Direction south

Direction south: Spotlight on the mountain oases, from desert to sea – 8-day Land Rover trip

From desert to sea aboard your Land Rover, you will explore the mountain oases and waterfalls, the desert and the Berber traditions before immersing yourself in the sweetness of the island of Djerba.

Tamerza, Midès, Chebika, the holy trinity for those wanting an introduction to mountain oases and waterfalls before indulging in stargazing in a high-end camp in the middle of the desert, then in a stunning designer hotel in Nefta. You will then stay in an authentic troglodyte dwelling and live to the beat of the Berber tribes between Matmata and Tataouine. Your trip ends in Djerba, where ecumenical cultures, urban paintings and relaxation await you on the island of myriad legends. A peaceful trip encountering inhabitants, ancient traditions and captivating landscapes at nature’s languid pace aboard your Land Rover.

DAY 1

Private transfer upon arrival at the airport and stay 2 nights at “Dar Hi”. Designed and created by the international designer Matali Crasset, “Dar Hi” is a unique concept hotel which overlooks the palm grove of Nefta and the desert.

DAY 2

Explore the mountain oases at the end of the Atlas mountain range – Chebika, Tamerza and Midès – and enjoy a rustic picnic at one of them (à la carte).

The mountain oases are true havens of coolness in the heart of the arid landscapes of this region. They contain fresh water springs which nurture a specific range of fauna and flora. The sleepy Berber village of Tamerza, the lush bower of Chebika and the canyon of Midès, which was the setting for the film “The English Patient”, will certainly transport you to another world.

DAY 3

Transfer to a camp in the middle of the desert set up specially for the occasion for an authentic evening and overnight stay in the Grand Erg Oriental. A unique atmosphere with all the necessary comforts.

DAY 4

Depart for the region of Matmata, known for its troglodyte dwellings. On the way, you can admire the desert landscapes of the Chott el Jerid salt plain, and visit the towns of Douz and Chenini and the hill-top Berber village of Tamezret and its museum of Berber arts and traditions, whose curator will be your host.

Stay a single night in a troglodyte guest house called “Trait d’Union”.

DAY 5

Depart for Tataouine, a town in the middle of nowhere famous for having once been home to a French penal colony, and stay at the Hotel Sangho.

On the way, the landscape becomes more undulating. You will explore the hillside Berber villages of Toujane and Douiret; in Tataouine, you can visit the Memory of the Earth Museum, dedicated to the dinosaurs that populated this area 140 million years ago.

DAY 6

Depart for the island of Djerba and stay 2 nights at the hotel “Radisson Blu Palace Resort & Thalasso”.

DAY 7

A day filled with art, accompanied by the painter Zied. Immerse yourself in a world of watercolours and sketches and let your imagination run free (à la carte). Explore the charming village of Erriadh and visit Djerbahood, its open-air urban art museum. There are around a hundred paintings by famous international artists depicting the architecture of the village. Erriadh is also home to the oldest synagogue in Africa, the Ghriba. Evidence of the coexistence of the communities on the island of Djerba, the Ghriba attracts thousands of pilgrims in May each year. This is an opportunity for the Jews on the island, who represent one of the last communities living in the Arab world, to attend numerous joyful celebrations.

DAY 8

Private transfer to the airport and return flight.

Budget:

8days/7nights – flights not included
Transfer for each stage by Land Rover with chauffeur.
All-inclusive accommodation at “Dar Hi”.
One night half-board under canvas in a camp in the middle of the desert.
One night half-board in a troglodyte guest house “Trait d’Union”.
Bed and breakfast accommodation at the “Sangho” hotel in Tataouine and the “Radisson Blu Palace Resort & Thalasso” hotel in Djerba.

Exploring the gorges of Selja in a restored hundred-year-old train
your accommodation, combining supreme luxury and originality
sleeping in the desert, and much more.

The gorges of Selja by miniature train

On offer is an exploration of the canyons carved by the Selja wadi and its magnificent viewpoints aboard the historic miniature train known as the “Lézard Rouge”. Admire the arid landscapes and let yourself be lulled for an hour and a half by the rolling motion of this ancient train, formerly owned by the Bey of Tunis, which has been completely restored and equipped as a miniature tourist train.

Picnic in a mountain oasis

In Tamerza or Midès, you can enjoy a picnic in the middle of a mountain oasis. The gentle lapping of the spring water, mergoum carpets on the ground and a freshly prepared artisan wicker basket deliciously garnished with seasonal fruits and home-made sandwiches with traditional tabouna bread made from fine semolina baked in a wood-fire oven. The day continues with a guided walk in the Midès canyon and a visit to the mountain oases: magnificent landscapes to explore.

Travel journal in Erriadh

A day filled with art, accompanied by the painter Zied. Immerse yourself in a world of watercolours and sketches and let your imagination run free. Explore the charming village of Erriadh which is home to the Ghriba, the oldest synagogue in Africa, and visit Djerbahood, its open-air museum of urban art. There are around a hundred paintings by international artists depicting the architecture of Erriadh.

Evidence of the coexistence of the communities on the island of Djerba, the Ghriba attracts thousands of pilgrims in May each year. This is an opportunity for the Jews on the island, who represent one of the last communities in the Arab world, to attend numerous joyful celebrations.