AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL JOURNEY INTO THE NW & INTERIOR (SPECIAL) - 3 to 5 days
Cities |
Testour |
Tunisia |
El Kef |
Tunisia |
Haydrah |
Tunisia |
Maktar |
Tunisia |
Tunis |
Tunisia |
|
Contact information
Moez Sghaier
Description
Departs from Tunis or environs), using the spectacular setting El Kef as our base. You may wish to shorten or lengthen this tour, depending on your interest. As part of a Special series of tours, this is for the Archaeology enthusiast. In addition to Dougga & Bulla Regia, there are so many fascinating sites, which are off-the-beaten-track and seldom visited. This tour is also an opportunity to explore the more remote hinterland, to experience local hospitality & the beautiful landscapes of this untrodden, unspoiled region. This area is particularly green and lush, and thus has been inhabited since prehistoric times. On some days, we will stop en route at picturesque places for a picnic lunch (supplied) with fresh local cheeses, breads, olives, fruit, etc. We so enjoy brining visitors to see this area, beyond the reaches of coach tours. Please contact us for a customized itinerary. The following is a full 5-day sample itinerary.
DAY 1: TUNIS – TESTOUR – DOUGGA – EL KEF
Depart from Tunis to visit the traditional Andalusian village of TESTOUR. Next is a detailed visit of ancient DOUGGA, one of the best preserved Roman cities in Tunisia and a Unesco World Heritage Site. We continue to EL KEF, and have a walking tour of the upper citadel. First of 4 nights in El KEF.
DAY 2: BULLA REGIA & CHEMTOU
We visit BULLA REGIA with its subterranean mansions, also a Unesco World Heritage Site. We continue to CHEMTOU, the source of the famous Numidian Marble. Here we explore the original marble quarries, the fascinating Numidian / Roman monuments, and visit the excellent museum. Return to El Kef.
DAY 3: JUGURTHA’S TABLE & HAIDRA
Today we explore the region near the Algerian frontier. A 40-minute walk up an easy road takes us to JUGURTHA’S TABLE, whose dramatic profile rises 1200m above the plains below. This limestone mesa is said to have been the stronghold of the Numidian king Jugurtha against the Romans in the 2nd c BC –the views from the top are breathtaking. After lunch, we continue to HAIDRA, ancient AMMAEDARA – on an important crossroads, it was established as a base for the third Augustan Legion. Minimally excavated, but very well preserved are the Vandal Chapel, Basilica of Mellius, the massive Byzantine fortress & the triumphal arch of Septimius Severus. Return to El Kef.
DAY 4: ALTHIBUROS & MYSTERIOUS ANCIENT MONUMENTS
We drive to the remote ancient site of ALTHIBUROS – situated in a green river valley before continuing to the prehistoric megalithic tomb fields of ELLES. We will also take a most picturesque route to see some very unusual monuments: the monumental altar of KBOR KLIB and mausoleum of KSOUR TOUAL ZOAMEL. Return to El Kef & overnight.
DAY 5: MACTAR – THE ANCIENT ROAD TO TUNIS
We take one of the most picturesque & remote routes of the Tell region. We visit ancient MACTAR, with its Roman and Byzantine monuments. We continue through the rolling hills and valleys of the region, making stops at ZAMA MINOR (Jama) – thought to be the location where Hannibal was defeated in 202 BC by the Romans, and KSAR LEMSA – a massive Byzantine fortress, dramatically situated below Jebel Bargou. Return to Tunis.