Highlights of Tunisia
Trip Length |
Trip Code |
| 10 days | PGHT |
Minimum Passengers |
|
| 6 people | |
Maximum Passengers |
|
| 15 people | |
Countries Visited |
|
| Tunisia | |
Start City |
End City |
| Tunis | Tunis |
Only a slim wedge in the expanse of North Africa, Tunisia packs a lot of punch. While it may be on the adventurous side of travel, the friendly locals make any time here unforgettable. Tunisia is simply sublime.
Day to Day Itinerary
Day 1: Tunis
On arrival at Tunis Airport, you are met by our representative and transferred to your hotel. This is simply an arrival day so you may arrive in Tunis at any time. Please note that hotel rooms are generally only available after midday. The rest of your day is free to explore the surroundings and our tour leader may make contact with you in the evening.
Day 2: Tunis
Meals included: 1 breakfast
After breakfast we start a sightseeing tour of Tunis with a visit to the Bardo Museum, the finest museum in the country and one of the best archaeological museums in the Mediterranean region. Housed in an old palace that once belonged to the Husseinite beys, who were former rulers of Tunisia, it is especially known for its beautiful and extensive collection of mosaics that date back to Roman times. We then proceed to the medina (old quarter) of Tunis, which the largest in North Africa (larger than those in Fez, Algiers or Cairo). Lunch is optional but we recommended a place called Hamouda Pacha, a very typical Tunisian restaurant located in the medina. After lunch we spend some time in the medina, wandering around its colourful souks and discovering the exquisite craftsmanship of the country's artisans.
Day 3: Carthage - Sidi Bou Said - Tunis
Meals included: 1 breakfast
We start our day with a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Carthage, which was founded in 814 BC and was the oldest Phoenician settlement on the coast of North Africa. Many wars were waged against the other Mediterranean powers such as the Greeks and the Romans before the city was ultimately conquered by the Romans in 146 BC. Although partially hidden due to ongoing development over ensuing years, monuments such as the Antonine baths, Roman amphitheatre and the Punic ports hark back to the glories of a bygone era, whilst some of the best relics can be found in the archaeological museum of Carthage. We continue to Sidi Bou Said Andalous village and stroll through narrow streets lined with whitewashed houses with blue shutters and doors. Here we can also check out the various art galleries or try a bambalouni (a light and crispy Tunisian style doughnut) in one of the cafés that offer superb views of the Gulf of Tunis.
Day 4: Dougga - Kairouan
Meals included: 1 breakfast
Today we visit the archaeological site of Dougga, one of the best-preserved Roman cities in Africa. Built on an elevated site overlooking a fertile plain, it was the capital of both the Punic and Roman states. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997, Dougga was originally a Punic town that sided with the Romans against Carthage and was granted some degree of independence as a reward. It became an influential agricultural centre, controlling important trade routes to Carthage, on the coast. Its important marble quarries and fresh water supplies contributed to making it a prosperous and successful town. After an optional lunch at nearby Thugga, we continue to the holy city of Kairouan.
Day 5: Kairouan - Tozeur
Meals included: 1 breakfast
Kairouan is the fourth holiest site in Islam, after Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem. It is said that seven pilgrimages to Kairouan equates to one pilgrimage to Mecca. On a sightseeing tour we visit the 9th century Great Mosque of Oqba Ibn Nafi, an important example of Islamic architecture. On a walk in the souks we get to taste makroudh, traditional local pastry stuffed with dates, and learn about the traditional savoir-faire of the womenfolk, which is making rugs. We continue to the oasis town of Tozeur, which is lined by extensive palm groves. Here we visit the Dar Charait Museum, which evokes images reminiscent of the classic fable, 'One Thousand and One Nights'.
Day 6: Douz - Ksar Ghilane
Meals included: 1 breakfast
After breakfast we depart to Douz, crossing the dry salt lake of Chott el Jerid en route. Douz, considered gateway to the Sahara, is a quiet oasis village that is home to the Festival of the Sahara and also features a daily camel market. After arriving there we ride camels in the area of the Golden Triangle, which is made up of three small oases. After an optional lunch we travel to Ksar Ghilane, an exotic oasis famous for its dunes and hot water spring. Here we spend a night in comfortable tents in the midst of the desert. The silence and vastness of the surrounds makes for a magical and unforgettable night.
Day 7: Matmata - Mahdia
Meals included: 1 breakfast
We travel to Matmata and its famous troglodytes, houses built underground to protect the Berbers from intense heat in the summer. These Berber villages are exciting places to explore and one of these, together with the surrounding lunar-type landscape, was the set for the mythical planet of Tatooine (which got its name from the nearby town of Tataouine) in George Lucas' landmark movie, 'Star Wars'. Scenes from Steven Spielberg's 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' were also filmed here. We make our way along the Mediterranean coast to Mahdia, a small and charming fishing village that has a relaxing feel about it.
Day 8: Mahdia
Meals included: 1 breakfast
We have an entire day to appreciate the attractions of Mahdia. In the morning we visit the Borg el-Kebir, a large 16th-century fortress that dominates the peninsula. The rest of the day is free time to absorb the ambience of this lovely place. There are beaches located northwest of town and a small museum that showcases the long history that has left such a magnificent legacy on Mahdia.
Day 9: El-Jem - Tunis
Meals included: 1 breakfast
On the way to Tunis we stop El-Jem's spectacular amphitheatre, a structure that dates from 238 AD and is the second largest of its kind in the world after the Colosseum in Rome. We visit the newly-opened small museum and investigate the excavations extending behind the museum where beautiful mosaics have been found. We then continue back to Tunis, where we spend the last night of our tour enjoying an evening out (optional) to commemorate our journey.
Day 10: Tunis
Meals included: 1 breakfast
Your trip ends today, after breakfast. Check-out time is usually around 12.00 noon and you are free to leave at any time. If you have arranged a private airport transfer you will be advised of the pick-up time. Additional accommodation can be pre-booked if you wish to spend more time exploring Tunis.
Your Trip
What's Included
• The services of Peregrine’s expert English-speaking local leader throughout the tour, and professional local guides at some sites.
• Sightseeing (including entrance fees where applicable): Tunis - Bardo Museum and the largest medina in North Africa; UNESCO World Heritage site of Carthage; Sidi Bou Said Andalous village; UNESCO World Heritage site of Dougga - one of the best-preserved Roman cities in Africa; fourth holiest site in Islam - Kairouan, including 9th century Great Mosque of Oqba Ibn Nafi and medina; mud brick oasis town of Tozeur - Dar Charait Museum; Chott el Jerid salt lake; Douz - the gateway to the Sahara; troglodyte dwellings at Matmata; Mahdia fishing village - 16th-century fortress of Borg el-Kebir; and the Roman amphitheatre at El Jem.
• Camel ride in the Golden Triangle, made up of three oases.
• Visit to the dunes and hot water spring of Ksar Ghilane to spend the night in comfortable tents in the midst of the desert.
• Arrival transfer.
Summary of accommodation, transport & meals
Transport
- 4WD vehicle
- Camel
- Minibus
Accommodation
- 8 nights Comfortable hotel
- 1 night Desert camp
Meals
- 9 breakfasts
Not Included
International flights, departure taxes, visas, insurance, other meals not listed, any optional tours or activities during free time, camera fees, excess baggage charges, tips and items of a personal nature.
What to know
VaccinationsVaccinations may be required for this trip. Talk to your doctor about the up-to-date information for this region.
Visas and PermitsIt is your responsibility to ensure you have all required visas for your trip. Rules and regulations governing the issuance of visas are constantly changing, and vary for different nationalities and you should check visa requirements with your travel agent or relevant consular authority well before travel.
Tunisia
Please note that visa requirements can and do change. It is essential that you confirm requirements with the nearest relevant embassy or check with your travel agent before you travel. At the time of writing, Australian and New Zealand passport holders require a visa for Tunisia and this can be obtained on arrival. British, Canadian and American passport holders do not require a visa for stays of up to 3 months. All other nationalities should check with the Tunisian Embassy or Consulate in their country for up-to-date visa information.
For Australian and New Zealand passport holders, the cost of the visa on arrival has increased considerably for arrivals after 1 April, 2013. For stays of from 7 days to 3 months the cost has increased to 400 Tunisian dinars (that’s approximately $260 as of 15 May, 2013). However, a visa for a stay of up to 7 days is only 100 dinars (approximately $66), and on departure you pay a penalty of 20 dinars for overstaying the 7 days. Our local operator assures us that there are no additional consequences other than having to pay the 20 dinars, so on arrival you should say that you are staying 7 days and pay 100 dinars.
Alternately, you can also obtain a visa prior to departure for $150 from the Tunisian embassy in Canberra.
InsuranceYou are required to have travel insurance before heading off on a Peregrine trip. Insurance can be organised by your Peregrine representative or your travel agent.
Responsible Travel
Our Responsible Travel ethos is at the heart of everything we do, from getting the basics right like respecting local cultures and the environment, to initiating projects that make positive contributions to communities, to our staff’s fundraising efforts and offsetting our carbon emissions.
Please visit our Responsible Travel (http://www.peregrineadventures.com/rt) page for more information.
Our Pre Departure Information or Travel Dossier (provided upon booking a trip) provides tips on how you can show respect for the local customs and culture in the country you are travelling in.
The information listed above is a brief description of some things you may need to consider when booking a trip. Once a tour is booked you will be provided with a link to your Travel Dossier which will contain detailed Pre Departure information.
Further Reading
TunisiaLonely Planet - Tunisia Lion Mountain by Mustapha Tlili – Fictional account of the cultural impact of tourism. The Colonizer and the Colonized by Albert Memmi
About this Information
The information provided here is given in good faith and has been compiled with all reasonable care. However, things change and some of the information may become out of date. Please keep this in mind when you read it and check with us if you want to be sure about something. The document was correct at time of printing, but you can check online for the most up to date version. If you have any queries, please contact your travel agent or our staff in Australia. We are here to help you!
Last Updated
1 November 2012