Tozeur in 2 days
Day one stays in town, the old town in the morning and the oasis by carriage towards evening. Day two goes out of town, by 4x4 to the mountain oases and the Star Wars sets.
- How long
- 2, or 3 with Douz
- Getting around
- On foot in town and the oasis
- Book ahead
- The 4x4 for the mountain oases
Day one stays in town: the old town of Ouled el Hadef in the cool of the morning, the oasis by carriage after midday. Day two goes out of town, by 4x4 to the mountain oases on the Algerian border, with the Star Wars sets tied onto the same day.
The town and the oasis
Ouled el Hadef, the old town built in the 14th century. An hour, free, while the morning is still cool. Just inside the quarter's entrance sits the Dar Cheraït museum, telling how spring water gets divided by the hour among a thousand palm owners.
A break for breakfast or coffee on the edge of the old town, before the sun gets high.
The oasis by carriage, when the palms cast their longest shade. 1 h, €18 carriage (up to 4), the price settled on the spot since there's no meter; there's no slot to book ahead.
A free evening in town, dinner wherever you like.
The mountain oases and Ong Jemel
Depart by 4x4 for the mountain oases of Chebika, Tamerza and Midès, an hour north-west by the Algerian border. a full day with a driver-guide, €83 per person, lunch extra; booking ahead is recommended.
The same 4x4 continues to Ong Jemel, a camel-shaped rock with no road and no ticket, and the Mos Espa Star Wars sets right beside it. 4 h, €74 per vehicle (up to 7).
Back to Tozeur, along the same road it started on.
If a third day is left over
The town and the mountain oases fit into two days without rushing. Add a third day and it goes across Chott el Jerid to Douz, for the real dunes — a drive there and back the same day, or a night in the camp for dawn over the dunes; either way a separate day with a different rhythm from the first two, worked out on its own.
What to drop when you're running late
- Late start on day one? Ouled el Hadef still works in the afternoon, just without the morning cool; leave the carriage ride for towards evening as planned.
- No 4x4 booked for day two? Reverse the order — Ong Jemel and Mos Espa first, since they're closer, then the mountain oases if time is left.
Before you go
Short answers to what people ask most before setting out.
What if I only have one day in Tozeur?
Ouled el Hadef and the carriage ride through the oasis cover the most in the least time. Save the mountain oases and Ong Jemel for another visit.
Do I need a 4x4 on both days?
No. Day one is entirely on foot or by carriage; a 4x4 is only needed on day two, for the mountain oases and Ong Jemel.
Does Douz fit into these two days?
Not in this plan. Douz needs its own third day, a different direction and pace from the first two — the transport, timing and cost for it are on the day-trips page.
Ready for Tozeur?
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