Take a step back in time during this five-day tour through the splendid Mediterranean country of Tunisia. Visit impeccable Roman ruins, charming seaside villages, important Islamic monuments and distant desert escapes. The country’s history is sure to impress, and the heritage of its past is as alive now as ever. With the country’s impressive infrastructure and modern hotels, your stay here will offer you the comforts of home. Join this memorable Tunisian trip and discover the best of North Africa! This tour is operated in a small group of up to 8 passengers.
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 7th 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 – HAMMAMET (70 km – 1 hr)
Arrive at Tunis–Carthage Airport, where your professional guide and driver will greet you and direct you to the transfer to Hammamet, one of the main coastal cities of this beautiful country. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure, relaxing in the hotel or exploring the beautiful surroundings in Yasmine Hammamet. End the day with dinner at your hotel.
Overnight in Hammamet
Day 2: HAMMAMET – KAIROUAN – TOZEUR (420 km – 7 hrs)
Begin your day with breakfast at the hotel and a transfer to Kairouan. Upon arrival to the holy city, take a walking tour with your guide through the old Medina. Visit 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. Then visit the impressive ancient engineering site of the Aghlabid basins, where two large water basins and a few cisterns have survived the passing of centuries as they helped conserve and distribute decades of scarce drinking water resources. Lunch is included and will be in Kairouan. Then head down south to Tozeur and enjoy the evening at your hotel.
Overnight in Tozeur
Day 3: TOZEUR – CHOTT DJERID – DOUZ (130 km – 2 hrs)
Start your day with breakfast at the hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure, relaxing, exploring the surroundings on your own, or joining an optional tour. After lunch back in Tozeur, drive through the biggest salt lake in the country, Chott el Djerid, admiring the outstanding never-ending view of white and pink mirages, also used as a filming site for Star Wars. On your arrival to Douz, the ‘gateway to the Sahara’, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Douz.
Day 4: DOUZ – MATMATA – EL DJEM – SOUSSE (432 km – 5 hrs)
Have a tasty breakfast at the hotel and head towards the old village of Matmata. The area contains one of the best preserved, still inhabited troglodyte houses, carved by Tunisian Berbers in the middle of the surrounding earth. A filming site of the Star Wars movie is also open for visitors in Matmata. The next stop is at the village of El Djem, home of the Roman amphitheatre of El Djem, the third largest Roman amphitheatre in the world, built around 18 centuries ago, and exceptionally well-preserved up to this day. The site was mainly used for spectator events, namely gladiator battles. After a local lunch in El Djem, continue to the Mediterranean town of Sousse, and enjoy some free time at the harbour of El Kantaoui.
Overnight in Sousse
Day 5: SOUSSE – TUNIS (140 km – 2 hrs)
After breakfast, your guide will accompany you directly to Sidi Bousaid, the charming village that is known for its indigo blue windows and doors and white walls. At an altitude of over 100 metres, it features dazzling views over the Mediterranean Sea. Your next stop is the neighbouring archaeological site of Carthage, located on a magnificent coastline. Although the ancient city was destroyed by the Romans, this UNESCO-listed 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. The theatre today hosts some 30,000 visitors at the yearly International Music Festival of Carthage. After a tasty lunch, head towards downtown Tunis to visit the Bardo National Museum, located in an old Beylical castle in the middle of the old city of Tunis, and renowned for its rich collection of mosaics. Continue with a visit and free time in the ancient Medina of Tunis before your departure.
Breakfast 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, sun glasses, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.