Ancient & Galactic Empires Tour | 13 Days

Ancient and Galactic Empires

Tour Summary

Arrival in Tunis – Transfer to Hotel

Upon arrival in Tunis, the capital of Tunisia, you will be met by your driver and transferred to your hotel.

Should you arrive early, you will have the opportunity to explore the historic Tunis Medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. You will navigate through narrow lanes and alleyways, encountering local artisans engaged in copper, leather, and wool work, as well as intricately designed carpets. The renowned Zitouna Mosque, spice market, and gold souk (market) are must-see attractions.

Dinner will be served at your hotel.

Hotel Options: 3, 4 & 5 hotel

Tunis – Carthage – Sidi Bou Said – Bardo – Tunis

Following breakfast, you will embark on an archaeological excursion to the ancient site of Carthage, once the preeminent metropolis in northern Africa. This archaeological complex encompasses remnants from diverse historical epochs, including the Punic, Roman, Vandalic, and Byzantine periods.

Next, you will proceed to the charming village of Sidi Bou Said, nestled amidst a cluster of hills that command breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea. The village’s picturesque streets and panoramic ocean vistas will provide an idyllic backdrop for your exploration.

Conclude your day with a visit to the recently renovated and world-class Bardo Museum. Immerse yourself in the well-preserved artifacts from the numerous empires that have shaped this region, including magnificent mosaics, pottery, and statues.

Return to your hotel for dinner and the remainder of your evening.

Hotel Options: 3, 4 & 5 hotel

Dougga – Bulla Regia – El Kef

After breakfast, you will embark on a journey to Dougga, an exceptional Roman archaeological site. Renowned for its remarkable preservation, Dougga stands as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its commanding position overlooking the surrounding regions offers a unique perspective, where locals often shepherd their sheep through the intricate Roman ruins.

Proceed northward to Bulla Regia, where you will encounter some of the most well-preserved Roman villas constructed underground. Additionally, you will visit a basilica and an amphitheater adorned with a colossal mosaic depicting a bear. Notably, St. Augustine of Hippo made a pilgrimage to Bulla Regia in 399, addressing the citizens from this amphitheater.

Conclude your day with dinner and the night in El Kef.

Hotel Options: 3 & 4 Guesthouse

Makthar – Sbeitla – Kairouan

In the morning, you will embark on an archaeological excursion to the site of Makthar (please note that this site is closed on Mondays). The site boasts several notable archaeological wonders, including a Trajan forum, extensive baths, a schola juvenum (Roman minor militia club), and other pre-Roman structures. At the entrance to the archaeological site in Makthar lies a museum that houses mosaics and other artifacts excavated from the site.

Your subsequent visit will take you to the archaeological site of Sbeitla. During your exploration of this site, you will encounter an ancient church site, intricately designed baptisteries, temples, baths, and the Arch of Diocletian. Sbeitla also houses a museum that showcases a diverse collection of mosaics and other objects discovered at the site.

Following these archaeological excursions, you will depart for the significant Islamic city of Kairouan. In the evening, you will have ample time to unwind and relax with dinner at your hotel.

Hotel Options: 5 hotel only

Kairouan – Tozeur

After breakfast, take a walking tour of Kairouan and begin with a visit to the grand mosque Okba Ibn Nafaa, which was established in 670 AD.

Next, embark on a journey to the medina of Kairouan, famously depicted as the Cairo Market in the iconic film Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark. Explore the labyrinthine streets of the ancient medina, immersing yourself in the cinematic experience that reenacts Indy’s harrowing escape from assassins.

Prior to departing Kairouan, savor a delightful lunch in the ancient medina. Afterwards, proceed to the oasis town of Tozeur.

Dinner and the evening will be at your hotel.

Hotel Options: 3, 4, & 5 hotel or guesthouse

Tozeur – Ong Jemel – Mos Espa – Yardangs – Dune Sea- Igloo House

After breakfast, depart on a 4×4 excursion to Nefta where you will visit Ong Jemel, also known as “the neck of the camel,” where Darth Maul arrives on Tatooine and releases the Sith Probes, stalking Anakin and Qui-Gon. Darth Maul is seen flying over the cliffs.

Next, explore the Mos Espa film site, situated amidst the Sahara dunes. This site encompasses the Mos Espa streets, Watto’s shop, market, and Sebulba’s Café. East of the film set lies the Yardang Field, where the queen’s Royal Starship lands and the Jedi engage in a lightsaber duel with Darth Maul in The Phantom Menace.

Continue to the Dune Sea and hunt for remnants of the Krayt Dragon before concluding your excursion with a visit to the Lars Family Homestead exterior, which bears a resemblance to an igloo house constructed on the Chott el Jerid. This location was also utilized in Attack of the Clones and concludes the final scene of Revenge of the Sith.

Return to Tozeur for dinner and the evening.

Hotel Options: 3, 4 & 5 hotel or guesthouse

Tozeur – Sidi Bouhlel – Chott el Jerid – Douz – Matmata

This morning, you will visit Sidi Bouhlel, also known as ‘Star Wars Canyon,’ where 9 scenes were filmed including when the Jawas were attacked and buried, Jawa Rock, and the scenes of the Tusken Raiders.

Afterwards, you will cross Chott El Jerid (great salt lake) until you reach Matmata. Here you will visit Hotel Sidi Idriss, which was used as the interior for Lars Homestead, the home of Luke Skywalker in the 1976, A New Hope. In 2002, the filmmakers returned to this set where the site was featured again in Attack of the Clones.

Dinner will be at the hotel and you will spend the night in Matmata.

Hotel Options: 3, 4, & 5 guesthouse

Matmata – Ksar Hadada – Ksar Ommarsia – Djerba

In the morning, you will travel to Ksar Hadada, which is a film location of the Slave Quarters Row. There is a scene inside Ksar Hadada where a balcony was used to film Shmi and Qui-Gon Jin talking about Anakin as he works on his Podracer.

Your next stop is at Ksar Ommarsia (Medenine), where Slave Quarters Row was filmed for Episode I: The Phantom Menace, Anakin and Shmi’s home.

When you are ready, travel over the Roman Causeway which connects the mainland or Tunisia to Djerba island. Dinner will be at the hotel or guesthouse.

Hotel Options: 3, 4, & 5 hotel

Djerba Island Tour

Begin your Djerba island tour with morning visits to the Star Wars film locations. Your first visit will be to the coastal town of Ajim. Here you will visit the exterior of the Mos Eisley Cantina. The location where the Millennium Falcon escapes from Mos Eisley is located around the corner the Cantina.

Proceed along the coastal road to Obi-Wan Kenobi’s house. This is where he resided during his exile. Set against the picturesque turquoise sea, the building was a place of worship but is now repurposed as storage for local fishermen. Continue your journey until you reach the charming location of Sidi Jamour, which served as the backdrop for the Anchorhead and Tosche Station in the deleted scenes of A New Hope. The special edition of the film reintroduced this location in a short sequence.

In the afternoon, embark on a tour of Djerba Island, visiting the renowned pottery town of Guellela, the El Ghriba Synagogue (the oldest Synagogue in North Africa), and Houmt Souk.

Dinner will be at the hotel.

Hotel Options: 3, 4, & 5 hotel

Djerba – El Jem – Sousse

This morning, you will depart for El Jem to visit a Roman Coliseum, one of the most well-preserved in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Constructed between 230 AD and 238 AD, it is believed to have once accommodated between 30,000 and 45,000 spectators. Take your time to explore this vast structure, including the rooms where gladiators prepared for their battles. There is also a museum in this town that hosts a plethora of mosaics which you may want to visit.

Afterward, proceed to the coastal city of Sousse for dinner and your overnight stay.

Hotel Options: 3, 4, & 5 hotel

Sousse – Zaghouan – Hammamet

Following breakfast, embark on a tour of the historic sites of Sousse. During your excursion, you will traverse the ancient medina, explore the Ribat and tower, and visit the archaeological museum of Sousse.

After lunch, proceed to the mountainside Roman site of Zaghouan, where you will discover a temple dedicated to the ‘water god’. Conclude your day in Hammamet.

Hotel Options: 4 & 5 hotel

Hammamet – Nabeul – Cap Bon – Tunis

Following breakfast, embark on a coastal excursion to the charming town of Nabeul. Renowned for their pristine sandy beaches, azure seawater, and lush gardens, these destinations offer a serene escape.

Subsequently, venture to the picturesque peninsula of Cap Bon. Your itinerary will commence with a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kerkouane, an ancient Punic city of profound historical significance.

Next, explore the Roman Grottoes of “Ghar el Kébir” located in El Haouaria, the southernmost tip of Cap Bon. These grottoes reveal the remnants of ancient quarries that once served as a labor camp for prisoners and slaves. The quarries provided red and yellow sandstone for the construction of Carthage and numerous ancient tombs. Remarkably, colossal blocks of stone were extracted from the lower layers, hauled from the shafts, and transported to Carthage for use in construction and burial purposes.

Your journey will culminate in a visit to the town of Korbous, nestled atop a mountainside within Cap Bon. This town boasts a natural hot spring renowned for its exceptionally high temperatures, exceeding 50°C (122°F).

As the day draws to a close, return to Tunis for the evening.

Hotel Options: 3, 4, & 5 hotel

 Departure from Tunis-Carthage International Airport

After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to the Tunis-Carthage International spaceport for your departure, concluding your unforgettable Star Wars Ancient & Galactic Empires Tour in Tunisia.

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