Hiking in Tunisia: from Dougga to the Dahar
Eleven days on foot and by 4x4 across Roman, Berber and Saharan Tunisia: Dougga, the mountain oases, the ksour of the Dahar, Djerba and Zaghouan. Small group of 12 people maximum, guide specialised in hiking.
Overview
A hiking tour that crosses Tunisia from north to south, from the olive groves of Dougga to the hilltop villages of the Dahar, with five fine walks on the programme: about 50 km in total and 850 m of cumulative ascent.
Four UNESCO World Heritage sites mark the route: Dougga, Kairouan, El Jem and Djerba. Walking stages alternate with transfers by air-conditioned 4x4 or minibus, nights in hotels, guesthouses and one night in a camp at the gateway to the Sahara.
Moderate level: suitable for anyone in good shape who walks regularly. The highlight of the trip is the great 14 km crossing between Chenini, Douiret and Guermessa, with a picnic in the mountains.
Price on request: it depends on your dates, the size of the group and the options chosen.
Day by day
- Day 1
Arrival in Tunis
Welcome at Tunis-Carthage airport and private transfer to the hotel. First steps in the medina and a free evening to taste the flavours of the capital.
Accommodation: 4★ hotel in Tunis - Day 2
Teboursouk and Dougga, in the footsteps of Rome (8 km, +200 m)
Hike through the olive groves of Teboursouk to the Roman aqueduct, then visit of the UNESCO site of Dougga, the best-preserved Roman city in North Africa. Drive to Kairouan.
Accommodation: Hotel in Kairouan Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner - Day 3
Kairouan and drive to Tozeur
Morning in Kairouan: the Great Mosque and the Aghlabid basins. Drive south across the steppe and check-in in Tozeur, at the gateway to the desert. Walk in the palm grove.
Accommodation: 4★ hotel in Tozeur Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner - Day 4
Mountain oases: Chebika, Tamerza and Nefta (10 km)
A day of walking in the mountain oases: Chebika and its waterfall, Tamerza and its canyon. Return via Nefta and its Corbeille, then sunset over the dunes. Optional: quad bike, camel or horse-drawn carriage.
Accommodation: 4★ hotel in Tozeur Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner - Day 5
Chott el-Jerid and Douz, gateway to the Sahara
Crossing of the Chott el-Jerid, a vast salt lake. Arrival in Douz, visit of the market, then an evening under the stars at the camp. Optional: camel ride or quad bike.
Accommodation: Comfortable desert camp in Douz Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner - Day 6
Tamezret, Zraoua and Matmata, Berber villages
Discovery of the hilltop Berber villages of Tamezret and old Zraoua, then down to Matmata and its troglodyte houses dug into the rock. Meeting with the inhabitants.
Accommodation: Hotel or guesthouse in Matmata Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner - Day 7
Toujane, Ksar Hadada and Chenini
Drive to the Dahar via Toujane and its white houses clinging to the mountain, then Ksar Hadada and its fortified granaries. Arrival in Chenini, a hanging village, for sunset.
Accommodation: Guesthouse in Chenini Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner - Day 8
Great crossing Chenini, Douiret, Guermessa (14 km)
The highlight of the trip: 14 km of moderate walking between Chenini, Douiret and Guermessa, with local Berber guides. Picnic in the mountains facing the desert.
Accommodation: Guesthouse in the Dahar Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner - Day 9
Djerba and the Ras R'mel point (6 km)
Ferry crossing to Djerba. Coastal hike to Ras R'mel, the flamingo peninsula, between wild beach and turquoise lagoon.
Accommodation: Boutique hotel in Djerba Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner - Day 10
El Jem and Hammamet
Drive back north. Visit of the UNESCO-listed amphitheatre of El Jem and its museum. Arrival in Hammamet for a last evening by the sea.
Accommodation: 4★ hotel in Hammamet Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner - Day 11
Zaghouan and Zriba Olia, then departure (9 km)
Last hike to Zriba Olia, an abandoned Berber village on the slopes of Mount Zaghouan. Visit of the Water Temple, traditional lunch, then transfer to Tunis-Carthage airport.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Price
Included
- Return transfers from Tunis-Carthage airport in a private air-conditioned vehicle
- Transport by air-conditioned 4x4 or minibus throughout the tour
- 10 nights in 4★ hotels, charming guesthouses and one night in a desert camp (based on a double room)
- French-speaking tour guide specialised in hiking and Berber culture
- Local guides at the sites (Dougga, Matmata, Chenini…)
- All the hikes in the programme, including the mountain picnic on day 8
- Entrance fees to sites and monuments: Dougga, El Jem, museums
- Full board from day 2 to day 11 (dinner on day 1 at leisure)
- Mineral water every day
- 24/7 assistance during the stay
Not included
- International flights (we can help you book them)
- Travel and cancellation insurance (strongly recommended)
- Dinner on day 1 in Tunis
- Alcoholic drinks and personal expenses
- Tips for guides and drivers
- Optional activities: quad bike, camel, horse-drawn carriage (price on request)
Photos
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Tour operators and agencies we work with.
