Tour 3 – Wonder-World of oases and witnesses of antiquity

First Day

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

Second Day

On the second day of our journey and for the first time we dig our toes in the sands of the biggest desert of the world – the Sahara. Camels are our modern means of transport; they bring us to the salt lakes of Mandara, Um el-ma and Gabaroun. These world wonders surrounded by palmtrees belong to the most impressive and enchanting landscapes of the Sahara. These oases still provoke that sense of awe that only water in the desert can inspire. Overnight in tents.

Third Day

After the lakes we’ll proceed towards Djerma. The old city of the Garamants, Djerma, leads us into the ancient history of Libya. After a short visit we drive to Murzuq and have a look at the capital of the Marinides. Once a very important trade centre for European and African goods. In the oases of Zuweilah we’ll meet the direct descendants of Mohammed, because when the Arabs conquered North Africa, they came here first. About 10km east of town we’ll see a set of seven tombs, known as As-Sahaba, belonging to a group of Mohammed’s contemporaries who died here in a battle to defend the town in the 7th century. Overnight in tents.

Fourth Day

From Zuweilah we drive via Temissa to the Vulcan craters of Wau el-Kebir. For the most part the journey we look at dunes and plateau’s and our eyes wont get tired of the ever changing landscapes of this region. On the edges of the volcano is a former camp of workers which was transformed into a hotel, here we stay overnight.

Fifth Day

Waw an-Namus ranks amongst the most remote places in the world, standing as it does at the centre of the Sahara. The lakes formed in this crater by a now-extinct volcano are superb, as they are surrounded by high reeds and fine black and white volcanic sand.

Sixth Day

Since the desert enchanted us completely, we begin to understand the explorers and travellers of long gone times. Skirting the northern reaches of Ramlat Rabyaneh, home to some splendid sand dunes on our way to the oases of Tazerbo. The place itself is small, but significant because it is a source of water from the Great Man-Made River project. South of the town are the remains of an old Toubou fort. You’ll meet the Toubou in the village and get an impression of these beautiful people, travellers say that their women are the most beautiful in the world. Overnight in tents.

Seventh Day

From Tazerbo our road takes us to oases of Bzemah. Very seldom do tourists pass by this magical oasis, which makes it an even more remote place and offers us a thrilling experience. Buzeima has very hot spring water, supposedly well for rheumatism. This spa town, also once famous for its dates, has long been deserted. We’ll have a good-nights sleep surrounded by so many „healthiness“.

Eight Day

Before midday we’ll approach a group of oases of al-Kufrah. The oases are a centre of government’s efforts to develop large scale agriculture in remote areas. Al-Kufrah was once an important staging post for trans-Saharan trade and from the 19th century it was an important centre of the Sanusi Movement. Overnight in tents.

Ninth Day

Proceeding to Jebel al-Awaynat and to the place where three countries meet: Libya, Egypt and Sudan. On our way we’ll be witnesses of the „hectic life“ in desert: tracks filled up with goods and people on their way to the big market places of the Al-Kufrah Oases. Under the protection of the Jebel Al-Awaynat we will build up our camps.

Tenth and Eleventh Day

We’ll spend the day in the rugged landscape of Jebel Awaynat and „conquer“ the mountain top. The moonlike landscape reminds us of Hollywood and its space-movies producing dream factory. On the other hand we have time for contemplation and meditation in-between the rocketry mushrooms and other fantasy-like sculptures. The only thing which can disturb our sleep is the ultimate silence of the desert.

Twelfth Day

Our way back to Kufrah means a slow Goodbye to the desert. From that time on, we may carry the sign of the nomads on our heads, like the famous explorer Wilfred Thesiger wrote. We spend our last night in our tents, which in the meantime had become our second home.

Thirteenth Day

From Kufrah we’ll fly back to Tripolis, where we spend the rest of the day strolling through the city or relaxing at the hotel.

Fourteenth Day

After the desert we are ready to hit the roads of the Libyan capital Tripolis with its 1.3 Mio inhabitants. Nonetheless its history Tripolis is a modern bustling city with a lot to see and enjoy. Whether it is a tour through the Suqs of the old town, or a visit to the national museum, or traditional lunch in one of the restaurants in the Suq or a shay na´ ana in one of the cities tea houses.

Fifteenth Day

In the morning Transfer to the airport.