Discover the mountain oases of Tozeur area!
From water springs in the mountain oasis of Chebika …
Pick up by 4×4 is made at the hotel reception at 7:00. At about 60 kilometers from Tozeur, this Berber village clinging to the mountain, was once a Roman defensive position on the axis of Tebessa in Algeria, to Gabes. After heavy rains in the late 60s that have devastated houses, its residents have rebuilt a new village, down from the mountain.
This little mountain oasis, crossed by a watercourse is located in a fault. It is splendid. In his novel “Chebika” published in 1968, Jean Duvignaud wrote: “The site is located in the crossing of two mountain slopes that opens here to the desert.” This novel will result in the release in 1971 of the Franco-Algerian film “Ramparts of clay” (Original title in French: “Remparts d’argile”) directed by Jean-Louis Bertucelli, according to a script written by himself and Jean Duvignaud from his novel. The film received the Jean Vigo award.
By walking climb, along streets flanked by stone remains and land of the ancient village, you see, afar, the silver surface of Chott el Gharsa. This dry salt lake, is in a depression and reached in its northern part its deepest point, whether 17 meters below the level of the sea. This is the lowest altitude of the Tunisian territory.
After this panoramic view, you will descend to the source that comes from the mountain. Following the stream that irrigates the palm you finish your walk in the oasis.
About ten kilometers before the canyons of Mides, over 300 meters elevation, the green palm of Tamerza installment on the arid mineral surrounding scenery. The ancient village, abandoned too, as a result of torrential rains for several days, spread the ruins of its buildings on the bank of the Wadi El Horchane. The place is very beautiful and serene. Only marabouts raise their white spots in this environment while ocher shades. Strolling through the alleys between the ruins of the houses you will enjoy a little journey through time. In some buildings are antique materials, traces of occupation of the site by the Romans and then by the Byzantines.
Several waterfalls and small canyons on the course of the Wadi El Orchane also are points of tourist interest in the discovery of Tamerza mountain oasis.
… to the deep canyons in the oasis of Mides.
The mountain oasis of Mides is located in southern Tunisia, about sixty kilometers from Tozeur. Mides is the Tunisian “Far West”: because of its canyons of course, but also for its location at the utmost west, near the border with Algeria.
The old village was abandoned after the rains and deadly floods of 1969, but its ruins remain perched, like suspended over the void. The surroundings was used as a filming location for several movies. Including “Fort Saganne” Alain Corneau’s film released in 1984 and adapted from the novel by Louis Gardel published in 1980. Some scenes of the film “The English Patient” by Anthony Minghella, released in theaters in 1996, also had Midès Canyon as a backdrop.
Framework desert scenery of this film, the canyon Midès show this amazing stratified layers of rock formed by erosion and the impetuous course of the river that winds between the stone walls. The high walls of the three magnificent gorges with different layers of sedimentary rocks, open in the palmgrove of Midès, creating a stunning contrast between the walls of an absolute nakedness and the greenery of the oasis.
Ocher and pink, the mineral aspect of the landscape glows at sunset, making it even stronger the contrast between the bare rock and sparse vegetation bouquets. In this desert canyon, one can find fossils and colored minerals, dating back several million years.
Canyons once surrounded the village from all sides, like a ship stranded on a spur. A true natural fortress. Gradually, by dint of leveling their land plots in “terraced gardens”, the villagers end up at fill a side.
Midès is a charming oasis that refreshes the landscape. The new village of Midès took up residence in the heart of a palm grove rich in date palms, the main resource of the area, and fruit trees such as fig and orange trees.
At the end of tour,the 4×4 bring you back to your hotel
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Price list:
Price valid from 01/11/2023 to 31/10/2024
Guaranteed departure from 2 participants; ability to group the departures on demand.
Price is per person, and in euros (€)
– based on 4 participants and more = 47 €/person
– based on 3 participants …………..= 65 €/person. Contact us for booking.
– based on 2 participants …………..= 88 €/person. Contact us for booking.
Reduce rate for children under 12 years old : contact us for a customized quote.
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