The Desert Celebrates: Douz Festival
The Douz festival is an exceptional event since it takes place in the middle of the Sahara...
An unforgettable celebration with the discovery of the beautiful desert which was chosen to shoot the famous film "Star Wars".
contact us for the detailed program of this circuit on contact@tatt.best
Day 1: Arrival in Djerba
Upon arrival, you'll be welcomed and transferred to the hotel. After check-in, you can enjoy guided walks and capture stunning sunset photos. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 2: Djerba - Tataouine - The Berber Ksours (190 km)
After breakfast, depart at 8:00 a.m. for Tataouine, the capital of the Berbers in Tunisia, taking the ferry to Ajim. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel and enjoy lunch. Later, set out to explore the ksours, visiting Chenini, Douiret, and Ksar Haddada. Return to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 3: Tataouine - Toujane - Matmata - Douz (240 km)
Start the day with breakfast at the hotel before departing at 8:00 a.m. for a morning tour of Tataouine. Then, travel along the scenic mountain road to Toujane, where you can savor a refreshing herbal tea while taking in views of the old village. Continue to the Matmata mountains, known for their troglodyte houses. Women in the area still use vertical looms to create vibrant kilims. This region has served as a backdrop for several films, including Star Wars, The Life of Brian, and Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Enjoy lunch at a family-run restaurant in Matmata, then proceed to Douz. Upon arrival, you can opt for a walk or camel ride through the dunes—these are the same dunes where the movie "Perhaps" featuring Jean-Paul Belmondo was filmed. Return to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay in Douz.
Days 4 and 5: The Douz Festival
Founded in 1910, the Douz Festival is the most famous international event celebrating Saharan and nomadic culture. The festival's main theme is the heritage of the Arab-Berber tribe of M'razigs (also known as Marzougui). The town of Douz, with 12,000 inhabitants and over 300,000 palm trees, becomes vibrant and bustling as the festival approaches. The festival offers unique cultural experiences, including Saharan dances, camel races, camel fights, Fantasia, hare hunting with sloughis, folk performances, Saharan songs, special souks, and excursions in the dunes and palm groves. Lunches will be served at the hotel, and one of the dinners will be a safari-style experience in the desert with traditional music and dance.
Day 6: Douz - Crossing Chott el Djerid - Tozeur (130 km)
After breakfast, depart at 8:00 a.m. to cross Chott el Djerid, a vast salt flat with shimmering pink and purple hues due to the presence of artemia salina. Arrive in Tozeur, where you'll check into your hotel. After settling in, visit the Medina and explore its unique architecture and bustling streets. In the evening, enjoy dinner at the hotel and consider a visit to the Dar Chraiet Museum for a glimpse into local history and culture.
Day 7: Tozeur - Mountain Oases - Ong Jmel - Tozeur (100 km)
After breakfast, start the day with a walk through the palm grove known as the "Garden of Paradise." Visit the Sahara Zoo to see desert animals such as jackals, fennecs, scorpions, and horned vipers. Later, visit the brickworks to learn about traditional craftsmanship. Lunch will be served at the hotel. Afterward, head to Chebika to explore the waterfalls flowing into a narrow gorge filled with fossils. Next, visit Midès, a village perched on the edge of a dramatic canyon where citrus trees grow. Return to Tozeur for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 8: Tozeur - Gabès - Djerba (320 km)
After breakfast, depart at 8:00 a.m. for Gabès, passing through the oases of Kébili and El Hamma. Gabès is the largest city in southern Tunisia after Sfax, known for its unique combination of oasis and seaport. Have lunch in Gabès and then continue to Djerba via Mareth, the site of a significant World War II battlefield where Rommel met his end.
Take a ferry to enter Djerba, the "Island of Dreams." Upon arrival, check into the hotel and enjoy dinner.
Day 9: Djerba Island tour (60 KM)
After a hearty breakfast, start the day with a tour of the island. Visit the Ghriba Synagogue, a significant landmark for the Jewish community in Djerba, which is one of the few remaining Jewish communities in the Arab world. Stroll through the souks of Houmet Souk, the capital of Djerba, and explore the village of Guellala, renowned for its pottery.
Return to the hotel for lunch, and enjoy a free afternoon with optional activities like thalassotherapy (additional cost). Prepare for the New Year's Eve celebration with a Gala Dinner featuring live music and entertainment.
Day 10: Return Flight
After breakfast, you'll be transferred to the airport for your departure. Assistance will be provided to ensure a smooth and stress-free departure.
