New Year’s Eve 2023 in the Tunisian Desert

Departure from your hotel to the port of Ajim to take the ferry to the continent. After crossing the strait of El Jorf, we continue towards the Dhahar massif to discover the Berber villages. Arrival at Toujane, a beautiful village nestled in an amazing mountainous landscape overlooked by the ruins of an ancient ksar with ruined houses that offer a breathtaking view of the plain stretching towards the sea. After a panoramic stop to admire the view, we will be invited to discover the local products and taste the honey of rosemary and thyme with olive oil, dried figs and mountain cheese. Afterwards, we will visit an old traditional oil mill that is used by the villagers to bring their olive harvest. During the harvest season, a dromedary, blindfolded to avoid dizziness, would drive a huge stone to crush the olives and put them in round baskets made of woven palm leaves. The baskets are piled on top of each other and pressed by an ingenious system of levers. The oil is then collected in terracotta jars. We continue our journey to Beni Zelten, a Berber village located on a mound in the middle of the Jebel Dhahar massif with the abandoned ruins of a mosque, a cave oil mill and abandoned houses. Drive towards Matmata, troglodyte village with its houses dug in the mountain. We find there all the necessary: living room, bedrooms, kitchen, bathroom. We will be invited by one of the Berber families to discover the troglodyte architecture of Matmata. We will then visit the troglodyte hotel Sidi Driss, shooting location of the first episode of the Star Wars saga. Typical lunch in a troglodyte house prepared by Berber women to enjoy the local cuisine. After lunch, departure to Tamezret, Berber village with its dry stone houses that cling to the hill and blend with nature, giving the appearance of a small medieval city. Walking tour of the village to the small café at the top where we will taste a good tea with mint and rosemary and local almonds. Departure towards the Eastern Erg, immense desert of fine sand of ochre color with its giant dunes. Arrival at the Zmela camp located in the middle of the desert where you will enjoy admiring one of the most beautiful sunsets of the planet. End of the year party with a rich menu, folk music, horse and camel show, belly dancing and many other surprises. After the evening you can contemplate a wonderful starry sky where the most famous constellations are visible to the naked eye. Overnight in a tent.

After a wonderful night in the middle of the desert, you will be awakened by the lights of the first day of the new year to admire a superb sunrise on the golden sand dunes. Typical breakfast to start the day with more energy and departure to Ksar Ghilane, Saharan oasis located at the edge of the Eastern Erg fed by a hot spring which feeds the palm grove. Possibility to make optional excursions on the sand dunes on camels or Quad to go to the Roman fort of the ancient Tisavar located a few kilometers from the oasis. Departure towards Chenini, surprising crest village perched on a rocky spur. The troglodyte dwellings are pressed against each other by marrying the abrupt forms of the mountain. They are pierced by narrow openings that open onto a courtyard where Berber women perform daily household tasks. Visit of the village and the legendary mosque of the “Seven Sleepers”. Typical lunch in Chenini based on local products. In the afternoon, departure to Ksar Ouled Soltane, a very well preserved fortified granary built by the Berbers in the 15th century. Its beautiful vaulted “Ghorfas” rise four stories high and are accessible by a steep outside staircase and were used as food reserves. Return to Djerba via the roman causeway, the road that connects the island with the mainland. Arrival at your hotel, drop off and end of our services.