Tunisia’s southwestern desert offers an extraordinary adventure for travellers seeking an authentic cultural immersion. This journey provides an in-depth exploration of the Sahara, combining expert-guided cultural insights, historic landscapes, and unique encounters with local Berber communities. Designed for adventurers who approach new experiences with an open mind and genuine curiosity, the journey demands a willingness to step beyond familiar boundaries, unveiling the timeless magic of the desert.

Itinerary (subject to change):

Day 1: Djerba

Fly to Djerba where you will be welcomed by Christel.
After a short transfer to your hotel, we’ll explore the Houmt Souk and medina, paying particular attention to its architecture. We’ll also visit the market offering a chance to engage with local craftspeople and merchants and observe daily rhythms before enjoying a traditional dinner. We’ll spend the night in a hotel in Djerba.

Day 2: Oasis, Star Wars, and Desert Magic

After breakfast, we’ll head to Matmata, a small Berber town where much of the population lives in traditional underground troglodyte homes. We will have lunch in one of these homes after seeing one of the Star Wars film locations. Relive your favourite moments from the beloved saga amidst the surreal desert landscape.

After lunch, we’ll cross an arid, hilly landscape where the Berbers grow almonds and olives to reach Douz where the 4x4s will take us to our first desert camp. We’ll be greeted by our Berber team and enjoy a traditional dinner served around a campfire, with the option to sleep in a tent or under a starry sky.

Days 3-6: Unveiling the Wonders of the White Desert

Over the next four days, we will immerse ourselves in the rhythms of desert life. We’ll walk 4-5 hours daily at a comfortable pace, traversing the breathtaking Grand Erg Oriental (the sand sea).

For those seeking a deeper connection with the local culture, there will be opportunities to try your hand at making a “galette,” the traditional desert bread cooked in embers and sand, to gather wood for the evening fire (wood in the desert I hear you say? Yes, there are bushes where we can collect dead wood), assist in meal preparation, and bond with the gentle camels that accompany our journey.

Our guide will lead us on treasure hunts for geological curiosities like sand roses and neolithic artefacts dated between 10,000 and 2,000 BC. Accommodation alternates between comfortable tents and sleeping directly under the Milky Way, allowing you to choose based on your comfort level.

Day 7: From Desert Solitude to Berber Hospitality

After breakfast, we will walk the final couple of hours to complete our trek and have our final lunch in the desert. After lunch, we will bid farewell to the White Desert as our 4×4 vehicles take us to Douz for a refreshing shower. We’ll spend some time in the afternoon exploring local shops, perhaps picking up aromatic spices, or unique souvenirs. We will have dinner together in the evening.

Day 8: Farewell

On our final morning, we travel from Douz to Djerba for our return flight.

This holiday is operated by Christel at North View Adventures and your booking is directly with her. Her on a Hill is acting as an agent for this holiday.

• Price
• Accommodation
• Grade
• Guide
• Travel

£1495 per person - no supplement for single occupancy.Price includes: 1 nights' hotel accommodation; 1 nights' B&B accommodation; 5 nights' desert camping incl tent, sleep mat and blankets; all transfers by private minibus or 4X4 vehicle; Berber team and camels; UK based guide; all meals Not included: Flight to Djerba; insurance; personal expenses; discretionary tips

Accommodation on the first night in Djerba is in a 3* hotel and on the last night in a B&B in Douz. The other nights will be spent camping either beneath the stars or in a tent.

The grade of the holiday takes into account the remote location and the fact that we are walking through the desert sands. We will walk between 4 and 5 hours each day taking in the sights and sounds of this remarkable landscape.

Your guides for this holiday are Adel and Christel. Adel is one of the last generation of guidesborn and bred in the desert. He calls it home and knows it like the back of his hand. He is passionate about sharing this magical landscape, the Berber traditions and way of life. Adel has worked for over 20 years as a camel driver for a French tour operator, and as a freelance guide. Christel has a degree in Business studies in the tourism industry and is a qualified Forest School Leader, Holiday Camp Leader and Mountain Leader. She is also trained in outdoor First Aid and in Off-site Safety Management with the Royal Geographical Society. She has a vast knowledge of mountain hiking worldwide. In 2019, she explored the Tunisian Sahara and fell in love with this extraordinary landscape as well as the Berber desert life: simplicity, authenticity, caring and sharing. She decided to create walking holidays reflecting the Berber traditions while supporting their community.

Flights to and from Djerba will be met by a private transfer. Flight details will be confirmed once balance payments have been received but generally the flights are from Luton only.