Djerba Island (160 Kms / 3H appx.)
After breakfast, departure toward the largest island of North Africa: Djerba.
To get to the island there are two ways: the ferry or the Roman cause way built during the third century to link it to the continent.
Drive on the 7 kilometer cause way to reach the island.
Djerba had always been different from the rest of Tunisia thanks to its architecture and colors.
After check in at the resort hotel, we’ll explore the island for the rest of the day.
Day 08 Djerba Island–Gabes–El Jem–Sousse–Hammamet (544 Kms/7H appx.)
After breakfast, departure to the maritime oasis of Gabes, the spices capital in Tunisia. Visit of the spices market and continues toward El Djem to visit the largest and most spectacular Roman amphitheatre in North Africa, the remains of the Roman villas in the town and the archaeological museum.
Free time and continue to the coastal town Sousse. Where we’ll visit the old Medina and the Marina of Port El Kantaoui.
Continue to the town of Hammamet. Check in at a resort hotel.
Day 09 Hammamet– Haouaria–Kerkouane–Hammamet (204 Kms / 4H appx.)
After breakfast .This day the peninsular of the Cap Bon will be explored. In fact the region where life is based on farming, fishing and tourism, is known for being one of the richest parts of Tunisia.
The purpose is to see as many different aspects as possible by going to Kelibia: a typical fishing port since the Carthaginian era and the proof is the castle overlooking both the coast and the inland.
The other place is Kerkouane: a unique site, the only one that Romans did not use after destroying the city.
Everything remained the same and it became today the only site where the Carthaginian architecture, mosaics, private homes and market place can be seen.
On the same day and on the way back to the resort of Hammamet a stop at Nabeul, the Roman Neapolis, is a must as it’s the capital of the Cap Bon peninsular and the capital of the pottery work brought by the Ottomans since the 16th century.Back to the hotel.
Day 10 Hammamet – Tunis (70 Kms/ 1H 30M appx.)/ Depart Tunis
Departure transfer to onwards destination.
| City | Nights | 5* Hotels |
| Tunis | 01 | Golden Tulip El Mechtel |
| Sousse | 01 | Riadh Palm Sousse |
| Tozeur | 02 | Ksar Rouge |
| Matmata | 01 | Diar El Barbar |
| Tataouine | 01 | Sangho Privilege Tataouine |
| Djerba Island | 01 | El Mouradi jerba Menzel |
| Hammamet | 02 | Vincci Nozha Beach |
- Accommodation as per the program.
- Meals as per the program.
- Horse carriage tour in the oasis of Tozeur
- 4×4 car for the excursion to the desert of Ong Jemal “Star War sites”
- Entrance fees.
- Local English speaking guide.
- All transfers, sightseeing, excursions.
- All taxes.
Branding
– Logo branding on Vehicles.
– Color and logo branding Merchandise.
– Departure gifts with company’s branding.
- Personal Expenses.
- All Domestic and International Flights with airport taxes.
- Camera / Video Camera Fees.
- Medical Aid.
- Tips.
- Travel Insurance.
- Visa (If any).
– Accommodation in good hotels.
– Check-in / out time is 12 noon at most of the hotels.
– Extension to other places is also possible with a minimal extra cost.
– Additional nights are available at each place with minimal supplement.
– A visa is required and must be obtained prior to your departure from your Country.
– If quoted hotel is not available, we will provide one of a similar category and standard.
– Small deviations in the tour program are sometimes necessary, depending on weather, road conditions, flight schedules and room availability.
– In case the government changes presently applicable taxes, increase in airlines prices, fuel surcharge our rates will need to be adjusted accordingly.
– In Asia, there is no relevance between the distance and time of travelling, as it depends upon the condition of the roads and congestion of the traffic.
– While every effort will be made to maintain the itinerary, in view of local strikes etc that are beyond our control all schedule and itineraries are subject to last moment changes.
– Clients must be fully insured, as the company cannot accept liability for loss or damage to client’s property, medical emergencies or any other loss suffered by them whilst on tour.
– In Case of issuing Domestic or International air tickets, SGV is not responsible for any refund if the flight is delayed or cancelled, as it is the responsibility of airline.