Libya & Tunisia

February 26 - March 13, 2011

$3085 ppdo/land only

Sat Feb 26: Arrival in Tripoli
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. Dinner and overnight at the Hotel Bourj Al Madena. (D)

Sun Feb 27: Tripoli - Sabratha - Tripoli
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. Dinner and overnight at the Bourj Al Madena. (B/L/D)

Mon Feb 28: Full Day Tripoli
Today we will have a full day tour in 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. After lunch at traditional restaurant at site , we visit the old souq and the Islamic quarters. Dinner and overnight in Tripoli at the Bourj Al Madena. (B/L/D)

Tues Mar 1: Tripoli - Leptis Magna - Tripoli
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, and Amphitheater etc. Lunch will be at the local restaurant at the site before returning to Tripoli for dinner and overnight at the Bourj Al Madena. (B/L/D)

Weds Mar 2: Flight Tripoli - Benghazi /Sousa (Drive 238kms/148miles)
Morning local one hour flight to Benghazi to Benghazi then we will have an interesting drive along the eastern coast and our first 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, then we will continue our drive to Soussa and Apollonia for dinner and overnight at the Hotel Al Manara. (B/L/D)

Thurs Mar 3: Apollonia - 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 visit of the majestic Theatre, the Roman baths as well as the Byzantine palace. Dinner and overnight at the Hotel Al Manara. (B/L/D)

Fri Mar 4: Apollonia - Slanta - Gasr Libya - Ras Helal - Apollonia
A morning drive through Jabel Akhdar gets us to Slanta then 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 and to Ras Hellal and after lunch at sites, we will drive back to Apollonia where we will have dinner and spend the night at the Hotel Al Manara. (B/L/D).

Sat Mar 5: Apollonia - Benghazi
Today we will drive back Benghazi, the second largest city of the Jamahiriya 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 colorful souq. Benghazi also offers us the opportunity to meet the Libyan folks and enjoy tea with very friendly people. Dinner and overnight in Benghazi at the Hotel Noran. (B/L/D).

Sun Mar 6 Departure / Tunis
Morning transfer to the airport for our flight to Tunis. Arrival, assistance and transfer to the Mouradi Hotel in Tunis. Dinner and overnight at the Hotel Mouradi Gammarth. (B/D)

Mon Mar 7: Hammamet - Sousse - Monastir - El Jem - Sfax
After breakfast check out and head south along the coast to visit the Fort of Hammamet. Continue on to Sousse and visit Port El Kantaoui and the Old City. Continuing along the coast, we will drive to Monastir to visit the ribat (fort) and mausoleum before having lunch at Hotel Monastir Center. After lunch we will continue to Sfax, with a stop at El Jem to visit the Roman Coliseum, one of the best preserved and largest outside Rome. Dinner and overnight in Sfax at the Hotel Syphax. (B/L/D)

Tues Mar 8: Sfax - Djerba - Gabes - Matmata
We will check out after breakfast and continue to the south to the island of Djerba. It is located in the Gulf of Gabes. Tour of the island, including a visit to the Synagogue, Potteries of Guellala and the Center of the Island at Houmt Souk. Lunch will be at the Hotel Rodes Jerba, then continue back to the mainland to Gabes. Enjoy a panoramic tour of the Oasis of Gabes then head inland to Matmata. If Matmata looks somewhat familiar to you, you probably are a Star Wars fan. The underground troglodyte houses - pits dug in the earth with rooms radiating out into the rock walls - were used in the first Star Wars movie as well as other nearby locations. Dinner and overnight in Matmata at the Hotel Diar Berber. (B/L/D)

Weds Mar 9: Matmata - Douz - Kebili - Tozeur
This morning we will depart for the desert oasis of Tozeur, with stops in Douz and Kebili on the way. In Douz we will enjoy the sand dunes by camel for one hour. There will also be some free time before we head across the great Salt Lake to Tozeur. Once in Tozeur we will visit the Dar Cheraiet Museum, a traditional arts museum. Tozeur was one of many Roman outposts and a stopping point for the caravans coming from the sub-Sahara to trade with the coastal cities of the Mediterranean. It now owes its fame and affluence to the stately palm and its world renowned dates - the deglet noor, or "fingers of light". Lunch, dinner and overnight at the Palmyre Hotel in Tozeur. (B/L/D)

Thurs Mar 10: Tozeur - Nefta - Tozeur
Today we will have a three hour Jeep tour of the mountain oases of Chebika and Tamerza. Chebika, a small earthen village with its palm trees and waterfalls lying at the foot and slopes of the Djebel el Negueb, was once a Roman outpost and one of the mountain refuges of the Berber peoples. From here, up a steep winding road, lies Tamerza another refuge which gives a breathtaking view of the region with its salt lakes and river gorges. In Nefta, which has the status of a holy city and a center of Sufism (mystical subgroup in Islam), visit the Corbeille, a garden filled gully cutting the town of Nefta in half, and the Marabout, the holy men and their tombs. Lunch will be at the Palmyra Hotel. Tonight we will enjoy dinner under a Berber tent in the oasis, including wine, from 7:30pm to 11:00pm. Overnight at the Palmyre Hotel in Tozeur. (B/L/D)

Fri Mar 11: Tozeur - Sbeitla - Kairouan - Tunis
After breakfast we will depart for Tunis, with stops along the way. Our first stop will be in the city if Sbeitla, where we will visit the Roman site of Suffeitula. The well preserved forum, a mosaic bath tub, Diocletian's Arch and the street layout are among the finest of their kinds in Tunisia. Our next stop will be in Kairouan where we will see the Great Mosques of Okba and Sidi Sahbi, the Old City and Rug Factory. Lunch will be in Kairouan before we continue to Tunis. Dinner and overnight in Tunis at the Mouradi Gammarth Hotel. (B/L/D)

Sat Mar 12: Tunis
today we will have a full day tour of Tunis and the surrounding area. We will visit the Roman sites of Carthage and the Moorish Arab village of Sidi Bou Said. The village of Sidi Bou Said is a picturesque blue and white town perched on the cliffs overlooking the Bay of Tunis. Walk up the cobblestone streets and enjoy the charm of this town with a romantic legend about a soldier coming to wage war but he fell in love with a Berber princess, changed his name and ended up staying and becoming the patron saint of Sidi Bou Said. Lunch will be at the Restaurant La Victoire La Goulette. In the afternoon we will visit the famous Bardo Museum to see the vast collection of Roman mosaics - one of the most extensive in the world. It is situated in the former Sultan's palace, built in 1882, and along with the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, it is undoubtedly the most important museum in North Africa. We will finish our day with a visit to the souks in the old city then return to our hotel for dinner and overnight. (B/L/D)

Sun Mar 13: Departure
Breakfast and departure.

End of services.

Included:

• Meet and assist on arrivals and departures
• Transfers by air conditioned motor coaches
• English speaking national guides
• All sightseeing as mentioned in itinerary
• All meals as listed in itinerary
• Accommodation based on double occupancy in 4-5 star hotels
• Passport registration for Libya
• Internal flight in Libya - Tripoli to Benghazi

Not Included:

• International air fare
• Libyan visa - obtained on arrival for $50 USD
• Optional and extras not in itinerary
• Beverages, snacks, etc, en route or at meals
• Items of a personal nature
• Tips for guides and drivers - we recommend about $4 for the drivers and $8 for the guides, per person, per day
• Trip insurance

Single Supplement: $600

Make a Reservation