Libya Tour: Gaddafi’s Legacy

Tuesday 23^rd March – Tunis, Tunisia – Tripoli, Libya

Morning

• Arrive at your convenience into Tunis – the capital city of Tunisia which is well connected with flights from Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
• Group members will meet at Tunis–Carthage International Airport at 7:00am to check into Libyan Wings YL801 departing Tunis at 9:20am and arriving at Tripoli 11:30am. YPT can arrange return tickets for €350. All group members must arrive into Tripoli on this flight according to tourist regulations set by the Libyan ministry.
• Arrive and go through immigration. Meet with local tourist police and guide to be transferred to hotel centrally located in the city

Afternoon

• We’ll have lunch at one our favourite spots in the city and begin our walking tour of Tripoli.
• We’ll first explore around Martyrs’ Square – previously known as Independence Square under Gaddafi, built by the Italians during the colonial rule, on the evening of the 21^st August the Libyan rebel groups took control of the area during the 2011 Battle of Tripoli and started referring to it as Martyrs’ Square to dissociate the square from the Gaddafi government.
• Visit the newly reopened and highly anticipated National Museum of Libya, home to collections spanning more than 5,000 years of North African history, making it one of the richest archaeological museums on the continent. The museum showcases artifacts from Libya’s Phoenician, Greek, Roman, and Islamic past, reflecting the country’s role as a crossroads of civilizations. Closed for 14 years following the uprising against Gaddafi, the museum reopened symbolising both cultural preservation and Libya’s gradual return to the world stage.
• Visit Jamal Abdul Nasser Mosque – it was first constructed as a cathedral in the 1920s during the Italian Libya colonial era, and converted into a mosque during the 1970s under Gaddafi’s instructions.
• See the former Italian built post office which is now converted to the Municipality of Tripoli and a nearby outdoor cafe with a stunning courtyard.
• Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight in Tripoli

Wednesday 24^th March – Tripoli – Sabratha – Tripoli

Morning

• Breakfast at hotel
• We’ll begin by exploring the Red Castle of Tripoli – the most famous landmark of the city. It dates back to the Phoenicians; the fort was later painted red after the Spanish invasions in 1510. The total area is about 13,000 square meters and there are several buildings and courtyards inside the castle’s walls. You’ll also be shown the exact spot where Gaddafi stood to give public speeches to the crowds on Green Square.
• Wander through Medina, where the old city’s labyrinthine streets are filled with treasures such as the Banco di Roma building, Ottoman-era mansions, an ancient Roman arch, and among other more contemporary Tripoli attractions.
• Visit the Othman Clock Tower – this 19th century Ottoman Clock Tower which shares a resemblance of to the Dolmabahce Clock Tower in Istanbul
• Drop by the Karamanli house – built in the second half of the 18th century, during the reign of Ali Pasha Karamanli, and was used by Yousuf Pasha until his death. The house was restored during the early 1990s and became known as Tripoli Historical Exhibition.
• Arch of Marcus Aurelius – built in 163 AD, the triumphal arch of Marcus Aurelius is Tripoli’s most impressive ancient monument. It stands at the intersection of the Cardo and Decumanus and marks the exact centre of the Roman city.
• Explore many of the souqs that are hidden in old town – these souqs were previously a connection between the trans-Sahara trading routes within Tripoli vilayet and southern European Merchants ships.
• This will be your chance to buy some unique souvenirs, such as local handicrafts, as well as things related to the former Gaddafi regime, such as the Green Book and various propaganda.
• Visit the Old British Consulate – originally built in 1744 as a residence for Ahmad al Karamanli, the ruler of Tripoli. He donated it to the British Consulate, and it continued to serve that function until 1940. Since the 1990s it has housed a scientific library.

Afternoon

• Lunch in Tripoli and begin making our way towards 2 hours northwest to Sabratha – one of the most important historical sites in Libya. The city dates back to 500BC and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Phoenicians and Romans previously used Sabratha as a seaport.
• Visit the Sabratha Theatre – dated back to 175CE and could hold up to 5,000 spectators.
• Return to Tripoli for a traditional Libyan feast for dinner.
• Overnight in Tripoli

Thursday 25^th March – Tripoli – Jebel Nafusa – Gharyan – Tripoli

Morning

• Breakfast at hotel
• Drive 2 and a half hours southwest of Tripoli to Jebel Nafusa – this mountain rises abruptly from the desert of Jefara to a height of over 968 meters. This is the heartland of the Berber people of Libya.
• Meet and greet with a local family and be invited into their centuries-old troglodyte home.
• Drive onwards to explore Tarmeisa – an ancient stone village which clings off a narrow rocky outcrop overlooking a spectacular view of the Sahel Al Jefara.

Afternoon

• Arrive in Gharyan and lunch in town
• Gharyan was considered the centre of Libyan resistance against the Italian invasion in the early 20th century. The locals here protested strongly against Gaddafi where they suffered heavy bombardment by the Gaddafi forces. As of May 2011, the Gaddafi’s forces had shut down the water system and blocked food supply to the town. Rebels stood their ground and continued fighting against any resistance which finally led them to victory against countless tanks, artillery guns and snipers.
• Today Gharyan has a population of over 85,000 and produces olive oil, flour, carpet weaving, and pottery. The locally famous Troglodyte caves were dug vertically down into the rocky ground.
• Visit the 12th century fortified granary of Qasr al-Haj – an impressive place to explore.
• Return to Tripoli with dinner on arrival
• Overnight in Tripoli.

Friday 26^th March – Tripoli – Leptis Magna – Tripoli

Morning

• Breakfast at hotel
• Drive two hours east to Leptis Magna – it was originally a Phoenician trading port and prospered for over 1000 years before the Vandal invasions and sandstorms brought its downfall. During the reign of Libyan Emperor Septimius Severus, it was second only to Rome with a population of over 100,000. The city remained buried for some 1300 years and it was not until the 1920s when a major excavation by Italian and Libyan archaeologists revealed the limestone and marble traces we’ll explore.
• We’ll visit various parts of the former glory city such as the Grand Arch entrance, saunas and baths, a track ‘n field, markets, the famous Ampitheatre that could sit up to 10,000 spectators, and what YPT considers the most impressive colosseum you’ll ever come across built along the sea with hidden tunnels to completely discover. Gladiators battling panthers, and public executions took place in this very spot.

Afternoon

• Lunch at a local Libyan restaurant.
• Return to Tripoli stopping at Villa Sileen which belonged to an ancient wealthy Roman family.
• Dinner at a local restaurant in the city where we will get a chance to converse with our local guide over shisha about what life in Libya is actually like since the call of Gaddafi, and what it was like before.
• Overnight in Tripoli

Saturday 27^th March – Tripoli – Benghazi

Morning

• Breakfast in the hotel
• Group A members: check out and transfer to Tripoli-Mitiga International Airport to depart at 8:10am on Libyan Wings YL800 arriving back into Tunis at 8:20am.
• Group B members: Board Libyan Wings flight YL801 from Tunis–Carthage International Airport departing Tunis at 9:20am and arriving at Tripoli 11:30am. Arrive and go through immigration. Meet with local tourist police and guide to be transferred to meet the group and YPT guide.
• Full tour members: Morning stroll through the district built during the Italian occupation to admire the distinct 1920s–30s architecture that still defines parts of Tripoli today.
• Visit the Commonwealth War Cemetery in Al Mansura, the resting place of 1,369 soldiers from WWII.

Afternoon

• Lunch in the heart of the city
• Transfer to airport and board our flight to Benghazi – Libya’s second largest city. During WWII, Benghazi was a key military supply base and the headquarters of Italian forces from 1911 to 1943. More recently, Benghazi was the epicentre of the 2011 uprising against Gaddafi, playing a decisive role in shaping modern Libya.
• Late afternoon arrival and we’ll transfer to our hotel for a quick check-in
• Explore Sahat Al-Hurriya, also known as Freedom Square – often called the “heart of Benghazi,” served as a key gathering point during the Libyan revolution.
• Snap a photo in front of the #Benghazi sign
• We’ll take a stroll along Benghazi Corniche – the coastal promenade offers views of the Mediterranean, a great spot for locals to meet, and decent fishing activity too.
• Visit Benghazi Lighthouse – built in 1922 by the Italians, standing 22 metres tall and still very much active, this iconic lighthouse is a symbol of the city.
• Head out for a hearty Libyan dinner at one of the city’s top restaurants.
• Overnight in Benghazi

Sunday 28^th March – Benghazi – Cyrene

Morning

• Breakfast at hotel and checkout
• We begin our coastal drive 250km north (approx. 4 hours) to Cyrene – an ancient Greek colony in Libya founded around 631 BCE. It grew into a major intellectual and cultural centre under Ptolemaic Egypt and later flourished under Roman rule, leaving behind impressive ruins and historic mosaics.
• We’ll stop for scenic photos and refreshments along the way.

Afternoon

• Upon arrival in Cyrene we’ll have lunch at a local restaurant
• We’ll begin one of the absolute highlights of the tour: the spectacular, partially excavated ruins of Cyrene. Here, the atmosphere is very different from the arid desert ruins of Western Libya. Perched on terraced hills, keep your eyes open for mosaics and statues that occasionally emerge from the sand. We’ll spend the day walking around the grassy ruins and exploring its hillside necropolis.
• Explore and hear the history behind the Agora quarter – includes the gymnasium, forum, Roman basilica, Temple of Demetra, and the Bathos Tomb.
• You’ll have an opportunity to descend along a narrow path to the Temple of Apollo and the principal building of Cyrene – originally built in the 7th century BC.
• Visit the Great Baths – exceptionally well-preserved with the original pipes from the Fountain of Apollo still visible inside the Grand Hall.
• Explore the Amphitheatre – which blends Roman construction with Greek foundations and architectural style.
• Head out for dinner at our favourite local restaurant in town and explore the nightlife of Cyrene
• Overnight in Cyrene

Monday 29^th March – Cyrene – Athrun – Apollonia – Cyrene

Morning

• Breakfast at hotel
• A two hour drive to Athrun, the easternmost city on our Eastern Libya tour – this historic settlement offers a glimpse into the region’s rich past and traditional Libyan coastal life, providing a contrast to the archaeological sites we’ve explored earlier.
• The region is known by the local as a summer vacation spot, with picturesque cliffs where the waves come crashing on the rocky coast.
• On our way back south, we’ll stop for a short hike up the hill to a local cave. Measuring around 30 metres high and 80 metres wide, this enormous cavern is rumoured to have once been used to store military helicopters.

Afternoon

• For lunch, we’ll do as the Libyans do and enjoy our own BBQ picnic by the sea.
• On our way back to Cyrene, we’ll stop by Apollonia – the ancient port of the Cyrenaica civilisation. Once a vital hub for trade and maritime activity, Apollonia flourished for over a millennium and features impressive ruins including the Greek Theatre, Roman baths, and the Byzantine Palace, all set against a picturesque coastal backdrop. Our personal favourite is the Dux Palace, particularly its underground cellar.
• Return to our hotel in Cyrene to freshen up and head out for dinner
• Overnight in Cyrene

Tuesday 30^th March – Cyrene – Qasr Libya – Ptolemais – Benghazi

Morning

• Breakfast at hotel
• Embark on our long drive back to Benghazi stopping for refreshments and photo opportunities along the way
• Our first stop today is the green mountains of Qasr Libya – this was a Byzantine fortress. Its fortifications are still standing and its chapel contains an impressive mosaic, yet to be restored.
• Visit the Museum Qasr Libya – where over 50 ancient mosaic panels are displayed depicting animals, mythological figures, and everyday life. The most impressive piece being one illustrating the Lighthouse of Alexandria.
• We continue our drive south to Ptolemais – the former capital of the ancient Greek Pentapolis and today one of the best-preserved Greco-Roman cities in Africa. Founded in the 3rd century BC under Ptolemy III, it started as a bustling Hellenistic trading hub before flourishing under Roman rule following their acquisition of Cyrenaica in 96 AD.
• Here you’ll explore the remains first excavated by the Italians in the 1930s, including the Theatre and Odeon, public baths, marketplace, city gates, mosaics, and the remnants of the ancient harbour.
• In an important feat of architecture, the people of Ptolemais dug underground water cisterns, storing the mountain water carried via an aqueduct under their city. This important network of underground tunnels is all ours to explore.

Afternoon

• Lunch on arrival in Benghazi
• We’ll visit military remnants of WWII and the 2011 Libyan uprising with leftover tanks and artillery scattered in various spots.
• Visit the Badri Mosque, recently restored through a revitalisation fund owned by the government, it is one of the most impressive mosques of the region.
• Check into our hotel to freshen up and head out to explore Benghazi’s nightlife and for our grand farewell feast
• Overnight in Benghazi

Wednesday 31^st March – Benghazi

Morning

• Breakfast in the hotel, check out of hotel and transfer to Benghazi – Benina International Airport for your departure. Turkish Airlines and EgyptAir operate flights out of Benghazi to Istanbul and Cairo, or we can arrange your return flight directly back to Tunis on Buraq Air flight UZ0315 departing at 1:30pm and arriving back into Tunis at 2:15pm