Libya has recently opened - and that too to limited tourism. It offers one of the largest concentration of Carthegian, Phoenecian, Roman, Greek, Byzantine, Islamic and Ottaman centres. Our tour combines with Tunisia and Egypt, which also offers a great indepth of history as well as culture.
Your Itinerary
Day 1:
Arrive Tunis/Gammarth
This afternoon you are scheduled to arrive Tunis, the capital of Tunisia. You will be met by our local representative for the transfer to the hotel in Gammarth. In the evening, the welcome dinner.
Day 2:
Gammarth
Full day tour will include visit to the "Medina" and souks in Tunis, the ruins of Carthage and the medieval village of Sidi Bou Said - a world heritage cite. We visit the various sites including Mount Byrsa, Museum, the 3rd century B.C. Punic Quarter, the Roman Amphitheater, the Antonine Thermal Baths.
(B) (D)
Day 3:
Gammarth/Kairoun
A short countryside drive brings us to Kairoun - recognized as the fourth holiest city of Islam and the only one in North Africa. Our tour of city starts off with the Oquba Mosque, Sidi Mausoleum, the 9th century Aglabid Bassins and the very traditional Medina.
(B) (D)
Day 4:
Kairoun/Sfax/Gabes/Matmata
A two hours drive brings us to Sfax, which is located on the Mediterranean Sea and is famous for its popular souks - the shooting location of the Oscar winning movie "The English Patient". We will visit the Archeological Museum before heading for the coast to visit the resort of Gabes before reaching Matmata. Evening we stroll at the Berber town and visit the Troglodytes.
(B) (D)
Day 5:
Matmata/Ghadmes (Libya)
Our drive to Lybia is along the desert terrain and we enter the most busiest of the Lybian borders and head for Ghadames. En route we stop at the "ghost town" of Nalut, which is located high in the Nafusa Mountains. Touring the castle we go further south towards the Saharan Desert.
(B) (D)
Day 6:
Ghadames
This oasis was settled from prehistoric times and was a major port of call for the traders and pilgrims en route to Mecca. Ghadames is a beautiful, sleepy desert town and retains a high influence of Berber and Tare tribes. It has retained its own original culture most visibly in the architecture of the mud bricked and the narrow lane streets. Our tour will cover both the old ghost town and the sand dunned desert.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 7:
Ghadames/Tripoli
This morning depart for the capital city of Tripoli.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 8:
Tripoli
Day excursion to visit one of the most interesting sites of Libya, Sabrata. It was founded by the Canaanites in the 6th 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) (L) (D)
Day 9:
Tripoli
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. Our tour of this beautiful metropolis covers the huge fortress, the National Museum, the old souk and the Islamic quarters. Afternoon is free for the bargains at the local souks.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 10:
Tripoli/Leptis Magna/Zliten
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 3rd century it became an even more important trading port under the Roman Emperor Septimus Servarus. We will see the vast site including the Triumphal Arch, the huge Basilica, the Forum, the Public Baths, the Hippodrome, the Amphitheater etc. At the end of the day we drive to the coastal resort town of Zliten.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 11:
Zliten/Benghazi
A drive along side the long stretch of the Mediterranean Sea will give us a glimpse of both deserts fields and small habitats near the oil refineries. Our arrival at Benghazi will surprise us with the beauty this eastern metropolis of Lybia offers. Benghazi was founded in 466 B.C. and offers a splendid quality of life in Libya.
overnight Tibesty Hotel
(B) (L) (D)
Day 12:
Benghazi
This is a heavy duty day of sightseeing with a number of rich archeological 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. Ptolomais was the capital of Pentapolis and Brace offer today remains of palaces, theatres, Bouleterion and a 3rd century bridge. It has an interesting mosaic museum. Gaser Libya houses 50 pieces of mosaic artifacts fragments dating back to the 6th Century AD.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 13:
Benghazi
Another interesting day into the Greco-Roman times. Cyrene was part of the 1st 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 Theater, the Roman baths and Byzantine palace.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 14:
Benghazi/Tobruk
Morning depart for Tobruk. It was a Libyan port that the British and Austrian troops captured in January 1941. It showed how incapable the Italian were of fighting in the desert and prompted Hitler to send the Afrika Korps to help them out.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 15:
Tobruk/Mersa Matruh (Egypt)
Today we see graves of the many soldiers who died conquering and defending Tobruk. Cross the border into Egypt and drive to Mersa Matruh.
(B) (D)
Day 16:
Mersa Matruh/Alexandria
Morning depart for Alamein, scene of the historic Allied victory in the Second World War, where we visit the British cemetery. Continue to Alexandria. Afternoon tour includes the citadel of Qait Bay, the Catacombs of Kom el-Shuga and Pompey's Pillar.
(B) (D)
Day 17:
Alexandria
Morning visit to the extensive Greco-Roman Museum. Afternoon at leisure.
(B) (D)
Day 18:
Depart Alexandria
Early morning transfer to the airport for the departure flight.
(B)
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
2002 prices.
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
Libya
Tunisia
Egypt
History Whiz
Archeology/History
|
| Check out these similar vacation offers: |
|
|
