Libya

Day 1: Arrival in Tripoli.

We will fly with Tunisair (roundtrip ticket costing 150 euros) from Tunis to Mitiga, Tripoli. In the afternoon, we will spend time in the capital, taking a leisurely evening stroll, and enjoying a warm welcome dinner.

Day 2: Jebel Nafusa, Qasr El Haj, Tarmeisa, Ghadames.

After breakfast, we will drive 70 km south of Tripoli to face the magnificent wall of hard rock – Jebel Nafusa. Rising abruptly from the desert plain of Jefara, the mountain reaches a height of over 750 meters, with the highest peak measuring a modest 968 meters. Although the mountains are awe-inspiring, bare, rugged, and savage without vegetation, the fertile plains on the mountain high plateau are full of olive, fig, fruit trees, and vineyards. We will embark on a fascinating journey to Jebal Nafusa, the heartland of the Berber people of Libya. We will visit the magnificent 12th century fortified granary of Qasr al-Haj (chosen as one of the World’s 80 Greatest Treasures in a recent BBC series) before proceeding to Tarmeisa. From Tarmeisa, we will catch fantastic views of this deserted and ancient stone village, which clings to a narrow rocky outcrop, overlooking a stunning down off the escarpment over the Sahel Al Jefara, with its hundreds of valleys heading northwards. Lunch will be served in Kabaw (sometimes taken in a traditional house in Tarmeisa, not in hotel Tebres in Kabaw). Later, we will descend the mountain and head further south into the Sahara until we arrive at Ghadames, one of the most ancient towns in the Libyan Desert. We will spend the night in Ghadames.

Day 3: Ghadames.

Ghadames was an important stopping-off point in the trans-Saharan caravan routes between Timbuktu and the Mediterranean coastal cities of Libya. Old Ghadames town will be the focus of our guided tour this morning. It was surrounded by a semi-circular wall accessed by several gates that were closed each day at sunset. Buildings were constructed of sunbaked clay bricks, clustered around seven main streets. Each street ended at a small square used for public gatherings. Narrow roofed alleyways connect the main streets, and houses are joined, providing ‘streets’ running along the rooftops. Men traveled along the lower streets, while women had to walk along the upper streets between sunrise and sunset. The Old Town, though now deserted, is still very atmospheric, with this unique style of Saharan architecture. During our walking tour, we hope to visit a traditional house and several interesting mosques. Later in the day, it is usually possible to take an excursion into the steep dunes close to Ghadames to enjoy a sunset over the mountains of Algeria and enjoy some green tea and traditional Mella bread.

Dinner and overnight in Ghadames.

Day 4: Khabaw, Gharyan, and Tripoli.

On the fourth day, we will leave the Sahara behind and make our way back towards Tripoli. Our first stop will be in Khabaw for lunch before continuing on to Gharyan, located at the foot of the Nafusa Mountains plateau, approximately 50 miles (80 km) south of Tripoli. Gharyan was a key town on the trade routes to Fezzan and over the Nafusa Mountains. By 1884, the Ottomans had established a mayor and town council in Gharyan. It was considered the center of Libyan resistance against the Italian invasion in the early 20th century. With a population of 85,219, it is the largest city in the area, and olive oil processing, flour milling, carpet weaving, and pottery making are the main occupations. Gharyan’s famous troglodyte caves are a major attraction for tourists, and the name “Gharyan” means “cave” in Arabic. These caves were dug vertically into the rocky ground.

We will stop at the Al-Qawasem area in Gharyan, famous for its fine pottery, due to the quality of the clay. This industry is one of the national industries that Libya is proud of, and some shops participate in exhibitions held in Tripoli, where their products are admired and purchased by visitors. Later, we will return to Tripoli for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 5: Leptis Magna.

On the fifth day, we will visit the outstanding site at Leptis Magna, one of the greatest ancient sites in the world. Originally a Phoenician trading port, it prospered for nearly 1000 years before being brought down by Vandal invasions and sandstorms. During the reign of Libyan Emperor Septimius Severus, it was second only to Rome and housed over 100,000 people. This vast city remained buried for some 1300 years, and it was not until the 1920s that a major excavation by Italian and Libyan archaeologists revealed the limestone and marble wonders that we explore today. After our visit, we will have lunch nearby the site before continuing to Misrata, a city that was key in the recent civil war and still shows the scars of it. Dinner and overnight stay in Misrata.

Day 6: Misrata & Tripoli

On the sixth day, we will explore the Mediterranean coast of Libya, including ancient ruins of Roman villas overlooking the sea. We will have a full day of exploring the capital, from the old part of town to the modern side of Tripoli. Dinner and overnight stay in Tripoli.

Day 7: Sabratha.

After breakfast, we will drive to Sabratha, one of the most visited historical sites in Libya. This city dates back to 500 BC and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 500 BC, the Phoenicians used Sabratha as a seaport and important trading post, and the Romans also utilized the area for its harbor. The city was damaged in a fourth-century earthquake and was later rebuilt to become one of the most popular tourist attractions in Libya today. The theater is probably the most popular site in Sabratha, dating back to around 175 AD, with a large 43-meter stage. It is believed that the theater could accommodate up to 5,000 spectators. There are also baths, temples, and a spectacular amphitheater that could house up to 10,000 spectators who would arrive to watch the duels that took place.

Later, we will return to Tripoli for our flight out.