Libya Desert tour

Private tour of the Libya desert 

Day 1: Tripoli
Highlights: Tripoli Old city

This day is dedicated to experience modern en old Tripoli. (the old Oea). Depending on the time of arrival we visit the National Museum, the Ahmed Karamalli Pasha mosque and the old Medina: its narrow alleyways, its elegant mosques and the animated souk.

Day 2 Tripoli – Sebha – Wadi Mathkandoush – Murzuk Sand Sea
Highlights: Rock art of Wadi Matkhandoush, Camping wild in the Murzuk Sand Sea

In the morning a flight to Sebha. From Sebha we drive in an 4WD to Germa where we enter the desert for the drive to Wadi Matkhandoush, an ancient spiritual site festooned with rock engravings dating back thousands of years. Arrive in time for lunch before beginning exploration of the site. Afterwards, we’ll camp on the edge of the mighty Murzuk Sand Sea.Accommodation: Wild camping

Day 3 Mesak Mistafit – Wan Ekamed – Mesak Millat – Wan Casa – The Acacus
Highlights: Camping wild in stunning desert scenery, Rock art of Wan Ekamed.

Continue through the rocky desert terrain of the Masak Mistafit and Mesak Millat, stopping to view the beautiful prehistoric engravings at Wan Ekamed. Continue through the rolling sand dunes of Wan Casa to the edge of the Acacus.
Accommodation: Wild camping

Day 4 The Acacus
Highlights: Camping wild in stunning desert scenery, Millennia-old rock art

Exploration of the Acacus, with its amazing vistas and superb rock paintings charting the evolution of human societies harking back 12000 years. The scenery, with its great basalt monoliths ladled among shifting sands, is awe-inpiring, particularly the great 150 metre high arch of Afizajarin.
Accommodation: Wild camping

Day 5 The Acacus
Highlights: Camping wild in stunning desert scenery, Millennia-old rock art

Continue exploration of the Acacus.
Accommodation: Wild camping

Day 6 The Acacus – Al –Awainat
Highlights: Camping wild in stunning desert scenery, Millennia-old rock art

Continue exploration of the Acacus. Drive via Wadi Adad and “Finger Rock” and exit to the town of Al-Awainat where we overnight.
Accommodation: Al-Faw Camp, Al-Awainat. 

 Day 7  Al-Awanait – Germa – Ubari Sand Sea-Tripoli.
Highlights: Ancient capital of the Garamantians, Towering dunes and salt lakes of the Ubari Sand Sea. 

From Al-Awainat, we drive north to Germa where we visit the ancient capital of the Garamantian civilisation before heading into the high dunes of the Ubari Sand Sea on an exhilirating ride to the great Ubari lakes of Lake Gabraoun and Lake Umm al-Maa. These beautiful oases are enchanting, and offer the opportunity for a refreshing swim in the salt waters followed by a dousing with freshwater from a well. Evening local flight back to Tripoli.

Day 8 Tripoli – Leptis Magna
Highlights: Everything at Leptis Magna!

Full day excursion to Leptis Magna (UNESO World Heritage Site), the largest and best-preserved Roman city in the world that came to prominence in the 2^nd century AD under its native son, the Emperor Septimus Severus. Following his reign, the city fell into decline until revived by the Emperor Justinian in the 5^th century AD at which time it fell under Byzantine rule.

The vast site is truly spectacular and includes the triumphal Arch of Septimus Severus, the Hadrianic Baths complex, the Palaestra (Athletics Ground), the Nymphaeum (Temple of Nymphs), the huge Imperial Forum, the Basilica, the Arches of Tiberius and Trajan, the Theatre with its beautiful backdrop against the Mediterranean Sea, the Sanctuary of the Divine Emperors, and the Market with its unique kiosks which, at the time of construction, were a groundbreaking design in the Roman world. In the eastern part of the city lie the Circus and the vast Amphitheatre, the most complete in the world, with seating for over 15,000 spectators. You will visit the vast arena, the terraces, gladiators’ anterooms and animal enclosures.

En route back to Tripoli, a visit will be made to the 2^nd century Villa Sileen discovered in 1974 The wall paintings portray scenes such as gladiatorial combat and chariot racing while the mosaics display river scenes that include sea nymphs, birds and animals. 

Day 9 Tripoli-Home

Last day for shopping and At leisure until transfer to the airport.