Archaeological cities of Libya

Program

1. Day 1 tripoli-Cyrene tour route on Libya map

   Arrive at Tripoli Airport, meet your guide, complete the visa formalities, then drive towards the city center for your hotel. Depending on the time of arrival, you may take an evening walk along the lanes of the Old City, before returning to the hotel for a rest

2. Day 2 tripoli view from the sea

   Tripoli: Today you will explore "The Pride of The Mediterranean", including visits to the Red Castle, Assaraya Alhamra Museum, the Arch of Marcus Aurelius, and Karamanli House. The atmosphere in Tripoli is very cosmopolitan and the architecture of the city includes styles from many periods of Libya's history. Dinner in a traditional Libyan restaurant, before returning to the hotel for the night.

3. Day 3 Sabratha archaeological site

   Sabratha: morning drive to Sabratha, about 60 km west of the capital. This town was originally a Berber settlement long before the Phoenicians made it into a commercial center. Walking along the streets of ancient Sabratha, moving from one site to another, you will see the Forum, the 2nd-century Colonnaded Theatre – the most complete Roman theater in the world, and the Sabratha Classic or Roman Museum, housing a number of fine statues and Byzantine mosaics. Return to Tripoli in the evening, or stay in Sabratha for the night (depending on hotel availability). To guarantee a night in Sabratha we recommend the 4-star Dar Tellil Hotel.

4. Day 4 roman theater from Leptis

   Leptis Magna: Today you will head east towards the archaeological city of Leptis Magna – the best preserved Roman city in the world. The city is one of the best sites to visit in Libya, as it provides a unique travel experience: you will walk along its ancient streets, paved with blocks of stone, and lined with massive buildings and statues. You will also see the Triumphal Arch of Septimius Severus – the Berber native of Leptis Magna who developed the city and went on to become Africa's first Roman Emperor; visit the Museum of Leptis Magna, with its rare collection of Roman and local sculptures and statues; and spend the evening taking photos of the ancient city. You can either stay the night in Leptis or return to Tripoli.

5. Day 5 Benghazi view from across the lake

   Benghazi: Today you will take an early flight to Libya's second-largest city: Benghazi, from where you will begin your exploration of the Green Mountain, else known as Cyrenaica. You will drive from the airport towards Teucheira or Tokra, one of the five cities of the Greek Pentapolis. Then you will continue your journey across the verdant hills of the Green Mountain towards Apollonia for the night (Almanara Hotel).

6. Day 6 Zeus temple

   Apollonia & Cyrene: the name Apollonia comes from the Greek Sun-god Apollo. After visiting the site, you will continue to Cyrene, the ancient capital of Cyrenaica and one of Libya's five world heritage sites. The city once was very wealthy, largely due to the export of the silphium plant and other local produce. In addition to the unique sculpture museum, which houses a number of fine statues and busts, other sites of interest include the massive temple of Zeus (pictured right), the king of the Greek gods, the Temple of Apollo, the Sun-god, and the mysterious rock-cut tombs of the city's necropolis. Return to Apollonia for the night in Almanara Hotel. (You can stay in Cyrene, but we recommend staying the night in the nearby Almanara Hotel

7. Day 7 Tolmeitha

   Qasr Libya & Slontha: Today you will drive towards the Berber grotto of Slontha, the site of a local, pre-Greek cult, characterized by carved sculptures and heads. Then continue to Qasr Libya, the Castle of Libya, and visit the Mosaic Museum, before returning to Benghazi for the evening flight back to Tripoli. (You can also stay the night in Benghazi, take the morning flight to Tripoli, and then continue to Nafusa Mountain.)

8. Day 8 Berber mud castles from Nalut

   Nafusa Mountain: Today you will leave Tripoli and head for Jabal Nafusa. Your first stop will be Qasr Al-Haj, where you will visit the traditional Berber fortified granary, before continuing to Kabaw and Nalut for more Berber sites. Night in Kabaw, or in Nalut (if the only hotel becomes available).

9. Day 9 sunset over the sand dunes

   Ghadames Sand Dunes Sunset.
   Ghadames: after Nalut you will begin your desert adventure by driving across the sand desert towards the pearl of the Sahara, the Oasis of Ghadames. Transfer to the hotel for rest. In the evening, you have the option to visit the sand dunes to watch the glowing sunset over the hazy dunes (see the actual photo below). Back to the oasis for dinner before returning to Dar Ghadames Hotel for the night

10. Day 10 ghadames wall designs

    Ghadames: full day in Ghadames: the roofed city is one of Libya's world heritage sites, and one of the oldest habitable towns in the whole of the Sahara, with a history going back all the way to the Paleolithic period. With its beautiful mud houses, brilliantly decorated with red & white Tuareg designs, the old town is one of the best places to visit in Ghadames. You will also visit Ghadames Museum, visit a traditional Berber house for a meal, and explore other sites in the oasis.

11. Day 11 troglodyte

    Ghadames – Gharyan: early morning drive to Tripoli, but instead of driving through the same route, you will drive up the mountain and then continue across the top of Jabal Nafusa, towards the Berber village of Tormisa, then continue towards troglodyte Gharyan for the night.

12. Day 12 Tripoli Red Fort castle

    Tripoli: Today you will drive to Tripoli, transfer to the airport for departure & farewell.