Tunisia: The Power of Deep Silence

2027 Dates to be Determined

(Contact me to be notified when dates are released.)

In a world of constant signal noise, the greatest luxury is silence.

Tunisia is a land of dramatic contrast. You will walk through the dense, layered history of Phoenician and Roman civilizations, and then you will step into the vast, open emptiness of the Sahara Desert.

This is a journey of intentional subtraction. We travel to the desert not to “do” more, but to strip away the distractions of modern life. As Terry Tempest Williams wrote, “If the desert is holy, it is because it is a forgotten place that allows us to remember the sacred.”

In this landscape, your nervous system finally gets permission to drop its guard. The relentless force of daily obligations dissolves into the natural flow of the dunes. We use this profound quiet to reset your internal rhythm, blending exploration with qigong and meditation to help you find a clarity that is impossible to access in a busy city.

On This Personal Growth Adventure, You Will:

• Walk Through History: Explore the layers of Phoenician and Roman civilizations at Carthage, Dougga, and El Jem. We use these sites to gain a “long view” of time, putting our modern stressors into perspective against centuries of human history.

• Experience the Great Silence: Immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring landscape of the Sahara. We disconnect from all technology for a few days to detox from digital noise and allow the brain’s attention networks to restore.

• Embrace Simplicity: Experience a nomadic lifestyle by traveling through the desert on foot or camel and sleeping under the stars. By participating in simple daily rhythms—meal preparation, fire-building—we ground ourselves in the present moment.

• Cultivate Human Connection: Connect with local people living everyday lives, recognizing that through time and geography, the human experience is shared. We also build deep bonds within our own small cohort through shared laughter and fireside conversation.

• Harmonize with the Landscape: Practice meditation and qigong daily. The desert offers a unique, expansive energy; we use movement to mirror that vastness, clearing internal stagnation.

• Return with Clarity: You will engage in honest conversations about self-acceptance and compassion, using the silence of the desert to hear your own wisdom clearly. You will return home not just rested, but with a toolkit for maintaining flow in a busy world.

Your Adventure Day by Day:

Days 1 & 2 Travel Days ~ WE/TH December 3/4: Fly to Tunis, Tunisia, on an overnight flight, arriving on December 4th.

Day 2 ~ TH December 4: Arrive in Tunis; the night of the 4th is included in your tour. Transportation to the hotel is on your own; taxis, public transport, and Ubers are available, or contact the hotel to arrange transportation. Dinner is on your own. We’ll spend the next 3 nights at Hotel Belvedere Fourati or similar.

Day 3 ~ FR December 5 (B/L/D): After breakfast, we meet our tour leader, Makram, and head out for a day filled with historical and cultural wonders. We’ll begin by exploring some of the ancient sites of CARTHAGE, one of the most influential and affluent trading hubs of the Ancient Mediterranean. We’ll have lunch in the seaside town of SIDI BOU SAID then stroll its quaint blue and white streets. We’ll finish the afternoon with a visit to the BARDO MUSEUM. We’ll return to our hotel and have dinner together.

Day 4 ~ SA December 6 (B/L/D): Rise early for pre-breakfast meditation. After breakfast, we will explore the market town of MAJAZ al BAB, as well as experience daily life and have lunch with a LOCAL FARM FAMILY. The home visit offers a glimpse into the traditions, customs, and hospitality that are deeply rooted in Tunisian society. You’ll have an opportunity to help prepare local dishes, explore the many aspects of farm life, and gain authentic insights into Tunisian culture. Exploration of the market town offers insight into small-town life as we chat with craftsmen and vendors selling their wares. In the afternoon, we’ll return to Tunis and have time to relax before regrouping for dinner.

Day 5 ~ SU December 7 (B/D): Rise early for meditation, followed by breakfast. Today, we’ll visit ancient DOUGGA, the best-preserved ancient Roman city in North Africa and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We’ll travel through the remains of a complete town that once had 5,000 residents, including villas, temples, baths, a paved street, and a forum, making it easy to imagine life here in the second century AD. The temple known as “The Capitol” and the Caracalla Baths are particularly well-preserved, and the site’s theater—which was designed to seat 3,500 spectators—is still used for performances of classic works today. We’ll enjoy lunch together at a local restaurant, and then drive through scenic countryside to the town of Kairouan. We’ll check in to the hotel La Kasbah or similar for two nights and regroup for dinner together.

Day 6 ~ MO December 8 (B/D): Rise early for meditation, followed by breakfast. Today, we’ll visit the ABOU ZAMAA AL-BALAWI MAUSOLEUM, one of the most venerated sites in Kairouan. Next, we’ll visit the GREAT MOSQUE, founded in 670, the oldest Muslim place of worship in Africa. Then, we’ll take a walking tour through the KAIROUAN MEDINA, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and thriving center of Tunisian culture. Lunch is on your own, and Makram will offer suggestions for where to eat. In the afternoon, you’ll have some free time to explore further, relax, or visit a hammam. If a local family is available, they will host dinner; otherwise, we’ll have dinner together at the hotel.

Day 7 ~ TU December 9 (B/L/D): Rise early for meditation, followed by breakfast. Today, we’ll explore another Tunisian antiquity with a visit to EL DJEM, home to the third-largest ancient Roman amphitheater in the world, which soars impressively above the low-rise buildings of the town’s medina. Built in the third century AD, this impressive stadium could seat 30,000 spectators. After an included lunch at a local restaurant, we drive through the scenic Tunisian landscape and arrive at the town of Matmata, known for its traditional underground structures. After checking into Dar Ayed Tamezret, or similar, we’ll have dinner as a group.

Day 8 ~ WE December 10 (B/D): Rise early for meditation, followed by breakfast. We’ll explore some of the local and unique man-made structures of the area which are caves dug into the walls of large pits in the ground. One of the most famous structures is HOTEL SIDI DRISS, a subterranean dwelling that was used as the interior of Luke Skywalker’s childhood home in Star Wars: A New Hope. We’ll then take a half-day hike in the local region known for its Amazigh (Berber) villages and rugged yet awe-inspiring terrain—a unique blend of cultural richness and natural beauty. After our hike, we’ll drive to the oasis town of Tozeur. We’ll check into our hotel, Diar Abou Habibi or similar, where we’ll stay for two nights and regroup for dinner.

Day 9 ~ TH December 11 (B/D): Rise for meditation, followed by breakfast. After breakfast, we’ll travel in horse-drawn carriages to explore the TOZEUR OASIS, 2,600 acres of cultivated date palms thriving on the edge of the largest salt flat in northern Africa. We’ll then leave the palms and visit a small BRICK FACTORY to learn how bricks for local homes are handmade in traditional kilns. Afterward, we’ll drive to the historic TOZEUR MEDINA. In its old section, elaborate designs in yellow brickwork decorate the walls lining narrow alleys and passageways with the same traditional patterns that are found in the local Amazigh handcrafts. Lunch is on your own in the medina. After lunch, we’ll spend some time talking about compassion and common humanity and how it reflects in your trip so far. Then you’ll have some free time to relax or explore on your own. We’ll regroup for dinner together.

Day 10 ~ FR December 12 (B/D): Rise early for meditation, followed by breakfast. Today, we’ll say goodbye to our mini-bus driver and say hello to 4x4s that will transport us to our day’s active outdoor adventures to CHEBIKA OASIS, TAMERZA, and MIDES. Tucked into the rugged landscapes of Tunisia, the Chebika Oasis juxtaposes arid landscapes with a peaceful lushness. After exploring this region, we’ll move on to Tamerza, known for its fascinating blend of ancient ruins and awe-inspiring architecture. Roam through the abandoned village to absorb the historical ambiance and hike through the canyons lined with waterfalls. We’ll end the day with a 2.75-mile hike from Tamerza to Mides through stunning gorges and canyons. At the end of the active day, we’ll cross CHOTT el DJERID, the largest salt pan in the Sahara Desert and continue on to Douz. We’ll check into our hotel, Hotel Méhari or similar and have dinner together as a group.

Days 11, 12, 13, SA, SU, MO December 13-15 (B/L/D): It is time to begin our DESERT TREK. No experience is comparable to a camel trek in the heart of the Sahara, where you time your pace to the rhythmic steps of our faithful four-legged friends.

You, your travel companions, and the support team will travel in a caravan throughout the days. The Bedouin caravan leader is in tune with his environment and coordinates his team to help you experience the magical beauty of this place he calls home. He manages the walking pace, daily breaks, camp set-up, and more.

You’ll travel for 5 to 7 hours per day, sometimes walking and sometimes riding a camel. We’ll have a tea break in the morning and again at midday for lunch.

These four days create space for you to shed daily obligations and perpetual connection with technology. In the absence of distractions, you have an opportunity to listen to your soul. Traveling in a natural environment without encountering rigid and permanent human-made structures helps you more deeply connect with your own human nature. We’ll have plenty of time here to meditate, practice qigong, and converse about compassion and joy.

Once we arrive at our camp spot, we’ll work together with the camel drivers to pitch traditional tents, gather firewood, and light the campfire that will be the focus of our evening. We’ll share in the process of preparing dinner, featuring bread baked in the ashes and embers, a true desert delicacy.

After the meal around the campfire, it is time for music, dance, and stories. Spend time awed by the vastness of the starry sky and eventually drift to sleep in a large Bedouin tent or under the stars on a simple mattress with blankets. In the morning, we’ll start again with a breakfast of bread, jam, and tea.

Day 14 ~ TU December 16 (B/L/D): Today is our last day in the desert. We say our farewells to the simplicity of nature and begin to transition back into a connection with the broader world. Yet we’re still immersed in landscapes and history as we visit the village of CHENINI, where homes are carved into the rock faces. The oldest structures in this village date back to the 12th century and some buildings are still used to store grain. From there, we’ll head to KSAR OULD SOULTANE, a granary site used in the film Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace for some of the slave quarter scenes in Mos Espa. We’ll depart for the seaside town of Djerba. After getting settled into our hotel, Iberostar Waves Mehari Djerba, where we’ll spend two nights, we’ll have dinner together as a group.

Day 15 ~ WE December 17 (B/L/D): This morning, you have a chance to relax. Enjoy breakfast in your own time and take a stroll on the beach. We’ll meet late morning for meditation and qigong, followed by lunch. Then, we’ll head out and explore the street art paradise of DJERBAHOOD. In 2014 and 2021, more than 150 artists of about thirty nationalities painted nearly 250 murals on the walls of this neighborhood. After exploring this outdoor art gallery, we’ll visit the EL GHRIBA SYNAGOGUE, considered to be one of the oldest synagogues in the world. From there, we’ll explore Djerba’s PORT and MEDINA. We’ll head back to the hotel and share dinner together.

Day 16 TH December 18 (B/D): Rise early for breakfast. We’ll catch an early morning flight from Djerba back to Tunis. After dropping our luggage at the hotel, we’ll head out on foot to explore the TUNIS MEDINA, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We’ll wander the narrow streets, looking at local handicrafts, viewing spectacular monuments, and exploring everyday Tunisian life. You’ll have a chance to do some last-minute shopping. Lunch is on your own in the medina. In the afternoon, we’ll have a chance to relax, meditate, and recap our journey. We’ll gather in the evening for a farewell dinner.

Day 17 ~ FR December 19 (B): Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, then make your way on your own via taxi, public transport, or Uber to the Tunis airport to catch your homeward flight.

Included in Your Tunisian Spiritual Tour:

• Daily instruction and facilitation of meditation, qigong, and conversations about self-acceptance, compassion, and joy. Engaging with this content is an integral part of this spiritual tour. If you are not interested in meditation, heart-opening conversation, and qigong, different tours are available to you via other companies.
• All ground and air transportation for the duration of the tour.
• Lodging for 12 nights in hotels hand selected for their convenience or uniqueness. Please note rooms may be smaller than what you’re accustomed to in the United States.
• A Tunisian tour leader passionate about the his culture and history.
• All entrance fees for ancient sites and activities.
• A four-day three-night camel-supported trek in the Sahara Desert, led by a Bedouin guide and his staff, all of whom are deeply familiar with nomadic life.
• Three nights in a traditional Bedouin tent on simple mattresses with blankets, or perhaps under the starry sky. A basin of warm water for washing your hands and face will be provided daily, and a designated area with a privacy screen will serve as the toilet.
• A guaranteed small group, with 12 guests maximum, which means a more personalized and intimate retreat experience.
• The itinerary is subject to modification based on the weather, site opening hours, and the needs of the group.

The Little Bits Not Included:

• International airfare to and from Tunis.
• Transportation to and from the airport to the first and last night’s hotels.
• Beverages with meals and/or alcohol.
• Gratuity for the Tour Leader and Camel Caravan Leader.

Tour Facilitator Amy Pattee Colvin:

In the fall of 2015, I attended a meditation retreat in Machu Picchu. One day, a local shaman joined us for a blessing ceremony. When it ended, he placed a seed in my hand, told me to bury it where I sat, then gave me a specific directive: “Look for the plant when you bring your own group here.”

For months, that seed of an idea quietly germinated. It eventually sprouted into the international tours I lead today.

Traveling with me is different from a standard vacation. We don’t just look at the landscape; we harmonize with it. You will practice qigong and meditation daily, using the wild beauty of the land to interrupt your stress patterns and help you shift from force to flow.

I guide these journeys with a toolkit built from two worlds: the grounded lineage of over 30 years of Taoist practice, and the rigorous, science-backed protocols of Stanford University’s Compassion Cultivation Training.

Local Tour Leader Makram Khalifa:

Makram’s specialty is conveying stories of Tunisia with humor and passion. He has an exhaustive knowledge of Tunisia’s history, legends, culture, and geography, and each day, he finds something special to share with us.

Some days, he’ll share ancient history as if he’d lived in that era himself. On other days, he’ll tell you about the current state of the country’s culture. Every day, he’ll keep you entertained on the journey and help you learn to love Tunisia as he does.

From the moment you meet Makram, you’ll feel like you’ve found that long-lost Tunisian friend you never knew you had.

I look forward to spending time with you! If you have any questions, please email me at .

Investment & Registration:

Investment: USD $3995 per person based on double occupancy.

• Space is limited to 12 guests. Ensure your spot by placing your deposit now.
• A deposit of $1000 is required to reserve your space, with the balance due by August 15, 2025. Payment plans are available. Please contact me for more information.
• You are welcome to register as an individual, and I will match you with a person of the same gender to share a room.
• Single rooms are available with a supplement of $800.

Cancellation Policy:

• Your deposit is fully refundable until June 15th, 2025. After that date, if you choose to cancel, your deposit is transferable to a future trip.
• I highly recommend that you purchase travel insurance, which covers emergency medical treatment, evacuation, and trip cancellation.

To register and place your deposit please email me at .

Food budget is roughly $550 per person