Tunisia: Tunis, Tataouine, Sahara Desert Camp, Tozeur Oasis, Kairouan, Sidi Bou Said
Small groups of no more than 16 travelers, guaranteed
Journey to North Africa and discover the mystery and allure of Tunisia. Explore the scattered ruins of ancient Carthage, and spend 1 night in a tented camp in the Sahara, where past rulers of desert empires built magnificent mosques, and Americans forged a special connection during World War II. Today, Tunisian artisans ply their crafts in exotic souks and medinas, where narrow lanes snake between white-domed buildings that gleam in the sun.
16 days starting from $3,995
including international airfare from New York or Newark
Single Supplement: FREE
Departure Dates: Feb-May; Sep-Dec
Activity Level: Moderately Easy
2025 & 2026 DEPARTURES AVAILABLE
See all departure dates at www.oattravel.com/tns2025pricing
IT'S INCLUDED
- 14 nights accommodations, including 1 night at our private tented camp in the Sahara Desert
- International airfare, airport transfers, government taxes, fees, and airline fuel surcharges unless you choose to make your own air arrangements
- All land transportation and 1 internal flight
- 33 meals—14 breakfasts, 9 lunches, and 10 dinners (including 1 Home-Hosted Dinner)
- 20 small group activities
- Services of a local O.A.T. Trip Experience Leader
- Gratuities for local guides, drivers, camp staff, and luggage porters
- 5% Frequent Traveler Credit toward your next adventure
- All land transportation
ITINERARY
DAY 1 • Depart U.S.
Depart the U.S. on an overnight flight to Tunis.
DAY 2 • Tunis, Tunisia
Arrive at your hotel in Tunis and meet your fellow travelers, including those who took our optional pre-trip extension to Untouched Algeria: Algiers & Constantine.
Meals: D | Hotel Belvedere Fourati or similar
DAY 3 • Explore Tunis
Today, we set out to explore Tunis on a guided walking tour. Witness the palaces, mosques, and fountains of the city’s medina —a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Meals: B,D | Hotel Belvedere Fourati or similar
DAY 4 • Ancient Dougga • Testour
Visit Dougga, the best-preserved ancient Roman city in North Africa and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here stand the remains of a complete town that once had 5,000 residents, including villas, temples, baths, a paved street, and a forum. Later, we’ll drive out to the village of Testour, a sleepy town that is home to Tunisia’s finest examples of Andalusian architecture.
Meals: B,L | Hotel Belvedere Fourati or similar
DAY 5 • Tunis • A Day in the Life of a Tunisian family
Experience A Day in the Life of a local Tunisian family. Participate in hands-on activities and enjoy lunch with the family before returning to Tunis.
Meals: B,L | Hotel Belvedere Fourati or similar
DAY 6 • Fly to Djerba • Tataouine
This morning, we fly to Djerba, an island linked to mainland Tunisia by a causeway built on a Roman-era foundation. We’ll stop at a local village and then drive to Houmt Souk—Djerba’s capital—a historic city of white-washed mosques and groves of olive and citrus trees, before continuing overland to Tataouine.
Meals: B,L,D | Ksar Ouled Debbab or similar
DAY 7 • Berber villages • Lunch with a local family
Visit the picturesque Berber village of Chenini, which was built into the rocky hills as a means of protection from Ghazzia (Arab tribes). Later, we’ll drive to Ras el Wad to enjoy lunch with a Berber family before returning to Tataouine.
Meals: B,L,D | Ksar Ouled Debbab or similar
DAY 8 • Troglodyte • Visit a troglodyte house • Sahara Desert camp
Visit a troglodyte home in the Berber town of Matmata. Then, journey to Douz, where all roads end at the Great Eastern Erg, and board 4x4 vehicles for our journey into the Sahara to our tented camp, set amidst rolling dunes.
Meals: B,L,D | Ghilane Desert Camp or similar
DAY 9 • The Sahara Desert • Camel ride in dunes • Tozeur
You may wish to rise early to watch the sun rise over the Sahara Desert. Then, saddle up for a camel ride amidst the dunes. During our trek, we may cross paths with nomadic people as they make their way across the sprawling sea of sand. Later, transfer overland to Tozeur with a stop along the way at Chott El Jerid, the largest salt lake in the Sahara Desert.
Meals: B,L,D | Hotel Diar Abou Habibi or similar
DAY 10 • Explore Tozeur oasis by horse-drawn carriage • Visit local brick factory
Explore Tozeur by horse-drawn carriage and imagine the two-thousand-year history of this lush oasis. We’ll also visit a small brick factory, spend time at Sidi Ben Aissa Archaeological Museum and enjoy a discussion with the museum’s curator.
Meals: B,D | Hotel Diar Abou Habibi or similar
ADVENTURE HIGHLIGHT
On Day 8, spend a night in a private tented camp in the Sahara Desert, ride a camel in the sand dunes, and gather by the campfire under the African stars.
DAY 11 • Tozeur • Roman ruins at Sbeitla • Kairouan
Transfer overland to Kairouan. Along the way, stop to visit the Roman ruins of Sbeitla, including three temples dedicated to Minerva, Jupiter, and Juno, the gods who protected Rome.
Meals: B,L,D | La Kasbah Hotel or similar
DAY 12 • Explore Kairouan • Home-Hosted Dinner
Today we explore Kairouan on a guided walking tour. We’ll begin with a visit to the Abou Zamaa al-Balawi mausoleum, one of the most venerated sites in the city. Next, we’ll visit the Great Mosque, the oldest Muslim place of worship in Africa. Later, we’ll venture on foot to the city medina , a UNESCO World Heritage Site and thriving center of Tunisian culture. This evening, we’ll enjoy a Home-Hosted Dinner with a local family.
Meals: B,D | La Kasbah Hotel or similar
DAY 13 • Kairouan • Optional El Djem tour Optional El Djem tour
Today is for explorations on your own, or you can join an optional tour of El Djem, home to a Roman amphitheater—a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The optional tour also includes lunch and a visit to a mosaics crafts center.
Meals: B | La Kasbah Hotel or similar
DAY 14 • Kairouan • Explore Hammamet • Sidi Bou Said • Controversial Topic: Women’s rights in Tunisia
Travel overland to Sidi Bou Said today. Along the way, visit Hammamet, a town of white-washed houses and some of Tunisia’s finest beaches. We’ll explore its coastal medina before continuing on to Sidi Bou Said, where we’ll meet with a local expert to discuss the Controversial Topic of women’s rights in Tunisia to gain an understanding of gender inequality in the Arab world.
Meals: B,L | Hotel Dar Said or similar
DAY 15 • Sidi Bou Said • Ancient Carthage • North Africa American Cemetery
After a discovery walk through the village of Sidi Bou Said, we’ll visit the ruin site of ancient Carthage. We’ll also pay respects to the soldiers who liberated Tunisia during World War II with a visit to the North Africa American Cemetery and Memorial. Enjoy a Farewell Dinner this evening.
Meals: B,L,D | Hotel Dar Said or similar
DAY 16 • Return to U.S.
Transfer to the airport for your flight home, or begin our Timeless Morocco: From the Souks of Marrakesh to Seaside Casablanca post-trip extension.
Meals: B
On Day 7, sit down to a homecooked lunch with a local Berber family in Ras el Wad.
For departure dates & prices, visit www.oattravel.com/tns2025pricing
OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS
Choose to maximize your discoveries and value when you add a pre- or post-trip extension—or both—to your adventure.
Untouched Algeria: Algiers & Constantine
PRE-TRIP: 6 nights from $2,195
Visit Africa’s largest country and marvel at ancient Roman ruins that will instantly transport you back in time.
IT’S INCLUDED
- 6 nights accommodation
- 13 meals—6 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 4 dinners (including 1 Home-Hosted Lunch)
- 5 small group activities
- Services of a local O.A.T. Trip Experience Leader
- Gratuities for local guides, drivers, and luggage porters
- All transfers
Learn more at www.oattravel.com/tns-algeria-2025
Timeless Morocco: From the Souks of Marrakesh to Seaside Casablanca
POST-TRIP: 5 nights from $1,595
Extend your North African discoveries in Marrakesh and Casablanca, where you can feel the pulse of Moroccan culture as we tour colorful souks, a historic medina, lively squares, and Africa’s largest mosque.
IT’S INCLUDED
- Air transportation from Tunis to Casablanca
- 5 nights accommodation
- 10 meals—5 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 3 dinners
- 5 small group activities
- Services of a local O.A.T. Trip Experience Leader
- All transfers
Learn more at www.oattravel.com/tns-morocco-2025
ARRIVE EARLY
We recommend that you relax after a long flight or explore more in depth before your trip. Prices shown include accommodations and private airport transfer.
• Arrive early in Algiers before your Algeria pre-trip extension from $180 per room, per night
• Arrive early in Tunis before your main adventure from $210 per room, per night