Mides - Tamaqzah- Chebika

Wed 10/5/23

Since we were already up before sunrise at 5.30am and had 1.5 hours before breakfast (petit-déjeuner) was served at 7am, we walked to the medina of Tozeur, located about 1.5km walking distance. The medina is not as big as the one in Tunis. Since it was still early in the morning and business was just starting, we could take pictures without the crowds. On the way to the medina, we saw a restaurant Tozorous which sounded like it has the local dishes of Tozeur, so marked the location for our lunch later today. We then walked back to our hotel to have a simple packed breakfast at 7am.

Tozeur medina

Tozeur medina

Gate at Tozeur medina

breakfast set at El Arich hotel

After breakfast, we drove to the furthest of the 3 locations planned for today first i.e. Mides canyon which is located near to the Algerian border, 75 km from Tozeur. It was a good decision as there were no one else when we arrived. We flew the drone here to capture the majestic view of the Mides canyon and oasis. There is also a ruin located here. There is no entrance fee or any parking fees charged here. The canyon is not so deep, so we walked down to the base of the  canyon and flew another round of the drone here. 

canyon, ruins and oasis of Mides

Mides canyon

Mides canyon

Mides canyon

Mides canyon from below

Mides canyon from below

Mides oasis

Next we went to the Grand Falls of Tamaqzah, which is not really grand in summer as there is not much of water flowing. There were already other visitors when we reached here. There is also no entrance fee or any parking fees charged here. From the waterfall, we drove a bit to the fringe of the Tamaqzah oasis where there is a stream flowing. 

Tamaqzah waterfall

rocks at Tamaqzah waterfall

rocks at Tamaqzah waterfall

stream at Tamaqzah oasis

On the way the 3rd location at Chebika, we stopped by the road marked "Canyon Panorama" to take pictures of the beautiful canyon from here. There is a designated car park by the roadside and it is free of charge. You could also cross the road to view another side of the canyon where there is a shop also. However, we did not go there.

canyon panorama

Last destination for today is Chebika where we reached at 12.30pm and it was really hot. There was just another couple around apart from us. Again, there is no entrance fee or parking fee charged at Chebika. We climbed up a bit to the viewpoint at the 'goat statue" and was rewarded with a great view of the Chebika oasis, ruins and mountain. From up the hill, we walked down the steps to the stream below at the oasis. The water from the stream is cool and the date and palm trees, giving us some shelter and respite from the sweltering hot sun. 

ruins and oasis of Chebika

goat statue at Chebika

welcome to Chebika 

Chebika rock formation

source of water at Chebika oasis

water stream at Chebika oasis

From Chebika, we made our way back to Tozeur and had lunch of couscous l'agneau, brik Tozorous and tajin Tozorous which is actually not the Tajine dish, but more of an appetiser and looks like brick. Lunch today cost us TND 22.

complimentary thon (tuna), olive and harissa

brik Tozorous

tajin Tozorous

couscous l'agneau

We then made our way back to the hotel and retired for the day quite early in the afternoon as it was too hot to venture outside.