Tunisia North to South: 2-Day Sahara and UNESCO Sites Tour

Discover Tunisia in 2 days, from the Roman amphitheatre of El Jem and the Berber houses of Matmata to the Sahara, through Chott el Djerid, the Chebika oasis and UNESCO-listed Kairouan.

Highlights

• Discover the varied landscapes and cultural heritage of Tunisia on a 2-day tour
• Explore the Roman amphitheatre of El Jem, a UNESCO World Heritage site
• Visit the troglodyte houses of Matmata and discover Berber traditions
• Admire the immense Chott el Jerid salt lake and its desert panoramas
• Discover the mountain oasis of Chebika and the historic city of Kairouan

Full description

Discover Tunisia on an unforgettable two-day trip combining ancient Roman history, Berber traditions, spectacular desert landscapes and remarkable cultural heritage. Start from Tunis, Hammamet or Sousse and cross the varied landscapes of the country to discover the magic of the Sahara.

Day 1: El Jem, Matmata, Douz

Your adventure begins with an early-morning pick-up at your accommodation in Tunis, Hammamet or Sousse. Head south through the Tunisian countryside, with a stop for breakfast in Hammamet (not included).

Continue to El Jem to discover its magnificent Roman amphitheatre, one of the best-preserved monuments of Roman North Africa and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Then visit Matmata, famous for its traditional troglodyte dwellings dug into the earth. Explore a typical troglodyte house and discover the Berber heritage of the region. Visit the legendary Hotel Sidi Idriss, known for its link with the Star Wars films, and enjoy a traditional lunch.

In the afternoon continue to Douz, known as the gateway to the Sahara. Settle into your desert camp and admire the golden dunes at sunset. You can choose to enjoy an optional camel ride across the sand.

In the evening enjoy a traditional Bedouin-style dinner under the stars, with traditional music and a demonstration of bread baked in the sand. Spend the night in a tent in the desert, surrounded by the peaceful atmosphere of the Sahara.

Day 2: Chott el Djerid, Chebika oasis, Kairouan

Wake up early in the desert and enjoy breakfast at the camp before leaving for the Chott el Jerid, the largest salt lake in Tunisia. Admire its vast salt flats, unusual colours and spectacular mirages.

Continue towards the Atlas mountains to discover Chebika, a superb mountain oasis surrounded by rocky cliffs and palm trees. Enjoy a walk of about an hour in this remarkable landscape, with natural springs and a waterfall to discover, depending on local conditions. Lunch follows in a local restaurant.

In the afternoon visit Kairouan, one of the most important historic cities of Tunisia, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Admire the outside of the Great Mosque of Sidi Oqba on a panoramic visit and explore the historic medina, famous for its traditional architecture and cultural heritage.

Finally, return to your original starting city, with arrival at your accommodation expected around 6:00 pm, depending on traffic and road conditions.

Good to know

• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start
• Live guide: French, English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, German, Dutch, Arabic
• Wheelchair accessible
• Not suitable for people with back problems
• This is a fairly long excursion with several hours of driving, but a great option to see as much as possible in 2 days
• Bring comfortable shoes, a cap, a camera, sunscreen and water; the weather can vary a lot from place to place