Libya Cities and Desert Tour

December 2 - 14, 2010

$2490 ppdo/land only

Thurs Dec 2: Arrive Tripoli
Ahlaan wa sahlaan "Welcome" to Libya - we are warmly welcomed and after clearing Customs and Immigration, we are met at the exit gate and transferred to our hotel. The drive gives us our first glimpse into the life of the people who live in the capital city. Dinner and overnight in Tripoli. (D)

Fri Dec 3: Tripoli / Benghazi (Flight)
Our Libyan experience starts with a tour of Tripoli, founded by the Phoenicians in 1000 B.C. and later conquered by the Romans. Our tour of this beautiful metropolis covers the huge fortress, the National Museum, the old souq and the Islamic quarters. Later in the day we are transferred to the airport for our short flight to the second largest and most beautiful city of Libya, Benghazi. Upon arrival in Benghazi we are met and transferred to our hotel. In the evening we enjoy a typical dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Benghazi. (B/L/D)

Sat Dec 4: Benghazi/Sousa (Drive 238kms/148miles)
Our day starts with a tour of this beautiful resort city of Libya. The second largest city of the Jamariya houses a spectacularly maintained War cemetery (Libya played a major role in the North African Korps). We see the old town with its artistically designed buildings, and colorful souq. Benghazi also offers us the opportunity to meet the Libyan folks and enjoy tea with very friendly people who have lived history in the making for several thousand years. An interesting drive along the eastern coast gets us Soussa and Apollonia for dinner and overnight. (B/L/D)

Sun Dec 5: Cyrene & Apollonia
Our journey today starts with a visit to the World Heritage Site of Cyrene. The city was part of the 1st century five city state of Pentapolis and was second in size only to Athens. Cyrene was founded by the Greeks in 631 B.C. and was later occupied by the Romans and then the Arabs. We also visit the famous temples of Zeus and Apollo and after lunch we visit incredible Apollonia (Sousa), which was the port of Cyrene and is located 12 miles to the north. Here our visit includes a detailed visit of the majestic Theatre, the Roman baths as well as the Byzantine palace. Dinner and overnight in Apollonia. (B/L/D)

Mon Dec 6: Soussa / Qasr Libya / Benghazi (Drive 210kms / 130miles) / Tripoli (Flight)
A morning drive through Jabel Akhdar gets us to Qasr Libya where we visit an interesting museum that houses more than 50 pieces of mosaic artifact fragments dating back to the 6th century AD. Our next stop is Ptolemais, the former capital of Pentapolis, offering today remains of palaces, theatres, Bouleterion and a 3rd century bridge. Lunch at a local restaurant and then we have some free time in Benghazi before we are transferred to the airport for our flight to Tripoli. At Tripoli we are met and transferred to our hotel for dinner and overnight. (B/L/D)

Tues Dec 7: Tripoli / Nalut / Ghadames (Drive 630kms / 389miles)
An exciting day today as we head south to the Saharan oasis of Ghadames. En route, we stop at Gaser El Haj; a store house and a typical granary building, then continue to the "ghost town" of Nalut, which is located high in the Nafusa Mountains. Nalut offers an insight into the traditional living styles of the locals - the prevalent style of life until the Libyans found the oil wealth providing them with the resources to afford more concrete structures than the caves at Nalut. Lunch is at an oasis in the open desert. After a tour of Nalut, we head further south towards the arid Saharan Desert. Dinner and overnight: in Ghadames. (B/L/D)

Weds Dec 8: Ghadames
Full Day This oasis was settled from prehistoric times and was a major port of call for traders and pilgrims en route to Mecca. Ghadames is a beautiful sleepy desert town that has preserved its original culture, most visibly in the architecture of the town with its labyrinthine passages, mud bricked and gaily decorated streets. Our tour will cover both the old ghost town and the mysterious desert. Evening we witness sunset in the desert. This can be an intense site, but it is very much weather dependent. Lunch will be a typical meal served in the old city. Dinner and overnight in Ghademes. (B/L/D)

Thurs Dec 9: Ghadames - Gharyat - Sebha (840 kms)
Today, we will say good bye to the Saharan oasis of Ghadames and drive towards the largest city in the south of Libya - Sebha. We will have a full day drive through the desert including some stops for rest and coffee and lunch. Dinner and overnight in Sebha. (B/L/D)

Fri Dec 10: Sebha - Wadi Matkhandoush - Germa
Today we will meet our desert team and with 4x4 Wheel Drive vehicles we will drive to Wadi Matkhandoush, the natural museum of prehistoric engravings from Fezzan, housing a large number of engravings found across the valleys and rocks of the mountain. In reality, the valley of Matkhandoush is a unique open-air art gallery, preserving imagery of prehistoric animals that once roamed the fertile savannah, and as such it is one of the oldest museums in the world. After lunch at the site, we will drive to Germa where we will have dinner and spend the night in a Fixed Camp with all the facilities including private toilet and shower. (B/L/D)

Sat Dec 11: Germa - Sahara Lakes - Sebha - Tripoli
Morning visit to the museum of Germa, the old town which was established during the 1st millennium, then we will have the most spectacular drive through oceans of sand dunes to visit the Sahara lakes of Daouda, Mafo, Gaberoun, El Mandera and Aum Al Mma. After lunch at the site, we will leave the lakes and cross the desert to the Sebha airport to catch one hour evening flight to Tripoli. Dinner and overnight in Tripoli. (B/L/D)

Sun Dec 12: Tripoli - Sabratha - Tripoli
Amongst all the coastal sites, Sabratha stands out as the most beautiful. A World Heritage Site, Sabratha was founded by the Canaanites (6th c. BC), ruled by Carthage, Phoenicia, Numedia and then Rome in 46 B.C. The site offers a majestic collection of public buildings, arenas, temples of Liber Peter, Srapis, Isis, and Hercules. Return to Tripoli for dinner and overnight. (B/L/D)

Mon Dec 13: Tripoli - Leptis Magna - Tripoli
The highlight of any visit to Libya is the World Heritage Site of Leptis Magna. It became important when it was established as a city by the Canaanites and reached its climax under the rule of Roman Emperor Septimus Severus. We will explore the vast site including the Triumphal Arch, huge Basilica, Forum, Public Baths, Hippodrome, Amphitheater, and more. Return to Tripoli for dinner and overnight. (B/L/D)

Tues Dec 14: Departure
Free time in the morning until it is time to transfer to the airport for our flights home. (B)

End of services.

Included:

• Meet and assist at the airport
• Hotels
• Local flights
• Transportation
• Meals full board
• English speaking guide
• Passport registration
• Fees to the sites
• Permission where necessary

Not Included:

• International air fare
• Visa fee - $50 paid on arrival in Tripoli
• Items of a personal nature such as phone/fax, laundry, mini bar, room service, etc.
• Beverages, snacks, meals not listed
• Tips for guides and drivers - we recommend about $4 for the driver and $8 for the guide, per person, per day
• Trip insurance
• Extras and optional tours not listed on itinerary

Single Supplement: $470

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