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Best of Tunisia

Tunisia - Trip code TN Discovery
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450Kg of CO²e
Average carbon footprint per person
Carbon Footprint
You deserve to know everything about your holiday, from what is included, what to expect and every kilogram of CO2 emitted on average per person along the way.

We've partnered with ecollective to measure the carbon footprint of this tour based on an average group size. Find out more about how we calculate this and why we think it's important here.

 

Roman ruins, Saharan desert and Troglodyte caves are all part of this trip to Tunisia. We tour the capital Tunis, explore the remains of the Phoenician city of Carthage and visit the magnificent Roman amphitheatre at El Djem. We also discover the Great Mosque of Kairouan, Tunisia's holiest site, and visit the spectacular Dougga, one of the best preserved Roman archaeological sites in North Africa.

Why we love this trip
  • Visit ancient Carthage - formerly one of the most important and powerful trading centre on the Mediterranean
  • Explore El Djem - One of the most magnificent Roman amphitheatres in the Mediterranean and the largest outside of Italy
  • Sidi Bou Said - where scarlet bougainvillea cascade over the white and blue walls of the narrow streets overlooking the Gulf of Tunis
  • Overnight desert camp - camp in style under the stars on the edge of the Sahara
  • Included meals

    Breakfast: 9

    Lunch: 1

    Dinner: 3

  • Trip staff

    Explore Tour Leader

  • Transport

    Bus

    4WD

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    Accommodation

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    Trip pace:

    Moderate

  • i

    Group Size:

    Trip maximum 16
    Explore average 11

Itinerary

Trip information

Climate and country information

Tunisia

Climate

Tunisia has a Mediterranean climate with hot summers tempered by sea breezes and mild winters. Spring has the most rainfall but is the best time for flowers. In winter, days in the desert can be warm but come prepared for cold days, whilst at night temperatures can drop below zero.

Time difference to GMT

+1

Plugs

2 Pin Round

Religion

Islam

Language

Tunisian

Budgeting and packing

Optional activities

The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these tour notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations. Please note: These activities are booked and paid for locally and do not form part of your Explore holiday contract.


Day 5: Tozeur
2.5 hour 4 WD tour to visit the Star Wars movie film site at Mos Espa in Nefta followed by a visit to Ong Jmel, a striking sandstone rock formation with a panoramic backdrop of the salt pans: GBP 50 per person for a minimum of 4 participants

3 hour 4 WD tour to Sidi Bouhlel canyon in de Dghoum National Park, the tour includes a short walk in the canyon. We will also visit Tozeur oasis, the settlement around the oasis uses a distinctive traditional architecture. During our visit we will witness how bricks are produced, a key element in the construction of these desert dwellings. GBP 50 per person for a minimum of 4 participants.

It is possible to fit in both these excursions on day 5.

Payments should be made in cash, its possible to pay in British pounds, Euros, US dollars or Tunisian dinar

Clothing

Summer: Clothing should be lightweight. However, a warm sweater is also advisable, as the desert can sometimes get cold at nights, even in the summer.

Winter: Usually warm during the day but thicker clothing is essential for cold nights (Nov-Mar). It is advisable to take warm clothing to sleep in, as the quality of heating in Tunisian hotel rooms can be variable outside of the main cities. A waterproof jacket and fleece are recommended in the winter months.

Tunisia is a Muslim country and it is important to dress with respect for local customs. People may be offended by short shorts or revealing dresses, which can attract unwelcome attention. Transparent, plunging necklines and tightfitting clothes should be avoided. Women should also cover their heads when entering the Great mosque of Kairouan.

Footwear

We recommend sandals and walking boots or trainers with good ankle support as we spend time visiting several sites with unever terrain

Luggage

20Kg

Luggage: On tour

One main piece of baggage and daypack. You will need to leave your main luggage on the bus for the night in the desert and take an overnight bag, the bus will be kept overnight in a secure compound. You will need to ensure your day pack is large enough to accommodate all your needs for your overnight stay.

Equipment

A reusable filter water bottle, sunhat and high factor sunscreen are all essential, many of the sites have limited shade. It may be worth considering taking an umbrella to provide further protection from the sun.

Most of the hotels have swimming pools, bring a swimming costume if you wish to use these. We also recommend a torch for the overnight stay in the desert on day 6, towels will be provided.

Tipping

Explore leader
Tour Leader: In Tunisia, it is customary to tip the tour leader in appreciation of the efficiency and service you receive. We would recommend allowing £30 per person for this trip as a guideline, but this is at your discretion.
Local crew
Although entirely voluntary, tipping is a recognized part of life in this region of the world. Some local staff will look to members of the group for personal recognition of particular services provided. In order to make things easier for you, your leader may organise a group's tips kitty for the driver(s), included activities and meals and if this is the case, they will account for it throughout the tour.

Accordingly, you should allow £35.00 per person for group tipping. This can be paid in GBP, euros, US dollars or Tunisian Dinar.

Tunisia

Food and drink

The costs for meals may vary depending upon location, type of restaurant and number of courses eaten and so the prices given are an average guide. Local restaurants located off the beaten track may be less expensive, whereas an upmarket restaurant located in the centre of a major city may charge more.


Lunch price
£5.00 - 10.00
Dinner price
£10.00 - 15.00
Beer price
£3.00
Water price
£1.00
Foreign Exchange
Local currency
Tunisian Dinar.
Recommended Currency For Exchange
US$, Euros or GBP
Where To Exchange
Banks or 'Forex' offices in main towns/cities.
ATM Availability
Main cities and towns only.
Credit Card Acceptance
Accepted throughout the main cities and towns.
Transport, Accommodation, Food & Drink

Transport Information

Bus, 4WD

Accommodation notes

It's worth bearing in mind that Tunisia is a developing country and standards might not always be equivalent to those at home. Many of the hotels on this trip are rated as five star, however these should not be compared to a five star hotel in Europe and as such have been rated as comfortable rather than premium.

We'll stay in a camp with spacious well appointed twin share and single tents, ten of the tents have simple ensuite toilet attached, where we need more than ten tents, we will use additional tents with shared facilities. Blankets and pillows are provided. During the winter months, it can get cold in the desert so warm clothing is recommended. Dinner is included and there is a licensed bar that serves alcohol. There is no Wi-Fi signal at the camp, it's the perfect location to switch off, immersed in the tranquil setting amongst the sand dunes.

Tunisia

Food and drink

Dietary requirements: Most restaurants and hotels in Tunisia have a limited selection of vegan choices, although vegetarian options are more widely available. There is usually a choice of salad tunisienne, which is a blend of cucumbers, onions and tomatoes served with a main vegetarian and/or vegan dish from the menu, but choice will be limited in more remote locations. If you have specific dietary requirements we do recommend for you to bring some food with you.

Can you drink the water? 
The water quality is poor and therefore it is recommended to avoid drinking tap water during your trip. 

 

Essential Information

Government Travel Safety Advice

We strongly recommend that you check your government's travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination's safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs. Relevant government website links for UK, US, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand citizens are available on our Travel Safety page.

If you'd like some inital information on country-specific entry requirements, such as visas or any health declaration forms, please refer to our Entry Requirements page.  The services and information on this page are provided by a third party, and so we will still recommend that you cross check this against your government website for the latest advice.
 

Under 18 immigration guidance

Please note that some countries require proof of parental consent when travelling overseas with under 18s. Please check requirements with the relevant embassy or consular office well in advance of travel if this applies to your party.

Price Guarantee

Once your booking has been confirmed we guarantee the price will not increase, whatever the circumstances. However, please note that if you voluntarily make any changes to your booking including changing your trip or departure date, any additional costs or charges incurred will not be covered. Before booking please ensure you have read our important tour pricing information.Booking Conditions
 

Visa and Passport Information

Tunisia: Visas are not required by UK, Australian, New Zealand, US and Canadian citizens for stays up to 90 days. Other nationalities should consult their local embassy or consular office.

On arrival in Tunisia, you may be asked to share your contact details and travel information with the authorities. Evidence of a hotel reservation (such as your Explore booking confirmation) is sometimes required to enter the country.


If you do require assistance in obtaining a visa then you may be able to apply through Explore's recommended visa service in the UK, Travcour. See www.travcour.com to download the relevant visa application for your trip, if applicable (UK citizens only), along with details of how to apply for your visa through Travcour. The Team at Travcour will be happy to answer specific questions relating to visa applications, please call them directly on 0208 5431846.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of a full passport, with the correct validity for your chosen destination.
 

Booking conditions

Before booking your Explore trip, please ensure that you read both our Essential Information and Booking Conditions.
 

Minimum age restrictions

For our group tours, the minimum age is 16. The minimum age on Family trips varies between 7 and 11 - please check the 'Family information' section of the trip page for more information. 


Your safety and enjoyment on tour

We want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable holiday, so we ask you to confirm when booking this trip that you are fit and able to fully participate in all elements of the itinerary. If you have any concerns about your fitness or ability to complete any of the activities, please get in touch with our Customer Relations team at cr@explore.co.uk as soon as possible. Our tour leaders are trained and experienced in managing differing abilities within a group, but if they have concerns about a group member’s ability to safely participate in any element of the itinerary or believe someone’s presence could affect the safety or enjoyment of the holiday for others, in accordance with our Booking Conditions our tour leaders have the authority to ask an individual to miss an activity or activities. This decision would never be taken lightly, but on the rare occasions our tour leaders ask someone to sit out part of the tour, refunds will not be offered and individuals may be liable for additional costs incurred. 
 

Your Tour Leader

All tours aside from extensions, Galapagos cruises and polar expeditions will be led by one of our experienced Tour Leaders. We believe that our Tour Leaders are the key to the success of our tours; they are local experts who are bursting with first-hand knowledge which they love to share, and their unique insights will bring the destination to life. Your Tour Leader will be on hand throughout your tour to make sure arrangements run smoothly, to organise all the local logistics and to keep you safe. Your Tour Leader should be your first point of contact if you encounter any difficulties or disappointments in country – please raise any concerns, however small, with your Tour Leader as they are best placed to assist you.

Transfers

Find out more about Trip Transfer Terms and Conditions before you book.

Booking a land only package with Explore

Customers who have chosen to book on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements of our tour, please ensure that you have checked your tour specific ‘Joining Instructions’ prior to booking your own travel arrangements. Your joining instructions can be found below in the dates and prices information. 

You may also be eligible for the Free Explore Transfer.


Joining Tour Abroad

Customers booked on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements will receive a Free Transfer, provided you arrive and depart on the tour only itinerary start and end dates. The complimentary transfers will be arranged from the Explore designated airport or train station to your trips joining point, and then back from the ending point to the designated airport or train station. Generally the airport or station that Explore have selected will be the one that is closest to the town or city where the trip starts, or the one nearest to the joining point. It will be either an airport or train station but not both.

The exception to this rule is customers who are booked on a tour where the joining and ending point is at the designated airport or train station.  

Free transfers are not available for Polar customers.

If you are not eligible for the Free Transfer then you will need to make your own way through to the joining and ending point. On a majority of our tours Explore will be able to provide a private transfer at an additional cost. Please ask for a quote at the time of booking.  

For more information regarding the Explore Free Transfer click here

Insurance

It is a condition of booking with Explore that you have adequate valid travel insurance. It is your responsibility to arrange appropriate travel insurance and ensure you have read and understood the full terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy to ensure that you are covered for all activities you intend to undertake whilst on the tour, including all optional activities. Your Insurance Policy must fully cover you for medical expenses and emergency repatriation to your home country. Please ensure your policy includes medical emergency helicopter evacuation in the event of illness or injury and covers the entire duration of your holiday. If you are trekking at altitude please ensure that there is no upper altitude limit which may limit or exclude cover for your trip. The cost of many of our Polar Voyages will exceed the capped amount covered by standard insurance premiums and you will be required to pay an additional premium to cover the full value of your trip. Please ensure that you are covered for the full amount of your holiday cost, as insufficient cover could invalidate a claim under the policy. Medical and repatriation insurance cover is not mandatory for UK residents who are travelling on trips within the United Kingdom.
Read more information about what travel insurance is required.

Flight information

Explore can arrange your flights for you, to make joining and leaving our trips easy. Read more about them here.


Flight Information

You are able to book this tour on a 'land only' basis or as a ‘flight inclusive’ package. Your flight inclusive package will be fully protected by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) ATOL protection scheme.

 

Booking a flight inclusive package with Explore

We have a good selection of flights not only from London but from many regional airports around the UK allowing us to compare fares between scheduled carriers as well as low cost and charter airlines. Our dedicated flights team will match the best flight options to your arrival and departure airport.

On our website we display the price of the tour only. Please call us or select the flight option during the online checkout to receive a quote for a flight inclusive package. To avoid paying supplements or to secure your preferred flight option, we recommend booking as early as possible, especially for peak travel dates.

Tunisia

Vaccinations

Nothing compulsory, but we recommend protection against hepatitis A, polio, tetanus and typhoid. Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. The above is not an exhaustive list. Information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by on the NaTHNaC website and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed by you before travelling.

Discovery information
Award Winning Explore Leaders
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Price Guarantee Promise
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Airport Transfers
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Print Trip Notes

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