Back to all Libya Itineraries

Libya Desert Adventure - 9 days, 8 nights

Tripoli - Sabratha - Tripoli - Sebha - Ubari - Germa - Akakus - al Aweinat - Ubari Lakes - Gaberoun - Sebha - Tripoli - Leptis Magna - Tripoli

This tour is designed for those who want to see the essential sites of Tripolitana and then take off on an action-packed adventure deep in the Sahara Desert. You will have plenty of time visit Tripoli, the extensive Roman ruins of Leptis Magna and the magnificent Roman theatre at Sabratha. In the desert you will spend four nights in luxury tented camps, dining under the stars surrounded by the breathtaking scenery of the Libyan Sahara. By day you will visit the oasis town of Germa, the ancient village of Gaberoun, fully explore the mountainous Akakus desert region to the east of Ghat, swim in the spectacular Ubari Lakes, dune-surf in the Ubari 'sand sea', drink fresh spring water in the northern oasis of Al Aweinat and marvel at the prehistoric rock paintings and carvings to be found along the way.

Day 1
Tripoli 

Arrive Tripoli, transfer to hotel - orientation tour of city. Overnight Tripoli.

Day 2
Tripoli – Sabratha – Tripoli  - Sebha - Ubari

Morning drive to Sabratha, the westernmost of the three cities of Tripolis. Established c.500BC as a trading post by the Phoenician merchants, Sabratha is home to one of the world’s most magnificent Roman Theatres and spectacular mosaics of the Byzantine period. 

Return to Tripoli for internal flight to Sebha. Drive by jeep to Ubari desert camp. The last 7km of the drive is off-road over the Saharan sand.

Nestled in the heart of the Libyan Sahara and protected by the impressive sand dunes of Ubari, the Ubari Magic Lodge offers spacious and elegant tents with their own private bathroom. With a chill out tent, Bedouin tent and restaurant tent there is plenty or room for you to relax and take in the breathtaking scenery that surrounds you. Dinner and overnight in Ubari Magic Lodge.

Day 3
Ubari – Germa - Akakus

After breakfast, by jeep to Germa site of the oasis town founded by the Garamentes, legendary and mysterious population of the Libyan Sahara. Picnic lunch en route. Drive through the mountainous desert landscapes to the Akakus. Dinner and overnight Magic Lodge Akakus.

Days 4 & 5
Akakus

Two full days spent in the magical Akakus desert, the mountainous region to the east of the Ghat. Ancient wadis (waterways) and valleys divide themselves into plateaus of various heights covered with grey-black breccias.  Dark sandstone carved by the desert wind into twisted chimneys, stacks and columns climb from the orange dunes to give an almost Martian landscape. The area has also been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site because of the hundreds of prehistoric rock art sites. During our time in the desert we will visit with some of the Tuareg people in their tented homes. The evenings will be spent under under the stars, around a campfire. Dinner and overnight accommodation will be at the Magic Lodge Akakus.

Day 6
Akakus – al Aweinat - Ubari

Morning departure to the northern oasis of Al Aweinat - a lost oasis with a water spring rising from the surprisingly fertile ground. Smaller water canals flowed to irrigate crops of cereals grown at that time. Overnight Magic Lodge Ubari.

Day 7
Ubari Lakes - Sebha - Tripoli

Full day visit to the salt lakes south-east of the Ubari Erg. The spectacular series of around 21 lakes are situated in the middle of sand dunes surrounded by palm trees. Here you will be able to swim in the lakes and then dune-surf in the Ubari 'sand sea'. You will also visit the lake and ancient village of Gaberoun. Situated at an altitude of 400m, the small, now abandoned, village was inhabited until the early eighties.

Flight from Sebha to Tripoli. Overnight Tripoli.

Day 8
Tripoli  - Leptis Magna – Tripoli

Morning visit Tripoli old town. Drive to Leptis Magna, originally a Berber settlement, the city was founded by the Phoenicians around 3000 years ago. Leptis Magna has some of the most impressive and intact ruins of the Roman period, including a magnificent theatre, the basilica, Hadrianic baths and circus. Dinner and overnight Tripoli.

Day 9
Tripoli - Depart

Morning visit to Tripoli’s Jamahiriya Museum home to one of the finest collections of classical art in the Mediterranean. Free time in Tripoli to complete your shopping or relax by the pool. Late afternoon departure for London.

Price:
For up to date pricing please contact us.

Price includes:

• Full Board accommodation (from dinner on day 1 to lunch on day 9)
• Meals in local restaurants or hotel according to the itinerary.
• Mineral water during meals in local restaurants and lodges (not in hotels)
• Soft drinks during meals in some restaurants (except alcohol free beer)
• Passport registration on arrival
• Entrance to museums and sites including filming and photography permits
• Tips in restaurants and hotels
• Local guides

• BA return  flight from London Heathrow to Tripoli.
• Minibus/Coach for internal land travel and 4x4 jeeps in desert (4 people per jeep)
• Internal flights from Tripoli - Sebha - Tripoli

The cost does not include:

• Coffee/tea and alcohol free beer
• Any extra services in hotels (telephone, laundry etc.)
• Tips to guide and driver (€3.5 per person per day)

To make a booking, or for more information, please contact us.

Top

Back to all Libya Itineraries