The Wonders of the South - Tunisia Travel Guide

The wonders of the south is an 8-day circuit in southern Tunisia and departing from the island of Djerba. During this tour, you will visit the Tunisian desert at your own pace.

The discovery will begin with Tataouine, its Ksours and its Berber villages with a night in a lodge then Ksar Ghilane the oasis and its hot spring where you will spend the night in a tent in the middle of the desert…

The adventure will continue by crossing Douz, the gateway to the desert and Chott Djerid, the largest salt lake in North Africa to arrive in Tozeur, the city of palm groves par excellence! You will visit the old medina, the mountain oases and you will cross the old track of the Dakar rally and the cords of dunes to witness a unique sunset in front of Mos Espa. You will visit a troglodyte dwelling in Matmata and you will see more closely how the Berbers live nowadays. You will even taste their tea and their cakes made at home and served with great hospitality and a broad smile…

You will have the opportunity to ride a camel or quad in the dunes and you will be mostly far from tourist complexes and mass tourism but you will rather live a local adventure, off the beaten track and away from the crowds.

About the Wonders of the South Tour

Duration : 8 Days
Departure Time : 8:30 a.m.
Pick up: : All Tunisia (We pick you up wherever you are in Tunisia)
Confirmation : immediate
Guide : Arabic – French – English – German – Italian
Type of transport : Air-conditioned tourist vehicle
This Tour is approved by the Tunisian Tourist Office
Cancellation : See Terms and Conditions

Highlights

Take advantage of a pick-up at your address where you are in Tunisia
Discover a large part of southern Tunisia
Walk in the footsteps of camels at the Grand Erg Oriental
Bathe in a natural hot spring in the heart of the desert at Ksar Ghilane
Spend nights under the stars in the middle of the great Tunisian desert
Walk the sand dunes that stretch as far as the eye can see
Cross Chott Djerid, the largest salt lake in North Africa
Explore the palm groves and mountain oases of Tozeur
Visit Mos Espa, the largest Star Wars site in Tunisia
Discover the 3 types of desert in Tunisia (The Chott, the Reg and the Erg)
Visit a cave dwelling in Matmata and eat with the locals
Discover Chebika, Tamerza and Mides
Explore local life and eat Tunisian
Discover Tataouine, its Ksours and its Berber villages.

Program of the Tour

Day 1: Welcome to Tunisia

Arrival in Djerba, reception at the airport and transfer to your hotel in Djerba. Installation and free day according to flight schedules.

Route: According to arrival airport

Steps: Arrival and Farniente

Accommodation: 4* hotel

Day 2: Tataouine and Chenini, between the Ksours and Berber villages

After breakfast, departure via the Roman Road to Tataouine. Visit of the city then continuation towards Ksar Ouled Soltane, place of filming of some scenes of the film “Star Wars” and one of the best Ksours of the Tunisian south. Departure for Chenini, a small village embedded in the mountains, renowned for its ksours and its houses dug into the walls of the mountains and visit (about 40 min on foot) with a local guide who will be happy to share with you the history of its village and its traditions.
Lunch in a typical restaurant.
After the meal, hike with a local guide between the village of Chenini and the village of Douiret (about 3 hours). This hike is optional. Then head to Ksar Jouamaa, an 18th century granary atop the Beni Khedache mountains, for dinner, evening and overnight.

Accommodation: Ksar Jouamaa

Day 3: A night in the tent

After breakfast, departure to the Berber village of Guermessa, a deserted village where you will have an appointment with a walk to discover its different components. Continuation to Ksar Ghilane, a small exotic oasis in the middle of the Sahara, famous for its natural source of thermal water, where you can bathe. Arrival and free time to enjoy a swim in the hot spring.

Lunch and possibility of a quad getaway (extra) or a camel excursion to visit the old “Tisavar” fort located in the middle of the desert, then departure to Zmela, the camp where we will spend the night (about 20km).

Arrival and free time to enjoy the sunset. Dinner and Saharan vigil.
Night in a Berber tent.

Accommodation: Overnight at Zmela camp or similar.

Day 4: Chott Djerid and the old medina of Tozeur

Wake up gently and breakfast, then departure for Tozeur via the town of Douz.
Lunch and continuation.
Crossing of Chott El Djérid, lake of antiquity, sea of chimeras and disturbing fairyland by its mirages where, according to legend, entire armies disappeared forever. Arrival and installation at the hotel.
Afternoon visit to the old town of Tozeur (The old Medina) and possibility of taking a horse-drawn carriage ride in the wonderful palm grove of Tozeur (Extra) or visiting the magnificent museum of traditional arts Dar Chéraït (Extra). Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Walking time: about 1 hour
Stages: Jérid Tozeur – The Medina – The Palmeraie

Accommodation: Overnight at Hotel Ksar Rouge 4* or similar.

Day 5: Escapade in the mountain oases

After breakfast, departure to visit the superb mountain oases Chébika, a veritable suspended paradise, which for years has become the favorite place of the greatest filmmakers (known above all for its Berber village and its water sources which spring from the side of the mountain ), Tamerza (famous for its waterfall) and Midès (for its Canyons).
Lunch in a typical restaurant with the locals to enjoy a typical Tunisian menu.
In the afternoon, possibility to leave behind civilization and go on an adventure in the dunes of Ong Djemel by the Rally track to discover the sets of Star Wars and the village of Mose Espa. On the way to our hotel, we will pass the basket of Nefta where a visit will be at the rendezvous.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Walking time: about 1 hour

Stages: Chebika – Tamerza – Midès
Accommodation: Overnight at Hotel Ksar Rouge 4* or similar.

Day 6: In the house underground

After breakfast, departure to Douz
Arrival in Douz and free time for a walk in its colorful market.
Departure to Matmata, the troglodyte village. Our first stop will be at the Berber village of Tamazret. Coffee break and free time for a walk in the village.
Continuation to Matmata and visit to the locals where we will be welcomed by a good Roman tea, bread prepared by your host, accompanied by olive oil and honey.
Departure at the hotel and lunch.

In the afternoon, departure to visit the famous Sidi Idriss hotel (location of some Star Wars scenes) then a visit to the Berber village of Toujane famous for the manufacture of handmade “MARGOUM” carpets as well as for its honey. based on rosemary.

Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight (hotel with a semi-troglodyte structure and architecture)

Steps: Tozeur – Douz – Matmata
Accommodation: Night in Diar El Barbar or similar.

Day 7: Return to Djerba

Breakfast, Departure to the island of Djerba via the ferry (bac).
Visit of Guellela the pottery village and possibility of doing business in the shops before leaving the next day. Continuation to the alleys of Djerbahood and free time to admire the street-Arts.
Departure to Houmt souk and free time in the souks.

Installation at the hotel and free time (hotel feet in the water).

Steps: Matmata – Djerba
Accommodation: Overnight at Dar Bhar hotel or similar.

Day 8: End of our services