A 10-day Tunisia tour through Carthage, Roman Dougga, El Jem, Kairouan, the Sahara and Star Wars locations, led by historian Pongsorn Phoomiwat.
Trip highlights
- See civilisations from many eras layered in one place: ancient Carthage, the "Colosseum of North Africa" and more
- Visit the Star Wars filming locations, including the Berber troglodyte houses and Sidi Driss, home of the Tatooine scenes
- Ride a camel in the Sahara and rest in an oasis
- Explore the "Thousand Layers" of ancient civilisations in Tunisia
Highlight places
Led by historiansEvery trip travels with an expert history lecturer who brings each site to life in plain language.
Off the beaten pathCentral Asia, the Middle East, the Himalayas — places most tour companies never go.
Private groups, no rushingRight-sized groups and unhurried time at the places that matter most.
Beyond ordinary travelEvery tour is designed by writers and professional travellers to create experiences that reflect who you are — for travellers who want more than an ordinary holiday.
About this tour
Thousand Layers of Tunisia is a 10-day, 7-night tour of a North African country where Berbers, Carthaginians, Romans, Arabs and Ottomans each left a layer of history. The 2025 departure ran 10-19 April, timed for the Songkran holiday.
The route links six UNESCO World Heritage sites (Carthage, Dougga, Kairouan, the El Jem amphitheatre and the medinas of Sousse and Tunis) with the Roman ruins of Sbeitla, the Chebika oasis, Star Wars locations at Mos Espa and Matmata, the Chott El Fejaj salt lake, Sidi Bou Said and the Bardo Museum's Roman mosaics.
The tour is led by Pongsorn Phoomiwat (Khun Pup) of The Wild Chronicles. Accommodation is in 4-5 star hotels, flights with Qatar Airways and the visa are included in the price.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1Bangkok – Doha
Meet at 23:30 at Suvarnabhumi Airport at the Qatar Airways counters. Fly QR837 at 02:30 to Doha (about 7 hours), arriving at 05:30 with a layover of about 3 hours 45 minutes.
Day 2Doha – Tunis – Ancient Carthage
Fly on at 09:15 with QR1399 and land at Tunis-Carthage Airport at 13:10. Visit Ancient Carthage, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and capital of the empire that rivalled Rome. Explore Carthaginian and Roman remains including houses, tombs, temples and the Baths of Antoninus.
- The Punic Ports, which could hold 220 warships
- Check in to the hotel in Tunis
Day 3Tunis – Dougga – Kairouan
Drive about 1 hour 45 minutes to Dougga, the best-preserved Roman ruins in North Africa. The 65-hectare site holds Berber, Carthaginian, Roman and Byzantine layers and was listed by UNESCO in 1997.
Then drive about 2 hours to Kairouan and tour its old town, one of the first bases from which the Arabs extended their power in North Africa and a centre of religion and culture since the 7th century. It is also a World Heritage Site.
Day 4Great Mosque of Kairouan – Sbeitla – Tozeur
Visit the Great Mosque of Kairouan, one of Tunisia's most important religious monuments, showing Middle Eastern art evolving into the Maghrebi style.
- Sbeitla, an ancient Roman city notable for its Byzantine layer, arches, theatre, forum, churches, temples and Roman paved streets
- Drive about 3.5 hours to Tozeur, the "Sahara of Tunisia", known for fine pottery and oases
Pack a small overnight bag for the desert stay the next night.
Day 5Chebika – Mos Espa – Chott El Fejaj – Douz
Take 4x4 vehicles for about an hour to Chebika Oasis, the largest naturally occurring palm oasis in Tunisia, with a walk of around an hour over hills and canyons.
- Mos Espa, the filming location of the Tatooine spaceport town first seen in Star Wars: Episode I
- Chott El Fejaj, a dry salt lake with white crystals as far as the eye can see
- Optional camel ride at sunset in Douz, weather permitting, 10 USD per person (not included)
Day 6Troglodyte Houses – Matmata – El Jem – Sousse
Visit a Berber troglodyte house, dug as a pit 5-10 metres deep with rooms carved into the walls, used as the Tatooine set in Star Wars. Lunch at Sidi Driss in Matmata, a location of Star Wars 4: A New Hope.
- El Jem, whose amphitheatre was built in 230-238 AD, measures 122 by 148 metres, stands 35 metres high and held 35,000 spectators; it is a World Heritage Site (1979) and appeared in Gladiator
- Drive on to Sousse, about 1 hour
Day 7Old Sousse – Hammamet – Tunis
Tour the Medina of Sousse, a World Heritage Site, and hear how Tunisia was a strategic maritime crossroads, including the "age of pirates".
- Dar Essid Museum, a noble house showing life in 18th-19th century Sousse
- The Ribat of Sousse, an Arab fortress of the 8th century
- The Great Mosque of Sousse, built in 851; only the courtyard and surroundings can be visited
- Stop in the seaside town of Hammamet, then return to Tunis
Day 8Medina of Tunis – Sidi Bou Said
Wander the Medina of Tunis, a World Heritage Site and old market full of cafes, restaurants, stalls, crafts and souvenirs.
- Sidi Bou Said, a former fishing village with blue-and-white houses and clifftop views over the Gulf of Tunis, with the legend of Saint Louis and a Berber princess
- Dar El Annabi House Museum, a late 18th-century house showing Islamic architecture and traditional Tunisian family life
Day 9Bardo Museum – Doha
Visit the Bardo Museum, Tunisia's national museum, which holds one of the largest and best-preserved collections of Roman mosaics in the world. Then transfer to Tunis-Carthage Airport and fly QR1400 at 16:00, arriving in Doha at 23:20 with a layover of about 2 hours 55 minutes.
Day 10Doha – Bangkok
Depart Doha at 02:15 on QR836 and arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport at 13:10.
Included
- International economy round-trip flights (BKK – TUN – BKK)
- Baggage allowance per the international Qatar Airways flight standard
- Entry visa fee (arranged by the company)
- Transport and sightseeing vehicle with an experienced driver
- Accommodation as per the program, two guests per room
- Entrance fees as per the program
- Meals as per the program
- Experienced local guide
- Thai lecturer and tour leader
- Travel accident insurance with coverage of 1,000,000 baht per person (subject to the policy)
Not included
- International business-class flights
- Single room supplement
- Personal expenses such as passport fees, phone, internet, laundry, minibar, special meals outside the program, extra drinks, excess baggage, seat reservations and medical costs for pre-existing conditions
- Tips for tour leader, local guide and driver (recommended 70 USD per person)
- Camel ride in the desert, 10 USD per person
- 7% VAT, 3% withholding tax and other taxes
- Fuel surcharges and airport taxes if the airlines raise them
About this tour
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Thousand Layers of Tunisia
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