Tunisia October 2022 (Pilgrimage Mahdia/Tunisia)
Program
Arrival in Tunis airport at 09: 25’, welcome, transfer to Hotel Mouradi Gammarth
– Installation – relax –
The afternoon is for the extensive archaeological digs of Carthage and its harbour Salambo. Then discover the archaeological museum,
the area of the baths, the recently uncovered Punic sacrificial temple, and the main theatre and near by "upper class" villas.
Visit of the village of Sidi Bou Said, a village set in a wonderful site on a hill-top overlooking the sea.
Dinner and overnight at 5* Hotel Mouradi Gammarth / Tunis.
In the morning visit of the Tunis Medina (old city).
Drive to Bizerte. Stop in the city –
Continue to Tabarba via Sejnane –
Dinner and overnight at 4* Hotel Mehari in Tabarka.
Buffet breakfast, departure to Bulla Regia, the only archaeological site in the Roman world with underground villas featuring floor mosaics that are excellent
both in terms of quality and preservation. It also features Temples to Jupiter, Minerva and Juno.
Then continue to Dougga, listed 1997 World Heritage Sites. Before the Roman annexation of Numidia, the town of Thugga, built on an important site overlooking a fertile plain, was the capital of an important Punic state. It flourished under Roman and Byzantine rule, but decline during the Islamic period. The ruins visible today bear impressive witness to the resources of a small Roman town on the edges of the Empire. Dougga the 1st archeological site of the country, we’ll visit the remains of the best preserved roman city to exquisite underground villas.
Drive on to Kairouan located in the centre of Tunisia.
Dinner and overnight at 5* Hotel La Kasbah in Kairouan.
After breakfast visit Kairouan which is enclosed within a Buttressed wall and developed around the medina with its souks and carpets stalls. There is a Number of
Mosques and the best known of these is Djema Sidi Okba or the Great Mosque part of which dated back to the 9 th century . Visit of the Zaouia
of Sidi Saheb or Barber Mosque, is the burial place of one of the companions of the prophet. This mosque is adorned with an elegant minaret.
Continue to Sbeitla, the last African stronghold of the Byzantine Empire, rated second in Tunisia's archeological sites, there, remain extensive ruins of
considerable size, such as triumphal arch , three nobly-proportioned temples, probably dedicated to three trio Jupiter- Juno and Minerva. There are also
several large Christian Basilicas, of them with mosaics, and ancient aqueduct. Then departure to Gafsa.
Continue to Tozeur the most important Oasis in the Djerid, has earned a reputation for the lush beauty of its oasis in which thrive a forest of date palms and great number or orchards irrigated by numerous cool springs. The houses in certain districts date back to the 14 th century and are remarkable for the style of the facades executed in solid brick laid in quincunx patterns. Visit of Tozeur.
Dinner and overnight at 4* Hotel Ras El-Ain in Tozeur
Upon breakfast departure in 4X4 towards the mountain’s oasis – visit Chebika & Tamerza. Then continue to Oung Jemel where you will visit the
backdrops of the movie “Star Wars”.
Back to Tozeur and there you have the possibility of horsedrawn carriage in the palm grove of the oasis (Optional).
Then you will cross the immense salt lake Chott El Jerid, an immense dried salt lake where you'll see mirages Continue to Douz the ‘gateway to the Sahara’. Here there is the opt ion of a camel ride into the desert.
Dinner and overnight at 4* Hotel Sahara Douz.
The day starts with a drive to Matmata with its lunar landscape and homes built into the earth. You will have a chance to visit a troglodyte dwelling.
Then departure to Médenineto discover the “Ksours” (plural of Ksar), a fortified grain granary to store food and valuables.
Continue to Zarzis.
Dinner and overnight at the 4 stars hotel Vincci Safira Palms.
Buffet breakfast, then you start making your way to Djerba island via the roman causeway.
Tour of the island (visiting Guellala, Hara Kbira, Houmt Souk …). Today, we experience the intoxication of the Island of the Lotus
Eaters, which made Ulysses’ men forget their homes. During our tour of the island we see the bustling market where women wear their white and red wraps topped
by their straw hats; we admire the tiny white mosques so appreciated by the painter Paul Klee and the architect Le Cobysier,
we visit the old Jewish quarter and at least the Ghriba Synagogue holding one of the oldest
Torahs in the world.
Dinner and overnight at the 4 stars hotel Helios Beach / Djerba.
Today you leave the island by Ferry.
From Djerba you will travel to the oasis of Gabès where you will visit the Markt of spices.
And then you continue north via Sfax to the “Roman Coliseum of El-Djem”. Visit El Djem Amphitheater, larger than Rome's Coliseum.
Continue to Mahdia. Dinner and overnight at the 4 stars hotel Mahdia Palace.
In the morning, tour of the small Medina of Mahdia, the capital of Fatimids: the great Mosque (founded 921 by Ubaydallah El
Mahdi). Fatimid Port, Sekifa el kahla (the black passage) the monumental gate way to the old town.
The afternoon: relaxing around the swimming pool and the beach.
Dinner and overnight at the 4 stars hotel Mahdia Palace
After breakfast we drive 40km to Monastir the birthplace of the Leader Habib Borguiba (1903-2006) buried in Bourguiba Mausoleum at the north
end of the cemetery. A huge square building with a huge golden cupola flanked by two splendid matching minarets. Monastir’s forums monument
is the Ribat (8th century) (fortress) which featured also in the 13th episode serial “Jessus of Nazareth and Raides of t he last aArk”. The view is wonderful.
After the visit we continue to Sousse (20km) third great city in Tunisia we visit the Ribat and its ancient medina.
Dinner and overnight at 4* Hotel Marhaba Palace in Port El-Kantaoui.
After breakfast, sightseeing in El Kantaoui Marina, then we continue to Hammamet to explore the marina of the Mediterranean with its typically Tunisian architecture. Then departure to Hammamet.
Accommodation (2 nights) in 4* Hotel Vincci Nozha Beach in
Hammamet
After the highlights of the last few days, enjoy some rest, relax in your seaside hotel and take a stroll along the extensive sandy beach pleasant Mediterranean climate.
Departure to the Bardo Museum (if it is open) the roman section comprises the most
interesting collection of its kind to be found on the African Continent. Finally
Transfer to Tunis airport.
Assistance to embarkation – End of our Services
The Trip Cost Includes
- transportation all over Tunisia, water during travelling and full Kosher food
The Trip Cost Excludes
- tickets flight
Annapurna Base Camp is a Grade B or a moderately difficult trekking route. So any fit person can do this trek, even if you do not have any previous experience. You should be aware of what to expect and mentally prepare for it. Then, as long as you will to, you can.
On average, you walk about 4 to 6 hours per day. One or two days can be as less as 3hrs and one or two days can be as long as 7hrs.
The highest altitude reached is 4190m. This is the elevation of Annapurna Base Camp. ABC is the highest we will climb in this trek.
Yes, you can charge batteries en route. Charger should be brought. There are hot shower facilities as well. You may have to pay certain amount for both ($1-$2). Negotiate. Also, hot water facility could be free at lower elevation.
No. There are no ATMs on this trek route. You will have to draw enough cash in Pokhara or Kathmandu. There are a number of ATMs in these cities. Everything is paid in Nepali rupees. So money should be exchanged before the start of the trek.
Yes. Internet can be accessed in most places. Sometimes, there might be some technical problems. Internet in Nepal is not as fast as you are used to and at times you can just lose connection.
Not really. It depends on you. If you want, ABC trekking can be done independently. You could hire a guide and a porter by yourself instead of going through an agency or not hire a guide at all. Although, not having a guide can be a little problematic during off season.
It really depends on you. Is it your first time in Nepal? How confident are you of being able to find your way around? How pressed on time are you? If you go through an agency, it will be costlier but everything will be planned. You will only have to come, trek and return.
For Annapurna region, pay for guides range from $20 to $30 per day and porters take $15 to $25 per day.
