Expedition with Mzungu to the medieval Ghadames, Sahara of Tadrart Akakus and antique cities of Tripolitania
LIBYA
January 30 — February 8, 2024
Tour to Libya
Tour to Libya, medieval Ghadames, Sahara, Tadrart Akakus, Tripolitania
To see antique Roman and Phoenician cities of Tripolitania, spend the night in "the pearl of the desert" – medieval city of Ghadames, drink the sweet tea with Berber in the desert and reach Paleolithic age rock art in the dunes and mountains of Sahara.
Our big Libyan expedition explores once one of the most impressive countries of Africa with number of UNESCO World heritage sites, from Leptis Magna and Sabratha in the north, through the ghost city of Ghadames, to the remote Tadrart Akakus dunes deep in Sahara.
Our big Libyan expedition explores once one of the most impressive countries of Africa with number of UNESCO World heritage sites, from Leptis Magna and Sabratha in the north, through the ghost city of Ghadames, to the remote Tadrart Akakus dunes deep in Sahara.
Tour to Libya, medieval Ghadames, Sahara, Tadrart Akakus, Tripolitania
SCHEDULE & COST:
Dates: January 30 — February 8, 2024
Duration: 10 days / 9 nights
Number of participants: 6 – 12
Cost per person:
– 2 850 USD, subject to 10 – 12 participants or
– 3 050 USD, subject to 8 – 9 participants or
– 3 250 USD, subject to 6 – 7 participants
10% early booking discount (in case you book before August 30, 2023)
Everything is included (incl. domestic flights and Libyan visa), except for:
- international flight to Tripoli roundtrip,
- international medical insurance,
- some lunches and dinners.
Estimated cost of international flight Moscow – Tripoli – Moscow: from USD 850 (to be purchased on your own).
Estimated cost of international flight Cairo – Tripoli – Cairo: from USD 400 (to be purchased on your own).
Estimated cost of international flight Tunis – Tripoli – Tunis: from USD 300 (to be purchased on your own).
Estimated cost of international flight Istanbul – Tripoli – Istanbul: from USD 450 (to be purchased on your own).
Single supplement: 190 USD per person (it is provided along the whole itinerary).
TRAVEL PROGRAM: tour to Libya
Day 1. January 30, 2024. ARRIVAL IN TRIPOLI
Arrival in Tripoli, capital of Libya. Transfer to the hotel.
Tour around Old City of Tripoli, where we visit the old quarters linked to the Main Square and Marcus Aurelius Arch. If the National Museum is open, we also visit it.
Overnight in Akakous Hotel in Tripoli.
Meals included: lunch
Accommodation included: Akakous Hotel
Recommended flights:
— Tunisair from Tunis, departure from Tunis on January 30 at 7:20 am, arrival in Tripoli on January 30 at 9:30 am,
— EgyptAir from Cairo, departure from Cairo on January 30 at 8:00 am, arrival in Tripoli on January 30 at 9:45 am,
— any other flight from any city arriving in Tripoli no later than at 10 am on January 30.
Day 2. January 31, 2024. TRIPOLI — GHAT — TADRART ACACUS
Flight to South Libya, old city of Ghat, situated deep in Sahara.
In historical times, Ghat was an important terminal point on a trans-Saharan route and a stronghold for the Kel Ajjer Tuareg federation whose territory covered most of south-western Libya.
Visit the town and the Fortress of Ghat on Koukemen hill, which was started by the Military of Ottoman Empire.
Start exploring the neighboring Sahara desert.
Meals included: breakfast, dinner
Accommodation included: camping in Ghat or in tents in the desert.
Days 3 — 4. February 1 — 2, 2024. TADRART ACACUS
During these two days we explore the most interesting places in South Western Libya, from Ghat to Sabha, covering the distance of more than 500 km.
This region is a part of Sahara desert with very beautiful mountains called Tadrart Akakus, or Acacus Mountains, situated among the border with Algeria, among the dunes. The area has a particularly rich array of prehistoric rock art and was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985 because of the importance of these paintings and carvings. The paintings date from 12000 BCE to 100 CE and reflect cultural and natural changes in the area.
We will explore sand dunes, lakes, bizarre rock formations, rock arches, gorges, wadis and petroglyphs. We may meet some nomadic people staying in the temporary dwellings.
Overnights in tents in the desert.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: tents in desert
Day 5. February 3, 2024. SAHARA — SABHA — TRIPOLI
We arrive in Sabha, the oasis city.
Sabha was where the erstwhile ruler of Libya, Muammar Gaddaffi, grew up and received secondary education and where he also later became involved in political activism.
Short city tour to see Sabha Castle and return flight to Tripoli.
Overnight in Akakous Hotel in Tripoli.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Accommodation included: Akakous Hotel
Day 6. February 4, 2024. TRIPOLI — LEPTIS MAGNA – TRIPOLI (240 km)
After breakfast, we drive some 120 km east of Tripoli to spend the day exploring the spectacular ruins at Leptis Magna, one of the greatest ancient sites in the world. Originally a Phoenician trading port during the seventh century BC, it prospered for nearly 1000 years before Vandal invasions and sandstorms led to its downfall. This vast city remained buried for some 1300 years until the 1920's when a significant excavation by Italian and Libyan archaeologists revealed the limestone and marble wonders that we explore today.
Lunch served on site.
Drive back to Tripoli. Overnight in the hotel Akakous Hotel in Tripoli.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Accommodation included: Akakous Hotel
Day 7. February 5, 2024. TRIPOLI — QASR AL HAJJ — TARMISAH — NALUT — GHADAMES (620 km)
Today we drive south-west, to Sahara region, in order to reach the old city of Ghadames on the border with Algeria (620 km, 10 hours drive).
On the way we visit Jabel Nafusa and Qasr Al Hajj.
Then we drive through towns of Tarmisah and Nalut, where we can visit Gaser Nalut.
Late arrival in Ghadames. Night in hotel Dar Ghadames.
Meals included: breakfast, dinner
Accommodation included: hotel Dar Ghadames
Day 8. February 6, 2024. GHADAMES
Spend the day visiting Ghadames, an ancient caravan center situated at the edge of the Sahara near the borders of Algeria and Tunisia. This Berber town of unique architecture, palm groves, and gardens is an oasis that forms part of the sub-region of Gharian. It offers the traveler the warm hospitality of the Berber people and a unique perspective of day-to-day life that has not changed for centuries. We will discover unique homes built of mud, lime, and palm tree trunks in the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This unique design keeps the houses cool during hot days and warm during cold nights. In addition, the rooftops are all connected to allow the women to get around without being seen by men.
Enjoy lunch at a traditionally decorated house, then head to the dunes by 4x4 vehicles for a beautiful view of the Sahara surrounding Ghadames and watch the spectacular sunset.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Accommodation included: hotel Dar Ghadames
Day 9. February 7, 2024. GHADAMES — GERYAN — TRIPOLI (645 km)
Farewell to the old city of Ghadames, the sister city of famous Agadez in Niger and Timbuktu and Djenne in Mali.
Early departure back to Tripoli (645 km, 10 hours driving).
Halt in Geryan for very short visit of the city.
Dinner served in Tripoli.
Overnight in the hotel Akakous in Tripoli.
Meals included: breakfast, dinner
Accommodation included: Akakous Hotel
Day 10. February 8, 2024. TRIPOLI — SABRATHA — TRIPOLI — RETURN FLIGHT (160 km)
After breakfast, head west of Tripoli (80 km) to Sabratha, a fantastic historical city that dates back to 500 BC. The Phoenicians used this UNESCO World Heritage Site as a port and trading post. Explore the Theatre, probably the most popular site in Sabratha, as well as the Baths and Temples.
Drive back to the capital, directly to the airport in order to catch the return international flight.
Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: no
Recommended flights:
— Tunisair to Tunis, departure from Tripoli on February 9 at 10:30 am, arrival in Tunis on February 9 at 10:45 am (extra night in Tripoli needed),
— EgyptAir to Cairo, departure from Tripoli on February 9 at 10:45 am, arrival in Cairo on February 9 at 14:30 (extra night in Tripoli needed),
— any other flight to any city, departing from Tripoli no earlier than at 21:00 on February 8.
Dates: January 30 — February 8, 2024
Duration: 10 days / 9 nights
Number of participants: 6 – 12
Cost per person:
– 2 850 USD, subject to 10 – 12 participants or
– 3 050 USD, subject to 8 – 9 participants or
– 3 250 USD, subject to 6 – 7 participants
10% early booking discount (in case you book before August 30, 2023)
Everything is included (incl. domestic flights and Libyan visa), except for:
- international flight to Tripoli roundtrip,
- international medical insurance,
- some lunches and dinners.
Estimated cost of international flight Moscow – Tripoli – Moscow: from USD 850 (to be purchased on your own).
Estimated cost of international flight Cairo – Tripoli – Cairo: from USD 400 (to be purchased on your own).
Estimated cost of international flight Tunis – Tripoli – Tunis: from USD 300 (to be purchased on your own).
Estimated cost of international flight Istanbul – Tripoli – Istanbul: from USD 450 (to be purchased on your own).
Single supplement: 190 USD per person (it is provided along the whole itinerary).
TRAVEL PROGRAM: tour to Libya
Day 1. January 30, 2024. ARRIVAL IN TRIPOLI
Arrival in Tripoli, capital of Libya. Transfer to the hotel.
Tour around Old City of Tripoli, where we visit the old quarters linked to the Main Square and Marcus Aurelius Arch. If the National Museum is open, we also visit it.
Overnight in Akakous Hotel in Tripoli.
Meals included: lunch
Accommodation included: Akakous Hotel
Recommended flights:
— Tunisair from Tunis, departure from Tunis on January 30 at 7:20 am, arrival in Tripoli on January 30 at 9:30 am,
— EgyptAir from Cairo, departure from Cairo on January 30 at 8:00 am, arrival in Tripoli on January 30 at 9:45 am,
— any other flight from any city arriving in Tripoli no later than at 10 am on January 30.
Day 2. January 31, 2024. TRIPOLI — GHAT — TADRART ACACUS
Flight to South Libya, old city of Ghat, situated deep in Sahara.
In historical times, Ghat was an important terminal point on a trans-Saharan route and a stronghold for the Kel Ajjer Tuareg federation whose territory covered most of south-western Libya.
Visit the town and the Fortress of Ghat on Koukemen hill, which was started by the Military of Ottoman Empire.
Start exploring the neighboring Sahara desert.
Meals included: breakfast, dinner
Accommodation included: camping in Ghat or in tents in the desert.
Days 3 — 4. February 1 — 2, 2024. TADRART ACACUS
During these two days we explore the most interesting places in South Western Libya, from Ghat to Sabha, covering the distance of more than 500 km.
This region is a part of Sahara desert with very beautiful mountains called Tadrart Akakus, or Acacus Mountains, situated among the border with Algeria, among the dunes. The area has a particularly rich array of prehistoric rock art and was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985 because of the importance of these paintings and carvings. The paintings date from 12000 BCE to 100 CE and reflect cultural and natural changes in the area.
We will explore sand dunes, lakes, bizarre rock formations, rock arches, gorges, wadis and petroglyphs. We may meet some nomadic people staying in the temporary dwellings.
Overnights in tents in the desert.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation included: tents in desert
Day 5. February 3, 2024. SAHARA — SABHA — TRIPOLI
We arrive in Sabha, the oasis city.
Sabha was where the erstwhile ruler of Libya, Muammar Gaddaffi, grew up and received secondary education and where he also later became involved in political activism.
Short city tour to see Sabha Castle and return flight to Tripoli.
Overnight in Akakous Hotel in Tripoli.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Accommodation included: Akakous Hotel
Day 6. February 4, 2024. TRIPOLI — LEPTIS MAGNA – TRIPOLI (240 km)
After breakfast, we drive some 120 km east of Tripoli to spend the day exploring the spectacular ruins at Leptis Magna, one of the greatest ancient sites in the world. Originally a Phoenician trading port during the seventh century BC, it prospered for nearly 1000 years before Vandal invasions and sandstorms led to its downfall. This vast city remained buried for some 1300 years until the 1920's when a significant excavation by Italian and Libyan archaeologists revealed the limestone and marble wonders that we explore today.
Lunch served on site.
Drive back to Tripoli. Overnight in the hotel Akakous Hotel in Tripoli.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Accommodation included: Akakous Hotel
Day 7. February 5, 2024. TRIPOLI — QASR AL HAJJ — TARMISAH — NALUT — GHADAMES (620 km)
Today we drive south-west, to Sahara region, in order to reach the old city of Ghadames on the border with Algeria (620 km, 10 hours drive).
On the way we visit Jabel Nafusa and Qasr Al Hajj.
Then we drive through towns of Tarmisah and Nalut, where we can visit Gaser Nalut.
Late arrival in Ghadames. Night in hotel Dar Ghadames.
Meals included: breakfast, dinner
Accommodation included: hotel Dar Ghadames
Day 8. February 6, 2024. GHADAMES
Spend the day visiting Ghadames, an ancient caravan center situated at the edge of the Sahara near the borders of Algeria and Tunisia. This Berber town of unique architecture, palm groves, and gardens is an oasis that forms part of the sub-region of Gharian. It offers the traveler the warm hospitality of the Berber people and a unique perspective of day-to-day life that has not changed for centuries. We will discover unique homes built of mud, lime, and palm tree trunks in the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This unique design keeps the houses cool during hot days and warm during cold nights. In addition, the rooftops are all connected to allow the women to get around without being seen by men.
Enjoy lunch at a traditionally decorated house, then head to the dunes by 4x4 vehicles for a beautiful view of the Sahara surrounding Ghadames and watch the spectacular sunset.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Accommodation included: hotel Dar Ghadames
Day 9. February 7, 2024. GHADAMES — GERYAN — TRIPOLI (645 km)
Farewell to the old city of Ghadames, the sister city of famous Agadez in Niger and Timbuktu and Djenne in Mali.
Early departure back to Tripoli (645 km, 10 hours driving).
Halt in Geryan for very short visit of the city.
Dinner served in Tripoli.
Overnight in the hotel Akakous in Tripoli.
Meals included: breakfast, dinner
Accommodation included: Akakous Hotel
Day 10. February 8, 2024. TRIPOLI — SABRATHA — TRIPOLI — RETURN FLIGHT (160 km)
After breakfast, head west of Tripoli (80 km) to Sabratha, a fantastic historical city that dates back to 500 BC. The Phoenicians used this UNESCO World Heritage Site as a port and trading post. Explore the Theatre, probably the most popular site in Sabratha, as well as the Baths and Temples.
Drive back to the capital, directly to the airport in order to catch the return international flight.
Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: no
Recommended flights:
— Tunisair to Tunis, departure from Tripoli on February 9 at 10:30 am, arrival in Tunis on February 9 at 10:45 am (extra night in Tripoli needed),
— EgyptAir to Cairo, departure from Tripoli on February 9 at 10:45 am, arrival in Cairo on February 9 at 14:30 (extra night in Tripoli needed),
— any other flight to any city, departing from Tripoli no earlier than at 21:00 on February 8.
Cost includes:
Cost excludes (additionally paid):
To take with:
— sets of clothes fitting weather conditions,
— at least one warm set
— long sleeve wear set,
— comfortable closed shoes and open shoes,
— forehead torch,
— big backpack for luggage,
— small backpack for personal items and camera,
— sleeping bag for +8 degrees C (can be cool in the night),
— mosquito net for sleeping place,
— repellents,
— sunblock set: cream, sunglasses, cap,
— sandblock set: desert glasses, buff/mask (up to you)
— personal hygiene items (soap, toilet paper, towel, wet tissues, etc.),
— personal medical kit (analgesics, sanitizers, rehydration, antiviral, antibiotics, your personal medicine),
— anti malaria preventive pills (up to you to decide),
— photo and video camera, tripod
- domestic flight Tripoli – Ghat
- domestic flight Sabha – Tripoli
- tourist visa for Libya
- accommodation in hotels and camps on the basis of TWIN/DBL
- accommodation in tents on the basis of SINGLE
- meals: all breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners, as indicated in the program
- all transportation by 4WD cars in the desert and by minibus in Tripoli and North Libya
- all airport transfers
- camping equipment, incl. tents and mats, bucket shower in the desert
- experienced English speaking local guide
- all entrance fees and visits, all local taxes
- English and Russian speaking team leader Mzung
Cost excludes (additionally paid):
- international flight to Tripoli roundtrip
- international medical insurance
- 4 lunches, 5 dinners, as indicated in the program
- alcohol, soft drinks, souvenirs, personal items
- personal photography of people
- tips
- single supplement
To take with:
— sets of clothes fitting weather conditions,
— at least one warm set
— long sleeve wear set,
— comfortable closed shoes and open shoes,
— forehead torch,
— big backpack for luggage,
— small backpack for personal items and camera,
— sleeping bag for +8 degrees C (can be cool in the night),
— mosquito net for sleeping place,
— repellents,
— sunblock set: cream, sunglasses, cap,
— sandblock set: desert glasses, buff/mask (up to you)
— personal hygiene items (soap, toilet paper, towel, wet tissues, etc.),
— personal medical kit (analgesics, sanitizers, rehydration, antiviral, antibiotics, your personal medicine),
— anti malaria preventive pills (up to you to decide),
— photo and video camera, tripod
Why with MZUNGU EXPEDITIONS?
- 1UNIQUENESS
We find the most astonishing places on Earth and speed up to reach them. Our motto is to go ahead of road roller, touch the unique and unknown, before it disappears. - 2ADVENTURISM
Wherever we go, we look for challenging activities and adventures, filling the journey with absolutely different spirit and emotions. That is why people join us over and over again. - 3SAFETY
In our trips we pay special attention to safety. All our travels are based on personal experience, equipped with the best gear, involving proved providers and experienced local guides who perfectly know local features. - 4EXPERIENCE
We have a unique experience of the most offbeat expeditions and ascents, deep knowledge of countries and peoples, and are ready to share it with you. All the expeditions and climbings are guided by Mzungu himself, guaranteeing exciting traveling and your comfort. - 5REASONABLE PRICE
All our trips are reach in adventures, with high quality accommodation, transportation and meals included. We do not save on it. Thanks to solid contacts with reliable providers we offer really good prices and high quality.
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