Trip Notes SAHARA DESERT TREK HIGHLIGHTS IS THIS TRIP FOR YOU? SUMMARY IMPORTANT INFORMATION RE: START POINT FOR CLIENTS ON SAHARA DESERT TREK

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1 Trip Notes Trip Code: TMU Country: Tunisia Amended: October 2013 Edition No: AD Valid from: 01 Jan Dec 2014 SAHARA DESERT TREK HIGHLIGHTS The Sahara Desert. Experience the tranquillity of this barren, yet beautiful environment The sunsets. See the peaceful dunes glowing gold as the sun sets over this vast desert Bedouin camping. We spend 5 nights under the stars with our camp team swiftly erecting our Bedouin tents, while cooks prepare our dinner on open fires Douz Known as 'the gateway to the Sahara', this town is a draw for those wishing to see the start of the desert and is where our trek commences SUMMARY A 1-week trekking trip through the beautiful sand dunes of the Tunisian Saharan Desert. The Sahara is the world's largest desert, stretching from the southern borders of Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia (in the north), to the Atlantic Coast (west), Red Sea and Egypt (east) and Sudan (south). The starting point for our adventurous walk is the bustling oasis town of Douz in central Tunisia; a desert gateway just south of the great salt lake of Chott El Djerid. Here we will meet our local support team of cooks, camel drivers and camels, before heading out into the endless sands. After passing the point that the local day-trips reach, we are soon surrounded by peaceful dunes glowing yellow and gold in the evening light. Continuing into the desert we reach our overnight camp where our Bedouin tent is swiftly erected, and our cooks get to work preparing delicious food on open fires and baking Saharan bread in the warm desert sand. Our six-day trek takes us southeast through this barren, yet tranquil and beautiful landscape past small wells, remote valleys, and an ancient fort to the refreshing oasis of Ksar Ghilane. Here we can relax under palm trees and take a dip in the warm spring waters before heading back to Djerba. This is a truly rewarding and challenging trek and an experience that will never be forgotten. IS THIS TRIP FOR YOU? Activity Level: 3 (Moderate). For moderately graded trips you will need to be in good health and reasonably fit. It is recommended that you should be taking regular exercise prior to departure. You will also visit remote areas with basic facilities so please take this in to consideration in assessing whether this trip is right for you. We aim to keep to areas of harder sand throughout, making walking easier, although this may change due to the prevailing weather conditions blowing sand over our route. Throughout there are no footpaths and we rely on the expertise of our guide and camel drivers to guide us through this barren landscape. During the 6 days trekking we will cover approximately 100km, walking for an average of 4-6 hours per day. You should be able to walk at miles per hour pace. IMPORTANT INFORMATION RE: START POINT FOR CLIENTS ON SAHARA DESERT TREK If you book flights with Exodus: You will fly to Tunis on day 1 and spend the first night in Tunis. The group flight from Tunis to Djerba will then be on the morning of day 2. All activities will start on arrival in Djerba. If you book land only with Exodus: We will book accommodation for you in Djerba on day 1. You will then meet the rest of the group on group flights from London on the morning of day 2. All activities will start on the morning of day 2. Exodus Travels Grange Mills, Weir Road, London SW12 0NE Sales & Reservations: sales@exodus.co.uk

2 LAND ONLY ITINERARY The entries in bold at the end of each day indicate the type of accommodation normally used (if different standards of accommodation are used - see accommodation section below for key to codes), and meals included (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner). Day 1 If on group flights you will spend your first night in Tunis. If you have booked land only you will make your own way to Djerba and spend your first night in Djerba. SH Day 2 Drive to Douz Those on group flights fly from Tunis to Djerba early this morning. Mid morning we start our tour. We drive to Douz, the gateway town to the Sahara. We visit the town centre and Sahara Desert museum, where we receive an interesting introduction to the traditions of the region's nomadic people, before meeting with the camel drivers for the start of our trek into the Sahara. On arrival in camp, our team will set up camp and start preparing dinner on an open fire. It is possible that our team of support staff will provide entertainment in the evening, perhaps playing traditional music around the camp fire. FC (BLD) Days 3/6 Trekking the Sahara We spend four full days trekking through the vast Saharan Desert. We will pass a number of landmarks, such as an ancient fort, a small well and a koubba (burial place of a 'sidi' or saint). As we head southeast across this corner of the desert we will notice a distinct change in the colour of the sand dunes surrounding us, gradually changing from white to orange. Our intended camps will be at Dhirat Lemezil on day 3 (where we will be surrounded by large yellow dunes), Hguif El Boom on day 4, the valley of Eddakhla on day 5, and near the ancient ruins of the Ksar Ghilane Fort on day 6. FC (BLD) Day 7 Trek to Ksar Ghilane Oasis Our final day's trek as we head out of the desert early in the morning to the oasis village of Ksar Ghilane, one of Tunisia's most famous, with its natural pools, red sand dunes and numerous palm trees. After enjoying a welcome dip in the warm spring water, we will rejoin our vehicles and begin our return to Djerba. We plan to stop for lunch at the town of Matmata, famous for its troglodyte buildings such as the one featured in the film Star Wars. We shall then continue our journey, and, depending on ferry times, may arrive just in time for a quick look around the souk before enjoying a shower and celebratory evening meal together. SH (BLD) Day 8 End Djerba For those on group flights, these depart on Day 8 and will arrive in the UK the same day. (B) For those on group flights, these depart in the morning and will arrive in the UK the same day. ACCOMMODATION We indicate in the itinerary what type of accommodation is provided on each day. The descriptions given are guidelines only and are used to give an idea of the accommodation offered, rather than an exact description. Accommodation is included throughout. In Djerba we use a small, tourist class hotel situated in the centre of Houmt Souk. Rooms are on twin share basis with private facilities. On trek we encourage clients, in true Bedouin tradition, to sleep in one large communal mixed-sex tent. Bedouin tents are made of camel wool and are open-fronted with no sewn in flysheet (therefore, you should expect that a certain amount of sand will be blown into the tent during the night). Having said this, we recognise that some clients may require a little more privacy, so we shall also provide several 2-3 man Western-style tents. You don't need to stick to one tent or another for the whole trek, and of course, you may even end up choosing to sleep under the stars! Blankets and mattresses are provided. A dining tent is provided, but will only be used if conditions dictate. It will be our intention to sit out under the stars in the evening and eat around the campfire. Please note that our Bedouin camp sites are wild camps, therefore there are no toilet or shower facilities. Single Accommodation: An optional single supplement is available at 70 (or approx. US$130). This guarantees you a single tent on 5 nights and a single room on the 2 hotel nights. Extra Accommodation: Pre and/or post tour accommodation can be booked in Djerba and Tunis. Please consult our sales team for further information. KEY TO ACCOMMODATION: We indicate in the itinerary what type of accommodation is provided on each day. The descriptions are guidelines only and are used to give an idea of the accommodation offered, rather than an exact description. SH Standard Hotel, Lodge or Gite - no-frills hotel, usually with twin rooms and en suite facilities. Service and amenities are generally adequate. FC Full-service Camping - two person tents sometimes in a private or public campsite that contains a communal ablutions block and other amenities and sometimes in a wild camp with toilet tents and mess tent or dining equipment provided. All camp chores are done for you from erecting / dismantling of your tent, to cooking & washing up. FOOD & TRANSPORT Food All meals are included throughout this trip. During the trek we endeavour to provide authentic local food. We use fresh vegetables and fruits each day, while the cook and camel drivers will prepare Tunisian specialities on an open wood fire. Dishes may include: couscous, margas (thick soup) to eat with the Sahara bread, 2

3 chorba (soup), koucha (meat with vegetables and spices) and fruits of the season. Tasty Bedouin Sahara bread will be cooked in the sand, and is served with every meal. Breakfast will consist of tea/coffee/milk, warm desert bread, butter, cheese and jam. Biscuits will be provided during the morning break. Bottled mineral water is provided free on trek. We recommend bringing some of your own snacks if your diet is more limited. Transport Depending on group size we will either use 4x4 vehicles or local mini/midi buses on this trip. Roads are generally good, however the road from Ksar Ghilane, on our transfer back to Djerba is in a poor condition with a number of potholes and sections covered by the desert sands. WEATHER AND SEASONALITY Airport Transfers Airport transfers are included for those on the group flights. Please note that transfers are not included for clients arriving on any other flight, even if Exodus has booked it. Those arriving from London on non-group flights should read the airport transfer section below for information on reaching the start point. Please check with the Exodus office. JOINING THE TRIP IN DJERBA 8 days, normally start Djerba Sat, end Djerba Sat Please note that the members of the group starting in London on group flights will arrive in Djerba in the morning of day 2. If you are booking this trip on a land only basis, the flight from Tunis to Djerba and back are not included in the trip price. You should book these flights independently - please ask our sales team for up-to-date information on which flights you need to book. RESPONSIBLE TOURISM Tourism can be a real help to local communities, providing income, positive cultural exchanges and a financial incentive to protect their natural environment. Ours is a 'total approach' to responsible tourism, covering everything from the way we plan and operate our trips to the practices of Exodus as a company. For full details of our Responsible Tourism Policy please visit: On this trip we spend four full days trekking through the vast Saharan Desert accompanied by our team of local Bedouins. For five nights we camp in a traditional Bedouin tent in a desert camp, where our team of cooks prepare typical dishes on open fires and bake Saharan bread in the warm desert sand. At the beginning and at the end of the trek we stay in a locally owned hotel, so helping to support the local economy. PRACTICAL INFORMATION In the summer months the daytime temperatures are around 30ºC. In the winter months the daytime temperatures are around 14 to 24ºC with night temperatures falling to 6 to 11ºC. The days should be clear and sunny. The temperatures in the south are generally a couple of degrees higher. There is a chance of rain from October to April and especially on the desert nights the temperature may fall below freezing. JOINING THE TRIP IN THE UK 8 days, normally depart London Sat, return Sat Itinerary Start The group flight from London is a daytime flight departing on Day 1 of the itinerary. Flights from London We normally use the scheduled services of Tunis Air (depending on availability). As flight timings and schedules change regularly we recommend you call one of our specialist sales staff or your agent to confirm up-to-date timings. Please note timings may change at a later date and cannot be confirmed until approximately two weeks before departure. Passports and Visas Most nationalities, including British, require a full passport that must be valid beyond the intended length of stay. It is your responsibility to have the correct personal documents and to obtain your own visa, if one is necessary, in accordance with the regulations of the country you are to visit. The information below is primarily for UK passport holders, and other nationalities should check with their travel agent or the relevant embassies. We are not responsible for the actions of local immigration and customs officials, whether at points of entry or otherwise, and any subsequent effects. Certain European nationalities may be able to travel within Europe on their national identity card. Check carefully with the relevant authorities if you intend to do this. No visa required by British passport holders. Visa regulations can change without notice: please check the current regulations in good time to obtain a visa if one is required. Internal flights during the trip are normally with Seven Air. UK Regional Flights The Flight Inclusive price is based on a London departure, but we are happy to tailor this to your local or regional airport. Please visit for a useful overview of the options available, and contact our sales team for expert advice. If booking regional flights other than with Exodus, you must allow a minimum connecting time (in addition to the international check in time) of 1 hour at Gatwick, and 1½ hours at Heathrow; this is longer than the official minimum, but baggage handling is known to be subject to delays. 3

4 Vaccinations and Health Travel health can often be something people forget about before going away, but a little preparation and knowledge can go a long way to help you stay fit and healthy while abroad. There are no mandatory vaccination requirements for this trip. Recommended vaccinations for this trip are: Polio, Tetanus. The above information can change at short notice; as we are not qualified to answer all your questions about travel health we strongly recommend you contact your Medical Professional or a Travel Health Clinic at least 8 weeks prior to departure for up-to-date information. Insurance - are you adequately covered? You must have adequate travel insurance, and if you are joining a trip which goes to high altitude, you must check that you are covered up to the maximum altitude of the trip. If you are resident in the UK we strongly recommend Exodus travel insurance, which is specifically designed to cover all activities on your trip. If you are a UK citizen and travelling in Europe you should obtain the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from your Post Office. This gives free medical care in many European countries, but should not be considered a substitute for adequate insurance. Local Time GMT +1hrs Group, Staff and Support The group will generally be between 4 and 16 people. There will be a local leader, a minibus driver and camel drivers. The minimum age of clients on this trip is 16 years. Please note that anyone aged under 18 must be accompanied by (and share accommodation with) a parent or legal guardian. Solo Departures We have chosen one or two departure dates on a selection of our most popular trips which are specifically recommended for clients travelling on their own. However, we do not exclude couples or friends travelling together from these departures, so we do not guarantee that the group will be entirely made up of solos. Dates of Solo Departures can be found in our brochures or on our website. For further details please visit: solodepartures. Extra Expenses and Spending Money Personal expenses: e.g. soft drinks, postcards, small souvenirs etc. are not included. We suggest you allow a small amount for any souvenirs you may purchase in Douz or Djerba. Tipping (leader and local staff) Our local staff are paid well and fairly for their work with Exodus. Most of our clients wish to give a tip to their guides and camel drivers in appreciation of their help and friendliness. This, of course, is in no way compulsory and depends on the service received. Should you want to tip we would recommend paying in Tunisian dinars as this is the most useful currency for these people. Depending on the service and size of the group somewhere in the region of (US$15-25) per client for the week would seem reasonable. WHAT TO TAKE MONEY MATTERS Currency Information The national currency of Tunisia is the Tunisian Dinar (TND), with an exchange rate of 2.26 to the UK and 1.43 to the US$. Exchange rates are correct at the time of publication. ATM availability/credit Card Acceptance/Travellers cheques There are ATMs in Djerba and Douz. Essential Equipment and Clothing 3-4 season sleeping bag Waterproof jacket and trousers Daypack approx 30 litres Worn in lightweight walking boots Walking sandals and/or trainers for the evening Lightweight easy-dry clothing for trekking Warm clothes for evenings/night time (i.e. several fleece layers to wear under your waterproof jacket, 1 thermal long johns, 1 pair of thermal loose socks and long-sleeved top for sleeping in and for wearing under your other clothes during the evening, warm hat and gloves) Sunhat (preferably wide brimmed) High factor sunscreen Head torch Spare batteries Antibacterial wet wipes Toilet paper Optional items: Bathing costume Lightweight towel Sunglasses (even skiing goggles are useful in a sandstorm!) A few plastic bags to protect your audio-visual equipment from the sand Plasters (different sizes) Chargers for the hotel at the end for camera and phone Mouthwash 4

5 Case Snacks Your luggage will be carried by camels, so please take this into consideration when packing. Baggage and Baggage Allowance If you live in the UK or Ireland we provide an Exodus kitbag to pack your luggage in whilst on trek. Please note that if you book close to the departure date we cannot guarantee that your kitbag will arrive before your trip starts. If this is the case please use a suitable alternative. We regret it is not possible for us to supply kitbags for those who book from outside of the UK or Ireland. At time of writing the standard weight limit for hold baggage on the recommended international carrier for this trip is 20kg. We recommend packing only one piece of checked baggage. Internal flights in the destination country are subject to a weight limit of 20kg. As advice about luggage allowances for both hand and hold luggage is subject to change, we suggest you check and/or the airline's website for the latest information prior to your departure. Reading List: The Rough Guide Tunisia Lonely Planet Tunisia For further information contact Stanfords at Long Acre, London, WC2E 9LP. Tel: Website: Maps: If you are interested in any of these books then you can order them from our own Exodus shop, 'Exodus Travel Essentials', JOIN THE EXODUS ONLINE COMMUNITY Don't forget to visit the Community area on our website. You can view the range of Exodus videos and podcasts, read trip write-ups which have featured in the national media and take advantage of some special deals on travel gear and equipment. In the Compass Café forum you'll find the Departure Lounge where you can discuss your trip with fellow travellers before you depart. When you get back from your holiday remember to upload your images to the relevant trip page on our website. This helps other people see what our holidays are really like and you'll be entered automatically into our monthly photo competition. To make full use of the Compass Café you'll need to join My Exodus. It's free, registration is simple and easy, so what are you waiting for? IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL CLIENTS Exodus operates a 24 hour duty office for emergencies, which can be contacted on 0044 (0) Every time that you travel abroad you should take the time to read the warnings in the essential information in the brochure or at www. exodus.co.uk/about-exodus/essential-information? Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers, and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately 2 to 3 weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent. The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; in order to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, as stated in our brochure, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons - climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary. As fuel prices, airport taxes and exchange rates fluctuate, and airlines manage their rates to match demand, it is proving harder than ever to guarantee our Flight Inclusive prices. Although we endeavour to keep our website as accurate as possible, daily fluctuations mean that our Flight Inclusive price may be out of date. For accurate prices we recommend that you contact one of our Travel Experts, or your Travel Agent. Prices and exchange rates were correct at the time of publication. The most up-to-date prices can be found on the Exodus website. Exodus Travels Ltd. ATOL 2582/FTO HOW TO BOOK YOUR TRIP 1. Check availability Go online to check availability, or contact us by phone or Secure your place You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days. 3. Complete your booking and payment When you re ready to book, go to for online booking, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque. Book with confidence: Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582 issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA - The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all monies paid to us for your trip are fully protected. 5