Treasures of Tunisia: From Roman Ruins to the Sahara

Please note that the trip dates have changed from what was originally published. If you have questions, please contact us.

The Trip

Tunisia -– exotic, magical, romantic. The land of ancient civilizations and the film setting for Star Wars, Indiana Jones, The English Patient, and Monty Python’s Life of Brian.

Less than 100 miles from Sicily, Tunisia’s geographical position on the northeast corner of North Africa with two coasts on the Mediterranean Sea has beckoned the Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, Ottomans, and French to settle there. It is a crossroads of the past and the modern, a land of amazing contrasts where medieval minarets tower over exotic souks (markets) and mountains give way to the sensuous Sahara. Tunisia is a land that offers the traveler diverse adventures with its world-class Roman ruins, ancient cities, desert canyons and oases, preserved wetlands, coastal beaches, and mountains begging to be climbed.

Our Tunisia adventure takes us on an exciting historic and cultural journey that includes five spectacular hikes. We learn about the ancient past of Tunis with its 1,300 year-old medina (old city), mosques, and historic Ottoman palaces. Exploring the rich history of Carthage, one of the most important ancient cities of the Mediterranean basin and a former rival to Rome, we walk among Roman baths, Phoenician ruins, and a fourth-century Christian basilica.

As we visit natural areas, including Lake Ichkeul -- a preserved wetland that serves as an important area for migrating birds -- we learn about the ecological challenges facing different habitats in this country. Walking through olive fields along the coast, we will learn about the local olive oil production and some of the environmental issues that the olive oil industry is currently facing.

Moderate hikes during five of our trip days lead us to mountain summits, a plateau, a desert canyon, and a mountain village with a beautiful oasis. Our hikes average from 1.5 miles to 6 miles per day, with up to 2,000 feet of elevation gain.

On the way to our desert camp in the Sahara, we’ll stop by Luke Skywalker’s underground home at the famous Sidi Driss filming location. We reach the pink sands of the Sahara by camel and spend the night in a traditional Bedouin camp in goat-hair tents or sleeping under the stars. We complete our time in the desert by visiting a town with an oasis of more than 400,000 date palms.

Day 1: Welcome reception at hotel/Walking tour of downtown Tunis

Our tour will begin at 11 a.m. with a welcome reception and orientation at our downtown hotel. After our orientation meeting, we'll have our first Tunisian meal together. After lunch we'll learn about Tunis' past and present during a walking tour of downtown Tunis and its 1,300 year-old medina (old city). Noteworthy stops include the Zitouna Mosque and an old palace of Tunisia's rulers under the Ottoman Empire.

After our walking tour, we'll take a short drive to Tunis' beautiful north suburbs where we'll pass through the main sites of the ancient city of Carthage. We'll continue to Sidi Bou Said to discover the charm of one of the country's most picturesque villages, with its colorful shops and bustling cafes. We will pause for an authentic North African mint tea at a favorite spot overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, and finish the evening with dinner together.

Day 2: Testour and Dougga

After breakfast, we'll drive through the beautiful hills of Tunisia's fertile north. We'll stop in Testour, a town influenced by Andalucians in the 16th century. We'll continue to Dougga, a UNESCO World Heritage site known as one of the best preserved Roman towns in North Africa. We'll learn about Numidian and Roman life as we visit the capitol, the Roman theatre, temples, and more.

We'll enjoy an authentic lunch at Dar Ejdoud, sourced with fresh ingredients from the region.

Return to Tunis in the late afternoon and dinner in a downtown restaurant.

Day 3: Zaghouan

In the morning we'll travel to Zaghouan, where we'll arrive at the base of Djebel Zaghouan, the highest mountain in Eastern Tunisia. Zaghouan has been an important town since Roman times, when its springs were used to source water to Carthage 100 kilometers away via a magnificent aqueduct. We'll visit the ruins of the Water Temple, near the start of the original aqueduct. We'll drive farther up Djebel Zaghouan to 2,270 feet, where we'll begin our hike. We’ll reach the summit at 4,250 feet, where we’ll enjoy wonderful views of the surrounding hills during the two-mile hike. In the late afternoon, we'll enjoy time relaxing on the peaceful eco-farm Dar Zaghouan.

Day 4: Kairouan – El Jem

In the morning we'll make our way to Kairouan, Islam’s fourth-holiest city and the center of Islamic civilization in North Africa. Kairouan’s Great Mosque is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the oldest mosque on the African continent. Explore its fascinating ancient medina, where you can taste Tunisia's most typical sweet pastry, maqrouth.

We'll continue to El Jem to visit its impressive Roman Coliseum. El Jem was once a Roman town that was one of the Roman empire's major sources of olive oil. The relatively well-preserved coliseum once seated 35,000 spectators and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. We'll also visit El Jem's mosaics museum where several beautiful original Roman mosaics are featured.

We'll continue to Sfax, where we'll check in to our downtown hotel.

Day 5: Island of Djerba

This morning we'll travel south toward the island of Djerba, known by local residents and visitors alike as the Island of Dreams. Djerba's history and culture is a fascinating blend of Phoenician, Roman, Berber, Jewish, and Arab. We'll tour the main sites of the island, including the ancient Jewish synagogue El-Ghriba, the markets of Houmt Souq, and Guellala's cultural museum.

Day 6: Djerba – Ksar Ouled Soltane – Chenini

In the morning you'll have free time to relax, shop, and discover more of Djerba. After lunch we'll drive toward Tatouine, a region of Tunisia that's been largely influenced by the Berbers. We'll visit Ksar Ouled Soltane, one of the many traditional fortified granaries used by the Berbers in the region.

We'll continue to Chenini, a Berber village built into the mountains and famous for its cave-like homes. When we reach Chenini, we'll check in to Hotel el Kenza, built by historian and anthropologist Habib Bel Hedi to help travelers experience the fascinating architecture of the locals. We'll visit the ancient village to learn about its history and meet some of the residents. We'll enjoy an unforgettable sunset over the hills, followed by a traditional dinner.

Day 7: Chenini – Douiret

After breakfast we'll meet our local guide, who will lead us on a hike from Chenini through the hills to Douiret. On this six-mile hike, we will begin at 1,530 feet, we'll descend to flat terrain at 1,430 feet, and then we'll climb to the Dhahar Plateau at 1,850 feet. Along the hike, we'll learn about the Berber way of life in Tunisia's south. Stops will include the mysterious Seven Sleepers Mosque, mountain springs, and a small farm where we'll hear about desert farming practices. We'll prepare a freshly cooked meal together with our guide once we reach the Dhahar Plateau. The hike will finish at the ancient village of Douiret, where we'll stop for a rest and drink at the local village cafe.

Day 8: Matmata – Tamazeret – Sahara overnight

In the morning we'll drive through the hills to the Berber town of Matmata. We'll visit Sidi Driss, the site used to film Luke Skywalker's underground home. We'll continue to the mountaintop village of Tamazeret to visit a Berber cultural museum and eat lunch with the Monji Bouras, who runs the museum. After our visit we'll continue toward the Sahara, where we'll travel into the desert on a late-afternoon camel ride with local guides. We'll arrive to a desert camp, where we'll spend the evening experiencing the incredible silence of the desert and witnessing a fantastic sunset over its endless dunes. We'll sleep in the Bedouin camp under traditional goat-hair-style tents. Mattresses and blankets are provided. Feel free to sleep under the stars!

Day 9: Chott el Jerid – Sidi Bouhlel

After our return from the desert, we'll drive across Chott El Jerid, an immense salt lake famous for its appearance in the Star Wars films. We'll arrive to Tozeur, an oasis town with one of Tunisia’s largest oases and more than 400,000 date palms. After we check into our hotel, we'll make the short drive to Sidi Bouhlel where we will go for a hike in a desert canyon. Sidi Bouhlel is often called "Star Wars Canyon" because of its appearance in Star Wars: A New Hope. We'll begin the hike at 230 feet by climbing to the hilltop marabout to see the canyon from above. We'll descend to the canyon and then hike 1.5 miles into the canyon to an elevation of 600 feet. We'll have a rest and enjoy some tea with our local guide before hiking back.

Day 10: Tozeur – Chebika – Mides

In the morning we'll take Land Cruisers to drive to the oasis of Mides. We'll hike from Mides to Tamazgha, a mountain village with a beautiful oasis. The hike begins at 1,190 feet, and it will take us through some stunning scenery and passages through a gorge. During the 3.5-mile hike, we'll descend slightly to 900 feet, then climb over a hill overlooking Tamazgha at 1,300 feet. After our arrival to Tamazgha, we'll relax over lunch in the town's large oasis.

After lunch we'll continue to the village of Chebika, another deserted Berber village with stunning views over a nearby palm oasis. We'll visit the abandoned village and then descend to a small waterfall that's fed by a mountain spring. We'll return to Tozeur for our last evening in Tunisia's south. We'll take an optional outing to Tozeur's old quarter and visit Dar Cherait, a museum that highlights local history and culture.

Day 11: Tozeur – Sbeitla – Tunis

On our way back to Tunis we will stop at Sbeitla, the best-preserved Roman city in southern Tunisia. Highlights include standing in ancient temples near the Roman Senate and Christian basilicas that are famous for their mosaic baptismals. After our arrival to Tunis, we'll have a farewell dinner together at a traditional restaurant in the Tunis medina.

Day 12: Departure

This morning marks the end of our Tunisia adventure together. After breakfast, we say goodbye to our fellow travelers and are transported to the Tunis airport to fly home.

Changes may occur in our trip either in advance of or during the trip. Please be aware that we make every attempt to stay within this itinerary. However if weather or any other condition causes a change, please be flexible and respect the decision of the leader. The safety of our group is our most important concern.

Getting There

Book your flight into and out of Tunis (TUN). The leader will be happy to give you recommendations for a hotel in Tunis and assist you if you wish to extend your stay on either end of the trip. It is recommended that you arrive in Tunis at least one day before the trip starts on October 23 to mitigate jet lag and in case of missed connections and delayed luggage. Please do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until notified to do so by the trip leader.

Accommodations and Food

For 10 nights we stay in comfortable locally run small hotels and lodges with authentic ambience. The overnight in the Sahara is at a Bedouin-style camp with tents made of goat hair. Mattresses, pillow, and blankets are provided. If you come alone on the trip, you’ll be sharing a room with another person of the same gender.

Tunisian food mostly consists of Mediterranean flavors based around grains, vegetables, fruits, seafood, garlic, and golden olive oil. Centuries of colonization from Roman, Arabic, Persian, Sephardic Jewish, French, and other groups have added many spices and cooking techniques to their cuisine. Vegetarians will be accommodated and any other food limitations and allergies should be shared with the leader as soon as possible.

Trip Difficulty

To fully appreciate this outing, you should be in good physical condition and enjoy moderate day hikes. We will be hiking for part of five days of our trip. Some trails have mostly smooth footing and others are rocky or sandy. Our hikes range from 1.5 miles in length to 6 miles. Our elevation gain and loss are up to 2,000 feet. The highest altitude we reach is 4,250 feet. You will need to carry only a light day pack on our hikes.

Equipment and Clothing

A detailed equipment list will be sent to all trip members. Hiking poles are recommended for the trails. Everyone will want a good camera to capture the amazing scenery. Our Saharan campsite is furnished with mattresses, pillows, and blankets.

References

Books:

• Daaji, Ali, Bar Hopping along the Mediterranean.
• Hejaiej, Monia, Behind Closed Doors: Women’s Oral Narratives in Tunis.
• Highsmith, Patricia, The Tremor of Forgery.
• Lonely Planet, Tunisia (guide book).
• Memmi, Albert, The Pillar of Salt.
• Miles, Richard, Carthage Must Be Destroyed.
• Palin, Michael, Sahara.
• Tilili, Mustapha, Lion Mountain.

Websites:

• tourismtunisia.com
• tunisiaonline.com
• tunis-live.net

Conservation

The Sierra Club is an environmentally focused entity. We are concerned about conservation and sustainability of resources, both locally and globally. Our work is accomplished by volunteers and aided by a salaried staff, encouraging grassroots involvement. Our outings seek to empower participants toward environmentally understanding parallel concerns at home and abroad.

During our trip, two representatives from local environmental organizations will speak to us about the pressing environmental challenges that Tunisia faces at the moment. The three major environmental issues for the country are water scarcity, waste management, and pollution. Water scarcity and depletion have been a big struggle as high demands have left many springs dry and left certain regions struggling to provide clean water for their residents. Tunisia is light years behind many other countries in waste management. Fortunately, there have been some new environmental initiatives started by the government and private groups, but the progress has been very slow. Water pollution is a big problem. Industrial pollution and dumping of toxic waste into the sea have harmed the marine environment and affected the fishing stocks and fishing trade. Phosphate mines and refineries in the southern cities have had negative impacts on the environment and have been blamed for health issues.

Evacuation and Travel Insurance

The Sierra Club provides evacuation insurance to all participants on international trips. Since this coverage does not include any trip cancellation or interruption insurance, we suggest you purchase another policy separately to provide coverage for your trip and other travel costs. This policy also does not cover pre-trip and post-trip travel. Please note the evacuation insurance provided does not cover claims resulting from any pre-existing condition that occurs within 60 days of the trip departure. If you have specific questions about this exclusion, please review the insurance brochure. For information on purchasing a separate policy, please see our travel insurance page.