10 DAY TOUR OF LIBYA
 
(Tripolitania - Benghazi - Ghadames)
 
SATURDAY 16 OCTOBER- MONDAY 25 OCTOBER 2010

DAY 1 - SATURDAY 16 OCTOBER 2010 / LONDON, HEATHROW / TRIPOLI

Depart London, Heathrow on the British Airways flight to Tripoli on BA989 at 09:20 hrs and arriving in Tripoli at 13:55 hrs.

Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

This afternoon, you will have an introductory tour of the City of Tripoli, old and new.

Two nights accommodation in the Four Seasons I Hotel or similar.
 
The Asshajara Hotel
 
Asshajara hotel is located in Dahra area, at Seedy Eassa Street, in the heart of the city. Its unique location grants easy access to the state utilities and services.

The floors 1 - 6, consist of 48 rooms, each room is furnished with: air-conditioning, direct telephone line, refrigerator, Televise Satellite TV system for space channels and internet. The seventh floor, consists of (2) suites, each suite is furnished with: air-conditioning, direct telephone line, refrigerator, Satellite TV for all space channels & internet. The seventh floor also has a sun bathing area with sea view, snack bar. Elevators: The hotel has three elevators; two for the hotel residents, one for food services.  Security: surveillance cameras on the two facades of the hotel, two surveillance cameras at hallways on every floor, surveillance cameras at the entrance & reception area, a fire alarm system with smoke detector in each room & hallway, collectively connected to a control chamber. Safety deposit box: a safety deposit box is assigned to each room of the hotel with a private key for the resident, master key & a digital combination lock managed by the hotel's administration.

The Café

The Café provides a high standard of food quality with strong emphasis on hygiene. They will pamper you with a strong and nice cappuccino. Come in to have a cold fresh fruit or vegetable juice after a hot day. You will find out that they have many things to offer, even if what you want is not on the menu they will try to accommodate you as far as possible. Cocktails are also served in the Café.

Restaurant

The best gourmets will appreciate their delicious cooking whether it is national or international, with all flavours and spices that make its originality and so many other works of international gastronomy. Their delicately refined international cuisine is a real treat.

DAY 2 - SUNDAY 17 OCTOBER 2010 / LEPTIS MAGNA

Transfer to Leptis Magna for a full day visit to the site.

This is a world famous site and is arguably the best preserved and most extensive Roman city in the world. 

Originally a Phoenician settlement, probably founded in the 6th century BC under the protection of Carthage. Leptis Magna became a great metropolis under the Romans, particularly during the reign of Septimus Severus (193-211 AD), who was born in the city.  Following the end of the Severan dynasty, with the assassination of Alexander Severus in 235 AD, the city fell into decline, although a period of rejuvenation occurred under Diocletian (284-305 AD) and Constantine (306-337 AD).  When the Vandals conquered Tripolitania in the mid-5th century AD, it fell upon the Emperor Justinian to reclaim the land for Byzantium, which he achieved. 

In the 7th century Tripolitania was conquered by the Arabs and Leptis Magna never revisited its former glory. 

Among the many sites of interest at Leptis Magna are the Severan Arch, the Palaestra or Sports Ground, the Nymphaeum, the Hadrianic Baths, the Colonnaded Street, the Severan Forum, the Severan Basilica, the Theatre, the Harbour, the Circus, the Temple of Liber Pater, the Temple of Rome and Augustus, the Arch of Trajan, the Arch of Tiberius and the Market. 

Interior of the Roman Theatre (AD 56) at Leptis Magna	The Arch of Septimius Severus at Leptis Magna	The remains of the Roman basilica at Leptis Magna

Villa Sillin	Nymphaeum

Afterwards it is hoped to visit the Villa Sillin (Villa Sileen) to view its breathtaking mosaics (Villa currently under restoration). 

Mosaic in Villa Sillin

This destination is actually just what the name indicates; a villa, but being of 20 rooms adorned like no other building from ancient times in North Africa, this is a must-see for a Libya tour.

Mosaic in Villa Sillin

The villa belongs to Byzantine times, and was as a leisure home for one of Leptis Magna's wealthiest families.  Every floor has its own unique mosaics.  Many show human figures, which are bordered by intricate patterns.  Most walls have frescoes of humans and pastoral scenes.  Walls of the baths are in marble.  The experience continues out into the garden, which faces the sea.  Even here, there are beautiful mosaics.  The villa is still undergoing restoration, but we expect to be able to get a permit to visit from Leptis Magna.

Return to Tripoli for dinner and overnight.

 
DAY 3 - MONDAY 18 OCTOBER 2010 / TRIPOLI / BENGHAZI / APOLLONIA
 
Morning transfer and flights to Benghazi.

On arrival, drive to the pleasant seaside Town of Tokra, one of the Cyrenaic Pentapolis, although few remains can still be seen. Continue to Tolemitha (Ptolomais ) where lunch will be taken.  Explore the city's remains in their magical seaside setting.  The site has barely been excavated yet, but has a small museum with some wonderful mosaics. Continue to Gaser Libya to view the mosaics.  Continue to Susa.  Two Nights accommodation in Hotel Al Manara.

Hotel Al Manara
 
The Al Manara Hotel in Apollonia is ideally located a few steps away from the ruins of the same name. All rooms are spacious with balconies, air-conditioning and private facilities.
 
The main restaurant serves breakfast and dinner and there is also a rooftop bar area serving hot and cold drinks. Several of the rooms overlook the ruins and the coastline.
 

Benghazi	Mosaic in the Museum of Gaser

DAY 4 - TUESDAY 19 OCTOBER 2010 / CYRENE AND APOLLONIA    

Agora - (public square covered with mosaics)

Today will be spent visiting two of the country's most important archaeological sites, beginning with the Greek city of Cyrene which was one of the most beautiful of ancient cities and famous for its Delphic oracle. The terraced area, where the city stands, offers views of the monuments at different levels. See the Agora, the centre of civic life, where many civil and religious buildings are still visible.
 

    
Temple of Zeus at Cyrene
 
Also visit the Temple of Zeus, the largest in Africa, the Sanctuary of Apollo and the Necropolis, one of the most extensive cemeteries of the ancient world where many of the tombs have beautiful paintings on their walls. Lunch will be taken here in a rather unusual restaurant or on the beach.
    





Western Basilica of Apollonia

This afternoon you will visit Apollonia, which is beautifully situated on a rocky coast and overlooked by green hills. Here you will see remains from the Greek, Roman and Byzantine periods, including the Acropolis, the Hellenistic walls and Theatre, the Roman baths and a Byzantine palace and basilica.
 
Dinner and overnight in Almanara Hotel in Susah.


DAY 5 - WEDNESDAY 20 OCTOBER 2010 / RAS AL HILLAL / BENGHAZI / TRIPOLI

Visit Ras Al Hilal and Attron in the morning.

Lunch at the hotel or picnic lunch on the beach.

In the afternoon, return by road to Benghazi for your evening flight to Tripoli.

Time allowing en route to visit the War Graves in Benghazi.

    Waterfall at Ras Al Hilal

On arrival in Tripoli you will be met and transferred to your hotel. 

Two nights accommodation in your hotel.


DAY 6 - THURSDAY 21 OCTOBER 2010 / SABRATHA
 
This morning you will be transferred to Sabratha.

Settled in the late 5th / early 6th century BC by the Phoenicians, Sabrata's development as a Roman city began in the latter half of the 1st century AD. It reached its zenith in the 1st and 2nd centuries AD, particularly during the reign of Septimus Severus, who was born in nearby Leptis Magna. Much of the city was destroyed by earthquakes during the 4th century, particularly the one which took place in 365 AD.
 
   Theatre in Sabratha
 
The most spectacular site in Sabrata is the Theatre, which was probably built during the reign of the Emperor Commodus (161-192 AD), with its three-storey backdrop of columns. Other monuments and areas of interest include the Temple of Liber Pater, the Basilica of Justinian, the Mosaics of the House of Jason Magnus, the Capitolium, the Temple of Serapis, the Temple of Hercules and the Temple of Isis.

After Lunch continue your visit to Sabratha and its museum
 
DAY 7 - FRIDAY 22 OCTOBER 2010 / TRIPOLI / GHADAMES
 
Dar Ghadames Hotel
 
The Dar Ghadames Hotel is the best hotel south of Tripoli and a welcome addition to our programme. Arriving here after some of the long and dusty roads of western Libya you can really feel that a little touch of luxury is available in the desert.
 
The Dar Ghadames Hotel is a short drive from the old part of the town and is situated in its own pleasant gardens. The hotel has an attractive reception and seating area plus a restaurant serving either al a carte or buffet depending on the number of guests in residence.

All 64 guestrooms and 4 suites have air-conditioning and en-suite bathrooms. Located on two floors, the bedrooms open onto the internal courtyard with a traditional style well at the centre. Each room has a veranda or patio with a table and two wicker armchairs made by local artisans. The rooms with either two single or a king size bed are decorated with a combination of traditional and modern styles: desk, mirror armchairs, traditional coloured cushions and equally coloured bedspreads. Tapestry drawings and symbols are typical of the Berber culture. Both guestrooms and suites have TV with satellite channels. The suites offer even greater comfort with their wider spaces and the Arabian style sitting area with rugs and puffs.

All rooms have en-suite bathrooms and traditional decoration. Satellite TV, a/c, balcony or terrace with furniture are provided in every room.

Suites have a large lounge area with traditional tables and sofas.

Suites will take an extra bed for children or a 3rd adult.





A beautiful lawn is maintained to impart the essential oasis feeling which the hotel as a whole provides the guest.




The Granaries
 
Early morning departure by car to Ghadames via Qasr al Haj. Continue to Nalut to see the granaries. After lunch continue to Ghadames. At 683kms south west of Tripoli, Ghadames is distinguished by its unique architecture. Formerly inhabited by Tourag, it has become one the most important commercial centres for merchant caravans and brought substantial wealth to this beautiful Oasis. The Ghadames are the oases of Jalu, Aujla, Kufra and Jaghboub.

Two nights accommodation at the 4 Star Hotel Dar Ghadames.
 

DAY 8 - SATURDAY 23 OCTOBER 2010 / GHADAMES
 
Visit Ghadames museum then continue the tour to the old town. Lunch in a traditional Ghadames house. In the afternoon, you will enjoy visiting the lakes and sand dunes where you can have a Tuareg tea in a Bedouin Tent. Here you can try some hand cooked bread and watch a camel display, followed by a wonderful view of the sunset on the dunes and enjoy a Tuareg BBQ in the desert followed by a spectacular display from the Tuareg dancing group. Return to Ghadames for dinner and overnight.
 
Interior of a Traditional Ghadames House                     Tuareg Man in the Desert

                      


DAY 9 - SUNDAY 24 OCTOBER 2010 / GHADAMES / TRIPOLI

Pottery Market

Early morning departure. Lunch en-route.

Return to Tripoli visiting The Berber granary at Kabow.

Continue to Gharyan to the pottery Market.

In the evening arrive in Tripoli. One nights accommodation in your hotel.


A Troglodyte House

Time allowing, you may also visit a troglodyte house.
 






DAY 10 - MONDAY 25 OCTOBER 2010 / TRIPOLI / LONDON, HEATHROW
 
Morning visit to the Tripoli Museum.

After a light lunch, transfer to Tripoli Airport for the departure of your homeward flight to London, Heathrow on the British Airways flight BA889 at 16:05 hrs and arriving in London, Heathrow at 18:05 hrs.

There are also flights with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines with similar flight times as British Airways which would permit you to fly, via Amsterdam, from:-

The cost of the ground arrangements only in Libya is approximately £Under review with a single supplement of £Under review. This does not include the flight from the UK, as it depends on which UK airport you fly from.
 
A sample of the current air fare from London, Heathrow / Tripoli with British Airways is £Under review including tax and a sample of the current air fare from Birmingham / Tripoli with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is £Under review and Afriqiyah Air from Gatwick is considerably cheaper.
 
Once we know which airport the majority of the party of the party want to go from we could get a group air fare, which would probably bring the price down a little. A group is subject to a party of 15 or more persons travelling together.
 
Also not included is the cost of a Libyan Tourist visa, which we can obtain for you.
 
I really would be grateful if you would be kind enough to let me know if this tour is of interest to you or not, and then we can send you more information.