Tour Overview
For a country that's been all but swallowed by the Sahara, you'll be surprised to see how pleasantly Mediterranean it can be along its northern coast. Tripoli is as urbane as any place in Africa, while the Jebel Akhdar region to the east is reminiscent of verdant Crete.From ancient Greek and Roman ruins to modern art and oil money, Libya's a world unto itself. The Libyan people enjoy a well-earned reputation for kindness and hospitality toward visitors, and its streets and souqs are free of the hassles of touts and their hard sell.
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 01: Arrive Tripoli, LibyaArrive at Tripoli International Airport, where your local iExplore representative, who will assist you with all customs and visa formalities, meets you. Transfer, in a modern air-conditioned vehicle, to your 5-star deluxe hotel for check-in, dinner and overnight.
Dinner
Overnight: Tripoli Day 02: Tripoli - Sabratha - Tripoli
Half-day excursion to Sabratha: After breakfast, travel 75Km west of Tripoli to the Roman ruins of Sabratha. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sabratha was founded by the Canaanites in the 6th century BC, and ruled by Carthage, Phoenicia, Nomadic, and then by Rome in 46 BC. The most spectacular site here is the Theater, built during the reign of the Emperor Commodes (161-192 AD) with its three-story backdrop of columns. Other monuments and areas of interest include the Temple of Libber Peter, the Basilica of Justine the Capitalism, the Temple of Serapes, the Temple of Hercules and the Temple of Isis, and a visit to the museum.
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, and return to Tripoli. The afternoon is at your leisure: this evening enjoy dinner at Al Sarayya Restaurant.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Tripoli Day 03: Tripoli - Leptis Magna - Geryan
After breakfast, drive 125Km east to the UESCO World Heritage site of Leptis Magna; regarded as the best Roman site in the Mediterranean.
The city was originally a Phoenician port, settled during the first millennium BC. Slaves, gold, ivory and precious metals brought it great wealth, which was supplemented by the rich agricultural land surrounding it. Roman legions ousted the Carthaginians following the third Punic War, after which the city flourished until the Vandals did
their namesake thing in 455.
Roman rule briefly returned to Leptis in 533, and intensive repairs were carried out on the city, but local tribes revolted and eventually the area reverted to pastoral nomadism dominated by the Berbers. The Arab invasions of 644 swept away the last traces of Roman life from the region, and in the 11th century Leptis Magna was finally abandoned to
the encroaching sand dunes.
It wasn't until the 20th century that excavation began in earnest, and, much to archaeologists' delight, the sands had preserved the ruins remarkably well. There's an excellent, large museum next to the main entrance to the site, but the real treasures wait out in the site itself.
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
After the great sightseeing of Leptis Magna you’ll keep driving to Geryain located on the top of the hill of Jabel Nafusa. Later this afternoon, return to Tripoli. Tonight, you will enjoy dinner and cultural exchange with a local Libyan family.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Tripoli Day 04: Tripoli - Kabow- Ghadmes
After breakfast, depart for the Sahara Oasis of Ghadames, the Jewel of the Libyan Desert. Your first stop of the day will be in the old town of Kabow, located high in the Nafusa Mountain. Here, tour the ancient Gasr, offering the insight into tradition Berber life as it was hundreds of years ago. From Kabow, you'll continue heading south toward the immense Sahara, stopping for lunch in the Desert. You’ll end your day in Ghadames Oasis at a comfortable, rustic hotel.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Dar Ghadames Hotel Day 05: Ghadames Oasis
Full-day tour of the Oasis of Ghadames. Described as the ’’Jewel of the Desert,’’ Ghadames is an attractive Oasis town located on the edge of the Sahara near Tunisian and Algerian border, at the points where the three countries meet. Once the southern outpost of the roman Empire, the old town of Ghadames is very picturesque, with labyrinthine street linden with mud brick buildings Ghadames has preserved its cultural purity, which we will see during visits to the cultural Museum, a traditional house where lunch will be very typical local in the mud build houses, the great Mosques, and the main squares. This evening, travel to near by desert to watch sand dunes changes hues from gold to blazing red at sunset.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ghadames Oasis Hotel Day 06: Ghadames - Nalut - Tripoli
Leaving the Sahara to return to Tripoli, stop en route at the village of Nalut to visit an excellent Gasr (fortified granary) built by the local Berbers over 800 years ago. The Gasr hilltop location and limited entry show how precious grain was in this culture. Lunch at a local restaurant on the way. This afternoon you will arrive Tripoli and transfer to Corinthia hotel for check in and overnight. Travel to the Al Hofra area for dinner at a local fish restaurant.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Tripoli Day 07: Tripoli
Full-day tour of Tripoli today: Depart this morning for a city tour of Tripoli to see its famous medina (old city), which was built by the Turks, and is one of the classical sights along the Mediterranean. The basic street plan was laid out in the Roman & Turkish periods, when the first wall was constructed. Subsequent ramparts and fortifications were added over the centuries to protect from invasion. We will also visit the Red Castle Fortress, which represented the seat of power until the 20th century. Dominating the skyline of Tripoli, this massive structure comprises a labyrinth of courtyards, alleyways and houses built up over the centuries, displaying the art and architecture of all the former rulers. Lunch will be served at one of the famous restaurants located downtown. For dinner, we drive downtown where we will enjoy a set-menu dinner at a local restaurant with a view over the famous mosque in Tripoli.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Tripoli Day 08: Tripoli - Departure
Transfer to the Tripoli airport.
Breakfast
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