|
THE
WORLD HERITAGE SITES OF LIBYA
A
World Heritage Sites Tour of Libya |
 |
Home to the most significant remains of
the Phoenicians, Carthagians, and Romans of bygone days,
and offering a vivid Bedouin lifestyle in the Sahara, Libya
holds some of the most interesting attractions in the world.
Our tour not only covers four of the five World Heritage
Sites in Libya, it also provides an in depth look into this
fabulous country, and empire of which little is known today.
|
Tour
Summary
|
Map |
Day
|
Place |
|
01
|
Tripoli |
|
02
|
Tripoli
/ Benghazi |
| 03 |
Benghazi/Sousa |
|
04
|
Cyrene /
Appollonia |
|
05
|
Soussa / Qasr Libya / Benghazi |
|
06
|
Leptis Magna |
|
07
|
Sabratha |
|
08
|
Tripoli / Nalut / Ghadames |
|
09
|
Ghadames |
|
10
|
Ghadames / Tripoli |
|
11
|
Tripoli |
|
|
 |
UNESCO
World Heritage Sites Visited
This tour has been tailored to include the following World
Heritage Sites |
|
World Heritage Sites in Libya covered on this tour |
|
Leptis Magna (1982) |
Leptis
Magna was enlarged and embellished by Septimio Severo,
who was born there and later became emperor and was one
of the most beautiful cities of the Roman Empire. |
| Sabratha
(1982) |
A
Phoenician trading-post that served as an outlet for the
products of the African hinterland, Sabratha was part
of the short-lived Numidian kingdom of Massinissa before
being Romanized and rebuilt in the 2nd and 3rd centuries
A.D. |
| Cyrene
(1982) |
A
colony of the Greeks of Thera, Cyrene was one of the principal
cities in the Hellenic world. It was Romanized, and remained
a great capital until the earthquake of 365. A thousand
years of history is written in its ruins, famous since
the 18th century. |
| Old
Town of Ghadames (1988) |
Built
in an oasis, Ghadames, "the pearl of the desert", is one
of the oldest pre-Saharan cities and an outstanding example
of a traditional settlement. |
| Detailed
Itinerary |
Day
1 (SAT): Arrive Tripoli
Ahlaan wasahlaan “Welcome” to Libya – we are warmly welcomed
and after clearing Custom and Immigration, we are met at the exit gate and transferred
to our hotel. The drive gives us our first glimpse into the life of the people
who live in the capital city.
Overnight: Bab El Baher Hotel, Tripoli (1 night) (D)
Day 2 (SUN): Tripoli / Benghazi (Flight)
Our Libyan experience starts with a tour of Tripoli, founded by the Phoenicians
in 1000 B.C. and later conquered by the Romans. Our tour of this beautiful metropolis
covers the huge fortress, the National Museum, the old souq and the Islamic quarters.
Later in the day we are transferred to the airport for our short flight to the
second largest and most beautiful city of Libya, Benghazi. Upon arrival in Benghazi
we are met and transferred to our hotel. Evening we enjoy a typical dinner at
a local restaurant.
Overnight: Uzo Hotel, Benghazi (1 night) (B, L, D)
Day 3 (MON): Benghazi/Sousa (Drive 238kms/148miles)
Our day starts with a tour of this beautiful resort city of Libya. The second
largest city of the Jamariya houses a spectacularly maintained War cemetery (Libya
played a major role in the North African Korps). We see the old town with its
artistically designed buildings, and colourful souq. Benghazi also offers us
the opportunity to meet the Libyan folks and enjoy tea with very friendly people
who have lived history in the making for several thousand years. An interesting
drive along the eastern coast gets us Soussa.
Overnight: Al Manara Hotel, El Beyda (2 nights) (B, L, D)
Day
4 (TUE): Cyrene & Apollonia
Our journey today starts with a visit to the World Heritage Site of Cyrene. The
city was part of the 1st century five city state of Pentapolis and was second
in size only to Athens. Cyrene was founded by the Greeks in 631 B.C. and was
later occupied by the Romans and then the Arabs. We also visit the famous temples
of Zeus and Apollo and after lunch we visit incredible Apollonia (Sousa), which
was the port of Cyrene and is located 20 kms/12 miles to the north. Here our
visit includes a detailed tour of the majestic Theatre, the Roman baths as well
as the Byzantine palace. (B, L, D)
Day 5 (WED): Soussa
/ Qasr Libya / Benghazi
(Drive 210kms / 130miles)
/ Tripoli (Flight)
A morning drive through Jabel Akhdar gets us to Qasr Libya where we visit an
interesting museum that houses more than 50 pieces of mosaic artifact fragments
dating back to the 6th century AD. Our next stop is Ptolemais, the former capital
of Pentapolis, offering today remains of palaces, theatres, Bouleterion and a
3rd century bridge. Lunch at a local restaurant and then we have some free time
in Benghazi before we are transferred to the airport for our flight to Tripoli.
At Tripoli we are met and transferred to our hotel.
Overnight: Bab El Baher Hotel, Tripoli (3 nights) (B, L, D)
Day
6 (THU):
Leptis Magna
The highlight of any journey to Libya is visiting the renowned World Heritage
Site of Leptis Magna located east of Tripoli. From a Berber settlement it became
an important community when it was established as a city by the Canaanites and
reached its climax under the rule of Roman Emperor Septimus Severus. We visit
the vast site including the Triumphal Arch, huge Basilica, Forum, Public Baths,
Hippodrome, Amphitheater, etc. Lunch will be at the local restaurant at the site
before returning to Tripoli. (B, L, D)
Day
7 (FRI): Sabratha
Amongst all the coastal sites, Sabratha stands out as the most beautiful. A World
Heritage Site, Sabratha was founded by the Canaanites (6th c. B.C.), ruled by
Carthage, Phoenicia, Numedia and then Rome in 46 B.C. The site offers a majestic
collection of public buildings, arenas, temples of Liber Peter, Srapis, Isis,
and Hercules. Tripoli “ Oea“ (the bride of the Mediterranean) is
the capital of Libya. (B, L, D)
Day
8 (SAT): Tripoli / Nalut
/ Ghadames (Drive 630kms
/ 389miles)
An exciting day today as we head south to the Saharan oasis of Ghadames. En route,
we stop at the “ghost town” of Nalut, which is located high in the
Nafusa Mountains. Nalut offers an insight into the traditional living styles
of the locals – the prevalent style of life until the Libyans found the
oil wealth providing them with the resources to afford more concrete structures
than the caves at Nalut. Lunch is at an oasis in the open desert. After a tour
of Nalut, we head further south towards the arid Saharan Desert.
Overnight: Waha Hotel, Ghadames (2 nights) (B, L, D)
Day
9 (SUN): Ghadames
This oasis was settled from prehistoric times and was a major port of call for
traders and pilgrims en route to Mecca. Ghadames is a beautiful sleepy desert
town that has preserved its original culture, most visibly in the architecture
of the town with its labyrinthine passages, mud bricked and gaily decorated streets.
Our tour will cover both the old ghost town and the mysterious desert. Evening
we witness sunset in the desert. This can be an intense site, but it is very
much weather dependent. Lunch will be a typical meal served in the old city. (B,
L, D)
Day
10 (MON): Ghadames/Tripoli
(Drive 630kms
/ 389 miles)
After an interesting experience of the Sahara, we proceed to Kabaw village with
the old houses mostly in shambles, and all of the inhabitants living in rather
anonymous structures. We also visit the ghurfas, the grain store built by the
local Berbers, and located at the very summit of the village. This is followed
by a visit to Tormisa to see the incredible, and intact, cave structures there.
From here we visit the pottery market at Gharian before returning to Tripoli.
Overnight: Bab El Baher Hotel, Tripoli (1 night) (B, L, D)
Day
11
(TUE):
Depart
Tripoli
Morning transfer to the airport for our flight back home. (B) |
|
B
= Breakfast
|
L
= Lunch
|
D
= Dinner
|
|
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|
Departure Dates |
|
2010/2011
Please call for details -
1-800-663-0844 / 1-604-264-7378
|
| Prices |
| Departure |
Tour
Price US$ |
Single
Sup US$ |
Please
call for details - 1-800-663-0844 / 1-604-264-7378 |
| Tour
Price Includes |
Tour
Price Does Not Include: |
- Hotels
as mentioned (or similar).
- Meals
as mentioned (B = Breakfast,
L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
- All
sightseeing and transfers by private transportation.
- Services
of local English speaking guides.
- Entrance
fees to museums and sites included in the itinerary
|
- International
airfares
- Airport/departure
taxes
- Insurance,
visas
- Drinks/Beverages
with meals
- Tips/Gratuities
to Drivers & Guides
|
| Domestic
/ Regional Airfare INCLUDED in Tour Price |
| Tripoli
/ Benghazi / Tripoli |
| Estimated
International Airfare(not
included in tour price) |
| East
Coast |
US
$ 1400 |
| West
Coast |
US
$ 1600 |
| Please
note:
This tour operates with a minimum of 2
and a maximum of 15
participants. |
| Other
Dates / Customized Itinerary / Languages |
In addition to our set programs we are also pleased
to offer customized tours.
Please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss your
individual needs.
Customized tours can be conducted in English, French,
German, Spanish or Italian. Each departure is conducted
in the designated language only. |
| Contact
Information |
|
|
Fax:
+1-604-264-7774
|
| 206–8678
Greenall Ave |
Phone:
+1-604-264-7378 |
| Burnaby
B.C., Canada |
Toll
Free (US & Canada): 1-800-663-0844 |
| V5J
3M6 |
Email:
bestway@bestway.com |
|
30
years in small group journeys
|
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Site
updated Jun 01, 2009
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