Timely and Timeless Tunisia
Destination
Tunisia
Duration
16 Days
Activity Level
Active
Comfort Level
Superior
Explore Tunisia at a unique moment in time, led by your experienced guide. Experience the essence of Tunisia, present and past. Meet Tunisians who are eager to discuss the enormous potential of their new democracy, including artists and photographers who witnessed the startling events of the Arab Spring. Visit Berber villages and outposts, experience the magnificence and vastness of the Sahara Desert, explore the idyllic Mediterranean island of Djerba. Throughout, stay in unique accommodations including a four-star 100-year-old palace in the heart of Tunis, boutique village hotels, charming guesthouses, and a comfortable working farmstead in the shadow of magnificent Mount Zaghouan.
Few countries on earth match the historical, cultural, and natural splendor of Tunisia. Begin and end in the capital city of Tunis with its wondrous medina (ancient city) and fascinating souqs (markets). Travel onward to ancient Carthage, one of the most important cities in the ancient Roman Empire. Afterward, head south to the ruins of Dougga and the sacred Islamic site of Kairouan, the mountain villages of Tozeur, Chebika, Tamerza, and Mides, and splendid oases in the desert. Next, head east to Tataouine and its ksour (fortified adobe villages), and to Djerba island with both an amazing history and stunning beaches. On a leisurely return journey northward toward Tunis, view troglodyte homes, old Roman ruins, and other significant archaeological sites in towns such as Matmata, El Jem, Mahdia, Sousse, Zaghouan, and Thuburbo Majus.
Great For
- Ancient ruins
- Natural scenery
- Rich culture
Itinerary
Day 1 May 15 Arrive Tunis
Upon arrival at Tunis, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your boutique hotel to check-in and get settled. Later in the day, gather for orientation, followed by dinner at the hotel and overnight.
Meals
Dinner
Lodging
Hotel Tunisia Palace or similar
Day 2 May 16 Bardo Museum / Carthage / Sidi-Bou-Said Excursion
The day will start with a short drive to visit the Bardo National Museum, one of the best archaeological museums of the Mediterranean, especially known for its beautiful collection of roman-byzantine mosaics, the World’s largest, and located in an old 18th-century palace that belonged to the Beys, the Turkish rulers of Tunisia.
Continue to Carthage for lunch, then visit the Archaeological Museum, the Roman Baths of Anthonine, Byrsa Acropolis, the Punic harbors, and the Tophet Necropolis. The tour here will take about 2.5 hours. Carthage was built on a promontory with sea inlets to the north and the south. The city’s location made it master of the Mediterranean’s maritime trade. All ships crossing the sea had to pass between Sicily and the coast of Tunisia, where Carthage was built, affording it great power and influence. The city had massive walls, 37 kilometers (23 mi) in length, longer than the walls of comparable cities. Most of the walls were located on the shore and thus could be less impressive, as Carthaginian control of the sea made an attack from that direction difficult. The 4.0 to 4.8 kilometers (2.5 to 3 mi) of wall on the isthmus to the west were truly massive and were never penetrated.
The Antonine Baths were among the largest baths to be built in the Roman world and were the largest such complex in North Africa. The baths were originally built from 145 to 165 AD, mostly during the reign of the Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius. The baths contained a number of rooms and chambers standard to such ancient bath complexes, including the Frigidarium (cold room), Caldarium (hot room), and Tepidarium (hot bath). Although once existed many stories high, the remains that can be seen today are mostly from the lower level. Despite lacking its original grandeur, the fascinating ruins of the Antonine Baths are certainly worth exploring and provide a picturesque location, positioned as they are against the backdrop of the ocean.
The city had a huge necropolis or burial ground, religious area, market places, council house, towers, and a theater and was divided into four equally sized residential areas with the same layout. Roughly in the middle of the city stood a high citadel called the Byrsa.
Two large, artificial harbors were built within the city, one for harboring the city’s massive navy of 220 warships and the other for mercantile trade. A walled tower overlooked both harbors. When the Romans destroyed Carthage they burnt all the facilities of its two harbors, but because eventually, they had to rebuild them to house a large mercantile fleet, their location is still clearly identifiable. The military harbor was dug to form an artificial circular island around which the ships were moored. It was protected by high walls so that the merchants could not see what was going on from the nearby commercial harbor.
The commercial harbor was much larger than it appears today. It had a rectangular shape. A narrow passage gave access to the military harbor. When the Romans destroyed Carthage they established their first province on African soil and set the residence of the Roman proconsul at Utica, an allied town at the mouth of the Mejerda River. Over time, however, the harbor of Utica silted and Carthage became the main port from which grains were shipped to Ostia.
Tophet Tombs: In 1921 the discovery of a large cemetery containing the charred bones of infants near the harbors of Carthage seemed to confirm the Carthaginian practice of sacrificing their first male child. The cemetery was called Tophet with reference to the biblical term which indicated the site where the Canaanites sacrificed children by burning them alive. Today the Carthaginian practice of sacrificing children is questioned.
Afterward, we drive to Sidi-Bou-Saïd, a charming little Andalusian style village, with white and blue painted houses dating back to the 18th century. Stroll in the streets and reach one of the best vistas from the village on the bay of Carthage.
Return to Tunis where you’ll have the rest of the evening free to seek out dining options on your own.
Meals
Breakfast
Lodging
Hotel Tunisia Palace or similar
Day 3 May 17 Drive to Kairouan via Sbeitla
Today, you will drive southwest of Tunis across the valley of the Medjerda River and head toward Dougga, the best-preserved archaeological site in Tunis. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was built on a hill overlooking a valley. You’ll spend time exploring the ancient Roman monuments, considered by many to be the best in all of Africa – startlingly complete and allowing easy insight into how well-heeled Romans lived. In addition to Roman structures, you’ll also find an old Punic temple and a bathhouse built during the Phoenician period. Other sites of interest include the market, the square, the forum, Antonian Baths, Mausoleum of Ateban, Temple of Caelaestis, and the Arch of Alexander Septimius. Afterwards, continue on to Kairouan, another World Heritage Site, stopping for lunch en route. On arrival in Kairouan, you’ll check-in to your hotel, have dinner, and settle in for a couple of nights.
Meals
Breakfast
Lodging
Hotel La Kasbah or similar
Day 4 May 18 Kairouan Exploration
Today, you will visit Kairouan, (now a UNESCO World Heritage Site). It was once the Arab capital for all of North Africa and one of Islam’s most sacred cities.
The fourth holiest city of Islam (after Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem), Kairouan is an important religious pilgrimage site and, for history lovers, one of the highlights of Tunisia. This bustling city is jam-packed with some of the country’s best examples of Islamic architecture, from grand mosques and tombs with ornate decoration to the Medina back alleys lined with candy-colored houses.
Kairouan’s Medina (old town) is the most atmospheric and best preserved in Tunisia, the tightly packed alleyways giving a taste of the Arab empires. The old town is completely untouched by modern times. The Medina is surrounded by a 3.5 km long circuit of brick walls reinforced by numerous towers built by the Husseinites in the early 18th century. Inside the walls, lanes ramble in a maze of directions. The best way to explore is simply to chuck the map and wander. The narrow streets lined with colorful, paint-peeling houses are attractions themselves. You could spend hours here just soaking up the old town’s beautiful architecture.
Visit the Great Mosque, Sidi Oqba, built in the 9th century and located in the northeast corner of the medina. This is the oldest and most important Islamic building in North Africa and was originally built by Oqba ibn Nafi, the Arab commander who founded Kairouan in AD 672. Many of Tunisia’s other major mosques, including the Great Mosque of Sousse, took their inspiration from Kairouan’s Great Mosque architecture. Many Roman columns were reused to build the prayer hall. The mosque covers a mammoth area 135 m long by 80 m wide with a vast inner courtyard surrounded on three sides by double-aisled colonnades of antique columns. Non-Muslims are not allowed to enter the prayer hall but the doors are often kept open so you can have a peek inside.
Next, visit the Barber’s Mosque (also called the Zaouia of Sidi Sahab). The complex includes a mausoleum, mosque, and madrassa (Islamic school of learning), and was built between 1629 and 1692 over the tomb of one of Muhammad’s (the prophet of Islam) companions who died in AD 685. According to legend Sidi Sahab always carried a few hairs from Muhammad’s beard out of reverence for the Prophet, hence the mosque’s name.
The complex is notable for its magnificent tile decoration, much of which dates only from the 19th century and superb Andalusian décor. You enter through a forecourt, on the left of which are the imam’s lodgings, guest-rooms, and ablution fountains. Opposite the entrance is the minaret. The forecourt also gives access to the madrassa, laid out around a small courtyard, the prayer hall beyond it, and (by way of a passage adjoining the minaret) another colonnaded courtyard, off which opens the tomb of Sidi Sahab (not open to the public).
You will also visit the impressive Aghlabid Basins (pools), built in the 9th century by the Aghlabid dynasty, that supplied water for the Aghlabid palace, which once sat on the site of Kairouan’s present-day cemetery. The water was brought by aqueduct from Djebel Cherichera, 36 km away. The smaller basin was a settling tank from which the water flowed to the larger one that had a capacity of 50,000 cu m. In the center of the larger pool is the base of a pavilion where the Aghlabid rulers used to relax. The pools were restored in 1969 and another pool has been discovered just to the west.
Lunch in route. Afterward, we return to Imperial Rome with our next stop, approx one hour’s drive away, at El Jem (Thysdrus) to view the splendid amphitheater which could hold 30,000 people. Though smaller than the Coliseum in Rome, it is in a better state of preservation. We also visit the archaeological museum and the Villa Africa, one of a kind representing roman art.
Return to Kairouan. Dinner and overnight.
Meals
Breakfast
Lodging
Hotel La Kasbah or similar
Day 5 May 19 Kairouan / Sufetula / Tozeur
Today you’ll head out to the southern part of the country and into the desert, driving first to Sbeïtla to explore the Roman ruins of Sefetula. You’ll see the main baths, located a short distance from the Forum. Archaeologists have identified a twin set of halls, which has led them to believe that a section of the baths was utilized in winter and the other one in summer. Inscriptions making reference to restorations indicate that the baths, which were built in the early 3rd century, were in use during the Byzantine period, possibly until 647 when Sufetula was plundered by Arab raiders. The theatre of Sufetula was built at the edge of a ravine created by the small river to the east of the town. What we see today is largely a modern reconstruction.
Continue on to the southern oasis of Tozeur where you check-in, explore the grounds, enjoy a relaxing dinner, and settle in for the night.
Meals
Breakfast
Lodging
Ksar Rouge or similar
Day 6 May 20 Tozeur
Tozeur is a charming city in the South West of Tunisia is based around a large Oasis famous for its Palm trees and production of dates, which are exported around the world. The city is a good place to glimpse the Sahara from and take in traditional Tunisian culture including a wide range of architectural styles. Tozeur was historically an important stopping point for caravans crossing the Sahara, a place to rest and refuel before heading deeper into the desert. It was also used as an important Roman outpost and has since been ruled by a variety of tribes including the Berbers for much of its history, who have perhaps the most influence on the city’s historic architecture.
This morning we enjoy a leisurely visit to Ouled el-Hadef, Tozeur’s beautiful 14th century Medina. Tozeur’s delightful old quarter was built in the 14th century AD to house the El-Hadef clan, which had grown rich on the proceeds of the caravan trade. The area is a maze of narrow, covered alleys and small squares. It’s famous for its amazing traditional brickwork, which uses protruding bricks to create intricate geometric patterns in relief. The style is found only here and in nearby Nefta. Like the medinas further north in Tunisia, wandering through the Ouled el-Hadef is a journey of discovery best made by getting lost. The most well-preserved sections are east of the museum, including the house of the former governor (Dar Bey). Although outside the boundaries of the old town, the brick minarets of the Mosque of Sidi Mouldi and Mosque el-Ferdous (ave Habib Bourguiba) are very attractive.
We pass through the old quarter of Bled el-Hader, thought to be the site of ancient Thuzuros. Further on is the village of Abbes where the tomb of marabout (holy man) Sidi Bou Lifa stands in the shade of enormous jujube (Chinese date) tree. There are lots of paths leading off into the Palmeraie along the irrigation canals. It’s delightfully cool among all the vegetation.
Afterward, we shall explore the Palmeraie on foot. Tozeur’s Palmeraie is the second-largest in the country with at least 200,000 palm trees (locals claim twice that number) spread over an area of more than 10 sq km. It’s a classic example of tiered oasis agriculture. The system is watered by more than 200 springs that produce almost 60 million liters of water a day, distributed around the various holdings under a complex system devised by the mathematician Ibn Chabbat in the 13th century AD.
We return to our hotel. The remainder of the afternoon/evening at your leisure.
Meals
Breakfast
Lodging
Ksar Rouge or similar
Day 7 May 21 Tozeur / Tamerza / Chebika /Tozeur
After breakfast, we board the 4WD vehicle and depart to the golden triangle of Mountain oasis, Tamerza, Mides, and Chebika. We drive through the oasis of Mides, Tamerza and Chebika, which are perched in limestone mountains above the Sahara and provide scenery for filmmakers in search of Biblical landscapes. These oases use to be roman outposts 2000 years ago, where some roman garrison was stationed.
Lunch and then return drive to Tozeur.
This evening, visit the Dar Cheraït Museum, an ethnographical museum that features luxurious decorations with the most representative scenes of North-African life. The museum is part of the impressive Dar Charaït complex. The building in which the museum is housed, is an extravagant reproduction of an old palace and contains collections of pottery, jewelry, costumes, and other antiques, as well as an art gallery. Scattered throughout the rooms off the main courtyard is a series of replicas of scenes from Tunisian life, past and present. The whole complex is tastefully lit at night.
Meals
Breakfast
Lodging
Ksar Rouge or similar
Day 8 May 22 Douz & Matmata
Today, you will cross the famous Chott el-Jerid, a huge salt lake leading to the very edge of the immense, shifting sand seas of the Sahara, bound for the fine desert oasis of Douz, the “gateway to the Sahara,” largest of Tunisia’s desert oases, and well-known for its dates. If your visit is timed right, you’ll have a chance to stop at the weekly cattle market and explore the various shops where craftsmen will demonstrate their skills in making Saharan shoes and garments. After lunch, head to the Berber region of Matmata to explore the various types of troglodytes and meet the Berbers. Check into your hotel in the late afternoon for dinner and overnight.
Meals
Breakfast
Lodging
Hotel Diar El Barbar or similar
Day 9 May 23 Chenini / Douiret / Ksar Ouled Soltane / Tataouine / Djerba Island
After breakfast, head eastward to explore the area of Tataouine with its distinctive fortified ksour (Berber fortified granaries/adobe villages) and below-ground cave dwellings of the native Berber population. Designed for coolness and security, the dwellings and surrounding area attract both tourists and filmmakers (several scenes from Star Wars movies were filmed here.) Visit Chenini, a picturesque ruined 12th century Berber village perched on top of the mountain, then some granaries in the area, crossing through the town of Tataouine and stopping for lunch en route. In the afternoon, continue north to the idyllic small Mediterranean island of Djerba where you’ll check in to your hotel in the village of Erriadh, have dinner, and spend the next couple of nights.
Meals
Breakfast
Lodging
Dar Gaia Guesthouse or similar
Day 10 May 24 Djerba Island / Erriadh
Depart after breakfast on our guided tour of Djerba Island. First, we shall visit the El Ghriba Synagogue (also known as Djerba Synagogue), located in the formerly Jewish village of Harrah Sghira (currently known as Er-Riadh), several km southwest of Houmt Souk, the capital of Djerba. The synagogue was built in the 6th century BC (fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians) and is one of the holiest Jewish places in Tunisia. It is the most venerated of the 20 synagogues that use to function in the three Jewish villages on Djerba at the height of the Jewish community in the early 1950s. El Ghriba is the destination of an annual pilgrimage of Jews from all over the world for the holiday Lag BaOmer, which takes place 33 days after the beginning of the celebration of Passover. The synagogue holds one of the most ancient Torahs in the world.
Next, we visit the village of Guellala, known for or its spectacular pottery. The village is located on the causeway leading to the continent. Visit the Guellala Museum, which is located in an architectural masterpiece and filled with ancient artifacts to enable you to soak up some of the histories of this exquisite island. Then, we visit the Heritage museum in Guellala with an exceptional exhibit of the most representative wedding and ceremonial costumes on the island. The day culminates with an opportunity for an independent stroll in Houmt Souk, the island’s capital, for a chance to experience local crafts and food. Houmt Souk is the main center of the island and is also home to the Folk Museum and the magnificent Old Town. It’s here where you will find a wide selection of cafes and restaurants where you can taste some of the delicious local cuisines.
Enjoy lunch on your own, an opportunity to interact with residents if you so desire.
Late afternoon, return to your guest-house and the remainder of the day at leisure.
Meals
Breakfast
Lodging
Dar Gaia Guesthouse or similar
Day 11 May 25 Sfax / Mahdia via El Jem
Leaving the island after breakfast, drive toward the coast to El Jem to see its huge old Roman amphitheater. With a capacity of 30,000 people, it is smaller than the Coliseum in Rome but better preserved. Also, visit the archaeological museum then have lunch. En route, we will make a stop in Sfax where we will visit the Medina and its winding colorful streets. Continue north to Mahdia, once the capital of the Fatimid dynasty, where you check-in at your hotel for dinner and overnight.
Meals
Breakfast
Lodging
Mahdia Palace Hotel or similar
Day 12 May 26 Sousse & Zaghouan
In the morning, visit the Medina of Mahdia with its old narrow streets, Cairo Square, the old Fatimid mosque, and the cemetery, then drive to Monastir, once a Phoenician settlement.
In Monastir, visit the Ribat, the best-preserved Arab fortress. The Ribat is both a historical monument and somewhat of a movie-star having been in a number of movies the most famous being the Life of Brian and Jesus of Nazareth. Harthama ben Ayan in 796 was the key architect and envisioned the Ribat in Sousse to build the facility as part of the coastal defenses that would protect the Islamic empire from the heathens to the North.
Under the Aglabids, the Ribat was a religious center, a place of pilgrimage, and an influential Islamic educational center. The Ribat was called into action a few times in the 15th Century with part of it destroyed in 1550 by the Spanish navy. At its most dangerous, the Ribat was home to over 30 cannons and was a fortress of some renown.
Self-arranged lunch. Afterward, we drive 30 minutes to Sousse to visit the newly opened archaeological museum perched on the hilltop of Sousse. Late in the day, drive to Hammamet and check into our hotel.
Meals
Breakfast
Lodging
Hotel Iberostar Averroes or similar
Day 13 May 27 Drive to Tunis via Nabeul
Hammamet is a pleasant beach town located in the southeast of the Northern Peninsula of Cap Bon. In the morning, visit the old Medina of Hammamet and its fort, then drive 20 minutes to Nabeul, to visit the archaeological site of Neapolis, once a very residential area that included two big roman villas. We continue towards Oudna, a beautiful archaeological site, which has been founded by the early veterans of the Roman Army, in the 1st century A.D. In the late afternoon, arrive Tunis.
Meals
Breakfast
Lodging
Hotel Tunisia Palace or similar
Day 14 May 28 Tunis & Medina Walking Tour
Today, you will take a walking tour through the intriguingly tangled old medina of Tunis. Founded by the Arabs in the seventh century, Tunis existed within the medina walls for more than a thousand years. Visit the oldest religious monuments, the Grand Mosque, the mausoleums, and the souqs of this amazing UNESCO World Heritage site. In the afternoon, continue on to enjoy the medina’s maze of tunnels and alleys dotted with hidden treasures. Visit the country’s oldest madrasas (religious schools for the study of the Quran) and some handicraft workshops where you can observe artisans at work. Attend a memorable farewell dinner tonight within the walls of the atmospheric old medina of Tunis and return to your hotel for your last night in Tunisia.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging
Hotel Tunisia Palace or similar
Day 15 May 29 Depart Tunisia
Free time in Tunis before you will be transferred to the airport in the mid afternoon for your flight home. On arrival in Paris, walk to the Yotel Hotel located in terminal 2E.
You’ll find us in the transit area of Terminal 2E at the end of Instant Paris Lounge. We are the only hotel in the secure transit area of Air France and Skyteam, which can only be accessed by passengers with a departing international flight outside of the European Union (with the exception of the United Kingdom) flying from Terminal 2E gates K, L, M or passengers that are in transit to or from an international flight outside of the European Union in the same terminal. Only hand luggage is permitted. Do not clear customs or go through security.
Meals
Breakfast
Lodging
None
Dates & Price
Dates
Custom & private on your dates. Contact an Adventure Specialist to create your dream trip! Schedule a call or tell us more about your dream trip!
For dates and customization options for this adventure, please contact us.
Best Time of Year to Visit
Explore Tunisia at a unique moment in time, led by your experienced guide. Experience the essence of Tunisia, present and past. Meet Tunisians who are eager to discuss the enormous potential of their new democracy, including artists and photographers who witnessed the startling events of the Arab Spring. Visit Berber villages and outposts, experience the magnificence and vastness of the Sahara Desert, explore the idyllic Mediterranean island of Djerba. Throughout, stay in unique accommodations including a four-star 100-year-old palace in the heart of Tunis, boutique village hotels, charming guesthouses, and a comfortable working farmstead in the shadow of magnificent Mount Zaghouan.
Few countries on earth match the historical, cultural, and natural splendor of Tunisia. Begin and end in the capital city of Tunis with its wondrous medina (ancient city) and fascinating souqs (markets). Travel onward to ancient Carthage, one of the most important cities in the ancient Roman Empire. Afterward, head south to the ruins of Dougga and the sacred Islamic site of Kairouan, the mountain villages of Tozeur, Chebika, Tamerza, and Mides, and splendid oases in the desert. Next, head east to Tataouine and its ksour (fortified adobe villages), and to Djerba island with both an amazing history and stunning beaches. On a leisurely return journey northward toward Tunis, view troglodyte homes, old Roman ruins, and other significant archaeological sites in towns such as Matmata, El Jem, Mahdia, Sousse, Zaghouan, and Thuburbo Majus.
Need to Know
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Please read these terms and conditions thoroughly. They contain information that will be important to your planning and guide how we will handle any circumstances that may change in the midst of planning or while a program is underway. If after reading our materials and talking with our staff you decide to participate in a Journeys International program, please send us your deposit along with your completed Reservation Form and Explorer Information Forms. Important: Your booking is only complete once we receive your deposit, completed Reservation Form, and completed Explorer Information Form, and once we have confirmed that space is available.
Pricing and Payment
We will confirm your reservations once we receive a non-refundable booking deposit, a Reservation Form signed by each person responsible for payment, and an Explorer Information Form signed by each participating adult or the guardian for each participating child, and if space is available. Custom programs during holiday seasons may require a deposit prior to confirmation. The deposit contributes to non-recoverable costs of holding space and servicing your booking through the stages of preparation, execution, and follow-up and cannot be refunded if you choose to cancel.
We charge an additional planning fee of $250 per program for preparing customized proposals. This fee may be credited to your total cost upon booking, but it is non-refundable if you choose not to finalize your reservation.
Prices are stated in U.S. Dollars, based on double room occupancy, unless otherwise noted. We will send an invoice for your total estimated cost when we send your reservation confirmation. The balance as shown on your invoice is due 60 days prior to your program start date regardless of whether any arrangements are still pending. Although we do our best to avoid increasing prices after we receive your deposit, in some cases it may be necessary to adjust pricing after we receive payment to allow for changes in group size, rooming status, currency exchange rate fluctuations, fuel surcharges and/or other circumstances attendant to the challenges of adventure.
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Late Signups
Early reservations are encouraged! Some programs and flights fill several months in advance. We can confirm your space once we receive your deposit and signed Reservation and Explorer Information Forms. We try, but cannot guarantee, to accept late signups. In the event that we are able to accept reservations fewer than 60 days before a program’s start date, additional fees may apply to cover administrative costs necessary to expedite your reservation confirmation and transmit your program materials. For reservations made fewer than 60 days in advance of your program’s start, full payment is due at the time of booking.
Program Changes
We understand that circumstances arise that lead you to inquire about changes to your custom program, and we aim to satisfy your requests. Once activities and accommodations have been confirmed, we charge a $50 change fee, in addition to the difference in costs for the services booked. When changes are requested less than one week before your program’s start, the change fee is $100. For changes requested after a program has begun, the change fee is $200.
Journeys International reserves the right to change or reprice any program due to acts of insurrection, strikes, weather, road conditions, acts of God or government, or any other force majeure or cause beyond the company’s control. Journeys International cannot guarantee conformity with the provided program plan at any point in time. Among other things, if necessary Journeys International may change the scheduled dates of a program; omit or alter sections of the plan; substitute lodgings, leaders, or conveyances; or change meals, activities, or waypoints; all without notice and without allowance for refunds and with participants bearing the responsibility for increased costs, if any. Should this become necessary, Journeys International will not be liable for extra costs that participants may incur as a result of changes, including but not limited to flight change fees, additional meal costs, or additional accommodations. We strongly recommend that participants purchase Travel Protection Plans, or travel insurance, adequate to cover such costs.
Cancellations & Refunds
If you must cancel before your program begins, please notify Journeys International in writing by emailing info@journeysinternational.com or writing to your adventure specialist directly. You may request a refund according to the following schedule. Some programs require additional non-refundable payments beyond this schedule, as noted in the program description. In the case of cancellation, such amounts are withheld in addition to the amounts listed here.
Days Prior to Departure | Cancellation Penalty |
---|---|
61 or more | Non-refundable booking deposit and planning fee, if applicable |
31-60 | Non-refundable booking deposit and planning fee, if applicable, plus 50% of total land costs above amount of initial deposit |
0-30 | 100% of total land costs |
Please note: cancellation of airfare, other transit, lodging, and ticketed tours and activities is subject to the policies of the individual carriers or providers and is not included in the schedule above. Additional cancellation fees are the responsibility of the traveler. We strongly recommend that all participants purchase Travel Protection Plans, or travel insurance, that includes coverage for trip cancellation or interruption and that may reimburse you for cancellation penalties and extra expenses should a circumstance force you to cancel or interrupt your participation.
Departure is defined as the date on which travelers will leave their home state, province or city, or the program start date as indicated on the program description, whichever comes first. Cancellation date will be considered the date that we receive written notification of your intent to cancel according to the local time observed in Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
Payments due at the time of cancellation remain the responsibility of the participant. No partial refunds are possible for unused hotel rooms, air or land travel, program days, or other sight-seeing arrangements included in the land cost.
If Journeys International cancels or postpones a program before the program starts for reasons completely within its discretion, such as but not limited to insufficient group size, all money for services described in the program description will be refunded in the form of credit towards a future program with Journeys in the same location originally planned, less unrecoverable fees and penalties already paid to airlines, accommodations, or other service providers, or the client may submit a written request for a refund to the original form of payment. If a program’s cancellation is necessary due to acts of insurrection, strikes, weather, road conditions, acts of God or government, or any other force majeure or cause beyond the company’s control, credits and refunds will be issued according to the standard cancellation schedule, less unrecoverable fees and penalties already paid to airlines, accommodations, or other service providers, without regard to whether client or company initiates cancellation or postponement. Once a program begins, there are no refunds for unused goods or services.
Air Fares
We can help you to secure air travel arrangements for Journeys International programs. We work with an airfare consolidator to assist in booking the flights that suit your needs. Journeys International and/or the airfare consolidator may charge a ticketing fee for this service. For group programs, if you prefer to fly on dates other than those listed as program dates, or if you arrive at your destination other than at the group arrival time, then you may incur additional fees to cover the separate transfer, contingency, and coordination costs which frequently arise from arrival and departure on flights different from our regular bookings. We will let you know about these fees ahead of time, if they apply. If you must change your air routing after ticketing, there is a charge of $50 per change, in addition to change or cancellation charges levied by the airline.
If you decide to make your own flight arrangements, you must provide Journeys International with a complete copy of your itinerary showing departure and arrival flights and times. You should plan to arrange your own air travel if you are using mileage credit or originating outside North America, but please be in touch with our office before you finalize ticketing so that we may help you to coordinate the correct arrival and departure dates and times. If you arrange your own flights, we can book ground transfers to meet you on arrival in your destination if you wish, and you agree to pay additional costs, as applicable.
Transfers Between Programs
You may transfer between some programs upon written request. More than 60 days before your program start date, the deposit transfer fee is $100 per person plus any cancellation fees charged by airlines, hotels, or ground service providers. 60 days or fewer before the program start date, full cancellation penalties from the original program apply. In the event that Journeys International cancels a program, you may transfer the full amount of your payments to another program without penalty, subject to availability.
Expenses Covered
Normally, our stated total costs include the costs of all guides, leaders, facilities, permits obtained after arrival, lodging accommodations, costs of described activities, food as specified, and all surface transportation associated with the activities described in the itinerary. We do our best to avoid increasing prices after receipt of your deposit, but factors beyond our control might require us to change our prices without prior notice, even after you have signed up.
Expenses Not Covered
Costs not included in the price may include: meals not indicated as included in program descriptions; meals prior to arrival in starting cities; transfers, if not arriving or departing on the scheduled group flights; soft drinks, bottled water, and alcoholic beverages; medical expenses, costs of hospitalization, or evacuation from remote areas; laundry; airport departure taxes not included on your airline ticket; accommodations en route to starting cities; visas; airfares; gratuities; and insurance.
If a program must be modified due to medical emergency, acts of insurrection, strikes, weather, road conditions, acts of God or government, or any other force majeure or cause beyond the company’s control, then the participant may incur additional costs that are not included in the program price. We strongly recommend that all participants purchase Travel Protection Plans, or travel insurance, to cover these risks.
Travel Insurance
Journeys International strongly recommends that you purchase a Travel Protection Plan, or travel insurance, sufficient to protect your investment in travel, personal assets and health during your program. Doing so will mitigate a significant amount of financial risk and decrease your need to worry about things beyond your control. We do not require you to purchase such travel insurance; however, we know many travelers who have benefited from purchasing travel insurance because the insurance carrier assumed risks that would otherwise have been the risk of the traveler. Travel Protection Plans often cover things like theft, baggage loss, trip interruption or cancellation, emergency evacuation, emergency medical treatment, flight delay or cancellation, airline or service provider bankruptcy, jury duty, personal or family sickness leading to cancellation, U.S. Department of State Travel Warnings about terrorism issued for the destination, and other risks as described in the insurance policy. In particular, consider the availability of higher-cost “Cancel for Any Reason” and/or “Interrupt for Any Reason” policies that may allow policy-holders to recoup a significant portion of trip costs under a much wider range of circumstances than standard policies may allow; we have seen travelers benefit from this selection when public health crises, personal turmoil, and civil unrest arose in their destinations. Please note that while we at Journeys will do our best to help you to have a pleasant and successful experience, Journeys International assumes no liability for many of the types of losses described above. If you choose not to purchase travel insurance and you suffer a loss, then you will be responsible for the associated costs.
For your convenience, we will provide a recommendation for an insurance carrier that offers competitive rates and has proven reliable, fair, and prompt in responding to claims, but we can offer no guarantee that our recommended carrier will meet your needs and you are welcome to contact any insurance carrier that you prefer. It is important to obtain insurance immediately upon signing up for your program in order for problems arising from pre-existing conditions to be covered.
All participants must be covered by a current major medical insurance policy that covers you while in your travel destination for the duration of your trip. For some individuals or for some destinations, it may be advisable to purchase a supplemental policy. Contact your provider for coverage details.
Group-Sized Pricing & Group Minimums
Many programs are guaranteed to depart at prices published on our website with as few as two participants. In some cases, it may become necessary to increase prices depending on the size of the group. We do everything we can to make a program operate as planned even with a single participant. Additional costs for small groups vary from program to program. When pricing for a group program is based on the number of participants, staff and guests of Journeys International (such as topic experts, journalists, photographers, leaders-in-training, or others) are not included in the numbers counted to determine the price. Final decision to cancel a program due to insufficient signups is made at least 60 days prior to departure.
Lodging Accommodations
Lodging accommodations are usually double occupancy in hotel rooms, tents, or other facilities as described in trip itineraries. Please contact our office to discuss pricing and availability of alternative accommodations, if desired. We try to honor specific requests for lodging, but in some cases, we may have to book and confirm equivalent-standard accommodations. In rare cases it may become necessary to make same-day or out-of-class substitutions.
If you are joining alone for a group program but would prefer a roommate, then let us know! We are often able to match solo participants. If a roommate is not available or if you prefer single accommodation, then you must pay the Single Supplement, if one applies. For some programs it is not possible to guarantee single accommodations.
Assumption of Risk
Throughout any program of Journeys International, certain risks and dangers may arise. These include, but are not limited to, travel by train, foot, automobile, aircraft, raft, boat or other means of conveyance; the hazards of traveling in rough or mountainous terrain; high altitude; undeveloped areas; the forces of nature; civil unrest; terrorism; labor interruption; close proximity to fellow program participants; exposure to illness or virus; and accident or illness in remote areas without means of rapid evacuations or availability of medical supplies and facilities. The unique nature of adventure programs entails inherent risks that may be involved in unique program activities and travel away from home and, in fact, the specific nature of these activities is often a reason for participation. Even if a trip or program is rated “easy” these dangers and risks are present. Journeys International and its agents and operators will have no liability regarding emotional distress, equipment, access to, or adequacy of medical care, evacuation plans, or emergency supplies that may be provided. When you sign the Explorer Information Form, you agree to participate in these activities with full knowledge of the dangers and risks involved and agree to assume all risks, including trauma, sickness, injury, and death.
While Journeys International intends that your experience be safe and comfortable, Journeys does not have legal or operational control or ownership of facilities, staff, services, or transportation providers and acts only as agent for the owners of such facilities, staff, services, and transportation. Journeys International is not responsible for any negligent or willful act or failure to act by any such person or entity, nor for any act or inaction of any third party not under its control.
In consideration of the right to participate in Journeys International programs and the service arranged for you by Journeys International and its agents and representatives, you unconditionally and fully assume all risks of bodily injury, death, emotional trauma, property damage, and/or theft, however caused, including those mentioned above, as a result of participation, and release Journeys International, its agents, and its representatives from any and all liability, actions, causes of actions, suits, debts, demands that you may have, including for bodily injury, death, or property damage, loss of income, and other claims.
Fitness to Join
Good physical and mental health are essential for the enjoyment of Journeys International’s programs. It is your responsibility to select/design a trip appropriate to your own abilities and interests. You are responsible for being in sufficiently good health to undertake your trip, and for consulting with your physician for medical advice regarding travel. On some Journeys International programs, participants travel in rugged areas remote from modern medical facilities. Good physical conditioning is recommended as preparation for all programs, especially those involving hiking or trekking. Most programs require some walking. By signing the Explorer Information Form, participants certify that they are fit for rigorous activity and do not have any physical, mental, or other condition that would create a hazard for him/herself or other participants. It is essential that any participant with a medical condition requiring regular treatment or which may be affected by vigorous activity, prolonged travel, high altitude, heat, cold, natural phenomena, or particular foods, notify Journeys International in writing prior to booking. We assume no responsibility for medical care, and we cannot guarantee meeting special dietary requirements or vegetarian needs. Participants may be required to furnish a physician’s statement of good health for some programs.
Journeys International’s or the individual group leader’s or guide’s judgment shall provide the ultimate determination of an individual’s fitness to embark upon, or to continue, a program. Journeys International reserves the right to refuse reservations or deny participation to anyone whom it deems unsuitable for a program or certain activities. Once a reservation has been confirmed, medical circumstances will not be considered as exceptions to our cancellation policy. All participants must be covered by a current major medical insurance policy for the duration of their participation. Proof of such coverage may be required.
Personal Conduct
You are responsible for acting in a manner considerate and respectful of fellow group members and local culture in areas visited.
You are responsible for reading all health-related information provided in advance of the program, adhering to all guidance given by guides and site staff, and conforming to the established standards of personal hygiene to minimize risk of disease. This may include a requirement to wear a face mask when in proximity to other people, whether indoors or outdoors, or other measures intended to limit the spread of disease; failure to do so when requested may result in your dismissal from the program.
Certain activities included in your program may require specific safety precautions. You are responsible for listening to instructions, adhering to guidance, and following the protocols provided for safety throughout the program. If you are unsure about safety precautions, you are responsible for seeking advice. If guides or staff perceive your behavior as risky, uncooperative, or otherwise unsafe, they may remove you from an activity for the safety of yourself and others.
Smoking or vaping are not permitted in buses, cars, below decks on boats, in tented camps, in designated non-smoking areas, or during guided tours and activities. Participants agree not to consume cannabis for the duration of the program and understand that possession or use of cannabis may be illegal and subject to severe punishment in some destinations. Participants agree to follow all local laws in the jurisdiction(s) where the program takes place and acknowledge that Journeys International cannot be responsible for ensuring participants’ compliance nor for any costs or consequences of non-compliance.
Sexual harassment or misconduct of any sort by Journeys program participants is not tolerated. You may not make jokes or sexually suggestive comments or gestures regarding the bodies or bodily activities of fellow participants, program staff, site staff, or any people you encounter during your program. You may not touch fellow participants, program staff, site staff, or any people you encounter during your program unless invited. You may not solicit sexual services during the dates of your participation in a Journeys program.
Environmental Stewardship
Journeys International believes that we have a responsibility to protect the earth for future generations. Tourism may be responsible for up to eight percent of annual worldwide emissions of greenhouse gasses. Journeys International advocates that adventure travelers who make environmentally conscious choices when selecting their destinations and activities should also make the environmentally conscious choice to offset the carbon footprint of their travel to compensate for their personal contributions to global climate change. Every Journeys International invoice includes an optional donation to the Earth Preservation Fund’s carbon offset program to be used to purchase and permanently retire certified carbon credits to offset the carbon footprints of Journeys’ program participants. The Earth Preservation Fund purchases carbon credits that have been certified under a reliable third-party standard. Participants who choose to make this donation may also be eligible to claim a tax deduction. There is no penalty for opting out of this donation.
Recording
Journeys International may take photographic, audiographic, and videographic recordings during your program, and may use your image and voice for promotional and commercial use without compensation.
Planning & Preparation Services
We look forward to working with you! After we receive your deposit, we will send you a planning packet containing things like medical and immunization information, visa and other permit forms, a recommendation for travel insurance, packing checklist, reading list, cross-cultural information, and an initial invoice for the balance due. About 3 weeks before your program begins, we will send you a final notes packet including last-minute reminders and contact information for your program. You are responsible for reading all information provided, and for bringing all clothing and equipment noted on the packing list. If you are leaving home before the scheduled trip departure date, please let us know how we can best reach you in case any details change in the days immediately prior to your program’s start.
Please call our office at any time if you have questions about your trip or for additional information.
Duration 16 Days
The number of days, or duration, in a destination corresponds with the itinerary as published. This is the time period covered by the land cost.
Group Size 1
The stated range indicates the minimum required for guaranteed departure and maximum accepted on the scheduled dates. Exceptions can often be made for private departures for an additional cost.
Comfort Level
Superior
Modern hotels and comfortable guesthouses
Activity Level
Active
Walking
Activity Level
Match the trip’s intensity to your ability and motivation.
Gentle
Easy walking, with opportunities for low-key physical activity.
Active
Energetic exploration with optional day hikes, leisurely cycling, or light canoeing.
Vigorous
Day-long active excursions and options for demanding activity in varied environments.
Challenging
Strenuous hiking or other intense activity that may be at high altitude or over rough terrain.
Demanding
Multi-day trekking and other activities requiring endurance or strength. Steep trails. No technical expertise necessary.
Comfort Level
Choose accommodations and amenities that fit your personal style
Simple
Our most natural accommodations. Bath facilities often shared, sometimes rustic.
Delightful
Comfortable and especially personal. Small to mid-sized lodges, typically with private bath.
Superior
Lodges and hotels with additional amenities, refined artistry, or extra-special settings.
Deluxe
Exclusive or luxury lodges, hotels, or safari camps with fine dining options.
Uncommon
The most indulgent accommodations arranged specially for private trips.