The Splendors of Tunisia tour will take you to marvel at the splendors across Tunisia in 11 days. You will visit and experience the dramatic contrasts throughout Tunisia – vast Sahara desert, ancient Roman ruins, vibrant souk markets, sandy white beaches with crystal blue water, palm oasis, picturesque canyons, and more!

Day 1: Tunis

Welcome to Tunisia! Arrive in Tunis and meet your English Speaking guide and private driver. Take time to rest upon arrival and if time remains explore the historic medina which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. The famous Zitouna Mosque, spice market, and the gold souk (market) are sites you don’t want to miss. This is also a great time to shop for extravagant trinkets to help preserve your Tunisian memories. Dinner will be at the hotel.

Accommodations: 3★, 4★, or 5★ options

Day 2: Tunis / Carthage / Sidi Bou Said / Bardo Museum

After breakfast, you will travel to Carthage, once the largest city in northern Africa. This site holds ruins from many eras of history, such as the Punic, Roman, Vandal, and Byzantine eras. We then continue to the quaint village of Sidi Bou Said located on surrounding hills overlooking the Mediterranean Sea where we will explore its beautifully paved lanes and many spectacular sea views. You may want to have lunch here and then return to Tunis and explore the Bardo Museum. This is a world-class museum that contains a vast number of important mosaics from the Roman period. There are numerous rooms in the museum offering artifacts from the Punic to Islamic periods.

Accommodations: 3★, 4★, or 5★ options

Day 3: Dougga / Makthar / Kairouan

In the morning, travel to the enormous Roman Archaeological site in Dougga. This UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the best preserved Roman ruins in Tunisia. The site overlooks its vast surrounding regions. It’s not uncommon to see locals herding their sheep through the Roman ruins.

Continue on to the Roman site of Makthar.  Here you will see a Roman Forum, Trajan’s arch, a Vandal Church, and much more. Then you will travel to the important Islamic city, Kairouan. Dinner will be at the hotel.

Accommodations: Kasbah Kairouan 5★ (Half-Board)

Day 4: Kairouan / Sbeitla / Tozeur

This morning we will visit the grand mosque Okba Ibn Nafaa and the mausoleum of the Berber companion of Mohammed. Afterwards, you may be interested in a visit to a carpet-making workshop where you can observe, admire, and learn about this incredible artisan work.  There is an ancient medina with winding streets, which make for a nice place to have lunch.

When you have completed your visits travel to Sbeitla with its numerous mosaics, churches, baptisteries, temples, baths, and the Arch of Diocletian. Do not forget to leave time to visit the museum. When you are done travel to Tozeur. Dinner will be at the hotel.

Accommodations: 3★, 4★, or 5★ options

Day 5: Tozeur / Chebika / Tamerza / Mides / Ong Jemel / Tozeur

After an early morning, travel to the beautiful mountainside oasis village of Chebika. Chebika was once a Roman outpost, but later became a mountain refuge for the Berber people. You can hike through the Chebika canyon to the source of the mountain oasis. From Chebika, travel to Tamerza which is the largest mountain oasis in Tunisia. Afterwards, travel to Mides where you will have a nice panoramic view of the canyon below. The canyon was used for the filming of Raiders of the Lost Ark and The English Patient.

Return to Tozeur for lunch. In the afternoon, explore Ong Jemel, ‘the neck of the camel‘. Travel over barren land and see the Sahara dunes and a Star Wars Mos Espa film location. Return to Tozeur for your night and dinner.

Accommodations: 3★, 4★, or 5★ options

Day 6: Tozeur / Douz / Chott el Jerid / Douz / Ksar Ghilane

After a leisurely breakfast, travel across the Chott el Jerid, the largest salt flat in Tunisia, and across barren lands until you reach the Douz, the largest Palmery in Tunisia. Here you will take a visit to the Sahara museum and the souk (market) in Douz. Afterwards, travel to the beautiful oasis of Ksar Ghilane. This oasis is situated right next to the Sahara dunes. Enjoy the natural hot spring or take a quad or camel trek to a Roman fort.

Accommodations: Dar Ghilane 3★, Yadis Camp 4/5★, Zemela Camp (tented camp 16KM from Ksar Ghilane in the Sahara) Half-Board

Day 7: Ksar Ghilane / Matmata / Ksar Hadada / Chenini / Djerba

Today you will begin with a stop at Matmata and visit troglodyte museum and homes. For Star Wars fans, this was also the film location of Luke Skywalker’s interior home.

Afterwards, you will wind through the mountains past the pictureque village of Toujane. Continue on your journey to Ksar Hadada and visit the ancient granary and another Star Wars film location in Episode I. Afterwards you will travel to Chenini and wander through this historic Berber mountainside village. The mountaintop view is well worth the climb to the top. Once you are ready, travel to Djerba for dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodations: 3★, 4★, or 5★ options

Day 8: Djerba Island Tour

Explore the wonders of Djerba Island with stops at Guellela (pottery town), Houmet Souk and its markets, El Griba Synagogue (oldest synagogue in North Africa), and other sites. Perhaps you will want a fish lunch during your tour. Once you have finished the island tour, return to your hotel for rest or time at the beach.

Accommodations: 3★, 4★, or 5★ options

Day 9: Djerba / El Djem / Sousse

Morning departure for El Djem. The Roman Coliseum in this city is one of the best preserved in the world. It was constructed between 230 and 238 AD and is believed to at one time have hosted between 30,000 to 45,000 spectators. Take time exploring this enormous structure and do not forget to go down to the rooms where the gladiators waited their upcoming battle. There is a museum in the town that hosts a plethora of mosaics.

Travel to Sousse and if time remains in the day perhaps you would like to see the archaeological museum, catacombs, kasbah, and medina. Dinner will be at the hotel.

Accommodations: 3★, 4★, or 5★ options

Day 10: Sousse / Hammamet / Cap Bon / Tunis

After breakfast, you will visit the coastal towns of Hammamet and Nabeul, which are known for its sandy white beaches, crystal clear blue sea water, and beautiful gardens. Afterwards, continue your exploration of picturesque peninsula Cap Bon with a stop at Kerkouane, the ancient Punic town. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. You will also see Houaria (the tip of Cap Bon) and Korbous (a natural hot spring). Return to Tunis for night.

Accommodations: 3★, 4★, or 5★ options

Day 11: Departure

Your driver will take you to the airport for your departure, thus ending your Splendors of Tunisia tour.

Talk to Us About the Splendors of Tunisia Tour