Discover The World Heritage Sites Of Libya – 12 Days

Your Libyan experience continues with a tour of Tripoli, founded by the Phoenicians in 1000 B.C. and later conquered by the Romans. Your tour of this beautiful metropolis covers the huge fortress, the National Museum, the old Souk and the Islamic quarters. Later in the day you are transferred to the airport for a short flight to the second largest and most beautiful city of Libya, Benghazi. Upon arrival in Benghazi you are met and transferred to the Tibisty Hotel. This evening enjoy a typical Libyan dinner at a local restaurant. Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our day starts with a tour of the beautiful resort city of Benghazi. The second largest city of the Jamariya houses a spectacularly maintained War cemetery (Libya played a major role in the North African Corps). View the old town with its artistically designed buildings, and colorful Souk. Benghazi also offers the opportunity to meet and enjoy tea with the Libyan people. An interesting drive along the eastern coast gets you to the small town of El Beyda. El Beyda might not be much in terms of tourism, but it is the best starting point for those exploring the great ruins of Cyrene, Apollonia, and Slonta. It also has a number of colonial-style buildings, as well as an Islamic university. The religious importance of El Beyda harks back to the Sanussiyy movement that has had a formative impact on modern Libya. Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our journey today starts with a visit to the World Heritage Site of Cyrene. The city was part of the 1st century five-city state of Pentapolis and was second in size only to Athens. Cyrene was founded by the Greeks in 631 B.C. and was later occupied by the Romans then the Arabs. You will visit the famous temples of Zeus and Apollo. After lunch visit incredible Apollonia (Sousa), which was the port of Cyrene and is located 12 miles to the north. Here our visit includes a detailed tour of the majestic Theatre, the Roman baths and the Byzantine palace. Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A morning drive through Jabel Akhdar gets us to Qasr Libya where we visit an interesting museum that houses more than 50 pieces of mosaic artifact fragments dating back to the 6th century AD. Our next stop is Ptolemais, the former capital of Pentapolis, where we will observe the remains of palaces, theatres, Bouleterion and a 3rd century bridge. Lunch at a local restaurant, relax in Benghazi before a short flight to Tripoli. At Tripoli we are met and transferred to our hotel. Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The highlight of any journey to Libya is visiting the renowned World Heritage Site of Leptis Magna located east of Tripoli. From a Berber settlement it became an important community when it was established as a city by the Canaanites and reached its climax under the rule of Roman Emperor Septimus Severus. We will visit the vast site including the Triumphal Arch, huge Basilica, Forum, Public Baths, Hippodrome, and Amphitheater. Lunch will be at the on site restaurant before returning to Tripoli. Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Amongst the coastal sites, Sabratha stands out as the most spectacular. A World Heritage Site, Sabratha was founded by the Canaanites (6th . B.C.), ruled by Carthage, Phoenicia, Numidia and then Rome in 46 B.C. The site offers a majestic collection of public buildings, arenas, temples of Liber Peter, Srapis, Isis, and Hercules. Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

An exciting day awaits as you head south to the Saharan oasis of Ghadames. En route, we stop at the “ghost town” of Nalut, which is located high in the Nafusa Mountains. Nalut offers an insight into the traditional living styles of the locals – the prevalent way of life before oil was discovered and Libyans used the oil wealth to provide resources to for concrete structures that replace the caves seen at Nalut. Lunch is at an oasis in the open desert. After a tour of Nalut, we head further south towards the arid Saharan Desert. Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Day 9 Ghadames This oasis was settled from prehistoric times and was a major port of call for traders and pilgrims en route to Mecca. Ghadames is a beautiful sleepy desert town that has preserved its original culture. The preserved culture is most visible the architecture with its labyrinthine passages, mud bricked and gaily decorated streets. Our tour will cover both the old ghost town and the mysterious desert. In the evening we will witness the spectacular desert sunset.. Lunch will be a typical meal served in the old city. Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After an interesting experience in the Sahara, we proceed to Kabaw village with the old houses mostly in shambles, and all of the inhabitants living in rather anonymous structures. We will visit the ghurfas, the grain store built by the local Berbers, and located at the very summit of the village. This is followed by a visit to Tormisa to see the incredible, and intact, cave structures.. From here we visit the pottery market at Gharian before returning to Tripoli. Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today decide on your tours and activities with the assistance of your driver and guide. Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Morning at leisure before departure transfer to the airport for your onward flight. Meal(s) Included: Breakfast