Compare Tunisia Discovery by Kensington Tours vs Tunisian Adventure with Hammamet by Cosmos
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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4 | Great
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| Duration | 7 days | 11 days |
| Price From | $ 2,170 | Check price |
| Price Per Day | $ 310 | Check price |
| Highlights |
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Inside visits and special features: Shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description including admission charges where applicable. Sightseeing: Visits Tunis, Dougga, Sidi-Bou-Said, Carthage, Monastir, El Djem, Sfax, Matmata, Tamezret, Douz, Chott el Jerid, Gafsa, Kairouan Scenic Highlights: Sahara Desert
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| Trip Style | Private guided tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Standard |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
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| Meals Included | N/A |
Breakfasts, 4 Lunches and 8 Dinners |
| Description |
Explore the highlights of Tunisia. It's the smallest country in North Africa, yet Tunisia offers variety of landscapes and sights- from Mediterranean beaches to the Sahara desert, from ancient souks to Star Wars film sets. Start off in the capital city of Tunis where you'll explore the medina, the ancient city of Carthage and the Bardo Museum which houses one of the most important collections of mosaics in the world. Spend a day exploring the Roman cities of Bulla Regia and Dougga. Continue down to the holy city of Kairouan where you will discover the city with your private guide. Explore the one of the largest Amphitheatres anywhere in the Roman - El Jem. See the ancient city of Thuburbo Majas before returning to Tunis for your flight home. Kensington Tours offers local support in each region you visit, another reason we deliver unbeatable value. Enjoy a personalized vacation that best suits your needs, developed by one of our experienced destination experts. Relax during your trip with our 24/7 support and expert local guidance. |
From Berber villages and awe-inspiring historical architecture to spectacular rocky gorges, Tunisia’s enchanting blend of European sophistication and Arabian exoticism awaits you. Visit the best-preserved Roman remains at Dougga, see the Andalusian-looking port village of Sidi-Dou-Said, and ancient Carthage. From Tunis, continue on to the old town of Monastir, impressive El Djem with its Roman Colosseum, and Sfax on the Gulf of Gabes. At Matmata, see the incredible underground troglodyte village used in the original Star Wars movie, then via Tamezret, and the salt lake of Chott el Jerid to Tozeur. Be enthralled as you travel on the Red Lizard train through the spectacular gorges of Selja, affording plenty of photo opportunities. After the Grand Mosque at Kairouan, return to Tunis for the night before transferring to the “garden resort” of Hammamet for the next three overnights. |
Day 1: Tunis
Accommodation: Dar El Medina
A private vehicle with driver will provide a transfer to the airport.
This 12 room hotel is a converted traditional house located right in the Tunis Medina. It features whitewashed and tiled surroundings, with latticed windows. The many-levelled mansion is a surprise after the narrow street, with inner courtyards providing light, space and shade.
Day 2: Tunis
Accommodation: Dar El Medina
Enjoy this day of touring beginning with a visit to the National Museum of Bardo. This museum holds an extensive collection of ancient Roman mosaic, considered one of the largest, complete collections in the world. Next, visit the Medina of Tunis, exploring the narrow souk lined streets before heading to lunch. Next, head out to visit the ancient city of Carthage. Explore the ruins which surround this once prosperous Roman city including stops at the Tophet, the Phoenician cemetery, the Punic Harbours, Antonin's Bath, the Carthage Museum and the Saint Louis Cathedral. Continue from here to the village of Sidi Bou Said, boasting spectacular breathtaking views of the Gulf of Tunis.
Day 3: Tunis - El Kef
Accommodation: Dar Chennoufi
Private Vehicle & Guide & Driver.
Depart from Tunis and travel to one of the best preserved Roman historical sites in all of Tunisia, Dougga. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997, Dougga is an outstanding example of ancient Roman architecture, with numerous well preserved columns and structures spread across this 65 hectare site. Next, head out to explore the archaeological site of Bulla Regia, known for its semi-subterranean housing, and outstanding collection of Roman mosaics.
The charming Dar Chennoufi lies in the heart of a region once known as the kingdom of Jugurtha, amidst a six hectare olive grove, only a few kilometres from the medina of Le Kef. This hotel welcomes its guests with its truly convivial and authentic atmosphere. Surrounded by nature and exquisite quietness, Dar Chennoufi is an excellent starting point to visit the numerous historic and geological sites of the region and a perfect place to relax, discover or refresh oneself.
Day 4: El Kef - Tunis - Kairouan
Accommodation: La Kasbah
Private Vehicle & Guide & Driver.
Enjoy breakfast, bright and early in the morning before departing toward the city of Makthar. Formerly known as Mactaris during the reign of the Roman Empire, this ancient location is littered with ruins of Roman architecture. Explore the many arches, amphitheatres and temples of this once occupied city, before traveling to the holy city of Kairouan.
Set out to Kairouan for a walk through this holy Islamic city, founded in 671 by Okba Ibn Nafâa. It centralized location, proved beneficiary in adding to its renowned reputation for unique, elegant carpet manufacturing, which feature across a wide range of mosques. Visit the impressive Mosque Sidi Okba, founded in the 7th century; this marvel reflects the greatness of the Islam Empire during this era. Visit the Aghlabiden pool, the city's main water reservoir, followed by a stop at Saint Abou Zemaa El Balaoui, also known as the "prophet Berber". Explore the old town (Medina) and enjoy walking through its characteristic markets (the souks).
La Kasbah is seated in Kairouan, the focal point for many Muslim pilgrims traveling from around the world. With a simple, Arab-influenced layout and design, the hotel is host to 94 rooms, 2 junior suites, and a presidential suite. Each promises all the amenities of home as well as international phones. Rakada, the hotel restaurant, promises a menu with all sorts of dishes from around the world. Dine a la carte at Sofra. Pass the time lounging by the pool or sipping Turkish coffee at the cafe.
Day 5: Sousse – Kairouan
Accommodation: El Mouradi Palace
Private Vehicle & Guide & Driver.
Depart for El Jem, a once thriving Roman agricultural region, with its grandiose Colosseum, second only in size to that of Rome, attests to the area's great wealth during the Roman reign. The sight of this amphitheater rising in the distance like a Colossus is both wondrous and slightly strange as the present surroundings give no hint of its former importance. It was the scene of games and circuses during the ancient Roman times, with a capacity of holding 35000 viewers. Next, depart to Mahdia, the first capital of the Fatimid dynasty, situated on a rocky peninsula, 1500m in length and less than 500m in width. Upon your arrival a time slot is allocated to explore the Medina.
El Mouradi Palace is an Arabian style hotel which offers high standard accommodation and leisure facilities.
Day 6: Sousse – Tunis
Accommodation: Golden Tulip
Private Vehicle & Guide & Driver.
After breakfast, the tour begins with a visit to Zaghouan. This quaint town is famed for its roses, which were originally cultivated by Muslim refugees whom departed Spain in the 17th century. Zaghouan is also known as the source location of water used to feed the city of Carthage, via aqueduct, during Roman times. Next, depart to Tuburbo Majus, or Colonia Julia Aurelia Commoda, as it was referred to during the Roman era, which was originally a Punic town converted into a Roman veteran's colony. Continue to Tunis, stopping along the way to take photos of some ancient Roman aqueducts.
The Golden Tulip Carthage Tunis hotel is on dazzling Gammarth Bay, overlooking the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean, combining Business and Leisure. We have chosen this oasis of calm, tucked amid greenery, for the splendid views as well as nearby ancient sites.
Day 7: Tunis
A private vehicle with driver will provide a transfer to the airport.
Day 1: Arrive in Tunis, Tunisia
Welcome to the capital city of Tunisia! Check into your hotel, then the rest of the day is free to acquaint yourself with Tunis. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers.
Day 2: Tunis. Excursion to Dougga, Sidi-Bou-Said & Carthage
A delightful blend of ancient and modern, Tunis has a colorful medina (Old Town) and a contemporary city center. Enjoy the included excursion to DOUGGA ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE, hailed as the best-preserved ruins of a small Roman town in North Africa. Also visit the Andalusian-looking port village of Sidi-Bou-Said and the ancient CARTHAGE CITY RUINS.
Day 3: Tunis–Monastir–El Djem–Sfax
This morning, head to Monastir, a city nestled in the shade of its walls. Visit the opulent BOURGUIBA MAUSOLEUM, final resting place of the founder and first president of Tunisia. Then, on to EL DJEM, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to some of the continent’s most impressive Roman ruins. Capable of seating 35,000 spectators, the imposing 3rd-century Roman amphitheater was supported by a complex system of arches and rivals the Colosseum in Rome. Continue to the ancient city of Sfax on the Gulf of Gabes, a former Barbary pirate stronghold and now Tunisia’s secondlargest city.
Day 4: Sfax–Matmata–Chot El Jerid–Tozeur
After a visit to the medina of Sfax, journey to Matmata, renowned for its underground troglodyte village that was inhabited until the 1960s and served as the setting for the original Star Wars film. Follow the twisting road to Tamezret with its stone houses and streets lined with high walls—a complete contrast to Matmata! Travel westward via Kebili and Chot El Jerid salt flats, Tunisia’s largest salt lake where it is possible to see mirages and buy mineral samples. Arrive in Tozeur for dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Tozeur
Tozeur is an important oasis on the ancient caravan route between Algeria and Tunisia. Today we start the day with a visit to the Eden Palm Museum, situated in an oasis. Your guide will explain the history and traditions of life on the oasis, and there is a chance to taste some local products, like chocolate, jam, or syrup made with dates. The afternoon is free for you to relax and to enjoy life in the oasis. In the evening, enjoy an included dinner and folklore show in Tozeur or dinner in hotel.
Day 6: Tozeur–Red Lizard Train–Gafsa–Kairouan
After breakfast, drive to Metlaoui to board the historic RED LIZARD TRAIN for a spectacular 2-hour journey. Built by the French at the end of the 19th century to transport mined phosphates, in 1940 the train was given as a gift to the Bey of Tunis. Today, it runs along the old mining tracks through the breathtaking Selja Gorges, affording plenty of opportunities to take stunning photographs. Stop for lunch in Gafsa, then travel on to the sacred city of Kairouan for an overnight stay.
Day 7: Kairouan–Tunis
This morning, visit the GREAT MOSQUE with its 414 marble, granite, and porphyry columns, one of the oldest places of worship in the Islamic world. Next, head north and return to Tunis for a final overnight. Visit the MEDINA and the famous BARDO MUSEUM, housing the finest Roman mosaics in the world.
Day 8 Tunis–Hammamet
Transfer to Hammamet for a 3-night stay at the first-class Sindbad, Hammamet hotel.
Day 9: At Leisure in Hammamet
Relax and enjoy Tunisia’s “garden resort,” spend time on the beach, or maybe go to the Old Town to discover the medina.
Day 10: At Leisure in Hammamet
Relax and enjoy Tunisia’s “garden resort,” spend time on the beach, or maybe go to the Old Town to discover the medina.
Day 11: Hammamet–Tunis
Transfer to the Tunis airport, where your vacation ends.
