12 Day Tunisia Adventure
1 November, 2020
Trip price: $3590
Deposit $1200
Travelling independently to Tunisa can be great – if you have, time, patience, and a big helping of local knowledge. If not, you’ll miss some of the best secrets. How do you find great authentic restaurants, and see those places that don’t appear on the “tourist trail”? How do you get around? Wouldn’t you like your transport to stop just to take a photo, check out a market, or take in the scenery?
Our Untour concept is simple – a small gang of like-minded women seeing the sights, cities, villages, deserts, and mountains worth seeing – and avoiding the tourist traps. We make time to stop and just take it all in, and you’ll enjoy the freedom to enjoy things your way.
Highlights
Clash of civilizations: explore the ruins of Carthage, Roman amphitheatres, Berber villages, holy Islamic sites, and taste the unique influences that have created the cuisine of modern Tunis
A galaxy not that far away: you will feel like you’re on another planet, surrounded by the natural grandeur used as spectacular backdrops and set locations for many movies
From blue seas to sandy deserts: seaside cities and fishing villages, jagged hilltops and canyons, salt lakes, lush oases, and the world's greatest desert
Enjoy a Sahara campfire under the stars, a visit to the massive amphitheatre of Jem, explore the beautiful Djerba Island and Dougga, a UNESCO heritage roman town
Small groups, maximum 12 spots
Enjoy delicious Tunisian cuisine, shop for handmade rugs in Kairouan and enjoy a home cooked lunch with villagers!
Trip Details
Price
$3690 AUD per person (based on twinshare)
EARLYBIRD: $3390 – book by April 30
Deposit: $1200 AUD
Private supplement: $1120AUD — only 2 available
Don’t have someone to join you? Most of our bookings are from solo travellers. We can easily match you with another group member to help you avoid paying the private supplement. Just ask!
Trip length
12 days, 11 nights
Dates
March 22 to April 2 – 1 Spot left $3390
November 1 to 12, 2020
Have a group? Contact us and we can arrange a private departure!
Meeting point
Hotel Carlton, Tunis
Ending point
Hotel Carlton, Tunis
Group size
Maximum 12 — guaranteed departure
Participation requirements
Please see our “Is this trip right for you?” section to see the participation requirements
Included
- Nearly all meals
- Transportation
- English-speaking trip leader
- Accommodation
- Airport transfers
Not included
- International airfares
- Tip kitty
- Any visas required (Australian passport holders do not require a visa)
- Services not mentioned in the itinerary
- Late check-out at hotels
- Meals and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary
- Tips for leaders, guide and driver
- Expenditure of personal nature
- Personal insurance
Our accommodation
Every step of the way, we’ve sought out fun, unique accommodation wherever possible. In other good news, most of our stops have pools for you to enjoy an afternoon dip.
Why Choose This Tour?
Visit a country that offers everything yet isn’t jammed with tourists - the vibrancy of the medina of Tunis, some of the best Roman historical monuments to be found anywhere, rich Islamic culture and history, green oases in the Sahara Desert
Our trip leader is one of a kind, with a passion for Tunisian history and culture.. Plus perhaps the most important bit: he knows exactly where the great food is hidden
The accommodation is perfectly located and handpicked – we’re chasing an amazing time during the day plus a good night’s rest
Click the tabs to find out more
Itinerary
DAY 1: HELLO TUNISIA
Welcome to Tunis! Check in to our historical (and fancy) hotel and we’ll meet as a group for our first activity – a gentle welcome walk of Tunis. Our accommodation is located in the midst of the best bits of the city, so we’ll take a slow stroll through the labyrinth and check out the hidden nooks that make the local medina special. Save some room for a very special dinner – in our humble opinion, it’s the best restaurant in Tunis!
Accommodation:Hotel Carlton (or similar)
Included:Dinner
DAY 2: CARTHAGE & TUNIS
Head out of the Medina today towards the oldest part of Tunis: the city of Carthage, a UNESCO Heritage site, was THE arch-rival of Rome. Known for child sacrifice ritual. it was crushed into history by a brutal Roman siege. La Goulette is nearby – a beachside town popular with locals, where we’ll get the chance to pick out some recently caught fish and bask in the atmosphere as it grills, before exploring Tunis itself a bit further to wind up the day.
Accommodation:Hotel Carlton (or similar)
Included: Breakfast, lunch
DAY 3: KAIROUAN
The road beckons us today and Sousse is our first stop. It’s a busy coastal town that has seen millennia of history and Roman mosaics are one of the highlights that we’ll catch as we wander the streets before lunch. Then, on to Kairouan – a revered UNESCO Heritage centre of Islamic history (and also famous for its rugs, hint hint! ) Our accommodation, the Kasbah, is a highlight in and of itself.
Accommodation: La Kasbah (or similar)
Included: Breakfast, lunch
DAY 4: EL JEM
The Amphitheatre of El Jem is incredible: imagine the Colosseum without the hordes and you’re getting an idea! Then, a treat – the Aghlabid Basins, an ingenious hydraulic system that kept Kairouan supplied with water for over 1000 years. The human creativity on display here will change your perceptions! We’ve also got a surprise for you before we climb aboard a ferry to Djerba, a ridiculously beautiful island (yes, even by Australian standards!) Once there, check out the awesome local street art in the old Jewish town, or just… chill!
Accommodation: Guesthouse Dar Dhiafa (or similar)
Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 5: DJERBA
Google Djerba and you’ll find beautiful beaches and package tourists. Yet, beneath the tourism layer lies something much more fascinating: an abandoned 6 star resort that is emblematic of the Jasmine Revolution of 2010. Learn about this recent history amongst eerie yet beautiful surroundings – the beach here is stunning. After lunch, we’ll get back onto the mainland and head towards the edge of the Sahara. A poolside sunset barbecue awaits!
Accommodation: Hotel Sangho Privilege (or similar)
Included: Breakfast, lunch
DAY 6: TATOOINE
The edge of the desert contains surprises. Tatooine – made famous by the Star Wars movies – is a fascinating town with hilltop caves and below ground dugouts built by the local Berber population. We’ll have some tea in the quaint cave of some friends of ours, and then head up to a nearby Berber village wedged on top of some cliffs. You’ll be amazed – how does a place like this even come to exist? We’ll then relax back at the hotel and prepare ourselves… the great Sahara desert awaits!
Accommodation: Hotel Sangho Privilege (or similar)
Included: Breakfast, lunch
DAY 7: THE SAHARA
Welcome to the one and only Sahara. Stuff of legends, it lives up to the hype! Jump into our off-road equipped vehicles for an exploration including a very unique lunch visit. Keep an appetite, that’s all we’re saying… Then, further exploration, capped with a sunset campfire. The sky will darken, and then, the magic: turn your eyes heavenward for the most spectacular view of the day. Being 2 hours away from the nearest light source, the Milky Way will blow. you. away. Accommodation for tonight is a comfy desert camp.
Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Campement Zmela Labrissa (or similar)
DAY 8: TOZEUR
We’ll bid farewell to the Sahara in style today as we cross a series of multi-coloured salt lakes. A post-lunch highlight is a visit to the Les Refroidisseurs d’Eau – so far off the tourist trail that you cannot find it in any other itinerary (it pays to know the locals!) Its job is to hoover up all the hot mineral water bubbling out of the desert and cool it down for use. Our accommodation for tonight is located right in the middle of a gorgeous oasis. You’re going to love it.
Accommodation: Diar Abou Habibi (or similar)
Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 9: SIGHTS OF THE SANDS
Desert sands, salt lakes, oases, date farms, picturesque views – the backdrop today is magnificent as we visit the surreal town of Mos Espa. Decaying slowly, it was built as a set for the Star Wars movie franchise, a worthwhile visit even for non-fans. After a brief stop wandering the mudbrick laneways of Tozeur, we’ll be back relaxing at our wonderful oases accommodation. (If you’re a big Star Wars fan, tell our guide – he’s got one more trick hidden up his sleeve.)
Accommodation: Diar Abou Habibi (or similar)
Included: Breakfast, lunch
DAY 10: SBEITLA
Today, we start to close the loop with a 5 hr drive back north. Have you ever heard of the city of Sbeitla? No? Right here is where the Islamic conquest of Africa began – totally changing the course of history. You can feel it in the air here and we’ll get some time to check out some Roman ruins and other points of interest before enjoying a post drive wild boar lunch – a favoured meal stretching back millennia. Tomorrow is our last full day (already!?) so we’ll have the chance to explore the town and collect new memories.
Accommodation: Hotel Thugga (or similar)
Included: Breakfast, lunch
DAY 11: DOUGGA
If Dougga were in Italy, it’d be on the bucket list of every traveller worldwide. A wonderfully preserved Roman town, it’s the best of its kind in Africa. Still yourself, close your eyes: for one brief second you’ll hear the echoes of the hubbub of daily life centuries past. The massive theatre and temple are memorable, but it’s the human touches they left behind – such as the mosaics in living rooms – that will stay with you.
Accommodation: Hotel Carlton (or similar)
Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 12: FAREWELL
The most difficult part of the journey awaits us today – farewells! After 12 days exploring this miraculous country, it’ll be hard to rip yourself away from your new friends. Alas, it must be so: we’ll breakfast together, swap emails, and then head on to new destinations. Perhaps take one last chance to explore the Tunis Medina and if you haven’t already, we recommend that you pick up a rug.
Included: Breakfast
The Essential Info
Brace yourself – our guide for this trip is a… Man!!
Ghazi Limem was born and lives near Hammamet, Tunisia. He’s led countless visitors throughout the most famous, and infamous, sites all over his country. An avid researcher with unique insight into the history and archaeology of Tunisia, Ghazi will happily chat about the many questions you are sure to have whilst exploring his homeland.
With seventeen years of experience, Ghazi is recognized as one of the leading guides and mentors in Tunisia. He’s a lot of fun to be around – and always knows where the best local cafe or restaurant is.
We trialled various guides, both men and women, and Ghazi was by some distance the best. The choice was easy! You’ll love him just as much as we do.
WHAT ABOUT THE FOOD?
We absolutely love Tunisian food! This trip includes breakfast and lunch every single day. Order whatever you like, it’s all included. Usually, we’ll be sitting down at a restaurant (we know the best local joints in each city), but we don’t mind the occasional picnic or tasty street-food snacks. Hearty, local, fresh, plenty of variety, and we’ll take care of your dietary requirements.
Note: we include tea, coffee, desserts (and deserts), juices, water, ice-cream, and more. By nights you’ll have flexibility – some dinners are included, and some nights are more relaxed – you’re always welcome to join us, or go it alone if you have a specific craving. Just ask for recommendations!
We’ll enjoy a traditional meal around a campfire under the stars in the Sahara. We’ll also munch down some delicious street food in Tunis. Either way, the goal is for your stomach to be content.
Is This Trip Right For You?
You love travelling and enjoying the most of your time in a country.
You don’t like being rushed or herded around B-grade attractions, but you also understand that some places are worth the wait.
You’re open minded and open hearted. You try to embrace the little things. You understand that even in the best vehicles, the air-con sometimes breaks. Even in the best restaurants, the service sometimes is a little slow. This is just part of the adventure, and you choose to be gracious.
You also know that it’s worth spending a little more to have a great night’s sleep. You just love the idea of living a day fully, and then returning to unique, interesting accommodation! You also know that a ‘great trip’ doesn’t have to mean sprinting from place to place. The best moments so often come when you hit the pause button, sit still, and just take it all in.
You’re young enough at heart to know that sometimes the best opportunities come when you’re least expecting it. You understand that doing things right doesn’t always mean following a strict routine.
You enjoy trying new food, visiting new places, and making new friends. You make a great travel buddy and you love to share experiences with others. You understand that to fit in with local cultures, sometimes that involves trying something you haven’t tried before, or sitting on the floor to eat with a nomad family.
Does that sound like you? I’d love to invite you to travel with us!
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are The Payment Terms?
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You need to make a deposit of $1000 to hold your spot using a Visa or Mastercard. Contact us if you want to pay via bank deposit. From there, you need to pay the final balance of the trip more than 90 days in advance. (This is not for our benefit: our suppliers require upfront payment well in advance to guarantee availability). You can pay with Card (fees apply) or with Bank Deposit. Note: prior to the payment of your full balance, the final price may change if there is significant variation in the AUD:EUR exchange rate. Please refer to the full terms and conditions.
What Level Of Fitness Is Required? Will I Hold Anyone Back?
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This tour doesn’t have any dedicated exercise component. So long as you’re capable of walking for several hours with breaks around a town, you’ll be fine. This trip is sadly not appropriate for those who need to use walking aids: in signing up, you confirm that you have the basic fitness level required to do a 2-3 hour walking tour.
Are Airfares Included? Can You Help Organise Them For Me?
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Airfares are not included. We have a travel agent that is in partnership with, that can help arrange your flights.
Is There A Single Supplement Available?
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Yes: 1120 AUD, and two are available. This is a condition placed by our accommodation providers and is being charged strictly at cost.
Will I Be Sharing A Room?
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Yes, unless you take the single supplement option. Everyone’s here to have a great time and we’ll do our best to match like with like. Of course, if we there’s a need to rotate things around, we’ll do that too.
What About Changing Money?
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Our guide will assist you to change money while on the ground. In most towns there are ATMs where you can easily take money out!
What About Transportation?
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Private transport, with the same driver, and the same bus, available 100% of the time. Modern, spacious, comfortable, air-conditioned. Our hand-picked local drivers are safe, experienced, and friendly. Reliable private transportation is the key to seeing Tunisia.
Is Tunisia Safe?
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Forget the media, forget what you’ve heard from people who have never visited, Tunisia has a level of safety comparable with Europe. Tunisians are friendly, hospitable, and welcoming, they’ll chat with you on the streets, and tourists are treated with respect – by the locals and the authorities. Tunisia is a stable democratic nation, a beacon of Africa, with no ongoing conflicts.
Do I Need To Wear Hijab? What Should I Wear?
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There’s no need to wear hijab, and Tunisia is a relatively moderate country. That being said, the countryside is a bit more conservative in general. Our typical recommendation is to cover shoulders and knees. Feel free to bring your bathers, though – there’s a beach you can swim at, and a bunch of pools along the way.
What About The Weather? Will It Be Super Hot?
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Actually, no. The climate at the end of March is quite temperate and pleasant – expect high teens to low 20s.
