3-Day Private Trip of El Djem, Douz, & Kairouan

This three-day private expedition to El Djem, Douz, and Kairouan invites you to immerse yourself in the enchanting realms of oases, canyons, and the awe-inspiring Sahara Desert. Experience the rich tapestry of Roman history, Berber traditions, and landscapes that seem otherworldly.

Trip Details

Day 1: Hammamet – Kairouan – Gafsa – Tozeur

A warm welcome awaits as we collect you from your hotel in Hammamet, starting our journey inland from the picturesque Mediterranean coast to delve into the heart of Tunisia. After approximately 1.5 hours on the road, we will reach Kairouan, a revered Islamic city and a core spiritual site in the Maghreb.

During our 90-minute exploration, we will visit the remarkable Great Mosque of Kairouan, recognized as one of the earliest mosques in the Islamic faith, and the Aghlabid Basins, an extraordinary example of medieval water management.

Our adventure continues to Gafsa, an ancient Roman settlement nestled in a stunning oasis. Here, you'll savor a delightful lunch at Gafsa Palace Hotel, enjoying a selection of salad, soup, a brik, and your choice of a meat cutlet or chicken. Enjoy your meal!

Later in the afternoon, we head towards Tozeur, an oasis located in the Sahara, a drive that will take around four hours. Upon arrival, we will check into our hotel, where you can relax before indulging in a buffet dinner to cap off a fulfilling day.

Day 2: Tozeur – Chebika – Tamerza – Mides – Ong Jemel – Douz

Awake refreshed as we begin the day with a hearty breakfast including coffee, milk, eggs, bread, cheese, and juices. Prepared for exploration, we will journey southwest to Chebika, spending approximately one hour discovering the breathtaking mountain oasis, complete with its refreshing springs and waterfalls.

Following this, we will proceed to Tamerza for an additional 30-minute excursion before heading to the Mides Canyons to witness the stunning gorge shaped by water over millennia. Be ready with your cameras!

A one-hour drive through the desert will lead us to Ong Jemel, famed as a Star Wars filming site. Enjoy a delightful two-hour visit to explore its distinctive rock formations and thematic installations.

We will then return to Tozeur for a traditional lunch featuring soup, salad, brik, couscous, and fresh fruit, accompanied by mint tea. After this enjoyable meal, we will head towards Douz, known as the entryway to the Sahara Desert, arriving after a drive of about 2.5 hours. On route, we will traverse Chott el Djerid, an expansive salt lake where the heat and salt create stunning sceneries.

Upon reaching Douz, we’ll check into a comfortable camp set amidst the desert landscape. Savor a traditional dinner of gargoulette (slow-cooked meat in a clay pot), sand bread, and fresh fruit. Later, gather around a campfire enjoying the rhythmic beats of Berber drums.

Day 3: Douz – Matmata – El Djem – Hammamet

Good morning! After breakfast at the camp, we’ll head towards Matmata, arriving in about 1.5 hours.

This extraordinary area is renowned for its troglodyte homes, expertly carved from limestone and organized around circular courtyards. You will discover the principles of bioclimatic architecture, crafted to regulate temperature effectively throughout the seasons.

Our visit includes touring an inhabited home to gain insight into the Berber lifestyle and their adaptation to the arid terrain. Following this, we’ll visit the famous Sidi Idriss Hotel, notable as a filming location for the Star Wars series. Here, we’ll enjoy a couscous lunch accompanied by soup, salad, seasonal fruit, and mint tea, embodying the flavors and hospitality of southern Tunisia.

The day’s exploration culminates with a visit to the historic El Djem Amphitheater, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Constructed in the third century, this grand structure could accommodate over 35,000 spectators and ranks as the third-largest amphitheater in the Roman Empire, following the Colosseum in Rome and the one in Capua.

As the day closes, we will embark on our return to Hammamet, expecting to reach your accommodation between 2:30 pm and 4:30 pm.

Accommodation Info

This journey includes two nights at the following locations:

• First night at Ksar Rouge Hotel in Tozeur (4*). The prices are quoted per person in a shared room.
• Second night at a camp in the Douz Desert, where tents are equipped with electricity for charging devices and share bathrooms with toilets and showers.

Rest assured, you will never need to share a tent with strangers. We provide options for single, double, triple, or family tents. Note that a single-person supplement applies for solo bookings, as does a supplement for anyone wishing to reside alone in a tent or room.

Children aged 2 to 12 are required to share a room with their parents or guardians and will utilize an extra bed.

Why Book a Private Tour?

Opting for a private tour ensures you have an exclusive English-speaking guide, allowing you to enjoy a personal experience in a private group comprising only your partner, family, or friends.