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Tripoli / Leptis Magna / Tokra / Tolmeita / Cyrene / Apollonia / Sabrata / Nalut / Ghadames
12 Days / 11 Nights
Day ( 01 ) Tripoli airport / Tripoli hotel
Transfer from Tripoli airport to the hotel.
Dinner at a city restaurant.
Night at the hotel*****.
Day ( 02 ) Tripoli / Leptis Magna / Zliten
Full day to explore the wonderful site of the Roman City of Leptis Magna including a visit to the excellent museum. The highlight of any visit to Libya is to see Leptis Magna , now known as Libda. From Berber settlement it became important when it was established as a city by the Caanite ships from Tyre and Sidon in Phoenicia . In the 3 rd century it became an even more important trading port under the Roman Emperor Septimus Servarus. We will see the vast site including the Triuphal Arch, the huge Basilica, the Forum, the Public Baths, the Hippodrome, the Amphi-theatre, etc.
Lunch in a restaurant near the site.
Dinner & night at the hotel.
Day ( 03 ) Zliten / Benghazi
Morning departure to Benghazi . A drive along side the long stretch of the Mediterranean Sea will give us a glimpse of both desert fields and small habitats near the oil refineries. Our arrival at Benghazi will surprise us with the beauty this eastern metropolis of Libya offers. Benghazi was founded in 446 BC and offers a splendid quality of life in Libya . (B, D)
Lunch en route.
Dinner at a city restaurant.
Night at the hotel*****.
Day ( 04 ) Benghazi / Tokra / Tolmeita / Gaser Libya
Full day viewing the sites of Tokra, Tolmeita, and Gaser Libya, which houses some of the world best mosaics. This is a heavy-duty day of sightseeing with a number of rich archaeological and cultural sites being covered. Our first stop is at Teuchira or Arsinoe. This Spartan origin city came under Roman influence in 96 BC and flourished further during the Byzantine era. Ptolemais was the capital of Pentapolis and Brace offer today remains of palaces, theatres, Bouleterion and a 3 rd Century Bridge. It has an interesting mosaic museum. Gaser Libya houses 50 pieces of mosaic pieces dating back to the 6 th century A.D. (B, D)
Picnic lunch near the sites.
Dinner & night at the hotel.
Day ( 05 ) Benghazi / Cyrene / Apollonia / Benghazi
Full day exploring the sites of the Greek cites of Cyrene and Apollonia. Another interesting day into the Greco-Roman times. Cyrene was part of the 1 st century five cities “ state ” called Pentapolis – which was second to the size of Athens . It was founded by the Greeks in 631 B.C. and was later occupied by the Romans and then the Arabs. The interesting sites here are the temples of Zeus and Apollo plus the Byzantine churches. Apollonia (Sousa) was the port of Cyrene and is located 20 kms north. Here we see the great Theatre, the Roman baths and Byzantine palace. (B, D) Picnic lunch near the sites. Dinner & night at the hotel. Day ( 06 ) Benghazi / Tripoli 1050km Morning departure to Tripoli . (BY RAOD OR FLIGHT) Lunch en route. Dinner & night at the hotel. Day ( 07 ) Tripoli Full day in the Tripoli including a visit to the excellent national museum, the old city, the souk, Islamic quarters and the arch of Marcus Aurelius. Tripoli – Oea – the bride of the Mediterranean is the capital of Libya . It was founded by the Phoenicians in 1000 B.C. and was later conquered by the Romans. Lunch in a local restaurant in the city. The after noon is a free for independent exploration.
Dinner at a city restaurant.
Night at the hotel*****.
Day ( 08 ) Tripoli / Nalut / Ghadames
Morning departure to Ghadames. A short stop on the way to view the Gaser and the old town of Nalut , which is located high in the Nafusa Mountains . Touring the castle we go further south towards the Saharan Desert. (B, D) Lunch en route.
Dinner & night at the hotel**.
Day ( 09 ) Ghadames
Full day in Ghadames including a visit to the house museum and the old town with its unique desert architecture. This oasis was settled from prehistoric times and was a major port of call for the traders and pilgrims en route to Mecca . Gradates is a beautiful sleepy desert town and retains a high influence of Berber and Tare tribes. It has retained it ' s own original culture most visibly in the architecture of the mud bricked and narrow lane streets. Our tour will cover both the old ghost town and the sand dunned desert. (B, D)
Lunch in traditional Ghadames house in the old town.
Tea time in the surrounding sand dunes.
Dinner & night at the hotel.
Day ( 10 ) Ghadames / Tripoli
Morning departure to Tripoli . Stop in places of interest on the way.
Lunch en route.
Dinner & night at the hotel.
Day ( 11 ) Tripoli / Sabrata / Tripoli
Morning departure to the extensive ruins of the Roman city of Sabrata . . It was founded by the Canaanites in the 6 th century B.C. and then came under the rule of Carthage followed by Phoenicia and then the nomidans of Rome in 46 B.C. The site offers a majestic collection of public buildings, arenas, temples of Liber Peter, Srapis, Isis, Hercules, the forum, theatre, etc. (B, D)
Lunch in a restaurant near the site.
Dinner at a city restaurant.
Night at the hotel*****.
Day ( 12 ) Tripoli hotel / Tripoli airport
Transfer to the airport.
End of service.