Tripoli is Libya’s largest city, known locally as “the queen of the seas.” Its importance was ensured through the centuries by its fertile hinterland of irrigated fields and olive groves, whose grain and oil were exported throughout the Mediterranean by ships that crowded its port. The historic city has a wealth of old and new monuments and is an important site of Islamic civilization. Libya’s strategic, geographical position and profound history makes it a vital link between the eastern and western parts of the Arab world, and between Europe and Africa.
Duration:
11 Day Safari
Location:
Libya
Category:
Tour Code::
Price:
Travel Recap:
Day 1
Depart from your home city for Africa...
Day 2
Tripoli - Arrive in Tripoli and you will be welcomed by your local host once you have cleared customs. You will then be escorted to your hotel which is a 45 minute drive into town.
Overnight: Corinthia Bab Africa Hotel
Day 3
Tripoli - After breakfast, we journey eastwards to the World Heritage Site of Leptis Magna, world famous as the best preserved and most extensive Roman city in the Mediterranean. Visit the extensive sight including the Severan Arch, and the marble and granite panelled Hadrianic Baths, the largest outside of Rome. Other monuments include the partially covered Nymphaeum, the Palaestra or Sports Ground, Severan Basilica, Theatre, the Circus and Amphitheatre. As you head back to Tripoli, stop at the seaside for a special visit of the Villa Silene.
Overnight: Corinthia Bab Africa Hotel [B, L]
Day 4
Tripoli - This morning head out to Sabratha, which is one of the most beautiful and an UNESCO World Heritage Site. The most spectacular sight in Sabratha is the Theater, with its three-story backdrop of columns. Other monuments and areas of interest include the Temple of Liber Pater, the Basilica of Justinian, the Capitolium, the Temple of Serapis, the Temple of Hercules and the Temple of Isis. This afternoon visit Libya’s capital, Tripoli. Your walking visit concentrates on the Medina, the medieval walled town built on the site of the Roman settlement.
Overnight: Corinthia Bab Africa Hotel [B, L]
Day 5
Benghazi - Apollonia - Wake up early this morning for your flight to Benghazi. Upon arrival you will be greeted and head out to the sight of Apollonia. Be sure to visit Ras Hilal and Al Athrun.
Overnight: Hotel Al Manara [B, L, D]
Day 6
Cyrene - Apollonia - Today, head out for the 7th century World Heritage Site of Cyrene, the most important Greek city of North Africa. Visit the Temple of Zeus, the museum and the city. Later this afternoon you will return to Apollonia for your exploration of the eastern, central, and western Basilicas and the Byzantine Palace.
Overnight: Hotel Al Manara [B, L, D]
Day 7
Apollonia - Benghazi - After breakfast, descend for Qasr Libya and visit the interesting museum that houses mosaic artifacts dating back to the 6 century A.D. Head out to Ptolemais, the former capital of Pentapolis. Buildings of interest include the small, but excellent museum, the Western Basilica, the Columned Palace, the Theater and the underground Cistems. After your visit, we drive to Benghazi, famous in military history as a supply base during WWII.
Overnight: Uzu Hotel [B, L, D]
Day 8
Ghadames - This morning you will board your flight back to Tripoli. You will be picked up at the airport and head south to Ghadames, the jewel of the desert. While en route, be sure to stop at Gasir Al Haj, a 12th century Berber grain store with 114 storage rooms carved out the Jabel Nafusa Mountains, and later the ghost town of Nalut. You will arrive early evening into Ghadames.
Overnight: Dar Ghadames [B, L, D]
Day 9
Ghadames - Spend the day exploring Ghadames, also known as "the pearl of the desert," and all it has to offer. It is an attractive oasis town that borders the great Sahara Desert. This old town is very picturesque, notable for its “cake and icing” architecture and its labyrinthine streets. Stop to visit the Cultural Museum, the Great Mosque, and the Main Square. In the evening, weather permitting, travel into the desert to watch the sand dunes change from hues of gold to blazing red at sunset. Enjoy a special performance of traditional style music and dance before returning to the hotel.
Overnight: Dar Ghadames [B, L, D]
Day 10
Kabow - Tripoli - After breakfast visit the village of Kabow, known for its grain stores built by local Berbers. Return to Tripoli for a celebration dinner at the Fez Restaurant in the Corinthia Bab Africa Hotel.
Overnight: Corinthia Bab Africa Hotel [B, L, D]
Day 11
After a leisurely breakfast, visit the Jamahiriya National Museum. After your visit you will be escorted to the airport for your international flight home.
