Cornelius Amann
October 06, 2026
5/5
Tunisia: Tunis, Carthage, Kairouan, the Sahara and Djerba
9 days from Tunis to Djerba: Carthage and El Jem, Kairouan, the Tozeur oasis and a Sahara night at Douz, with the Canadian advisory limits stated.
9 days · Tunis to Djerba · up to 12 guests
The Roman amphitheatre at El Jem, photographed in March 2012. Photo: Jerzystrzelecki, CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/), via Wikimedia Commons, resized
The facts
At a glance
- Length
- 9 days, 8 nights
- Start and end
- Tunis to Djerba
- Group size
- 7 to 12 guests
- Activity level
Moderate
Plan for 3 to 6 km of walking on sightseeing days, on cobbles, ruins and sand, in daytime heat in the south that can be strong even in the cooler months, plus a short camel or dune outing at Douz. Days 4 and 7 to 8 are long road days. Shorter-walk suggestions are not step-free alternatives; suitability, transport and extra costs need checking before booking. Transfer times are estimates pending the final route and suppliers.
- Meals included
- 8 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners
- Season
- Cooler months
Highlights
Why this trip
- Tunis medina and the Bardo Museum's Roman mosaics, subject to opening
- Carthage's ruins and the blue-and-white village of Sidi Bou Said
- The Great Mosque of Kairouan, courtyard only for non-Muslim visitors
- El Jem's Roman amphitheatre
- The Tozeur oasis and a crossing of the Chott el Jerid salt lake
- A night at Douz, on the edge of the Sahara (camp to be quoted)
- Matmata's underground houses and, on Djerba, the island and El Ghriba synagogue, subject to security and access
What makes this trip different
Free time is part of the plan
Free time and choices are marked on the days they fall.
Day by day
Itinerary
Tap any stop on the map to open that dayClick any stop on the map to open that day
Arrive in Tunis
Tunis-Carthage Airport (TUN) to your hotel in Tunis
- Dinner
- Stay in Tunis
Fly into Tunis-Carthage Airport (TUN), a short drive from the centre. A driver is proposed to meet you in arrivals and take you to a hotel in or near the medina; we confirm the time and location with the supplier. If you land early, rest, or walk to a nearby café for mint tea.
Evening
In the early evening your See Sight Tours guide meets the group for a short briefing on the nine days: which days have long drives, how the travel advisory shapes the southern route, what to wear at mosques and in the heat or cold. We walk or drive to a welcome dinner of Tunisian dishes, perhaps a brik pastry, couscous or grilled fish, and mint tea. Tomorrow is a full day of the capital and Carthage. Flights, vehicles and the hotel are not booked.
Included
- Proposed airport transfer
- Welcome briefing with your guide
- Welcome dinner
Free time: Free until the evening briefing
Tunis medina, Bardo, Carthage and Sidi Bou Said
Tunis: medina, Bardo Museum, Carthage and Sidi Bou Said
- Breakfast
- Stay in Tunis
We start in the medina of Tunis, an old town of covered souqs, mosques and courtyards, where the guide helps with orientation and shopping is optional. We then go to the Bardo Museum for its Roman mosaics. The museum's own heritage page (undated) lists winter hours of 09:30 to 16:30 and a Monday closure, and notes that some galleries are still being fitted out, so if the day falls on a Monday we reorder the day and the mosaics may be replaced or moved. Security checks at the entrance may apply.
Afternoon
After a free lunch we drive to Carthage, the Phoenician and Roman city, where the guide explains what remains, including the Antonine Baths beside the sea; the national heritage agency's undated Carthage museum page lists winter hours of 08:30 to 17:00 and a group-ticket option (the page does not say which sites it covers), and notes the museum is being restructured, so we confirm which enclosures are open. The site is spread out and surfaces can be uneven. The day ends at Sidi Bou Said, a hilltop village of white walls and blue doors above the sea, for coffee or mint tea. Closing times are earlier in winter.
Included
- Tunis medina walk with your guide
- Bardo Museum visit, subject to opening and a Monday closure
- Carthage site visit, subject to which enclosures are open
- Sidi Bou Said walk
Optional experiences
- A hammam or cooking class, cost not included
Easier option: Visit fewer Carthage sites; Any vehicle or taxi help is unconfirmed, may cost extra and is not included.
More active option: Walk the Carthage seafront paths
Free time: Free lunch and evening
Kairouan and El Jem
Tunis to El Jem via Kairouan, then the Roman amphitheatre
- Breakfast and lunch
- Stay in El Jem
Morning
We leave Tunis after breakfast and drive south to Kairouan, an estimated two to two and a half hours, to see the Great Mosque, one of the oldest and most important in North Africa. Tourism Tunisia, citing the official heritage listing, gives winter hours of 08:00 to 14:00 with visits ending at noon on Fridays, and says non-Muslim visitors can enter the courtyard only, with shoulders and knees covered, so the visit is planned for the morning and the hours are checked on the day. Time permitting, the guide also points out the Mosque of the Three Doors in the medina and, if open, the Aghlabid basins and the Barber's mosque (the Zaouia of Sidi Sahbi), which that page places further from the mosque.
Afternoon
After a lunch in Kairouan we continue to El Jem, an estimated hour and a half, to see its Roman amphitheatre, a vast stone arena rising from a small town. Tourism Tunisia lists winter hours to 17:30 for El Jem, with other sources differing, so we plan a mid-afternoon visit and confirm.
Evening
We stay in El Jem or nearby, and the evening is free. Exact times are estimates.
Included
- Kairouan Great Mosque visit, courtyard only for non-Muslim visitors
- El Jem amphitheatre visit
- Lunch in Kairouan
Easier option: Walk only the lower tiers of the amphitheatre
More active option: Climb to the upper tiers
Free time: Free evening in El Jem
Activity: Mosque hours and Friday closing to be confirmed
South to Tozeur
El Jem to Tozeur by road via Gafsa
- Breakfast
- Stay in Tozeur
This is the longest road day, an estimated four and a half to five and a half hours of driving plus stops, from El Jem inland to the oasis city of Tozeur on the edge of the desert.
Afternoon
We plan a stop in Gafsa for lunch, which is free, and short breaks along the way where the landscape changes from olive groves to dry steppe and then to palm groves. We arrive in the afternoon and settle into a hotel in Tozeur, to be chosen.
Evening
The evening is free for a walk in the old brick quarter of Ouled el Hadef, if open and safe, or simply a rest. Because the day is long and the roads can be affected by weather, the guide keeps the pace flexible. We do not promise arrival times, and any change on grounds of road or safety conditions will be explained. Exact drive times are estimates.
Included
- Road transfer with breaks
- Old-quarter walk in Tozeur, optional
Free time: Free lunch and evening
Activity: Long road day; times are estimates
Tozeur oasis and the mountain oases, conditional
Tozeur: palm-grove oasis; mountain oases only if the advisory allows
- Breakfast
- Stay in Tozeur
Morning
The morning is spent in the Tozeur oasis, a palm grove irrigated by springs, where we walk among date palms and hear how the water is shared out. The mountain oases of Chebika and Tamerza lie near the Algerian border. The Government of Canada's advice (read 8 November 2026) puts the area within 20 km of that border under an avoid-all-travel advisory but lists Chebika, Mides and Tamerza among the places where high caution applies instead. This part of the day is therefore conditional on the advice in force for your passport and on local conditions, and we do not plan it unless both support it. If they do not, we replace it with more time in Tozeur, its museum or the old brick quarter, and we say so plainly.
Evening
The evening is free. We do not promise the mountain oases.
Included
- Tozeur oasis walk
- Mountain-oasis excursion only if current advice allows
Optional experiences
- A 4x4 or horse-carriage ride in the oasis, cost not included
Easier option: Take an optional carriage or vehicle through the oasis (cost not included, availability unconfirmed)
More active option: Walk further in the palm grove
Free time: Free evening in Tozeur
Activity: Advisory-dependent; check before each departure
Across the Chott el Jerid to Douz
Tozeur to Douz by road across the Chott el Jerid; Sahara-edge night
- Breakfast and dinner
- Stay in Douz
Morning
After breakfast we leave Tozeur on the paved road that crosses the Chott el Jerid, a vast salt lake that is dry for much of the year; we estimate about two hours to Douz and confirm it. A local tourism authority page (read 8 November 2026) says the lake is freely accessible from the road, mirages are common in summer when it is dry, and guides advise against driving onto the salt crust, which is not always solid. We stop at a roadside viewpoint and do not leave the road.
Evening
At Douz, the gateway to the Sahara, we have lunch free and in the late afternoon take a short camel ride or a dune walk toward sunset, subject to wind and conditions. We spend the night in a camp or a hotel on the Sahara edge, to be quoted, with a group dinner. Nights can be cold, and wind or a sandstorm can limit the outing. Tozeur and Douz are not named in the regional advisories on the Canadian page. Phone coverage can be poor in remote desert areas, so tell your guide before leaving the road.
Included
- Chott el Jerid crossing with a viewpoint stop
- Short camel or dune outing, subject to conditions
- Group dinner at the camp or hotel
Optional experiences
- A longer camel trek, cost not included
Easier option: Watch the sunset from the camp edge
More active option: Walk to a higher dune
Free time: Free lunch
Matmata's underground houses
Douz to Matmata by road; troglodyte houses
- Breakfast
- Stay in Matmata
We drive from Douz toward Matmata, an estimated two to three hours with a stop, through a landscape of dry hills and plateaus. Matmata is known for its troglodyte houses, dug into pits in the soft rock with rooms opening onto a central courtyard, a design meant to moderate the heat and the cold. We plan to visit one of these homes with a guide to see how a family lived, subject to the owners agreeing and to any entry fee, and to walk through the village.
Afternoon
Lunch is free. The afternoon is open for a short walk on the hills or a rest. We stay in Matmata in accommodation of a type to be quoted, such as a cave-style lodge; nothing is booked and we do not name one.
Evening
The night is quiet, and in winter it can be cold. Matmata is not named in the regional advisories on the Canadian page. Exact drive times and visit arrangements are estimates.
Included
- Troglodyte house visit with your guide
- Matmata village walk
Easier option: Visit one house only and skip the hill walk
More active option: Walk on the hills above the village
Free time: Free lunch and evening
To Djerba and El Ghriba
Matmata to Djerba by road; El Ghriba synagogue and the island
- Breakfast and dinner
- Stay in Djerba
Morning
We leave Matmata after breakfast and drive to the island of Djerba, an estimated two and a half to three and a half hours including the crossing, which is by road causeway or by car ferry and is confirmed with the supplier; ferry queues can add waiting time.
Afternoon
We check in and then, in the afternoon, visit El Ghriba, a historic synagogue at Er Riadh. Tourism Tunisia (page updated August 2026) describes it as an active place of worship with heightened security and controlled access, lists no fixed opening hours, and asks for covered heads, shoulders and knees. Closures around Jewish holidays are possible, so the visit is subject to current access and we check on the day. The Canadian advice records a shooting near the synagogue in May 2023 during the annual Lag BaOmer pilgrimage period, and the 2026 pilgrimage ran from 30 April to 6 May; we check the pilgrimage dates for any departure. If the visit is not possible, the guide replaces it with a walk in Houmt Souk, the main town, with its market and harbour.
Evening
We share a farewell dinner.
Included
- Road transfer to Djerba
- El Ghriba visit, subject to security and opening
- Farewell dinner
Optional experiences
- A cycling or pottery outing on Djerba, cost not included
Easier option: Visit fewer sites; Any vehicle or taxi help is unconfirmed, may cost extra and is not included.
More active option: Cycle on the island
Free time: Free late afternoon
Activity: Check access and advice for Djerba before each departure
Djerba and departure
Djerba: free morning, then Djerba-Zarzis Airport (DJE)
- Breakfast
Morning
After breakfast the morning is free on Djerba, for a walk in Houmt Souk, last souvenirs such as pottery, or the beach if the weather is warm. We then transfer you to Djerba-Zarzis Airport (DJE) for your onward journey; we confirm the transfer time with the supplier. We do not set a default flight deadline, and an early departure may mean skipping the free morning.
Evening
If you wish to stay longer on Djerba or return to Tunis by land, tell us before booking so we can price an extra night or a transfer, neither of which is included. The trip ends at the airport. Flights from Djerba and onward connections are your responsibility, and we do not promise any particular schedule. Entry and exit rules depend on your passport, so check the official pages before you travel.
Included
- Proposed transfer to Djerba-Zarzis Airport (DJE)
Free time: Free morning on Djerba
- Tunis2 nights
- El Jem1 night
- Tozeur2 nights
- Douz1 night
- Matmata1 night
- Djerba1 night
- Overnight stop
- Day trip
- By boat or train
Wildlife and weather: From October to April, Tunis can be cool and wet, the south dry and warm by day and cold at night, and Djerba mild. Rain can flood roads and wadis, wind can raise sand, and mirages on the salt lake are not guaranteed. Daylight is shorter in winter, so long road days finish near dusk.
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Before you book
Right for you?
Good for you if you want
- Travellers who want Roman and Islamic heritage plus the desert edge in one loop
- People comfortable with long road days and modest facilities
- Anyone prepared to follow current travel advice and accept changes
- Solo travellers who want clear inclusions
Not for you if you want
- Step-free access: ruins, dunes and old quarters are part of the plan
- Travellers who need the mountain oases or any named zone guaranteed
- Travellers wanting a confirmed departure now: this is a proposed itinerary
- Anyone uncomfortable with advisory-dependent changes
Book flights after we confirm your seat.
8 nights
Where you'll stay
Your hotels are named in your trip confirmation.
- Tunis2 nights
- El Jem1 night
- Tozeur2 nights
- Douz1 night
- Matmata1 night
- Djerba1 night
One price
What's in the price
Included
Accommodation
- 8 nights (proposed hotels and a Sahara-edge camp or hotel, to be quoted): 2 in Tunis, 1 in El Jem, 2 in Tozeur, 1 in Douz, 1 in Matmata, 1 in Djerba
- Rooms shared, or your own for a supplement
- Accommodation named only once confirmed
Transport
- Proposed airport transfers at Tunis and Djerba
- A group vehicle and driver for the route, with 4x4 vehicles where needed, booking pending
Your guide
- A See Sight Tours guide with the group, appointment to be confirmed
- Local guides where sites require them
Activities
- Tunis medina, Bardo, Carthage, Sidi Bou Said
- Kairouan Great Mosque and El Jem amphitheatre
- Tozeur oasis
- Chott el Jerid crossing and a Douz outing
- Matmata house visit
- El Ghriba, subject to access
Meals
- Breakfast daily on days 2 to 9 (8)
- 1 lunch: day 3 in Kairouan
- 3 dinners: welcome dinner on day 1, day 6 at Douz, farewell dinner on day 8
Not included
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Visa or travel authorisation fees, if any apply to your passport
- Meals not listed
- Drinks
- Tips
- Optional activities such as a longer camel trek or an oasis carriage ride
- Extra nights and early airport transfers
- Personal expenses
Extras
- Room of your own
- Price on request
When you can go
Dates and prices
Pick your start date when you request to book. We check that date and confirm it in your quote.
Prefer to travel without a group or guide? Ask us about arranging hotels, transport and city tours for you to travel independently.
Before you book
Booking terms
Nothing is charged now. Full terms and the cancellation schedule come with your quote, before you accept.
Business addresses
See Sight Tours Trips (USA): 3172 N Rainbow Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89108, United StatesSee Sight Tours Trips (Canada): 5305 50 Avenue, #1091, Red Deer, AB T4N 4B6, Canada+1-888-961-6584Guest reviews
What guests say
Reviews from guests on our day tours.
Jane
October 06, 2026
5/5
Susan
October 06, 2026
5/5
Tom L
October 05, 2026
5/5
MandL83
October 05, 2026
5/5
Darren O
October 05, 2026
5/5
Good to know
Questions
Is this trip available to book?
No. It is a proposed itinerary with no confirmed departures, hotels, camps, guides or suppliers. An enquiry takes no payment and confirms no booking. We reply with a written quote that sets the price, taxes, inclusions, operator and terms.
What does the travel advice say?
The Government of Canada's Tunisia page, which we read on 8 November 2026 (updated 26 May 2026), advises a high degree of caution countrywide, with regional advisories including avoiding all travel within 20 km of the Algerian border and 30 km of the Libyan border. Read the current page for your passport before booking.
Does the route avoid every advisory area?
We make no blanket claim. On the Canadian page as read, Tozeur, Douz, Matmata and Djerba are not named in the regional advisories, but Chebika and Tamerza are named as places near the Algerian border where high caution applies. Other governments may advise differently.
Are Chebika and Tamerza included?
Only conditionally. The day 5 excursion goes ahead only if the advice in force for your passport and local conditions both allow it. Otherwise it is replaced by more time in and around Tozeur.
Can I visit the Great Mosque of Kairouan?
Non-Muslim visitors can enter the courtyard only, with shoulders and knees covered. Tourism Tunisia lists winter hours to 14:00 and a noon end on Fridays. We plan a morning visit and check the hours on the day.
Is El Ghriba on Djerba certain?
No. It is an active place of worship with heightened security and controlled access, and no fixed hours are published. Expect security checks and covered heads. If it is closed, the guide replaces it with Houmt Souk.
How long are the drives?
Day 4 from El Jem to Tozeur is the longest, an estimated four and a half to five and a half hours plus stops. Days 7 and 8 are each an estimated two to three and a half hours. Times are estimates until the route and suppliers are fixed.
Do I need a visa?
It depends on your passport. The Canadian page says Canadian citizens need no tourist visa for stays up to 90 days and a passport valid six months past departure. Check the official entry pages for yours; we do not give visa advice.
What would the price include?
The proposal is eight nights of accommodation, breakfasts on days 2 to 9, one lunch, three dinners, a group vehicle, a guide and the entries in the day plan. The written quote sets final inclusions, taxes and price.
When is the best time to go?
We propose October to April, because the south is hot from June to September and the cooler months suit the Sahara edge. Ramadan is expected to begin around 7 to 8 February 2027, depending on the moon sighting, which changes opening hours, so dates in that period need checking.
Can I add nights or travel on my own to Tunis or Djerba?
Yes, extra nights and different airport transfers can be priced in the quote; neither is included in the proposal. Flights, including the open-jaw into Tunis and out of Djerba, are your own arrangement.
See Sight Tours has been providing travel services across North America since 2006. Operating in 20 cities across Canada and the USA, the company specializes in small group tours that offer personalized, high-quality experiences for travelers.
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