 LIBYA
- FROM SIWA TO GHADAMES
A cultural tour of Egypt,
Libya & Tunisia
This is a journey into one of the most archaeologically and culturally rich areas in the world. Our tour includes 4 World Heritage Sites in addition to highlights such as Alexandria, the Oasis of Siwa, Second World War cemeteries dedicated primarily to those who fought in the battles between the Allied troops and the armies of General Rommel, as well as an optional extension to Algeria. This is an interesting experience of the ancient, medieval and current history of mankind combined with the gracious hospitality of the North African-Arab people from the cities and the oasis.
Day
01 (SAT): Arrive Cairo
Ahlan wa sahlan! (Welcome in Arabic) We are warmly received
at Cairo Airport and transferred to our hotel. En-route
we see the hustle and bustle that has made Cairo what it
is. (Pre-tour Cairo/Egypt optional tour available)
Overnight: Safir Hotel, Cairo (1 night) (D)
Day 02 (SUN): Cairo/Alexandria (Drive 220kms / 136miles)
Our journey begins with a scenic drive to the
historical city of Alexandria, where we visit
the newly opened Bibliothek. At the beginning
of the 3rd Century B.C. the ancient city of
Alexandria was the birthplace of the Bibliotheca
Alexandria. The library and its vast storehouse
of learning were destroyed in a fire that ravaged
Alexandria. A new library was opened at the
same location, endowing the world once again
with an important focal point for culture,
education and science. We then visit the Greco
Roman Museum, the Catacombs, Pompey’s
Pillar, Montazah Garden, the Citadel of Qaitbay
and the Roman Amphitheater. Evening is free
to experience the souq of this ancient city.
Overnight: Renaissance Hotel, Alexandria
(1 night) (B, D)
 Day
03 (MON): Alexandria/Siwa (Drive 580kms / 362miles)
The enchanting Mediterranean coastline takes
us to Al Alamein, scene of the historic Allied
victory during World War II. We visit the Commonwealth
War Cemetery, to pay homage to the many people
who gave up their lives in the war effort.
An interesting desert drive takes us to the
historical oasis of Siwa that was, during Alexander’s
times, as important a site as Delphi.
Overnight: Paradise Hotel, Siwa (2 nights)
(B, D)
Day 04 (TUE): Siwa
Our day of exploration of Siwa
includes the Oracle of Amun, Jabel
Al-Mawta, Cleopatra’s Bath,
Shali City, Fatnis Island, Birket
Siwa and the traditional Siwan
House Museum. It is in Siwa that
Alexander, around 331 B.C., was
deemed a god by the oracle Jupiter
Ammon. Evening we have time to
mingle with the desert folks and
enjoy the Oasis fervor. (B, D)
Day 05 (WED): Siwa/Mersa
Matruh (Drive 298kms
/ 183miles)
After an awe-inspiring
experience at this
remote oasis and encounters
with the beguiling
local Berbers, we head
northwards to the Mediterranean
Sea resort of Mersa
Matruh. Balance of
the day is free to
enjoy both the silver
sand beach and a stroll
through the town. Mersa
Matruh offers a town
that is very different
from the large metropolitan
Cairo and Alexandria.
Overnight: Beau Site
Hotel, Mersa Matruh
(1 night) (B, D)
Day 06 (THU):
Mersa Matruh/Tobruk
(Drive
323kms
/ 199miles)
Today we
cross to
Tobruk,
a Libyan
port famous
for the
British
victory
over the
Italians
in January
of 1941.
The battle
demonstrated
Italian
incompetence
and prompted
Hitler
to send
his famed
Afrika
Korps to
help battle
the British.
We visit
the very
well maintained
World War
II cemetery,
where we
pay respect
to the
many soldiers
who died
in Tobruk.
Overnight:
Al-Maseerah
Koubrah
Hotel,
Tobruk
(1 night)
(B, L,
D)
 Day
07 Tobruk/Soussa
(Drive
272kms
/ 170miles)
Driving
along the
coastal
stretch,
we visit
the old
quarters
at Derna,
before
heading
for Lathrun
to visit
the remains
of a Byzantine
church
and a Greek
Necropolis
by the
shore.
After a
sumptuous
picnic
lunch,
we depart
for Ras
Hilal to
see another
ancient
Byzantine
church.
We end
the day
in Soussa
Overnight:
Al
Manara
Hotel,
Soussa
(2 nights)
(B, L,
D)
Day
08 (SAT): Cyrene & Apolloniua
Today
we have an in-depth visit
to the World Heritage Site
of Cyrene. The city was part
of the 1st century Pentapolis,
a “Five-city
state” that
was second in size only to
Athens. It was founded by
the Greeks in 631 B.C. and
later occupied by the Romans
followed by the Arabs. Here
we also visit the famous
temple of Apollo. After lunch
we visit Apollonia (Sousa),
which was the port of Cyrene
and is located 20kms/12 miles
to the north. Our detailed
visit includes the majestic
Theatre, the Roman baths
and the Temple of Slonta.
(B, L, D)
Day
09 (SUN): Soussa/Qasr Libya/Benghazi
(Drive 210kms / 130 miles)
Our
morning drive
through Jabel
Akhdar gets us
to Qasr Libya,
where we visit
the interesting
museum housing
more than 50
pieces of mosaic
artifact fragments
dating back to
the 6th century
A.D. Next stop
is Ptolemais,
the former capital
of Pentapolis,
with its remains
of palaces & theatres.
We proceed to
Benghazi, arguably
the most beautiful
city in Libya.
Overnight:
Uzo Hotel, Benghazi
(1 night) (B,
L, D)
Day
10 (MON):
Benghazi/Tripoli
(Flight)
Morning
transfer
to
the
airport
for
a
flight
to
Tripoli.
Meet & transfer
to
the
hotel.
Tripoli “ Oea“ (the
bride)
of
the
Mediterranean
is
the
capital
of
Libya.
Founded
by
the
Phoenicians
in
1000
B.C.
Tripoli
was
later
conquered
by
the
Romans.
Our
afternoon
tour
of
this
beautiful
metropolis
covers
the
huge
fortress,
the
National
Museum,
the
Old
Souq
and
the
Islamic
Quarters.
Overnight:
Bab
El
Baher
Hotel,
Tripoli
(2
nights)
(B,
L,
D)
Day
11
(TUE):
Tripoli
The
highlight
of
any
visit
to
Libya
is
the
World
Heritage
Site
of
Leptis
Magna.
It
became
important
when
it
was
established
as
a
city
by
the
Canaanites
and
reached
its
climax
under
the
rule
of
Roman
Emperor
Septimus
Severus.
We
will
explore
the
vast
site
including
the
Triumphal
Arch,
huge
Basilica,
Forum,
Public
Baths,
Hippodrome,
Amphitheater
etc.
(B,
L,
D)
 Day
12
(WED):
Tripoli/Nalut/Ghadames
(Drive
630kms
/
389miles)
Today
we
head
south
to
the
Saharan
oasis
of
Ghadames.
En
route,
we
stop
at
the “ghost
town” of
Nalut,
located
high
in
the
Nafusa
Mountains.
Nalut
offers
insights
into
the
traditional
life
styles
of
the
locals
used
until
the
Libyans
found
the
rich
oil,
enabling
them
to
move
from
caves
to
concrete
structures.
After
a
tour
of
Nalut,
we
head
further
south
towards
the
immense
Sahara
Desert.
Lunch
is
at
a
romantic
oasis
in
the
middle
of
nowhere.
Overnight:
Waha
Hotel,
Ghadames
(2
nights)
(B,
L,
D)
Day
13
(THU): Ghadames
This
oasis
was
settled
from
prehistoric
times
and
was
a
major
port
of
call
for
the
traders
and
pilgrims
en
route
to
Mecca.
Ghadames
is
a
beautiful
desert
town
that
has
retained
its
original
culture,
visible
in
the
narrow
lane
streets
lined
with
mud
bricked
architecture.
Our
tour
will
cover
both
the
old
ghost
town
and
the
desert
sand
dunes.
In
the
evening
we
witness
the
desert
sunset,
depending
on
the
weather.
(B,
L,
D)
Day
14
(FRI):
Ghadames/Tripoli
(Drive
630kms
/
389
miles)
After
the
interesting
Saharan
experience,
we
proceed
to
Kabaw,
a
village
with
old
houses.
We
also
visit
the
ghurfas,
grain
stores
built
by
the
local
Berbers,
located
at
the
very
top
of
the
village,
followed
by
a
visit
to
Tormisa
to
see
incredible
cave
structures.
Finally
we
visit
the
pottery
market
at
Gharian
before
our
return
to
Tripoli.
Overnight:
Bab
El
Baher
Hotel,
Tripoli
(1
night)
(B,
L,
D)
Day
15
(SAT):
Tripoli/Djerba/Tunis
(Drive & Flight)
Amongst
all
of
Libya’s
many
archaeological
sites,
Sabratha
stands
out
as
the
most
majestic.
A
World
Heritage
Site,
Sabratha
was
founded
by
the
Canaanites
(6th
Century
B.C.),
ruled
by
Carthage,
Phoenicia,
Numedia
and
then
Rome
in
46
B.C.
The
site
offers
a
majestic
collection
of
public
buildings,
arenas,
the
temples
of
Liber
Peter,
Srapis,
Isis
and
Hercules.
This
site
is
grand
and
ancient,
the
perfect
conclusion
to
Libya.
Next
we
enter
Tunisia
where
our
transfer
takes
us
to
the
Djerba
airport
to
connect
with
a
short
flight
to
Tunis,
the
capital.
(Possible
extension
available
for
those
wishing
to
spend
time
at
Djerba).
Upon
arrival
in
Tunis
we
are
met
and
transferred
to
our
hotel.
Overnight:
Abou
Nawas
El
Mechtel
Hotel,
Tunis
(1
night)
(B,
D)
Day
16
(SUN):
Depart
Tunis
The
morning
is
free
to
visit
the
local
souq
and
medina.
After
an
awesome
journey
from
Cairo
to
Tunis,
all
overland,
we
are
transferred
to
the
airport
for
our
flight
back.
(B)
Departure
Dates |
2012
English Speaking Departures
Please call for details - 1-800-663-0844 / 1-604-264-7378
|
Inclusions |
| Tour
Price Includes |
Tour
Price Does Not Include |
Accommodation as mentioned or similar |
International Airfare and Departure taxes |
Meal Plan as mentioned (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch,
D=Dinner) |
Insurances / Visa fees |
| All Sightseeing and Transfers by private transportation |
Tips/Gratuities |
| Services of local English speaking guides |
|
| Entrance Fees to Museums and Sites |
|
| Economy air ticket Djerba/Tunis |
|
|
Tour
Price |
|
| We
accept payment in US $ (US Dollars),
CA $ (Canadian Dollars) or equivalent
EURO (for clients outside North America).
Bestway
Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate protection.
Once full payment has been received, and no
modification has been made to the tour itinerary,
we will honour that rate.
For
complete payment procedures, please download
 Bestway_Payment_Info.pdf
Note: to read this file you must have Adobe
Acrobat. |
|
Departures |
Double
Occupancy |
Single
Room Supplement |
|
Please call for details - 1-800-663-0844 / 1-604-264-7378 |
|
Estimated
International Airfare - International
airfare is NOT included in this tour |
| Canada
- West Coast |
US
$ 1800 |
USA
- West Coast |
US
$ 1600 |
| Canada
- East Coast |
US
$ 1700 |
USA
- East Coast |
US
$ 1500 |
|
Participants |
| This
tour operates on a minimum of 02 and a maximum
of 15 participants. |
Notes
|
Customised
Itinerary
If you would like to have a tour on dates
other than the above ones or with a customised
itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy
to work out an exclusive program for you.
Foreign Language Departures
Please contact us for information on French,
German,
Italian and Spanish
speaking departures.
You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com
or call us at 604.264.7378. Residents of
U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1.800.663.0844. |
|
|
