5 Day Tour: The Sahel, Oasis & Sahara Desert Regions

Culture and History tour in Kairouan, Sbeitla, Tozeur, Chebika, Mides, Douz, Matmata, Sfax, El Djem, Hammamet

Tour Price : $1200-1800 Duration : 5 days Languages: English, French, German, Italian, Arabic

 The Jerid, Oases & Saharan Dunes  5 days / 4 nights

Day 1: TUNIS - KAIROUAN - SBEITLA

The drive to the interior, brings us to Kairouan – the first capital of Islam to be established in North Africa. We do a brief walking tour of Kairouan’s picturesque medina & Kasbah, including a visit of the 7th century Great Mosque (the oldest mosque in North Africa) and Mausoleum of Sidi Saheb (companion of the Muslim prophet) with its old Koranic school. We continue to Sbeitla, Roman Sufetula.The monumental, triple Temple rising from the surrounding plains is a breathtaking site. Dedicated to the Capitoline Triad of Jupiter, Juno & Minerva, it is the best preserved Capitolium & Forum area in North Africa. We walk through the residential and market quarters of the city, see the city baths, theatre, and Byzantine churches with their mosaic-covered baptisteries in situ. Tonight, we will have fabulous views of the temples from our hotel terrace. Overnight in Sbeitla.

Day 2: SBEITLA - TOZEUR

Today we drive into the Oasis region and main date production center of Tunisia. The vast green palmeries of the south are a dramatic contrast to the surrounding desertscape. By midday, we reach our destination – Tozeur – one of the largest oasis in Tunisia and historically, one of the most important centers on the ancient caravan routes leading from Sahara to the Mediterranean and Algeria. After lunch, we explore the vast oasis with its date palms, the local markets, and narrow lanes of Bled el Hadar – the medieval town with its distinctive desert architecture & decorative brickwork. 1st of 2 nights in Tozeur.

Day 3: TOZEUR - MOUNTAIN OASIS - DOUZ

This morning we  explore the Mountain Oases of Chebika, Mides & Tamerza. Located amidst the rugged outcrop of the Atlas Mountains, not far from the Algerian frontier, these date back to Roman times, when they were military outposts to control the caravan trade. In Chebika, we take a walk to see the village and source of the springs. To Mides – with its spectacular canyon – made famous in the film, The English Patient. We continue to Tamerza, where we walk through the picturesque ghost village of the oasis and see the waterfall. After lunch we continue to Douz. 

Day 4:  DOUZ - MATMATA - SFAX

Day 5: SFAX - EL DJEM - HAMMAMET - TUNIS

 Return to Tunis. 

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