Tour 2 – From „Allahs Garden“, the desert to the Roman Excavations

First Day

Arrival in Tripoli and transfer-flight to Sebha in the south. Arrival at the hotel and overnight stay.

Second Day

In the early morning we drive with 4x4 cars to the desert town of Ghat. The ancient trading centre of Ghat is one of the most attractive towns of the Libyan oasis. The best part is the well-preserved mud-brick medina in the heart of the town. Every year at the end of December an enchanting Tuareg festival takes place in and outside the town for several days. We’ll stay overnight in tents.

Third Day

We visit the sites we have missed the following day in Ghat. Afterwards we start our journey to the Acacus Mountains and have the chance to visit one of the finest collections of rock art on earth. The bizarre landscapes and rock formations show us the way to the paintings and engravings of Wadi Anshal and Tanshal. Overnight stay in tents.

Fourth Day

Our journey leads us through the „Louvre of the desert“. Our first step in the red sand of the Acacus Mountains follows the paths of famous travellers and explorers like Heinrich Barth. We drive deeper into the region of the Tuareg, to Emaha-In Amelal (Tadrart and Tashwint). Overnight stay in tents.

Fifth Day

We drive in the direction of Wadi Mathendoush through Wan Kazha and Murzuq, where we stay overnight. Where after sunset you dig your camp into the sand and start listening to the silence, you can hear the heartbeat of the desert, as per an old saying of the Tuareg.

Sixth Day

We’ll visit the prehistoric engravings at the Wadi Mathendoush, we’ll make a short stopover at the agricultural-project of Wadi Barjuj. Afterwards we’ll surmount the endless dune landscapes of Ubari with our 4x4 cars, we’ll stay overnight between the delicate dune formation and enjoy a breathtaking sunset.

Seventh Day

In Erg Ubari hidden behind huge dunes are over a dozen lakes. We’ll visit some of the most beautiful ones, like: Mafo, Mandara, Um el-Ma and Gabaroun. On beautiful days the palm trees and dunes reflecting in the water remind us of fairy tale scenery. Overnight stay in the dunes of Idhan Ubari.

Eight Day

Drive to Germa, the ancient town of the Garamants, the indigenous people of Libya. We’ll hear more about the rites and cults of the Garamants in the Fezzan at the regions museum. Afterwards we’ll hit the road to Murzuq, the capital of the Marinides. Up until now Murzuq provides its traditional atmosphere of an oases-village. We’ll pay a visit to the mosque and the fortress and drive to Maknusa, where we have a chance to see one of the biggest agricultural projects of the country. In the evening we fly from Sebha to Tripolis.

Ninth Day

In the early morning we drive to Leptis Magna. During the heights of its prosperity Leptis was the largest and greatest Roman city in Africa. Today its ruins are wonderfully well preserved and one of its signature monuments is the Arch of Septimus Severus. The theatres are one of the oldest stone theatres anywhere in the Roman world. About 1 km east of the port the evocative amphitheatre was hollowed out, with enough space for 16.000 people. In the late afternoon we drive back to Tripolis.

Tenth Day

We’ll spend the day at the capital Tripolis. On our schedule is a visit to the National Museum, the old Souqs, the Mosque, the Turkish houses and the Arch of Marcus Aurelius. The rest of the day belongs to you for shopping and enjoying the atmosphere and the scents of an oriental city.

Eleventh Day

About 80km west of Tripolis lies the Roman city of Sabratha. The origin of the name Sabratha has lost with time, although it is thought to possibly have been a derivation of a Libyan-Berber word meaning „frain market“, once a Roman centre of trade for African animals and ivory. This former wealth is still evident in its ruins.

Twelfth Day

The last day in Libya is a chance to buy some souvenirs and some enchanting Libyan music. In the afternoon transfer to the airport.