The Full Monty - El Almein to Tunis Battlefield Tour
The Greatest Battlefield Tour of them all The 8th Army’s victory at El Alamein in October 1942 was the start of the longest advance in military history, and for the Afrika Korps the longest retreat in history. For those with an avid interest in the desert war we are able to offer the ULTIMATE “never before offered” North African battlefield tour “El Alamein to Tunis” - stopping at the site of every major battle in the campaign, and many smaller actions. See battlefields not usually seen on other battlefield tours.
Day 1 Arrive Cairo, greeted and escorted to our hotel in Cairo (D) Day 2 Drive to our hotel at El Alamein via Hadra and Chatby war cemeteries where casualties of both World Wars are buried. Your chance for a “Ice Cold in Alex". Check into our hotel for two nights. (B L D) Day 3 Visit to the El Alamein battlefield and war cemeteries where 4 VC winners are buried, the War Museum, Tel el Eisa, Ruwesait Ridge and surrounding sites. Picnic on the battlefield. (B L D)
Day 4 Drive to Mersa Matruh via Sidi el Rahman and Fuka airfield scene of the famous SAS raid of 1942, and the Rommel museum in Matruh harbour, check into our hotel for one night. Time for shopping in Mersa or relaxing on the beach or the opportunity to visit Minqar Qaim scene of the famous New Zealand breakout and Sidi Hemza where Wakenshaw bravery resulted in a Victoria Cross. (B L D) Day 5 Drive to Sollum via Hellfire Pass and the CWGC cemetery via “Charing Cross” and Sidi Barrani. Drive up the impressive 500 foot Sollum Escarpment then onto Bardia and Tobruk, check into our hotel for three nights. (B L D)
Day 6 In 4x4 desert vehicles we visit the sites of Sidi Rezegh airfield scene of the Crusader battles of November 1941, Bir Hakim where the Foreign Legion kept the Afrika Korps at bay for two weeks despite overwhelming numbers and 1400 air raids, and Ras el Madauaer (Hill 209) site of the 1941 Afrika Korps salient into Australian lines. (B L D) Day 7 Visits to the Tobruk and Knightsbridge war cemeteries, harbour area and north shore scene of the disastrous Commando raid in September 1942, and many other sites in and round Tobruk. (B L D) Day 8 Drive towards Benghazi via the German field hospital known as the “White House” and the famous and beautiful Derna Pass, following the coast road we continue on to Sousa and our hotel for one night. The day includes a tour of the ancient city of Appolonia. (B L D) Day 9 Continue on towards Benghazi via the ancient city of Cyrene and the Temple of Zeus, the Headquarter building made famous in the 1941 “Raid on Rommel”, and Benghazi war cemetery where Colonel Keyes, the Commando’s first VC of the war is buried, check into our hotel in Benghazi. (B L D)
Day 10 Early start as we drive towards Tripoli via the battlefields of O’Connors great victory at Beda Fomm, Aghelia, “Marble Arch” and other sites, check into our hotel in Tripoli for one night. (B L D) (This is a long day) Day 11 Visit to Tripoli war cemetery and Victory Square, then on towards Zuara and the Tunisian border, check into our hotel in Medenine for one night. (B L D) Day 12 Morning visit to the March 1943 battlefields of Medenine scene of Rommels last battle in Africa, and after lunch we visit the Wadi Zigzoau and the Mareth battlefield and museum scene of 50th Divisions heroic battle with the 15th Panzer Division, check into our hotel in Gabes for one night. (B L D) Day 13 Leave Gabes for the Wadi Akarit battlefield, Montys last battle in the south. Then to Wadi Chaffer where you’re Guides Grandfather was killed in April 1943 then to Sfax war cemetery where 4 VC winners are buried. Check into our hotel in Sfax for one night. (B L D)
Tour Dates: 1 st - 17 th March Price of Tour: TBC Single supplement: TBC Price includes: Flights from the UK. Visa and Passport registration. All transport in air conditioned buses 4x4 desert vehicles All 4/5 Star hotels. All meals as itinerary (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner) All entrance fees Campaign booklet Battlefield Guide Not included in Price: Hotel services Laundry, telephone, drinks etc. Tips to staff. All passports must be valid for a minimum of 6 months. Anyone with a Israeli stamp or visa in their passport will not be allowed entry into Libya.
Day 14 Drive to the Enfidaville, Takrouna and Djebel Garci battlefields via the impressive Roman ruins at El Djem, visiting also the Commonwealth and French war cemeteries at Enfidaville. Check into our hotel in Tunis for three nights. (B L D) Day 15 Visits to the Medjez el Bab cemetery and Memorial, Returning to Tunis by way of the Madjerda Valley and Longstop Hill. (B L D) Day 16 Recovery day or optional tours i.e. Bardo Museum and or Carthage. (B L D) Day 17 Flight Home (B)