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Spiekermann
Tour Itinerarys...
LIBYA...SANDS OF TIME Itinerary
October 30 & 31 FLY TUNIS TO TRIPOLI
Depart US for Tripoli. You will be met upon arrival the following day and
helped with formalities. Transfer to a hotel for dinner and overnight. (D)
November 01 TRIPOLI
Spend the day exploring Tripoli (ancient Oea), founded by the Phoenicians in
the second millennium B.C. and transformed by the Romans in 146 BC.
First stop will be the interactive Libya Museum with its touch-screen
technology giving an impressive overview of Libya past and present. Continue
to Ahmed Karamalli Pasha Mosque built by the founder of the Karamalli Dynasty
in 1738. Stop to visit the house of the Karamalli built in the second half of
the 18th century, now an interesting museum that depicts the life style of
that period. Have lunch in a traditional restaurant before returning to the
hotel for a rest. In the afternoon your tour will continue in the old medina
with its maze of narrow alleyways, elegant mosques and the animated souk.
Visit the Gurji Mosque built in 1832 and finish with the Arch of Marcus
Aurelius, the only remaining evidence of the Roman Empire in Tripoli. Dinner
and overnight. (B,L,D)
November 02 SABRATHA
Stop a the Interactive Libya Museum featuring an overview of the country.
Depart for Sabratha, designated an Emporium, or trading post, by the
Phoenician merchants. Sabratha boasts one of the most magnificent and
interesting Roman theaters and one of the most splendid mosaics of the
Byzantine period. Tour the Mausoleum of Bes, South Forum Temple, Basilica of
Apoleius, Antonine Temple dedicated to Marcus Aurelius, Basilica of Justinian,
Curia, baths, and the Temple of Isis. Lunch at a local restaurant before
returning to Tripoli to visit the National Museum with its marvelous
collection of archaeological artifacts from the various regions and eras of
Libya's history. Some free time at the hotel before dinner. Overnight (B,L,D)
November 03 TRIPOLI to BEN GHAZI and SOUSA
Depart on an early flight to Ben Ghazi to visit Ptolemais, founded in the 3rd
century BC. Begin at the museum to see the four seasons’ mosaic and the
fountain of the eight dancing Menadi. Then on to the remains of the Arch of
Constantine and the Columns Palace, the most famous building in Ptolemais, and
the great cisterns. Drive to Qsar Libya, known as Old Olbia, it was the
residence of its bishop. It has two churches of great interest famous for
their extraordinary architecture and splendid mosaics. Continue to the Hotel
Manara or similar in Sousa. (B,L,D)
November 04 APOLLONIA
Stop in ancient Apollonia, Cyrene’s port for a thousand years. Its ruins form
an essential part of the archeological complex constructed by the Greeks when
they began developing their naval merchant fleets. Visit the Extra-Mural
Church, remarkable for traces of a triple apse that remain in the east end
cactus garden. Continue to the theater remodeled by Emperor Domitian, 92-96
AD; originally built during the Hellenistic Period of Greek architecture. Tour
the museum and end in Cyrenaica with a visit to Ras Alhilal, to see the fifth
century church and surrounding area of Lathrun. Return to Sousa for dinner.
(B,L,D)
November 05 CYRENE to TRIPOLI
Explore Cyrene which according to legend was founded by Greek immigrants from
Santorini. It has an interesting and varied history: the Era of the Republic,
the conquest of Alexander the Great and the Hellenistic rulers, the overthrow
by the Romans, the siege of the Byzantines and the Arab invasion in 635 AD.
Visit the agora, Forum of Proculus or Caesareum, Capitolium and most
importantly the Tomb of Battus, founder of the city. Explore the yet to be
excavated, Acropolis Hill, then continue to the Fountain and Sanctuary of
Apollo. Linked to Greek mythology, it was the main reason that the city was
founded on this site. The sanctuary also includes the Temple of Jason Magnus
and the Temple of Isis. In the same area you will find the Greek theater,
transformed by the Romans into an amphitheater. After lunch tour the Great
Temple of Zeus, along with the Necropolis of Cyrene, one of the most extensive
cemeteries in the ancient world. Head to Ben Ghazi airport for the flight to
Tripoli. (B,L,D)
November 06 LEPTIS MAGNA
Visit the jewel of Libya, Leptis Magna. Founded by Phoenician merchants in the
first millennium BC it is one of the best-preserved cities of antiquity. Begin
at the entrance of the main street with the Arch of Septimius Severus built to
celebrate the arrival of the great Emperor. Then on to the Palestra, a place
for sports and games, and the Baths of Hadrian. Continue to the Street of the
Colonnades and the Nymphaeum, a semicircular construction containing a pool
and fountain surrounded by walls. Tour the Severus Forum and the adjoining
Basilica before heading to the harbor, once the natural mouth of Leptis
Valley. In the northern corner of the old forum are the remains of tiles from
the time of the Emperor Augustus 30 BC - 14 AD. Visit the Museum and the
Amphitheater built in the period of Nero around 56 AD. Stop at Villa Silin to
see the exquisite mosaics of this summer home. Return to Tripoli for dinner
and overnight. (B,L,D)
November 07 TRIPOLI to GHADAMES
Drive into the Berber heartland of the Jabal Nafusa mountain range. Stop at
Qsar al-Haj to visit the most beautiful Berber granary qsar (castle) in Libya,
Head to Nalut to visit another Berber qsar situated on the edge of an
escarpment with stunning views over the plain. Continue to the hotel in the
UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ghadames, known as the “Jewel of the Sahara.”
(B,L,D)
November 08 GHADAMES.
Enter via the ancient gateway of Bab al-Burr to explore the labyrinthine
streets and enclosed passages of Ghadames’ old town, renowned for its
distinctive architecture. Visit the various small squares, the old mosque and
a madrasa (Koranic school), see the fruit and vegetable gardens and view the
ancient system of irrigation. Lunch will be taken in a richly decorated
traditional house in the age-old manner, sitting on the floor eating from
communal dishes. Climb to the roof of the house to see where the women,
forbidden to wander the streets alone, would use the rooftops as a
thoroughfare. Later in the afternoon, board four-wheel drive vehicles to visit
Ras al-Ghoul (Summit of the Ghost), the remains of an ancient Roman fort,
before heading for the sand dunes of the Grand Erg Oriental, bordering the
countries of Libya, Algeria and Tunisia, to watch the sunset. Return to the
hotel for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)
November 09 GHADAMES to SEBHA
Depart early for the drive through the Hamadat al-Hamra via al-Qariyah and the
Libyan truck stop of al-Shwayrif to Sebha, capital of the Fezzan and gateway
to the great Sahara desert. Check into the hotel for dinner and overnight.
(B,L,D)
November 10 UBARI SAND SEA
Board 4x4 vehicles for an exhilarating drive into the high dunes of the Ubari
Sand Sea to the great oases of Lake Gabraoun and Lake Umm al-Maa.These
beautiful lakes surrounded by palm trees are enchanting, and offer the
opportunity for a refreshing swim in the salt waters followed by a dousing
with freshwater from a well. Drive to the camp beside the sand dunes in twin-
bedded rondavels. (B,L,D)
November 11 WADI MATKHANDOUSH
Drive to Wadi Matkhandoush, an ancient spiritual site festooned with rock
engravings dating back thousands of years. Arrive in time for a picnic lunch
before beginning exploration of the site where you will be amazed at the
abundance of ancient images depicting the life that once roamed this now
barren region. Return to camp in the Ubari Sand Sea for overnight and dinner.
(B,L,D)
November 12 GERMA to TRIPOLI
Depart for Germa to visit the ancient capital of the Garamantian civilization,
a warrior tribe that flourished for a thousand years from 500 BC and were a
constant thorn in the side of the Romans. Head back to the Ubari Sand Sea for
a second visit to the lakes before driving to Sebha for the flight to Tripoli.
Depending on flight time, have dinner in Sebha or the Tripoli hotel. (B,L,D)
November 13 GHARYAN
Head south to Gharyan to have lunch in a Berber troglodyte house. These
ancient abodes, offering protection from weather and invaders, were built
below ground, open to the sky, with a series of rooms off a central courtyard.
After this unique experience, return to Tripoli for free time before your
farewell dinner. (B,L,D)
November 14 TRIPOLI to USA
Today you bid farewell to Africa as you depart Tripoli for Europe with a
connecting flight back to the U.S. (B)
We (STS) reserve the right to change hotels, restaurants or the order of
activities if/as needed
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