Although a few weeks ago one of the most important tourist spots in Tunisia suffered an attack, at Vuela Viajes we do not want to stop talking about this exotic country of Mediterranean contrasts. And here you can find a mild climate and environment, spectacular landscapes, immense horizons and important archaeological remains, among many other attractions.
One of the visits that we recommend if you have the opportunity to travel to Tunisia is the Mides Oasis , also called Mides Canyon. Located in the west of the country, specifically next to Ain El Karma, a town on the border with Algeria, this natural landscape will leave you speechless. Do you want to know more details? Well, you just have to join us!
The three oases in the area
The Mides Canyon is not only one of the many oases that can be found in Tunisia, but it is a natural place of great beauty. In fact, in this strip that separates Algeria from Tunisia you can find two other oases apart from Mides: Chebika and Tamerza. These are three towns that were built by the Romans with the aim of defending themselves against the Berber tribes that lived in the Sahara desert. However, after heavy rains in 1969, most of the area was devastated and abandoned. For this reason, today at the top of the hills you can see small empty houses that give it a ghostly touch. Of course, those who continue to live in the area remain faithful to their traditions. Thus, they continue to build their houses on the mountains. In addition, they continue to source mainly oranges, figs and dates.
The Mides Canyon
Of all these oases, the one of Mides stands out, since it is located in a truly spectacular location: located in a deep canyon of orange and yellow tones formed by the erosion of the waters that flow in the rainy season. Such is its beauty that it has been the scene of different films, such as "The English Patient" or "Indiana Jones in Search of the Lost Ark." It is important that you bear in mind that the town of Mides, which is located today in the middle of a palm grove, appears on the maps with the current name of Ain El Karma.
A free visit
Best of all, visiting the canyon is free, as long as you don’t want to hire a tour with an official guide. In general, they offer tours of about 50 minutes or two hours, the latter reaching Tamerza through the canyon. The main gorge is about 3 kilometers long. To get to it you will only have to go down the paths that you will find at the top of the hill. Of course, do not forget to contemplate the views from the viewpoint first. If you walk through the canyon you will see that, at one of its ends, it narrows. It is here where you can find greenish pools of water, where some colorful amphibians live. In addition, throughout the canyon you will find fossils and minerals that are several million years old.
Advice
If you have the opportunity to visit the Mides Canyon and its surroundings (we recommend an excursion that goes through the three main mountain oases of Tunisia), we recommend that you bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a cap and a scarf to protect yourself from the sand. Of course, it is essential that you carry supplies of water. In fact, it is important that you bear in mind that in this place neither water nor food is sold. Thus, to eat something you should go to the nearby towns. Then we leave you with our gallery , where you will find more images of the Mides Canyon, Chebika and Tamerza. Do not miss it!
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