Book flight

Tozeur, the Sahara, Trek Without Pain from 750 €

Active discovery tour of Tozeur area : Nefta, the mountain oases, the Chott El Jerid and Douz…

Day 1 – Sunday : Arrival in Djerba island

Reception of the tour participants at Djerba-Zarzis airport, transfer and check-in at a traditional boutique hotel, nestled in the heart of the island capital, Houmt-Souk (half board formula).

 

Day 2 – Monday : Discovering the desert city of Tozeur

Departure from Djerba island at 6:45 AM, by 4×4 : we first take the ferry from Ajim fishermen village toward the continent and then we ride toward Tozeur. Lunch at a local restaurant in Tozeur. Departure at 2:00 PM by carriages, across Tozeur oasis palm grove, up to “Eden Palm”, a place of knowledge and innovation about all things palm and date trees : visit of the Palm tree Museum, visit of an exemplary palm grove, and tasting of date based delicacies made in the kitchen laboratory. Return to Tozeur city center for a walk in the ancient medina and a guided tour of the well preserved district of Ouled el Hadef. Dinner and night in a hotel in Tozeur.

 

Day 3 – Tuesday : The Red Lizard train and the mountain oases

The 4×4 tour heads toward the train station of Metlaoui, where we board onto the famous train of the Bey nicknamed “The Red Lizard”, for a journey across the canyons of Selja. Then we resume our 4×4 tour for a visit of the mountain oases : canyons of Midès, Tamerza waterfalls (lunch) and Chebika springs. We ride from oasis to oasis and visit each site by foot. Return to the hotel in Tozeur in order to get ready for the evening dinner show of Tunisian folklore in a beautiful traditional setting in Tozeur (subject to confirmation, a minimum number of participants is required). Night at the hotel in Tozeur.

 

Day 4 – Wednesday : Nefta oasis, Tozeur and Ong Djemel

Departure at 10:00 AM, by 4×4 to visit a traditional brickyard, where a craftsman will demonstrate the work needed to create a traditional brick from the Jerid, typical of the local architecture as we can see them in every facade in Tozeur and Nefta. Then we will visit the oasis valley nicknamed “Corbeille de Nefta” (The Nefta basket). Lunch at a local restaurant in Tozeur. In the afternoon, we hit the road again towards Ong Djemel (the shooting location of “Star Wars” movies) in order to admire the fabulous sunset colors, on the high sand dunes of the Sahara. Return to Tozeur. Dinner and night at the hotel in Tozeur.

 

Day 5 – Thursday : Chott El Jerid, Douz the desert gates and a Sahara 4×4 ride

Early departure at 07:30 AM, by 4×4, we ride across Chott El Djerid salt lake, with a break to take photographs of this special landscape : salt mines, mirages… Continuation toward the desert city of Douz crossing up the palm groves of Nouïl, Blidet, and Telmine with a short stop at a special place nicknamed the “roots of the dunes”. Arrival at Douz, nicknamed “the desert gates” for a visit of the weekly market and of the typical cattle market featuring dromedaries, goats and sheeps, rabbits etc. Lunch at a local restaurant in Douz. Transfer by 4×4 to the camp in the Saharan oasis of Ksar Ghilane : – either by the dunes (3:30 hours ride in the desert) to see the sunset over the Sahara (minimum 8 participants) – or if less than 8 participants, transfer by road toward the oasis. Dinner and night at the confortable Saharan camp under tents inspired by the nomads (with proper bedding).

 

Day 6 – Friday : Trekking around Ksar Ghilane oasis

A day of trekking around Ksar Ghilane Saharan oasis: get lost in the ocher sand dunes of the Sahara, discover the fauna and flora of this arid environment, visit ancient archaeological sites of the Roman Limes, have a lunch and a nap under the shade of Tamarisk trees. Walk back to the oasis at the end of the day after watching the sun set over the dunes. Dinner and night at the Saharan camp.

 

Day 7 – Saturday : Matmata, Berber villages and ksours

In the morning, free time in the Saharan oasis of Ksar Ghilane to enjoy the natural hot water spring (free access) or to go have a joyride in the dunes by quad, on camel-back or by horse (optional activities with extra fee). Around 10:30 AM, we leave the oasis by 4×4 and through the Berber village of Tamezret (photo break). Upon arrival at Matmata, a local Berber family welcome you in its troglodyte house. Lunch in Matmata. When we leave Matmata, we cross the Berber village of Toujane and admire a great viewpoint of Matmata mountain range. On the way back to Djerba island, we stop at Ometamar for a visit of a ksar, an old fortified granary (ksours is the plural of ksar). Arrival on Djerba island through the Roman road. Dinner and night at a boutique hotel in Houmt Souk.

 

Day 8 – Sunday : Departure from Djerba island

Free time for lunch. Transfer from your hotel to Djerba-Zarzis airport and assistance with departure formalities.