What does the Summer Tunisian Encounters tour cover?
This 9-day tour is a comprehensive journey through Tunisia from north to south and back, starting and finishing in Tunis. You explore the UNESCO-listed Tunis Medina with a Tunisian cooking class, the ancient ruins of Carthage, and the picture-perfect village of Sidi Bou Said on day two. The tour then heads south through a harissa-making workshop, the coastal medinas of Hammamet and Sousse, and the magnificent Amphitheatre of El Jem. From there you venture into the desert south, visiting Matmata's troglodyte underground homes, ancient Berber villages of Douirette and Guermassa, the Douz Sahara gateway souk, the shimmering Chott el Djerid salt lake, Atlas Mountain oases at Chebika and Tamerza, and the iconic Star Wars filming locations of Ong Jemel and Ksar Hadada. The final days take you to the Roman site of Sbeitla, the holy city of Kairouan, and a day of relaxation in the elegant coastal resort of Gammarth.
When does this tour operate?
This specific tour runs during the summer months, from June to the end of September, with Saturday departures. If you want to visit Tunisia at other times of year, the Tunisian Encounters tour follows a similar route and operates outside the summer season.
Where does the tour start and finish?
The tour starts and ends in Tunis. Airport arrival and departure transfers are included. All Tunisia tours use Tunis Carthage Airport (TUN). Transfers from Enfidha Airport are available as a paid option for travellers using low-cost European flights into that airport.
What is the group size?
The tour runs with a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 12 travellers. The small group means you genuinely engage with your guide and the sites rather than being shuffled along in a crowd.
What is included in the tour price?
Included are 8 nights accommodation, all transport and transfers, 24-hour airport arrival and departure service, a local English-speaking guide for all sightseeing, monument entrance fees, meals as listed in the itinerary, a harissa-making workshop, and a Tunisian cooking class.
What is not included?
International flights, visa fees, travel insurance, meals not listed in the itinerary, drinks and personal expenses, tipping, hotel gala dinners, and any other items not mentioned above are excluded.
Why is Tunisia worth visiting on an organised tour?
We get it, you can find cheaper ways to get to Tunisia, and self-driving is technically possible. But accessing the troglodyte south, the Berber desert villages, the Atlas oases, and the Roman sites properly requires local knowledge, reliable 4x4 transport in the desert sections, and a guide who can bring the history to life. The range of experiences this tour packs into 9 days, from UNESCO medinas to Star Wars filming locations to a genuine women's cooperative visit, is something that takes real logistics to deliver. You will not replicate this independently without significant planning.
How many meals are included?
Eight breakfasts, one lunch, and five dinners are included. The included lunch is the meal you prepare yourself during the day-two cooking class, which you then eat at a traditional Tunisian house. Dinners are included on four of the southern touring nights. Other meals are at your own expense, giving you freedom to explore local restaurants.
Are entrance fees to UNESCO and Roman sites included?
Yes. Monument entrance fees to all sites mentioned in the itinerary are included in your tour price. This covers Carthage, the Tunis Medina, El Jem Amphitheatre, Sousse Medina and Archaeological Museum, Sbeitla, the Great Mosque of Kairouan, Gobekli Tepe equivalent sites in the south, and all other included sites.
Do I need to pay for visas?
Most nationalities including the USA, Canada, UK, European countries, Australia, and New Zealand do not need a visa for Tunisia for stays of less than 90 days. Other nationalities should check with their local Tunisian consulate or embassy. Visa arrangements are the responsibility of the traveller.
How active is this tour?
This is primarily a sightseeing tour with some walking at archaeological sites and through medina streets. The terrain at sites like El Jem, Sbeitla, and the Berber villages involves uneven ground and some slopes. The desert and mountain oasis sections may involve short walks in warm conditions. A normal level of fitness is all that is required.
How hot is Tunisia in summer?
The south of Tunisia and the desert regions can be very hot during the summer months, with temperatures regularly above 35 degrees Celsius. The coastal north is warmer and more humid than a typical European summer. Nights can be noticeably cooler, particularly in the mountains and desert. Pack light, breathable clothing and bring high-factor sunscreen, a sun hat, and sunglasses.
What should I wear when visiting mosques and religious sites?
In town centres, city streets, and mosques, legs and arms should be covered regardless of gender. Modest, loose-fitting clothing is appropriate throughout this tour. At coastal tourist sites shorts and t-shirts are more relaxed. Your guide will advise on specific requirements at each site.
What vaccinations are recommended for Tunisia?
Generally recommended vaccinations for Tunisia include Hepatitis A, Tetanus, and Typhoid. Malaria is not normally present in Tunisia. Yellow fever certificates are not required for travel to Tunisia. Always consult your GP or a travel clinic for current, personalised advice before departure.
Is Tunisia safe for tourists?
Encounters Travel runs regular small group departures to Tunisia and monitors the security situation continuously in line with UK Foreign Office guidance. Tunisia has an established tourism infrastructure and is visited by large numbers of European travellers each summer. Your local guide is an experienced Tunisian professional who will manage logistics and advise on local conditions throughout. As always, we recommend checking your government's current travel advice before departure.
Is travel insurance required?
Yes. Travel insurance is compulsory on all Encounters Travel tours. Your policy must cover personal accident and liability, medical expenses and emergency repatriation, and travel delay. We must have your policy number and a 24-hour emergency assistance number before you depart. You will not be allowed to join the tour without valid cover.
Is my booking financially protected?
Yes. Encounters Travel works with Trust My Travel, which provides insurance-backed financial protection for all payments. In the event of insolvency, you would be refunded for unfulfilled services and, where applicable, repatriated to the UK. You can book with confidence.
What accommodation is used on this tour?
The tour uses 3 to 5-star hotels throughout. In Tunis you stay at the Hotel Carlton, a charming 1926 Art Nouveau building on the prestigious Avenue Habib Bourguiba. In Sfax you stay at the 5-star Les Oliviers Palace, a Belle Epoque property with spa and swimming pools. In Tataouine you sleep at the historic Ksar Hadada, a genuine Berber fortified granary that was used as a Star Wars filming location. In Douz you stay at the Hotel Sahara, right on the edge of the desert dunes. In Tozeur the Palm Beach Palace sits on the edge of the Sahara with indoor and outdoor pools. The final two nights in Gammarth use the El Mouradi, a 5-star coastal resort with a private beach.
What is it like to stay in the Ksar Hadada?
The Ksar Hadada hotel is built within the walls of an actual ancient Berber fortified granary. Your room is set inside one of the original ghorfa storage units, giving it a unique atmosphere of earthen architecture and quiet history. It is genuinely unlike any other hotel you will have stayed in. Film enthusiasts will recognise it as the Mos Espa slave quarters from the Star Wars saga.
Are all hotels air-conditioned?
Yes. All hotels on this tour have air conditioning in rooms as standard, which is essential given the summer temperatures in the desert south.
What meals are included and what is the food like?
Eight breakfasts, one cooking-class lunch, and five dinners are included. The cooking class on day two is a highlight: you visit the Tunis Central Market, select fresh ingredients with your chef, and prepare a traditional Tunisian dish which you eat together. Tunisian food is excellent, with strong influences from Berber, Mediterranean, and Arab traditions. Couscous, harissa, fresh seafood on the coast, and slow-cooked desert dishes all feature.
What currency do I need and how do I pay for meals?
The local currency is the Tunisian dinar. Euros and US dollars are generally accepted for exchange at banks and some hotels. In smaller towns and desert regions, foreign-card ATMs can be unreliable, so carrying some cash in a hard currency is advisable. Meals not included in the tour should be paid in dinars.
Can the tour accommodate dietary requirements?
Yes. Please inform us at booking and we will pass requirements on to all accommodation. Common requirements such as vegetarian and gluten-free can generally be catered for, though the range in smaller towns and desert locations may be more limited than in Tunis. Letting your guide know early on the tour helps them manage meals at local venues.
Is this a good tour for solo travellers?
Yes. Groups are capped at 12 and the shared cultural experiences (cooking class, harissa workshop, women's cooperative visit) naturally bring people together. Solo travellers are matched with a same-gender room share where possible to avoid the single supplement.
What type of travellers join this tour?
Summer Tunisian Encounters attracts travellers with a genuine interest in North African history, culture, and food who want to go well beyond the coastal resorts Tunisia is sometimes known for. Expect curious, engaged people who want to see both the Roman archaeology and the living Berber desert culture in a single trip.
Can I book this as a private tour?
Yes. The tour is available as a private departure at any time of year, with the ability to customise accommodation and itinerary details. Private tours can also be conducted in German, Italian, or Spanish with advance notice. Contact us for a quote.
What airport do I fly into?
The tour uses Tunis Carthage Airport (TUN) for standard airport transfers. Many European low-cost airlines also fly to Enfidha Airport (NBE), and an Enfidha return transfer supplement is available to book. Discuss this with us when you book if Enfidha works better for your flights.
What power sockets does Tunisia use?
Tunisia uses Type C and Type E sockets at 220 volts, the same as most of continental Europe. Standard European two-pin adapters work, though they may fit loosely. US appliances running at 110 volts require a voltage converter.
What transport is used during the tour?
In the north and on main roads the tour uses air-conditioned minibuses or coaches. For the desert regions in the south, 4x4 vehicles are used. All transport is private and arranged by the tour.
What should I pack for the desert sections?
For the southern desert sections, bring breathable long-sleeved clothing for sun protection, a good sun hat, high-factor sunscreen, and sunglasses. Comfortable walking shoes handle the archaeological sites and Berber village paths. A light layer for cool evenings is useful even in summer. Sand gets everywhere, so a small zip-close bag for valuables is practical.
Can I add extra nights in Tunis or Gammarth?
Yes. An extra pre-tour night in Tunis is available at the tour hotel, with airport transfer included. An extra post-tour night in Gammarth at the El Mouradi is also available, with airport transfer included. Gammarth has a private beach and a full spa, making it a natural choice for unwinding after nine days on the road.
Are there other Tunisia tours if 9 days is not enough?
Yes. The Tunisia Encompassed tour (13 days) goes into even greater depth across the country. The Tunisian Encounters tour (also 9 days, same route structure but different seasonal dates) is the year-round version of this tour. The North Tunisia Explorer (6 days) focuses on the north if you have less time. Contact us to discuss which suits your interests and schedule.
When do departures run?
Saturday departures operate from June to the end of September. The tour is guaranteed to run with a minimum of 3 travellers. Private departures are available at any time of year on request.
How do I secure my place and when is the balance due?
A deposit secures your place and the full balance is due eight weeks before departure. Payment options include debit or credit card, bank transfer, or cheque. Card payments are subject to a processing fee. Full details are in your booking confirmation.
What are the cancellation terms?
Full cancellation terms are in the Encounters Travel booking conditions available on the website. We strongly recommend travel insurance that includes cancellation cover so that unexpected events do not leave you out of pocket.
