TWO-DAY TOUR TO KSAR GHILANE AND MATMATA

TWO DAY TRIP TO KSAR GHILANE AND MATMATA - ONE NIGHT IN THE TUNISIAN DESERT

Embark on an unforgettable two-day adventure that will transport you through the epic landscapes and cultural wonders of southern Tunisia. This epic begins with the exploration of Tataouine, famous for its ksour - these fortified castles which emerge from the plains like mirages of the past. These centuries-old structures are the beating heart of Berber history, offering a fascinating insight into a rich and ancient culture.

The magic continues at Ksar Ghilane, a captivating oasis nestled on the edge of the Sahara, where a night under the stars awaits.
This stage immerses you in the immensity of the desert, offering you an experience of tranquility and incomparable natural beauty.
Imagine yourself falling asleep under a starry sky, surrounded by the soothing silence of the desert.

Your journey also takes you to Matmata, a unique locality, renowned for its troglodyte dwellings.
These houses dug into the ground provide a remarkable example of human adaptation to extreme desert conditions.
A visit to these homes is an immersion into a traditional way of life and astonishing architecture, shaped by and for the desert.

The excursion also includes a local lunch, allowing you to taste local flavors and chat with residents about their daily lives. This culinary and human experience adds a touch of authenticity to your adventure, bringing you even closer to Tunisian traditions and hospitality.

Prepare to live an experience rich in emotions, discoveries and connections.
This two-day excursion is an exceptional opportunity to embrace the beauty of the Tunisian desert, immerse yourself in Berber culture, and discover the architectural and natural wonders of the region.

An exceptional panorama of the treasures of southern Tunisia awaits you, promising unforgettable memories and a captivating adventure.

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PROGRAM OF THE TWO-DAY TOUR TO KSAR GHILANE AND MATMATA

Day 1

07:30 AM: Pick-up from your place of stay or at the airport.
Departure towards Tataouine.
Photo stop at the salt lake Sebkhet el Melah.
Visit the market in Tataouine (Mondays and Thursdays).
Visit Ksar Ouled Soltane (25 km, 30-minute drive).
Guided visit of the Berber village of Chenini (45 minutes) (40 km, 38-minute drive).
Lunch at a restaurant in Guermassa (25 km, 25-minute drive).
Drive to the desert at Ksar Ghilane, the oasis surrounded by immense ochre sand dunes (140 km, 2h10 drive).
Free time in the oasis at Ksar Ghilane.
Optional camel ride (€15/hour) or quad biking (€30/hour).
Swimming in the 32° hot spring (if desired).
Departure by track, 20 km, to the Saharan camp for an overnight stay in the Tunisian desert.
Check-in, sunset over the desert, and demonstration of sand bread baking.
Dinner and overnight at the desert camp in your private tent (Double tent).

Day 2

Breakfast and free time in the desert dunes.
Departure for Matmata via the Berber village of Tamezret (95 km, 1h20 drive).
Lunch with a local family in Tamezret.
Visit Matmata and a troglodyte house (12 km, 15-minute drive).
Return and drop-off at your place of stay or the airport in the late afternoon around 5:30 PM.

Please note that the times are approximate and may vary depending on weather conditions and the season.

This two-day excursion will offer you an immersive experience in the culture and history of the Berbers, as well as an introduction to the desert of the Grand Erg Oriental in Tunisia.

Information:
Transportation is by 4x4.

Our vehicles can be equipped with baby seats on request.

This excursion is not open to people with reduced mobility.

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PRICES FOR TWO-DAY TOUR TO KSAR GHILANE AND MATMATA

Our prices are incl. VAT and in €, they decrease depending on the number of participants:

For 5 people, price per person	€165
For 4 people, price per person	€185
For 3 people, price per person	€225
For 2 people, price per person	€300

For more than 5 people and a single person, contact us!

The price includes:

Pick-up at your place of stay.
Transport by 4x4 or private minibus, with driver.
The services of a guide approved by the ONTT*, speaking French, English, German or Italian.
The transfers.
Lunches in restaurants and at homestays.
Dinner and night at the Saharan camp. (Double room).
Entrance fees to the visits planned in the program.

Excluded from the price:

National or international flights.
The drinks.
Optional extra activities.
Tips and personal purchases.

* Tunisian National Tourism Office

Quote request

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HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TWO-DAY TOUR TO KSAR GHILANE AND MATMATA IN THE BERBERE REGION

We will pick you up at 7:30 AM from your place of stay in Djerba, then you will depart towards the desert at Ksar Ghilane.

During your journey, you will admire the beautiful semi-desert landscapes of the Berber region. Stops can be made at your request to take photos of the magnificent scenery and for breaks as needed.

Your first destination will be Sebkhet el Melah, a salt lake with remarkably variable pink hues depending on the time of day.

A visit to the spice market in Tataouine is scheduled. Next, you will explore Ksar Ouled Soltane, an Arab Ksar that served as a backdrop for some scenes in the Star Wars films.

Before lunch, you will have a guided tour of the Berber village of Chenini (40 minutes).

Lunch will be served at a local restaurant in Guermassa.

You will then head towards the desert to the oasis of Ksar Ghilane, where the arid and rocky landscape (Reg) will gradually transform into an ochre sand desert (Erg).

At Ksar Ghilane, you will have the opportunity to engage in various activities:

Swim in the 32° hot spring (free).
Camel ride for €15/hour.
Quad tour to the ancient Roman fort of Tisavar for €30/hour.

These activities can be paid directly on-site to local providers without reservations.

After a coffee break and some relaxation time in the oasis, you will get back into the 4x4 to reach our Saharan camp, located 20 km into the desert south of Ksar Ghilane.

The camp offers all necessary comforts and is organized around a restaurant-bar. It has Saharan tents, and the sanitary facilities and kitchen are comparable to a good hotel. You will witness a traditional demonstration of sand bread baking.

After a delicious meal, you can walk in the dunes, enjoy the silence of the desert, and, weather permitting, admire the starry sky. You will then spend the night in the Tunisian desert in a private, comfortable tent with real beds.

The next morning, after breakfast and some free time in the desert, you will head towards Matmata, famous for its troglodyte houses and for being the setting of some Star Wars scenes.

Lunch will be with a local family in the village of Tamezret, where you can learn about the local culture.

After these two days of adventure and discovery, and a night in the Tunisian desert, you will be dropped off at your place of stay in the late afternoon.

Take away:

Concerning the equipment, you must include in a bag (this is better for sand):
A flashlight or headlamp, as well as towels (not provided at the Saharan camp).
For the evening, in winter, bring warm clothes as it can be very cold at this time of year.
If you are cold, for the camp we recommend sports tracksuits for sleeping and if you need to go out at night.
Blankets, pillows and sheets are provided at the camp.