Ancient Carthage & Desert Oases

Tunis

Day 1: Arrival in Tunisia

Welcome to Tunisia! Arrival at Tunis airport, assistance, and transfer to Tunis City.

Tunis - Carthage

Day 2: Tunis and Monuments

After breakfast, visit the National Bardo Museum, a former residence for the ottoman monarchs, this actually houses the largest collection of Roman mosaics in the world. Drive to the Medina of Tunis declared world heritage, and visit the traditional souks. Lunch on the way. In the afternoon, visit the Carthage ruins, the ancient capital of the Punic Empire: the Tophet an ancient Punic sanctuary dedicate to Tanit and Baal Hamon the most worshipped Gods. Visit ancient Punic harbors, which housed the commercial and military fleet of Carthage. Visit the ancient Roman baths of Anthony. Drive to the visit of Sidi Bou Saïd, the Moorish village with its beautiful houses painted in blue and white with their balconies typically decorated with arabesque.

Bizerte - Tabarka

Day 3: Bizerte and Tabarka

After breakfast, departure to Bizerta city in northern Tunisia with a rich historical past, visit the ancient arc-shaped harbor directly connected to the ramparts of the ancient Medina. We continue the trip through the green lands of northern Tunisia to Sejnene, a small town known for its beautiful traditional pottery whose form and designs were borrowed from primitive art. Break to visit some women artisans who exhibit their typical pottery products. Drive to Tabarka for lunch, then we visit the city center, Tabarka’s fishing port, and the famous needles sculpted by the waves of the Mediterranean.

Dougga - Kairouan

Day 4: The Best Roman Sites

Early departure after breakfast to Ain Drahem with its huge forest that covers the peaks of Kroumirie and its beautiful houses with red tile roofs that offer a beautiful landscape, a brief visit to the city. We continue towards Bulla Regia and visit the historical city of Roman origin known for its underground houses which are still preserved on the ground and beautiful original Roman mosaics. After the visit, drive to Dougga for lunch. In the afternoon, visit the ruins of Dougga most famous Roman archaeological site in Tunisia considered World Heritage. Visit the well-preserved monuments of the site such as the theater, capitol, the Forum, the Wind’s Rose Square, the Lubico-Punic mausoleum, winter and summer baths…etc. Departure to Kairouan, the fourth holy city of Islam and the first Arab-Muslim city in Tunisia declared world heritage.

Kairouan - Tozeur

Day 5: The Holy city Of Kairouan & Bled Djerid

After breakfast, depart to discover the ancient monuments of Kairouan. Visit the Aghlabid basins, old water reserves that fed the entire city for centuries. Visit to the Abu Zoumaa Al Balaoui Mausoleum called Sid Sahib or the Barber. Visit the Great Mosque of Okba. Visit to the mausoleum of Sidi Abid El Ghariani. Panoramic visit to the mosque called “Three doors mosque”. Visit the Medina with its souks and narrow streets.

After lunch, departure to Sbeitla, visit the ruins of the ancient Byzantine city Sufeitula with its well-preserved monuments such as the Dioclitien arc, the Baths, the Theater, the basilicas, the Forum, the Capitol, the baptistery, etc. Departure to Tozeur the capital of Bled El Jerid « The land of palms » and visit the old city with its houses decorated with traditional bricks made of clay and narrow streets covered by palm trunks.

Chebika, Tozeur - Mides - Ong Jemel

Day 6: Wonderful day through the magical oases

After breakfast, depart to discover the mountain oases. Arrive at Chebika oasis and wander through the oasis with its stunning mountain landscape in the heart of the Atlas and its natural water springs. Drive to Tamerza oasis and visit the waterfalls and the old abandoned village. Departure to Mides oasis located right on the TunisianAlgerian border, visit the famous Canyon shooting location of the famous movie « The English Patient ». 

After lunch, departure to Nafta, the second town in « The land of palms » and a panoramic visit to the famous oasis called « La Corbeille», the basket to admire the beauty of the oasis of thousands of palm trees. Wander a tour through the old city to discover the typical architecture of the houses with their coated-clay-brick facades.

Chott Djerid - DOUZ

Day 7: The Magical Salt Lake of Chott Djerid

After breakfast, departure to Douz crossing Chott El Djerid, the largest Salt Lake in Tunisia, a short break for photos and to admire unusual landscapes of the lake. Arrive in Douz, small city called «the gate of the Sahara», and visit the traditional market known for local cottage industries such as “Balgha” (traditional pants made of camel leather). After lunch, drive to the sand dunes and possibly make a camel ride in the desert by the sunset.

Matmata - Chenini

Day 8: The Berber Village & Ksours

After breakfast, departure to the Berber villages in the mountain range of Dhahar. Panoramic break at Tamezret, a Berber village known for its stone cemeteries. Drive to Matmata famous Berber village of unique beauty known for its dwell cave houses and lunar landscape. Visit to a troglodyte house to discover the way of life among the Berber families. Departure to the visit of Ksar Hadada, a former granary used by Berber tribes, and filming location for the episode «The threat of the Ghost» from «Star Wars» movie. Departure to Chenini, the crest village of sublime beauty with its beautiful houses excavated in the rocks.

Visit the village and the famous mosque of the seven sleepers with their giant tombs. Departure to Ksar Ouled Debbab, arrive and wander through the village to admire the ancient architecture of the Berbers.

DJERBA - Guellala

Day 9: Djerba Island

After Breakfast, departure to the visit of Ksar Ouled Soltane, a former majestic granary very well preserved with its Ghorfas beautifully superimposed. Drive to the island Djerba via the Roman causeway. Arrive in Djerba and visit Guellela, the famous pottery village with its underground clay quarries. Drive to the village of Erriadh and visit “La Ghriba”, one of the oldest Hebrew synagogues in the world and a place of pilgrimage for the Jewish community of Djerba.

Departure to Houmt Souk, the capital of the island for a typical lunch based on seafood to savor the culinary art of the island. In the afternoon, visit the ancient Spanish fortress, a real testimonial of the bloody conflicts that took place on the island between the Spanish and the Turkish.

Djerba

Day 10: Relaxing Day

Relaxing day on Djerba Island or the possibility for a full day boat trip to the Flamingo island with folk music and a tasty typical lunch.

Gabes - El Jem

Day 11: The Roman Amphitheater

After breakfast, drive to Gabes via the Ferry. Arrive and visit “Jara” the old spice market where you can find even pure Henna, a vegetable dye used by women at the Berber wedding. After lunch, drive to El Jem, and visit the famous Roman amphitheater ranked 3rd in the world with a capacity of 35000 spectators and considered to be the third-largest ever, after the Colosseum in Rome and the destroyed amphitheater in Capua. Departure to Mahdia, a beautiful coastal town, visit «Skifa Kahla» the entry gate of the ancient Medina. Visit the punic harbor and the seaside cemetery.

Monastir - Sousse - Hammamet

Day 12: The Sahel Coast

Breakfast at the hotel and departure to Monastir, visit of Ribat, an ancient fortress from the 8th century. Visit Habib Bourguiba mausoleum first president and founder of the Tunisian Republic. Drive to Sousse, the capital of Sahel province in central coastal Tunisia, and visit the ancient. Medina declared world heritage. After lunch departure to El Kantaoui and visit the Marina Port El Kantaoui. Drive to Hammamet, and visit the ancient Medina at the seaside.

Nabeul - Kerkouan

Day 13: The Cap Bon

After breakfast, departure to the discovery of Cap Bon peninsula. Visit Nabeul city with its workshops on traditional pottery. Drive to Kelibia, and visit a majestic Byzantine fortress from the fifth century. Departure to Kerkouene historical punic city destroyed in the 310 B-C and declared Word Heritage, visit the ruins with the famous houses at the seaside. Drive to El Haouaria for lunch next to the ancient Punic underground sandstone quarries (The visit inside the quarries is suspended for security reasons for fear of collapse). We continue to Korbus, a small village known since antiquity as a natural spa with high quality. Its sulfurous and chlorinated hot springs are beneficial to treat several skin diseases.

Hammamet

Day 14: Relaxing Day in Hammamet

Enjoy a free day in Hammamet!

Aeroport Tunis Carthage

Day 15: Goodbye Tunisia!

Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Tunis airport for the return flight according to the flight schedule.