Sahara Travel

Sahara Travel

Caravan Route - Western Libya

Sahara Travel - Caravan Route
11 days Grade A  Fully Vehicle Supported
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Just beyond Ghadames we enter into the Hamada Al-Hamra or the red desert which takes two days to cross before we reach the magical landscapes of Tassili n'Azjjar. This is perhaps the most beautiful area of the whole of the Tassili Sahara. Here the wind has carved and sculpted the sandstone rocks into a forest of pinnacles, a labyrinth of canyons and towers emerging from the soft sands set against a background of pinkish dunes. This area has been home for millennia to men and women who recorded their changing world in fine rock art engravings and paintings. Scenes of wildlife such as giraffes, lions, rhinos and elephant up to 8000 years old. More recent art indicates a gradual desertification of the area. We now have a few days to wander through this fairy tale land, we will be away from the vehicles and only have one as a support vehicle for all the equipment. On average we will walk about 4 hours every day.

After crossing a sea of dunes we suddenly come across a series of salty lakes surrounded by dense vegetation of palm trees and reeds. These are the Ubari Lakes. Beside one of the lakes is the old abandoned village of the Daouada people (also known as worms eaters). This is a unique area where it is possible to have a swim in the lake.

You will almost never camp within sight of other people and often in a pristine wilderness. All meals are cooked for you and evenings are spent round campfires under a starry sky. On most days there are plenty of opportunities for a few hours walking in the morning or evening.

Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Tripoli and transfer to hotel. Dinner in a restaurant.
Day 2 We leave Tripoli and cross the Gefara coastal plain where nomads tend their flocks of goats and sheep. After a series of hairpin bends we gain a high escarpment is Nalut with its ksar. WE continue to Ghadames dinner and overnight at a hotel.
Day 3 Dubbed the city of the seven gates Ghadames is an ancient oasis lying on the edge of the Libyan Sahara. A charming maze of dark passages, bright squares, palm trees and beautifully decorated houses. This fascinating place has been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage site bringing back memories of caravans laden with treasures. In the afternoon, after visiting Ghadames, we continue into the Hamada Al-Hamra. Camp in desert.
Day 4 Continue driving south across the deserts.
Days 5-8 We reach Tassili and spend a few days exploring the area on foot camping amongst the pinnacles and dunes.
Day 9 Back into the vehicles and we pass the Tuareg desert town of Al Awainat (Serdeles) and continue on to the Ubari Lakes.
Day 10 We leave the deserts and driveards Sebha. After dinner at the agritourism centre Fezzan we take a flight back to Tripoli and overnight at the hotel.
Day 11 Breakfast and transfer to the airport for the flight home. Possibly there will be free time to visit Tripoli, the Jamahiriya museum is particularly worthwhile.

It is possible to extend your stay by one day at either end of the trip to visit Leptis Magna, arguably the best-preserved Roman town on the Mediterranean.

The scheduled trip costing is based on a minimum group size of two people. Groups of 5 or more will be accompanied by an EWP representative.
If you wish to have a private trip this may be arranged at any date to suit you (subject to guide availability). Please contact us for details and costs.

Included in Cost:
All transfers, transport, food and accommodation, internal flights, guides. Camp equipment, tents, mattress, blanket. Cook and catering equipment. Visas on entry and visa support. An English speaking guide and for group size 5 or more an EWP representative.

Not Included:
Tips, international flights (unless requested from UK), personal spending, personal insurance and fees to archeological sites and museums.