TOP 5 EXPEDITIONS
Libyan Dossier
SAHARAN SAFARI - LIBYA
CODE XPD300 AND
301
10 - 14 DAYS
GRADE – MODERATE
ITINERARY – COSTS – INCLUSIONS
EXPEDITION OVERVIEW
Since December 2003 Libya has once again welcomed tourist to its shores with full diplomatic relations with the United States being restored in May 2006. The opening of new sites and the establishment of tourist hotels throughout the country is the beginning of an exciting time for the adventure traveler keen to explore where few tourist have tread.
No Roads has been operating in Africa for some years and is now one of the earliest to receive approval from Libyan authorities to operate within the country. Capitalising on our African experience we have been able to put together two awesome journeys into the heart of the true Sahara region. Commencing in Tripoli there is the opportunity to visit the sites of Leptis Magna and Sabratha, with their ancient roman ruins. Heading into southern Libya we meet our support team to trek and explore the vast and mountainous Akakus region with its UNESCO world heritage listing. Heading east from the Akakus towards Sebha we spend a few days trekking the dunes of the lakes region with its scattering of magical oases. The dunes in the region of the Sahara can reach up to 300m high and spread for hundreds of kilometers in all directions.
What would a desert trek be without camels?
While traveling through the Sahara our treks our supported by our
Tuareg camel drivers and camels. Through the local Tuareg
people we are able to experience local cuisine and way of life as
they accompany us through the desert.
EXPEDITION GRADE
These expeditions are considered moderate. While most
of the terrain has no inclines, dunes of the lakes region can be
considered difficult at times. The non-expedition nights are
spent in comfortable hotels while in the remote we stay in either
tents or fixed huts. In the desert day temperatures can be in the mid
to high 30’s and nights freezing cold.
ITINERARY
On selected expeditions this trip is led by both an Australian Guide and a local bi-lingual leader. For Private Expeditions of 12 or more the Australian Guide will join the team. Please check the website for expedition dates. We have a 14 day and a 10 day expedition to Libya.
Deep Sahara XPD300 14 Days
Day 1: Arrival to Tripoli Airport where our guide will meet you. Your guide will assist you in getting Visa upon arrival, transfer to the hotel. No activities planned for today. Overnight at hotel.
Day 2: City sightseeing tour.
The city sightseeing tour will include: a visit to the Aljamahirya Museum which is one of the essential attractions for a sightseeing tour to Libya; the museum exhibits monuments of civilizations that inhabited Libya, the Germants, Roman, Greek, Phonecian & Islamic. Our Local guide will accompany you to provide an interesting & a brief explanation about the ancient civilization. Our Second point of the city sightseeing tour is visiting The Karamanly house, which is one of the most important historical houses in the street of Arbaa Arsaat. It was built in the 2nd half of the 18th century A.D. during the reign of Ali Pasha Al Karamanly from (1754-1793). It was know as Al Hareem house because the famous governor of Tripoli Usef Pasha Karamanly (1798-1832) was living in this house with his big family. Afterwards visit the Marcus Aurelus Arch. Overnight at hotel.
Day 3: Fly to the city of Ghat on the Libyan/Algerian border home of the Tuareg people. From Ghat we carry on to Tkharkhory, meet with the camels caravan at the by Arch of Akakus, overnight in tents.
Day 4: Trekking to Imha via Anshal & Tanshalt overnight at Imha in tents.
Day 5: Trekking from Imha to Emi Naning via paintings at Wan Emlal & Emirka Valley overnight in tents.
Day 6: Trekking from Emi Naning to In Eidi via Teshuinat overnight in tents.
Day 7: Trekking from In Eidi to Rahrmellen via Tin-Lalan, meet the 4*4W.D. Overnight in tents.
Day 8: Drive through the town Jerma to our overnight camp adjacent to the magnificent sand dunes of the lakes region. Overnight in camp.
Day 9: This morning we make a four-wheel drive journey in to the heart of the lakes region to meet our camel caravan. Once the camels are loaded, we leave the four-wheel drives except the kitchen 4WD and begin our trek to the first of three oases to be visited. Overnight in tents.
Day 10: Continue trekking through the surrounding dunes where another oasis awaits. Overnight in tents.
Day 11: Supported by camels we continue our trek to our last
and the largest oasis, Lake Gabroun. Here we have the
opportunity to take a swim, explore the surrounding dunes or relax.
Overnight in tents.
Day 12: This morning we are met by the four-wheel drives for another exhilarating ride through the dunes of the lakes region. Once leaving the dunes area, we make our way to Sebha for our evening flight back to Tripoli. Overnight in hotel.
Day 13: Excursion to Leptis-Magna (120 Km.); the most preserved Roman site; the city was originally a Phoenician port, settled during the first millennium BC. Slaves, gold, ivory and precious metals brought it great wealth, which was supplement by the rich agricultural land surrounding it. Roman legions ousted the Carthaginians following the third Punic War, after which the city flourished until vandals did their namesake thing in 455 AD. The first thing you'll encounter is the Severan Arch, which was erected in honour of Emperor Septimus Severus' visit to his hometown in 203 AD. Not far off are the marble and granite paneled Hadrianic Baths, the largest outside Rome. Keep exploring and you'll come across the partially covered nymphaeum, a shrine dedicated to the worship of nymphs; a pair of massive forums, similar in design and grandiosity to the imperial forum in Rome; the extraordinarily detailed basilica and theater. Lunch. Continue our tour to the west along the seashore about 700 m, the circus and amphitheater, where chariot races and similar spectacles were held for the locals' amusement. Drive to Villa Sillin visit the wonderful mosaic, return to Tripoli, overnight at hotel.
Day 14: In the morning if time permits before your flight visit Tripoli old city souk (market). Afternoon transfer to the airport.
SAHARA TREKKER XPD301
10 Days
Day 1: Arrival to Tripoli Airport where our guide will meet
you. Your guide will assist you in getting Visa upon arrival,
transfer to the hotel. No activities planned for today.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 2: City sightseeing tour.
The city sightseeing tour will include: a visit to the Aljamahirya Museum which is one of the essential attractions for a sightseeing tour to Libya; the museum exhibits monuments of civilizations that inhabited Libya, the Germants, Roman, Greek, Phonecian & Islamic. Our Local guide will accompany you to provide an interesting & a brief explanation about the ancient civilization. Our Second point of the city sightseeing tour is visiting The Karamanly house, which is one of the most important historical houses in the street of Arbaa Arsaat. It was built in the 2nd half of the 18th century A.D. during the reign of Ali Pasha Al Karamanly from (1754-1793). It was know as Al Hareem house because the famous governor of Tripoli Usef Pasha Karamanly (1798-1832) was living in this house with his big family. Afterwards visit the Marcus Aurelus Arch.
The Third point of our tour Drive to Sabratha (62 Km.) Having Lunch in a tourist Restaurant, drive to the site to begin touring in the ancient Roman city & it's museum with & a brief explanation from our Local Guide. Return to Tripoli at 6 o’clock (18:00) transfer to the airport, flight to Sebha, overnight at hotel.
Day 3: Drive to Ghat (553 Km. south west of Sebha) visit the old city of Ghat, carrying on to Tkharkhory, meet with the camels caravan at the by Arch of Akakus, overnight in tents.
Day 4: Trekking to Imha via Anshal & Tanshalt overnight at Imha in tents.
Day 5: Trekking from Imha to Emi Naning via paintings at Wan Emlal & Emirka Valley overnight at tents.
Day 6: Drive through the town Jerma to our overnight camp adjacent to the magnificent sand dunes of the lakes region. Overnight in camp.
Day 7: This morning we make a four wheel drive journey in to the heart of the lakes region to meet our camel caravan. Once the camels are loaded we leave the four wheel drives except the kitchen 4WD and begin our trek to the first of two oases to be visited. Overnight in tents.
Day 8: Supported by camels we continue our trek to the largest oasis, Lake Gabroun. Here we have the opportunity to take a swim, explore the surrounding dunes or relax. Overnight in tents.
Day 9: This morning we are met by the four-wheel drives for another exhilarating ride through the dunes of the lakes region. Once leaving the dunes area, we make our way to Sebha for our evening flight back to Tripoli. Overnight in hotel.
Day 10: In the morning if time permits before your flight visit Tripoli old city souk (market). Afternoon transfer to the airport.
INCLUSIONS
1. Meet & return transfers to the international airport.
2. Accommodation as mentioned in the tour itinerary.
3. Transportation by Air-conditioned Mini-Buses.
4. Domestic flights.
5. Visa upon arrival.
6. English speaking Guide.
7. Entrance fees at the sites.
8. Australian Guide on selected departure dates at no extra cost
9. All meals while on expedition.
EXCLUSIONS
1. Photo camera fees at the sites.
2. Snacks & Beverages.
3. Tips.
EXPEDITION DATES
Check our website for the latest dates.
www.noroads.com.au
We can also tailor an expedition to your requirements so please feel free to call us and have a chat.
PRICE
14 Day Deep Sahara XPD300 AUD$2990 ex Tripoli
10 Day Sahara Trekker XPD301 AUD$2690 ex Tripoli
PRIVATE EXPEDITIONS AND AUSTRALIAN GUIDES
We are able to organize private expeditions for those that want familiar people to join them or our scheduled departures don’t suit. We need a minimum of 10 people to constitute a Private trip. We will also send an Australian No Roads guide at no extra cost.
TRIPOLI
The ancient city of Tripoli is the capital of Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya and your first experience of this vast country. Tripoli is a mixture of ancient and modern where wide busy roads meet the narrow laneways of the souk (market area), which are still lined in places by roman columns. The city’s old town is one of the classical sites of the Mediterranean; the walled medina retains much of its old world ambience and is home to the Aljamhirya Museum which houses artifacts from the Germants, Roman, Greek, and Phoenician civilizations.
The city of Tripoli is alive with activity day and night. A walk through the streets is pleasant, with few visitors yet to visit the country you are welcomed with a smile where ever you visit. The city is full of intrigue and on market day is a bustling hive of activity not to be missed.
SAHARA DESERT
The Sahara Desert covers over 3.5 million square miles and has only 2.5 million inhabitants, which is one of the lowest population densities on earth. On the whole, the Sahara is one of the harshest environments known to man.
For centuries caravaneers have traveled through the
Sahara desert. The greater Sahara is made up of many different
regions, each with their own landscape. The Akakus Mountains
have been placed on the World Heritage List by UNESCO for the
extensive rock art of the area that is dated at over 10,000 years
old. The mountains surrounding the area are spectacular to view
from the many natural vantage points. The jagged peaks stretch
far into the distance. Each day as we travel through the
valleys deeper into the mountain range the endless views becomes more
surreal.
Leaving the mystery of the mountains you then head
for the romanticism of the towering dunes and oases of the lakes
region. Hidden amongst mountainous sand dunes that stretch for
hundreds of kilometers are the lakes of the Sahara. The area is
the imagined true Sahara that inspires emotions as the lost lakes are
revealed. The palm ringed shores of the lakes are the scene for
our idyllic camp sites under the stars.
LEPTIS MAGNA & SABRATHA
From occupation by the Romans and Greeks to the end of Italian rule in 1943 to today, Libya has experienced a rich and vibrant past. The historical footsteps of these enigmatic rulers can still be experienced in the historical sites throughout Libya, especially at Leptis Magna and Sabratha.
Leptis Magna has the deserved reputation of the most splendid Roman ruins in North Africa. For 800 years the sands of the desert consumed and protected the ruins of Leptis Magna from the elements. At the pinnacle of its splendor it is estimated that the roman city may have had up to 80 thousand residents. Today what remains are the ruins of a vast roman city with many prominent highlights.
UNESCO describes Leptis Magna as “one of the most beautiful cities of the Roman Empire, with its imposing public monuments, harbour, market-place, storehouses, shops and residential districts”.
Only a couple of hours to the west of Tripoli is the town of Sabratha. Sabratha was originally settled by the Phoenicians as a trading post that served as an outlet for the products of the African hinterland. Sabratha was then part of the short lived Numibian Kingdom of Massinissa before being Romanized and rebuilt in the 2nd and 3rd centuries A.D.
The most spectacular site is the theatre, probably built during the reign of Emperor Commodus (161 – 192 AD), with its three storey back drop of columns. Other monuments and areas of interest include the Temple of Liber Pater, the Basilica of Justinian, and the mosaics of the house of Jason Magnus, the Capitalium, the Temple of Serapis, the Temple of Hercules and the Temple of Isis.
LIBYAN TOURIST VISA
Included in the
price. Tourist visas are generally not
available to individuals unless you are part of an organised tour
group traveling with a Libyan tourist company. No Roads
Expeditions will assist with the pre-approval for a visa upon
arrival. A letter of approval will be forwarded to you which
will need to be presented to the airline transporting you to Libya.
Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected departure from. Travelers whose passport contains evidence of entry to Israel or other country border crossing points with Israel will be refused entry.
All visitors to Libya, regardless of nationality, must be in possession of a minimum amount of foreign currency equivalent to 500 Libyan dinars (approx US$500) and must be able to prove this to an immigration official on arrival. Failure to comply with this regulation will result in instant deportation and a fine to the airline.
Note: All Israeli Passport Holders or those with Israeli Visas in their passport will not be admitted into Libya.
INTERNAL TRAVEL
Vehicle travel in around Tripoli, Sabratha, Leptis
Magna and when necessary in southern Libya will be by a private No
Roads vehicle.
Domestic flights are with Libya’s
international carrier on a domestic leg.
Trekking in both the Akakus and the Lakes region of the Sahara is camel supported. Camels are used for transporting camping equipment and are fitted with a saddle for those who need a break or just want to ride a camel through the Sahara desert. For larger groups a four wheel drive fitted with a kitchen will meet the group of an evening to prepare meals.
DRESS CODE
It should be mentioned that Libya is an Islamic
nation and that they do require a modest dress code for both men and
women. While head dress is not required in most parts of Libya by
women long sleeves and long pants are required. Women are strictly
forbidden to swim in any of the oasis’ without being fully covered.
PRE-DEPARTURE INFORMATION
Once
your expedition is confirmed we will send you detailed Pre Departure
Information which includes a list of recommended clothing and
personal equipment, along with other relevant information to help you
prepare for your trip to Libya.
INFORMATION AND SUPPORT
If you
have any comments, questions or want more information, please let us
know. We are here to support you with all information to help you
prepare for your travels in Libya.
WHAT DO OUR LIBYAN EXPEDITIONS INCLUDE?
SERVICES OF AN EXPERIENCED LOCAL GUIDE
All
our trek guides have been carefully selected for their ability and
temperament. Each guide has training and proven abilities in
eco-friendly methods, safety and, careful trek operations, keeping
the health and happiness of the trekkers as well his crew, uppermost.
Our guides are committed to making sure that all our trekkers have an
enjoyable trek, comes back safe and are overwhelmed by their
experience. Your guide will be a friend and companion, who takes
pleasure in showing you his country's specialties and, perhaps, meet
his home and family too.
SERVICES OF PORTER/S TO CARRY LUGGAGE AND EQUIPMENT
Where ever possible we employ porters/pack-animals locally at the beginning of the trek. This is one of the many measures we take to make sure that most of the cost our clients pays goes directly into the local economies where you trek. Porters who prove themselves are chosen for training as trek helpers, cooks and guides, thus giving them an avenue to improve the quality of their life.
ACCOMMODATION
While many of our expeditions use tents to accommodate clients, our other forms of accommodation – hotels and guest houses are always clean and comfortable. On this expedition we also use small traditional huts in the lakes Region. The process of eco-friendly lodgings is a slow one, however No Roads encourages those establishments that recycle and obtain power through wind or the sun. We try to use these places as much as possible.
ALL MEALS WHILE ON TREK
The trek includes three meals, breakfast, lunch and dinner, each day. We usually also serve up afternoon tea, tea and coffee as well as purified water.
TRANSPORT
We usually provide all domestic airfares as well as transportation to the expedition start point and transportation back to your guest house or hotel.
CONSERVATION FEES, NATIONAL PARK AND TREK PERMITS
All trekking permits, National Park and Conservation Fees are included.
EXPEDITION GRADE (EXPEDITION DIFFICULTY)
Very little walking involved and when there is, it is usually for a short distance.
GRADE 2 -
MODERATE
Moderate trekking 900m/3,000ft. and 2,000m/10,000ft. but
possibly involving side trips to higher elevations.
GRADE 3 -
DIFFICULT
Reasonably demanding trekking at altitudes up to
4,000m/13,000ft. Some expeditions included here will, in part, be
well away from villages on ill- defined mountain trails.
GRADE 4 -
STRENUOUS
Expeditions of a demanding nature, requiring all
participants to be fit and in excellent health, often in remote
alpine areas and sometimes reaching altitudes in excess of
5000m/18,000ft.
ALPINE
Extremely demanding treks sometimes
in very remote areas on rough terrain and perhaps including (in
Nepal) one or more of the so called 'trekking peaks' - maximum
altitude, Mt. Mera at 6,461m/21,192ft. Participants should have at
least a basic knowledge of use of crampons and ice axes, though first
time climbers may be accepted on some of the so called 'easy' routes
on these peaks. Medical certificates are required prior to acceptance
on any climbing treks.
BOOKINGS
If you would like to discuss this or any other matter with us please feel free to call us on (03) 9598 8581 or email us at info@noroads.com.au
ACTIVITIES
