Day 1: Tunis/Hammamet or Sousse – El Jem – Matmata – Sabria
Pick-up from your address in Tunis, Hammamet, or Sousse in an air-conditioned vehicle. Start with a visit to El Jem, home to one of the world’s largest Roman amphitheatres, a UNESCO site. Continue south to Matmata, a Berber troglodyte village hidden underground. Visit the famous Sidi Idriss Hotel, a Star Wars filming site, then meet a local Berber family in their cave home. Enjoy traditional tea with olive oil or honey (a tip is appreciated as this supports their livelihood) and have lunch at a local restaurant. Head to Douz, the desert’s gateway, for a short stop at the local square. Then continue to Sabria, a sandy Bedouin village where desert traditions are deeply rooted. Check in at your Bedouin camp. Optional: camel ride at sunset (recommended for the Sahara’s colours and silence). Back at camp, witness the baking of traditional sand bread before dinner. Enjoy a local dinner at the camp, immersed in a Bedouin evening with music around the campfire. Your night will be spent under the stars in a Bedouin tent.
Day 2: Chott Djerid – Chebika – Kairouan
Greet the day early with breakfast against the backdrop of sweeping dunes. Cross Chott Djerid, North Africa’s largest salt lake, with a photo stop. Arrive at Chebika, a mountain oasis and hike for 30 mins to admire palm groves, ochre cliffs, and a refreshing waterfall. Lunch en route in a local restaurant. In Kairouan, see the Great Mosque (a major Islamic monument)
