Tunisia Grand Tour — From Carthage to the Sahara

About this journey

What makes this trip.

• Carthage — the Phoenician-turned-Roman capital above the Mediterranean, with the Baths of Antoninus and the Byrsa hill (UNESCO World Heritage)
• Sidi Bou Said — the iconic blue-and-white artists' village overlooking the Gulf of Tunis
• The Bardo Museum — one of the world's greatest collections of Roman mosaics, inside a historic palace
• Kairouan — first Islamic city of the Maghreb, with the Great Mosque of Uqba and the Aghlabid basins (UNESCO)
• The El Jem amphitheatre — one of the largest and best-preserved Roman arenas on earth, seating around 35,000 (UNESCO)
• Sousse, the 'Pearl of the Sahel' — its walled medina, ribat and kasbah (UNESCO)
• A 4x4 run through the mountain oases of Chebika, Tamerza and Mides and Star Wars filming locations
• Crossing Chott el Jerid to Douz, camel riding at sunset over the dunes, and a desert-camp night under the stars
• Matmata's Berber troglodyte cave dwellings, home to the famous Star Wars Lars homestead

Who this trip is for

Who this trip is for.

Ideal for agencies and operators building a rich, single-trip Tunisia itinerary for groups who want it all — Mediterranean archaeology, holy cities and Roman monuments, palm oases and a genuine night in the Sahara, capped by relaxed coast. The steady tour-leader presence and lively group atmosphere make it well suited to social group departures, cultural and heritage-focused travellers, and first-time visitors to Tunisia who want the country's headline sights on one comfortable loop.

Itinerary

Day by day.

1. Day 1

   Welcome to Green Tunisia

   Evening arrival at Tunis-Carthage airport and transfer to the hotel. A welcome dinner is followed by an introductory get-together: an outline of the journey and its spirit, and an ice-breaker to bring the group together. The atmosphere starts from the very first evening, with an energetic Moroccan tour leader who accompanies the group throughout the trip. Overnight in Tunis (night 1 of 2).

2. Day 2

   Carthage · Sidi Bou Said · Bardo

   After breakfast, explore the historic ruins of Carthage overlooking the Mediterranean — the Phoenician city that became a Mediterranean empire and Hannibal's capital, later a great Roman city (World Heritage), with the Baths of Antoninus, the Byrsa hill and the Roman theatre. Midday brings the blue-and-white hilltop village of Sidi Bou Said, poised above the sea, with free time for a glass of pine-nut tea. In the afternoon, visit the Bardo Museum, one of the world's greatest Roman-mosaic collections, then the old medina of Tunis with the Zitouna Mosque and its covered souks. Dinner and a free evening; overnight in Tunis (night 2 of 2).

3. Day 3

   Tunis to Kairouan to Sousse

   After breakfast, head south to Kairouan: the Great Mosque (Mosque of Uqba), the Aghlabid basins, and the old medina famed for its carpets. Kairouan was the first Islamic city of the Greater Maghreb (founded by Uqba ibn Nafi in 670) and capital of the Aghlabids (World Heritage). In the afternoon, continue to Sousse, the 'Pearl of the Sahel', and settle into the hotel. Dinner at the hotel, followed by an optional group evening. Overnight in Sousse (night 1 of 2).

4. Day 4

   El Jem · Monastir · Port El Kantaoui

   After breakfast, visit the immense Roman amphitheatre of El Jem — one of the largest and best-preserved in the world, seating around 35,000 (World Heritage). Midday in Monastir: the historic ribat, one of the oldest Islamic ribats and a filming location for international productions, and the Bourguiba mausoleum with its golden dome and twin minarets. In the afternoon, free time at Port El Kantaoui to relax and stroll around the marina and beach. Dinner and a free evening; overnight in Sousse (night 2 of 2).

5. Day 5

   Sousse to Sbeitla to Tozeur

   After breakfast, set off southwest across the interior. En route, a rest and sightseeing stop at Roman Sbeitla (Sufetula) — one of Tunisia's finest Roman sites, with its famous forum and three adjoining temples — then onward via Gafsa (free lunch on the road). In the afternoon, arrive in Tozeur: the old 'Ouled El Hadef' quarter with its distinctive patterned brickwork, the vast palm oasis, and sunset at the edge of the oasis. Southern-flavoured dinner at the hotel; overnight in Tozeur (oasis night).

6. Day 6

   Mountain Oases · Chott el Jerid to Douz

   After breakfast, a 4x4 excursion to the mountain oases of Chebika, Tamerza and Mides — mountain oases with waterfalls and gorges on the western frontier — and Star Wars filming locations. In the afternoon, cross Chott el Jerid, the largest salt lake, toward Douz, the 'Gateway to the Sahara'. At sunset, ride camels over the dunes, then gather for a desert-camp evening of fire, tea and music and a night under the stars, with a desert dinner. Desert nights can be cool — a warm layer is recommended for the camp. Overnight in Douz — desert camp / equipped desert lodging (Sahara night).

7. Day 7

   Douz · Matmata · Gabès to Hammamet

   An early breakfast and start to spread the distance comfortably. In the morning, visit Matmata: the Berber troglodyte cave dwellings and the Skywalker family home from Star Wars. Midday brings a lunch stop in Gabès, the only seaside oasis on the Mediterranean. In the afternoon, take the fast, comfortable motorway toward Hammamet with a rest stop, the tour leader keeping the mood lively. Arrive in Hammamet for a farewell dinner and a free evening by the sea. Overnight in Hammamet (seaside night).

8. Day 8

   Hammamet to Tunis Airport

   Breakfast at the hotel, with a short spell of free time on the beach depending on flight timing. Midday transfer to Tunis-Carthage airport (about an hour) for departure. End of the Tunisia Grand Tour — history, sea and desert in one unforgettable journey.

What you get

Included & not included.

The list below is the program baseline; everything is confirmed in your partner quote, and several “not included” items can be added on request.

Built around your group

What can be tailored.

This program is a starting point, not a fixed package. The elements below are adjusted for your travellers and confirmed in your partner quote.

• ✦Hotel categoryAdjusted to your group’s preferences
• ✦Travel datesSet around your group’s calendar
• ✦Group sizeBuilt to fit your numbers
• ✦Guide languageArranged on request
• ✦MealsMeal plan tailored per group
• ✦Pace of the itineraryRelaxed or full — your call
• ✦Optional visitsAdded on request
• ✦Start & end pointsAdaptable per group

Hotels are confirmed to your group’s preferences after the order — category and properties chosen with you — and the full land service is tailored and confirmed in writing in your quote.

Good to know

Operational notes.

• •The final service list is confirmed in your partner quote.
• •Hotel and supplier availability depends on your travel dates.
• •Pricing depends on group size, season, and hotel category.
• •Jarjinia confirms every detail in writing before anything is committed.

Partner terms

How commercial terms work.

Commercial terms for this program are confirmed in your partner quote — not as fixed online-checkout rules. Payment schedule, cancellation conditions, and supplier deadlines are agreed per program and destination, and shared with your agency in writing before confirmation.

Before you travel

Important notes.

Desert nights can be cool; travellers should be advised to bring a warm layer for the desert-camp evening at Douz. The desert night is spent in an equipped camp or desert lodging.