Tour Overview
For such a tiny country - the smallest in North Africa - Tunisia packs a lot in. It is a truly kaleidoscopic nation, ranging from Mediterranean beaches to the Sahara desert, from ancient souks to Star Wars film sets. This Arab-Berber nation is one of the most liberal in the Islamic world; alcohol is freely available and women need not feel intimidated. The capital, Tunis, reflects the country's diversity. Its French colonial past has a far-reaching influence (it only gained independence in 1956), most obviously in its cuisine that blends sophisticated French styles with Arab spice. Older history is evident in the remains of what was Roman Carthage, while the Roman ruins at Dougga and El Jem are some of the finest in Africa. Venture to the Western mountains and trek in some of the most beautiful evergreens before continuing on to the desert across Chott el Jerid, the salt-encrusted lake from bygone eras when water covered the land. Finally arriving at a desert oasis for a three-hour camel ride before continuing tour the historic and cultural sites of Tunisia.Day by Day Itinerary
Day 01: Tunis, TunisiaArrive Tunis International Airport. Upon clearing Customs and Immigration, you are met for transfer to your hotel. Protected by a violet tinted lake covered with pearly winged flamingos, set against gently undulating hills and the "twin-horned mountain," Tunis, where "yesterday and today" seem to blend so naturally and intimately, offers us hospitality and the traditional good humor of its inhabitants.
Dinner
Tunisia Palace Day 02: Tunis - Beja - Tabarka, Trekking
This morning after breakfast you will depart for Tabarka, traveling through Beja. Beja, situated in the heart of fertile country, has been a center for the collection and distribution of agricultural produce while Tabarka is set at the base of evergreen mountains and is a laid back coastal town Upon arrival in Tabarka, check-in to the hotel. This afternoon begin a 4km, moderate level trek through the mountains of Tabarka, Zouaraa and Ain Sobh.
Breakfast, Dinner
Dar Ismail or Iberostar Tabarka Beach Hotel Day 03: Tabarka - Ain Draham, Trekking - Kairouan
Depart after breakfast on a drive to Ain Draham on one of the most beautiful of Tunisia's routes. It climbs through rich countryside, from the coastal plain into the huge forest of the Kroumirie Mountains. Upon arrival, set out on a 5km, moderate level trek to the small village of Babouch. Subsequently you will continue on to Kairouan via 4x4 for overnight. Kairouan is an isolated town founded by Arab invaders in the 7th century and considered by the Shia to be the fourth holiest Islamic site after Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem. It is a walled city completely dominated by its mosque, built in the 7th century by the founder of the city, Okba Ibn Nafi. Although nothing of that structure remains, it became a center of Malikite teaching in the early days of Islam (Malikite being one of the four schools of Sunni Islamic jurisprudence).
Breakfast, Dinner
La Kasbah Day 04: Gafsa - Tamerza - Chebika - Chott el Jerid - Zaafrane
Drive south into some of the country's most spectacular mountain scenery; stopping briefly in Gafsa to visit the Roman's Pool, then visit the mountain oasis of Tamerza, along with Chebika, which sits right on the Algerian border. Tamerza, is probably antique Ad Turres, a Roman defensive outpost that became an Episcopal office in the Byzantine era. Barricaded behind a mountain chain, hanging from the sides of gigantic canyon and dominating an immense plain, the village occupies a privileged site. Like Chebika, the old brick village was abandoned and the people now live in the new village nearby. The charm of this site nevertheless remains intact. Continuing on you will visit the waterfalls and the old village of Chebika. In ancient days the village of Chebika was called Ad Speculum after the Roman troops who communicated by mirror. The towns were flooded in 1969 by freak torrential rains and were later abandoned. The original villages are now "ghost' towns. This afternoon cross the salt-encrusted lake of Chott el-Jerid, a remnant of the days when the sea once covered the now-barren sands of the Sahara. This long day concludes in Zaafrane and overnight in Golden Yasmin Camp.
Breakfast, Dinner
Golden Yasmin Camp Day 05: Zaafrane - Matmata - Gabes - Sfax
Start today with a sunrise 3-hour camel ride over the sand dunes, returning to the camp for breakfast. Depart for Matmata, of Star Wars notoriety, but more importantly, center of the most extensive number of traditional troglodyte pit homes in the region. The landscape is barren and marked with fissures, crags and small tabletop mountains. The Berber people built these simple underground dwellings to escape the extremes of weather and any unwelcome invaders. Some of the entrances into these dwellings are through giant craters. Continuing on to Gabes, where the main attraction is its central souk and selling of spices and green henna. Next, continue to Sfax, where you will tour the old medina, which is well preserved and still serves as the marketplace for the residents of Sfax. Overnight in Sfax.
Breakfast, Dinner
Les Olivier's Palace Day 06: Sfax - El Jem - Hammamet
After breakfast, travel to el Jem, site of a massive Roman Coliseum, the third largest in the world, with a capacity of 30,000 spectators. During its glory days of the 3rd century, the town was known as Thysydrus and it grew rich from its location at the center of the olive and wheat growing area - the Sahel. Its wealth is attested by mosaics found in luxurious villas, many of which are now in the Bardo museum, some of which are in the little museum of el Djem. These mosaics seem to indicate that the inhabitants of el-Djem preferred the exhibitions of animals hunting other animals (lions fighting gazelles for example) rather than the gory spectacle of lions and Christians, which was a peculiar favorite of the crowds in Rome. Continue to Hammamet, one of Tunisia's busiest resorts, for overnight.
Breakfast, Dinner
Le Sultan Hotel Day 07: Hammamet - Horseback-Riding
Morning at leisure. This afternoon proceed for a horseback-riding excursion around the cottages in Hammamet.
Breakfast, Dinner
Le Sultan Hotel Day 08 : Hammamet - Tunis - Depart
After breakfast transfer to Tunis airport for your onward departure.
Breakfast
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