From the Mainland to the Island, Small Group Tour

Explore Tunisia all the way from the mainland starting in Tunis, to the South, then the Island of Djerba, and back to Tunis. Visit archaeological sites, go on adventurous excursions and admire a variety of natural escape. This tour is operated in a small group of up to 8 passengers.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

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.

Djerba: a Berber Island renowned for being the Dream Island for its magnificent beaches and relaxed environment.

Sousse: This seaside town is a great spot to relax on the beach and wander around the upscale Port El Kantaoui.

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.

Day 1: ARRIVAL TUNIS – HAMMAMET (80km – 1.5hrs)

Upon arrival at the Tunis–Carthage International Airport, you will be met by your professional guide and driver and transferred to your accommodation in Hammamet. Spend the rest of the day relaxing in the hotel facilities or head outside to explore the area and in the evening enjoy delicious dinner at your hotel.

Overnight in Hammamet.

Day 2: HAMMAMET – KAIROUAN – TOZEUR (395 km – 6hrs)

After breakfast, you will be picked up at approximately 8 am. This day will start with the transfer to Kairouan. Take a walking tour with your guide 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 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. After Kairouan, head south to Gafsa for lunch before arriving at the city of palm trees Tozeur at around 6 pm.

Overnight in Tozeur.

Day 3: TOZEUR – DOUZ (125km – 2hrs)

After breakfast spend the rest of the day at leisure enjoying hotel´s facilities. After lunch, make your way out of Tozeur through the biggest salt lake in the country, Chott el Djerid, with an outstanding never-ending view of white and pink mirages, also used as a filming site for Star Wars. Arrive at Douz, the “gateway to the Sahara”, enjoy some free time, or an optional camel ride. 

You can also go on an optional excursion in the morning which is available on site. Optional activities starting at 8 am: Take 4x4 ride through the desert and the occasional dry salt lakes to arrive at the stunning mountain oasis of Chebika. Or choose another 4X4 ride to visit the site of the Star Wars filming location found in the middle of the Sahara Desert, only a couple of minutes from Tozeur.  

Overnight in Douz.

Day 4: DOUZ – MATMATA – DJERBA (220km – 4hrs)

You will start your day around 8 am and drive to 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. Your next stop is the Island of Dreams, where you will start with lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch you will discover the downtown area of the Island, Houmt Souk, renowned for being the attraction of the locals for daily shopping and containing colourful souks, and also colourful neighbourhood such as the Djerba Hood, a street in which artists from all over the world gathered in 2014 and created beautiful graffiti art pieces. The day will finish with a check in at your hotel around 6 pm.

Overnight in Djerba.

Day 5: DJERBA – GUELLALA – DJERBA (50km – 1hr)

Enjoy your breakfast and be ready around 8 am to move into a different culture located in Djerba, equally significant for its history, in the Jewish hood, the center of which is the Synagogue of El Ghriba in the village of Erriadh. 20 synagogues were once present in Erriadh, one of which is today a site of pilgrimage for many visitors from all over the world. The synagogue is a modest building when seen from the outside, but has a fascinating interior, richly decorated by colorful windows and tiles, and very well preserved authentic furniture. It is most fascinating to know that today Djerba is home to around 1400 Jewish people, living in harmony on the island along with Muslims, reunited under the Tunisian patrimony. After lunch, you will head to Guellala, from the Berber name Iquallalen, meaning potteries and renowned for pottery making, an activity practiced since centuries and defining the main economic base for the locals then and until the present day. Head back to your resort at around 6 pm for dinner time.

Overnight in Djerba.

Day 6: DJERBA – EL DJEM – SOUSSE (430km – 5.5hrs)

After breakfast around 8 am, the tour heads towards 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. Have lunch in a local restaurant in El Djem. The day will finish by a short walk in the leisure harbour of Port El Kantaoui, where you will have opportunity to purchase some souvenirs or simply enjoy the scene while sipping some Tunisian coffee or fresh juice. Head to your hotel at around 6 pm for dinner and overnight.

Overnight in Sousse.

Day 7: SOUSSE – SIDI BOU SAID – CARTHAGE – TUNIS (150km – 2hrs)

Today starts with a transfer around 8 am 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. The theatre today hosts some 30,000 visitors at the yearly International Music Festival of Carthage. 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 is concluded with a visit and free time in the ancient Medina of Tunis before you head to Gammarth around 6 pm to check in to your hotel and have dinner.

Overnight in Tunis.

Day 8: TUNIS DEPARTURE

After breakfast, and depending on your flight time, you will be transferred to the airport and assisted for departure. (Depending on your flights' times, lunch is included either on your arrival day or on your departure day).

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.