Libya Uncovered

A one week tour through the highlights of western Libya, from the Mediterranean to the Sahara. While much of the country still remains difficult to visit, the west is now starting to open up to intrepid visitors, and you can be among the first to return after the troubles of recent years.

We start in the capital Tripoli, and spend a morning at Sabratha. Sabratha dates back to ancient Carthage, and was also ruled by Rome. We spend the afternoon in Tripoli itself, exploring the winding streets of the medina, with its bazaars, mosques and palaces.

We then drive south, towards the desert. At Qasr el Haj we discover one of North Africa’s most striking monuments – the vast fortified granary, dating back to the 12th century. In the Jebel Nafusa Mountains we explore the abandoned Berber town of Nalut, then continue to Ghadames, one of the Sahara’s oldest towns.

Ghadames is a treasure trove of traditional Saharan architecture, oozing with the atmosphere of the desert beyond. We wander its streets and discover its fascinating history before starting our journey back north, stopping at the abandoned village of Tarmisa and Gharyan, once an important crossroads on Saharan trade routes.

After our arrival back in Tripoli, we head to Leptis Magna. Libya is home to some of North Africa’s most impressive archaeological sites, with Leptis Magna perhaps the best. We explore the old Roman city, which is the best preserved in the Mediterranean, and a historian’s delight.

Uncover the delights of this surprising, largely forgotten country – we promise you won’t be disappointed.

Highlights

  • Visit the UNESCO site of Leptis Magna
  • Wander through the old town of Ghadames
  • Explore the vibrant streets of Tripoli
  • The ancient site of Sabratha

Day 1 - Tripoli

Arrive in Tripoli and transfer to the hotel. Depending on when you arrive there may be time to explore the city. Overnight Victoria Hotel or similar.

Tripoli
Libya’s capital is a vibrant metropolis situated on the country’s Mediterranean coast. Steeped in history that spans millennia, Tripoli is a captivating blend of ancient landmarks, bustling markets, and modern developments.

At the heart of the city lies its historic Old Town, where narrow streets wind their way past centuries-old buildings and landmarks. The city’s most iconic site is the Assaraya Al-Hamra, or the Red Castle, a sprawling fortress that has stood sentinel over Tripoli for centuries. Within its walls, visitors can explore museums, courtyards, and towers, gaining insight into Libya’s rich history and culture.

Nearby, the old medina buzzes with activity, its labyrinthine alleys lined with traditional shops, cafes, and mosques. The scent of spices hangs in the air as vendors hawk their wares, offering everything from handcrafted goods to local delicacies. Beyond its historic core, the city’s bustling Corniche stretches along the waterfront, offering sweeping views of the Mediterranean Sea and a perfect spot for leisurely strolls or enjoying fresh seafood at one of the many restaurants that line the promenade.

Day 2 - Sabratha - Tripoli

Drive to the ancient site of Sabratha, founded in the 6th century and ruled by Carthage and Rome among others. The site offers a majestic collection of historic remains including public buildings, arenas and temples.  In the afternoon we head back to Tripoli where we will take a tour of the old town. We visit the Ottoman Clock Tower, the Arch of Marcus Aurelius, Martyrs’ Square and the medina among other sites. Overnight Victoria Hotel or similar. (BLD)


Day 3 - Jebel Nafusa – Ghadames

Head south to Jebel Nafusa, stopping en route to visit the 12th century fortified granary of Qasr-al-Haj. We then continue our journey into the Nafusa Mountains to the ghost town of Nalut. We explore the old city which gives us an insight into the traditional Berber lifestyle. We continue on to the enchanting oasis town of Ghadames, one of the oldest cities in the Sahara, where we will spend the night. Overnight Dar Ghadames Hotel or similar. (BLD)


Day 4 - Ghadames

A full day to explore Ghadames. We take a walking tour of the old town visiting local mosques and seeing its striking traditional architecture, typical of the Libyan Sahara. In the afternoon we head to the dunes to watch the sunset. Overnight Dar Ghadames Hotel or similar. (BLD)

Ghadames
Known as the ‘pearl of the desert’, the oasis town of Ghadames is believed to be one of the oldest towns in the Sahara. A maze of traditional houses which are now abandoned, the town remains largely unchanged with Islamic and Turkish architecture still remaining. One of the key sites is the old city which consist of around 1600 houses including almost 1250 houses, 21 mosques and 17 zawiya. The built up areas of Ghadames were once divided into sections to represent the two major tribes of the region and then divided again into seven ‘streets’. Each of these streets acted as a self-contained town and had their own communal square, mosque and schools. Other notable sites include the museum and the old cemetery.

Day 5 - Tarmisa – Gharyan – Tripoli

Leave the Sahara behind and make our way back to Tripoli. We stop at the deserted stone village of Tarmisa where we will have a spectacular view over the Sahel Al Jefara. After lunch  we continue to Gharyan, once an important stop on trade routes and a centre of resistance against the Italian occupation of the 20th century. We will visit one of its famed troglodyte houses, dug vertically into the rocky ground, and explore the Al-Qawasem area, well known for its pottery before continuing to Tripoli for the night. Overnight Victoria Hotel or similar. (BLD)


Day 6 - Leptis Magna

Today we have the full day to explore the UNESCO site of Leptis Magna, the best preserved and most extensive Roman city in the Mediterranean.We see the ruins of the Arch of Septimus Severus, the Severen Basilica and an Amphitheatre which once seated 16,000 spectators. Return to Tripoli for your final night. Overnight Victoria Hotel or similar. (BLD)

 

Leptis Magna
Originally a Berber settlement made into a trading port by the Phoenicians; it was conquered in the 6th century B.C. under the Aegis of Carthage. The port city grew wealthy not only from slaves, gold, ivory, and precious metals but also due to the rich agricultural land surrounding it. Leptis Magna became a great metropolis under the Romans, particularly during the reign of Septimus Severus (193-211 A.D.), born in the city. However, following the end of the Severan Dynasty in 235 A.D., the city fell into decline.

When the Vandals conquered Tripolitania in the mid-5th century AD, it fell upon Emperor Justinian to reclaim the land for Byzantium. In the 7th century, the Arabs conquered Tripolitania, and Leptis Magna never regained its former glory. Finally, by the 11th century, the city was abandoned to the encroaching sand dunes. In the 20th century, when serious excavations began, archaeologists found that the sand dunes had preserved the ruins remarkably well.

Day 7 - Tripoli

Transfer to the airport for departure. (B)


What's included?

  • Airport transfers

    We include arrival and departure transfers regardless of whether you book flights yourself, or we book them for you. If you’re booking them yourself, then please let us know the details so that we can arrange the transfers. Please note though that if you arrive earlier than Day 1 of the tour, and leave after the final day, we may need to make an additional charge for an airport transfer.

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation as listed in the dossier. The nature of the destinations that we operate may sometimes mean that we need to change hotels, but we’ll always endeavour to keep the same standards. Please be aware that as we operate in many countries where tourism is in its infancy, hotel standards may not be the same as you’re used to elsewhere.

    Please note that while we prefer to use centrally located hotels where possible, this is not always practical and in some locations they may not be the best option in terms of standards or reliability.

  • Guides

    You will be accompanied by an English speaking guide.

  • Meals

    As listed within the itinerary / dossier (B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner). These will vary from trip to trip – in some areas it makes sense to include all meals while in others there is a good choice of restaurants and we feel people might like to ‘do their own thing’ now and again. Please note that when meals are included, sometimes these will be in hotels, as often these are the most appropriate option, and will sometimes be set menus. Local restaurants are often lacking in variety, as well as the capacity to cater for groups. Drinks are not included and are at your own expense.

  • Entrance fees

    Entrance fees are listed for those sites that we mention within the itinerary. If there are any other sites that you’d like to see, these would be at your own expense.

What's not included?

  • Visas

    We don’t arrange visas for our travellers, but if an invitation letter is necessary then we will arrange this for you. If you need any advice with visas then just give us a call, or alternatively a visa agency such as Travcour (www.travcour.com) can assist.

  • International flights

    Many of our travellers arrive from different destinations and so we don’t include international flights in the cost of our tours. If however you would like us to book flights for you, then just give us a call and we’ll be happy to discuss your options.

  • Travel insurance

    If you need any assistance with this, then let us know – although we can’t arrange it ourselves we can point you in the direction of a reputable provider that can assist.

Visas

All travellers will require a visa to enter Libya, which must be obtained before travel. We strongly recommend that you use the services of a visa agency as this visa can be difficult and time consuming to apply for directly. Using a visa agency can make the process a lot smoother.

Visa regulations can change however and so we recommend that you contact your nearest embassy for the most up to date information.

Health and vaccinations

We are not medically qualified and so we recommend that you speak to your doctor or nearest health professional for advice concerning recommended vaccinations. For more advice on vaccinations you can also visit www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk.

If you have any physical limitations that might impact your ability to participate in the planned tour activities, it’s essential that you make us aware as soon as possible so that we can discuss this with you.

Insurance

It is a condition of joining our tours that you have suitable travel insurance in place, and we cannot accept travellers without insurance. All policies differ in terms of what they will cover, but as a minimum you need medical and health cover which will cover you for the whole time that you are away. Most policies will also include cancellation cover, which will cover you if an unforeseen circumstance obliges you to cancel your trip. We recommend that you obtain your insurance as soon as you book your trip.

Please note that government travel warnings often affect the validity of your travel insurance, and you should check this with your insurance company.

Money

The local currency in Libya is the Libyan dinar. It is best to bring Euros for exchange purposes and your guide will be able to assist you with this. Libya is very much a cash society – credit cards are not widely accepted, and ATM machines are not especially reliable.

When to go                                                                                                  

The best times to visit Libya are spring and autumn, when temperatures are at their least oppressive.

Local conditions

When travelling to some of the destinations we offer you need to bear in mind that things won’t always work here as we’re used to them working at home. Travelling in underdeveloped and untouristed destinations requires both patience and a sense of humour. There may be problems with infrastructure, attitudes may be different, and maintenance may not be as high a standard as we would always like, but this is very much part and parcel of travelling in such a place. We aim to resolve any issues as quickly as possible, and thank you for your patience. 

Travel advice

We keep a very close eye on the travel advice issued by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office so that we can keep you up to date with any warnings. At the time of writing the FCO advises against all travel to Libya.

We work very closely with our local team and are fully confident that we can operate tours safely in Libya. Should you have any concerns over safety please do not hesitate to contact us and we can address your concerns.

This relates to advice from the British government – other nationalities need to check the stance of their own governments.

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Date(s)
Price (PP) Exc. Flights
Single Supplement
Trip Status
Date -
09 February 2025
Price (PP) -
£2,449
Single Supplement -
£230
Trip Status -
Available
Book Now
Date -
02 November 2025
Price (PP) -
£2,449
Single Supplement -
£230
Trip Status -
Available
Book Now

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