Your journey starts with a visit to the magnificent Roman and Carthaginian ruins of Sabratha and Leptis Magna from where you will continue along the coast towards Benghazi exploring the Eastern area of Libya known as Cyrenaica. The week will be spent visiting some of the finest ancient Greek sites of the Pentapolis including Apollonia, Cyrene, Tocra and Tolmeitha, all of which overlook the sea, and are shaded by eucalyptus and cypress trees. The journey takes us through the Jebel Akhdar (Green Mountains), the highest mountains in Libya, where the legendary Omar al Muhktar fought a fierce resistance against the Italians in the 1920s. You will visit splendid mosaics, prehistoric caves and enjoy spectacular views of the Mediterranean from the mountains that border the sea. You will either picnic at the sites or eat in local restaurants nearby. The Mediterranean climate of this region makes it a good year-round destination. This is a gentle cultural tour accompanied by an experienced English speaking local Libyan guide and onsite guides and there is an opportunity to add on a visit to the war graves of Tobruk if you wish.
Day 1 | Arrival in Tripoli
Fly to Tripoli (three and a half hour flight) where your local guide will meet you. Transfer to your hotel in Tripoli then wander through the old town and have a meal in one of Tripoli’s lively restaurants to mark the start of the journey.
O/n 4* Hotel, Tripoli
Day 2 | Sabratha and Janzur
Your first morning in Libya will be spent at the site of Sabratha, which is tucked into the coastline about an hour’s drive to the West of Tripoli. Together with Leptis Magna, Sabratha is said to be one of the most well preserved and extravagantly appointed ancient Roman sites in the world today, and boasts one of the finest theatres of antiquity. In the afternoon you will travel back to Tripoli stopping at Janzur on the way to visit the underground cemetery that was discovered in 1958. Dinner in a Tripoli restaurant.
O/n 4* Hotel, Tripoli
Day 3 | Magnificent Leptis Magna
You will spend the day at the magnificent Roman city of Leptis Magna, which, in the opinion of many, is the best Roman site outside Italy. The site is extensive and after a guided tour there will be time to absorb it at your own pace. The day will also include a visit to the spectacular amphitheatre, which is situated near the beach. This is a good picnic spot and we recommend that you spend some time exploring the underground tunnels. In the late afternoon drive back to Tripoli and dine in a Tripoli restaurant.
O/n 4* Hotel, Tripoli
Day 4 | Tolmeitha and Qasr Libya
After a morning flight to Benghazi, you will transfer directly to Tolmeitha, formerly Ptolemais, and one of the last of the Pentapolis to fall to the invading Arab armies in the 7th century. Lunch will be provided in the shaded garden prior to a guided tour around the site. The excavated areas of the city date mainly from the 1st and 2nd centuries BC and the whole site is spread out over a wild landscape set in from the coast in the shadow of the Jebel Akhdar. In the afternoon you will visit Qasr Libya where you will see some of the best collections of Byzantine mosaics in the country. Transfer to Susa for a three night stay. (Please note there are fewer onsite guides at the East Coast sites)
O/n 4* hotel in Susa
Day 5 | Cyrene
The ancient city of Cyrene is one of the highlights of the tour. Founded in the 7th century as a colony of the Greek island town of Thera, Cyrene became the premier city of the Greek Pentapolis and its remains are an enduring testament to the great civilisations that flourished along the Northern Libyan coast. The views from many of the ruins are sensational, overlooking the coastal plains, small villages, Italian farmhouses and the distant Mediterranean. Wild flowers and pine, thyme and rosemary trees cover the site and some of the fountains still gurgle with the plentiful water. A journey down a long winding escarpment past Greek and Roman tombs will take you back to the hotel in the late afternoon.
O/n 4* hotel in Susa
Day 6 | Apollonia and Ras al Hillal
The site of Apollonia is a short walk from your hotel. Built to serve as the port of Cyrene, some of the ancient harbour lies submerged beneath the sea; when the water is clear it is possible to make out the shapes of walls and buildings. There are several churches, a small theatre carved into the rocks and public baths. Lunch will be a picnic amongst the ruins (weather permitting) overlooking the sea. In the afternoon drive back to Benghazi for the evening flight back to Tripoli. Upon arrival you will be met and taken to your hotel.
O/n 4* hotel, Tripoli
Day 7 | Tripoli
In the morning you will have the chance to visit Tripoli’s ‘must-see’ museum, which houses an extensive collection of artefacts from all periods of Libya’s rich history, including one of the world’s most renowned classical art collections. The many galleries contain mosaics, statues and other works of art from each of the sites visited during the week as well as a gallery devoted to the life of Colonel Muammar Qaddaffi. In the late afternoon there will be a medina tour to include the Gurgi mosque and Karamanly house as well as the site of the old British consulate.
O/n 4* Hotel, Tripoli
Day 8 | Tripoli museum and departure
This morning you can re-visit the museum or spend the time wandering through the busy souks or Tripoli’s medina. Lunch (depending on time of flight) before transferring to the airport.
Please note there are opportunities to add on extension tours to visit the town of Ghadames in Western Libya or journey south for desert adventure in the Sahara and Acacus mountains. Please contact the office on 020 7622 6263 for further details
COSTING
Flights including tax £375 per person (subject to seasonal fare changes)
Land Arrangements £1545 per person (on a group of 5-9)
£1325 per person (on a group of 10-14)
Leaders and Guides: The cost includes an English speaking local guide, and onsite guides.
Includes: All local transport
Meals
One return internal flight
All accommodation
Visa and passport registration
Entrances to all sites and Museums
Photography at sites
Excludes: Personal Travel Insurance
Single Supplement (£220 to be invoiced)
Gratuities information to be provided)
Passport Translation Services £55
Drinks and other personal expenses throughout the trip
Services in hotels
Transport to/from UK airport
Passport and Visa: A visa is required and Simoon Travel will need your passport details upon booking in order to process a Libyan visa. Please note, holders of an Israeli border stamp or visa will not be admitted into Libya. You must have a valid passport that is not due to expire until at least six months after your return from Libya.
Please note itinerary is subject to change.
