Ultimate Tunisia Adventure

Salam! Welcome to Tunisia. Tunis is a city of contrasts, with its 19th-century ville nouvelle — laid out during the French colonial era — and its atmospheric 8th-century medina, where winding alleyways lead to the iconic Great Mosque.
Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm this evening. If you arrive early, take some time to explore and sample local favorites — try a bowl of lablabi, enjoy a Tunisian-style tajine (quite different from the Moroccan version), or satisfy your sweet tooth with a freshly made bambalouni.

It’s important to attend the welcome meeting at the beginning of your trip — during this time, your leader will collect your travel insurance and emergency contact details. If you think you might arrive late, please let your travel agent or the hotel reception know in advance. You can also check with reception or look for a note posted in the lobby for details about the meeting’s time and location.

Stroll through the vibrant Medina of Tunis — the largest medina in North Africa — where twisting alleyways lead you past shops overflowing with goods and the air is filled with the scent of spices and essential oils. Explore its specialty souqs, from the perfume makers’ market to the Grand Souq des Chechias, where the iconic deep-red felt hats are still crafted.
After enjoying lunch in the medina, continue to Carthage, a UNESCO World Heritage Site steeped in history. Discover impressive landmarks like the Antonine Baths, the Roman Amphitheatre and the Punic Ports — powerful reminders of a once-great civilization.

• The Great Zitouna Mosque in the Medina is currently closed to visitors.

This morning, head to the picturesque village of Sidi Bou Said, perched high above the Mediterranean. With its whitewashed walls and iconic blue shutters, it’s one of Tunisia’s most photogenic spots. Visit the Baron d’Erlanger Palace and wander the charming cobbled streets lined with cafés and artisan boutiques.
Continue to Sadika for a unique glass-blowing workshop. Here, meet a local artisan who trained in Murano and has revived the centuries-old craft of blown glass in Tunisia — a tradition lost since the 14th century.
Next, travel to Gammarth for a special cultural experience at a local horse riding club. Join a family for a hands-on cooking demonstration featuring traditional Tabouna bread baked in a clay oven, alongside classic Tunisian dishes like brik à l’oeuf, grilled salad and Tunisian salad, all paired with a glass of local wine.
In the afternoon, enjoy free time in La Marsa — perhaps sip Arabic coffee with a kaak warka (a traditional ring-shaped pastry) or browse the many local boutiques.
Later, continue your journey to Kairouan — one of the most important spiritual centres in Islam.

Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours.

After breakfast, set out to explore the spiritual heart of Kairouan. Visit the 9th-century Great Mosque of Kairouan — a masterpiece of Islamic architecture, where many of the columns were sourced from ancient sites like Carthage.
Wander through the winding streets of the medina and sample makroudh — a delicious local pastry filled with dates and soaked in honey. Continue to the carpet museum, where you’ll discover Tunisia’s rich weaving heritage and visit a women’s cooperative to learn how traditional rugs are still crafted today. In fact, Kairouan became the country’s carpet capital after the daughter of an Ottoman governor introduced wool weaving here in the 19th century.
Afterward, enjoy some free time for lunch — your leader will be happy to recommend the best spots to try authentic Tunisian street food.

Explore the palm-lined oasis town of Tozeur this morning — once an important stop along ancient Bedouin caravan routes deep in the desert. Take a walking tour through the lush oasis, where you’ll meet a local sharecropper and learn about traditional date cultivation, including a hands-on demonstration of growing and harvesting.

Wander through the 14th-century medina, admiring its distinctive architecture and beautifully restored brickwork. You might also choose to visit the Dar Cherait Museum, an ethnographic museum that brings traditional Tunisian life to life through detailed displays.
The rest of the day is yours to explore at your own pace. For something more adventurous, consider a 4WD excursion into the surrounding mountain oases — including Tamerza, Mides and Chebika — landscapes made famous by films like The English Patient. You may even spot remnants from the filming of Star Wars Episode I The Phantom Menace.

This morning, journey to Douz, travelling across the vast Chott el Djerid — the largest salt lake in the Sahara, shimmering in shades of green and pink.
On arrival, enjoy lunch in the heart of Douz at a local restaurant near the central market. Sample regional specialties on the terrace as you soak up the desert sun and laid-back atmosphere.
Afterward, transfer to your desert camp and meet your camel handlers for a short introduction to desert etiquette. Then set off on a two-hour journey into the Sahara — either riding a camel or walking alongside — as you take in the vast, golden landscapes.
Return to camp before sunset, where a traditional cooking demonstration awaits. Learn how to prepare couscous and desert bread, then settle in for a magical evening beneath the stars in the heart of the Sahara.

Today’s journey includes approximately 2.5 hours of travel, along with a 2-hour desert trek.

Tonight, you’ll stay in comfortable fixed tents equipped with proper beds, linens and blankets. Shared bathroom and shower facilities are located nearby. We recommend bringing a travel towel for your stay.

Wake up to breakfast among the rolling dunes of the Sahara, taking in the peaceful beauty of the desert as the morning unfolds. Spend some time soaking up the landscape before making your way back to Douz.

On arrival, enjoy a free evening to relax or explore at your own pace. You might choose to visit the Sahara Desert Museum to learn more about the history, culture and traditions of this fascinating region.

Continue to Matmata this morning, stopping along the way in Toujane to visit the ruins of an old kasbah and a centuries-old olive press.

On arrival in Matmata, set out on a hike through the surrounding hills and discover the region’s famous underground homes — ingeniously built to protect locals from the intense desert heat. Step inside these unique dwellings, which may look familiar as they were used as Luke Skywalker’s home in Star Wars.

Keeping with the cinematic theme, enjoy lunch at a local troglodyte restaurant where scenes from multiple Star Wars films were shot. Afterward, continue your adventure with a scenic hike through the rocky, mountainous desert, capturing unforgettable views along the way.
Later in the day, travel to the Dhaher region, where you’ll spend the next two nights in a traditional troglodyte gîte — a cave dwelling carved directly into the mountainside. Located in an ancient Amazigh village, this unique stay offers breathtaking panoramic views and an authentic glimpse into local life.

Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours. Your hiking time will be approximately 2 hours.

After a leisurely morning, set out to explore the historic village of Douiret. From here, you have the option to embark on an 8 km hike through the rugged Dahar Mountains, taking in the dramatic desert landscapes.
Continue to the 12th-century mountain village of Chenini, perched high above the surrounding terrain. This region is deeply connected to olive oil production, with traditions dating back centuries — ancient oil mills carved into caves across the Matmata and Tataouine areas tell the story of this long-standing heritage.
The rest of the day is yours to enjoy as you wish. Relax at your gîte or perhaps visit a traditional Amazigh granary for a deeper glimpse into local history and culture. In the evening, return to Douiret for a warm, home-cooked meal — a perfect way to end the day.

Head toward the coast today, stopping en route at the impressive El Djem Amphitheatre. Dating back to the 3rd century, this vast arena is one of the largest in the Roman world and rivals Rome’s Colosseum in both scale and grandeur.
Continue on to Mahdia, a laid-back seaside town known for its charm and history. Arrive in the afternoon and take in the relaxed atmosphere of one of Tunisia’s most picturesque coastal destinations, located between Sousse and Sfax. The town is home to fascinating historic sites, including the remains of an ancient Punic city.
During your free time, wander through the medina in the Old Town, where whitewashed houses, narrow alleys and vibrant local life create a truly authentic setting. Enjoy the peaceful, less-touristy vibe, soak up the coastal scenery, or simply relax on the sandy beach and take in the colors of the Mediterranean.

• Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.

Enjoy a relaxed morning walk around the peninsula of Cap Mahdia after breakfast, passing the sea cemetery, local ruins, the old port and the medina, all set against beautiful coastal views.
In the afternoon, return to Tunis and visit the renowned Bardo National Museum, famous for its extraordinary collection of Roman mosaics and considered second only to Cairo’s Egyptian Museum in scale and significance.
This evening, gather with your fellow travellers for a memorable farewell dinner — the perfect way to celebrate your journey through Tunisia.

• Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.

With no further activities planned after breakfast, your trip comes to an end in Tunis this morning. If you’d like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent.