6-day Libya Trip » Tripoli + Ghadames + Leptis + Sabratha + Jebel Nafusa (Visa Included!)

Arrival at Tripoli International Airport is scheduled for 10:05 via Turkish Airlines. After passport procedures and a meet and greet, you’ll transfer to your hotel around noon for check-in and rest. At 14:00, the introductory city tour begins in the historic center.

Starting at Martyr’s Square, you’ll proceed to the Arch of Marcus Aurelius, one of the few visible Roman remains in the city, built in 165 CE during the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius. From there, you’ll walk to the exterior of the Red Castle (Assaraya al-Hamra), with foundations dating back to the 16th-century Spanish occupation and later Ottoman expansions. Strolling through Bab Al-Menshia Street, you’ll explore Saraya Market and nearby lanes leading to the Gurgi Mosque, a uniquely ornate Ottoman mosque built in 1834. The day ends with a visit to the House of Yusuf Karamanli, home of the former ruling family.

This visit helps you see how history, religion, and daily life connect here.

Travel Distance & Time:
Approx. 35 km – 45 minutes (airport to hotel + local transfers)

Historical Context:

• Arch of Marcus Aurelius: Constructed under Roman Tripoli around 165 CE
• Red Castle: Built over centuries; current structure reflects Spanish and Ottoman design
• Gurgi Mosque: Commissioned in 1834 by Mustafa Gurgi during the late Ottoman period

Curiosities & Local Facts:

• The Red Castle was used by Italian authorities during colonial rule as a military base
• Gurgi Mosque’s marble columns were repurposed from earlier Roman sites nearby

5 Key Highlights:

• Walk through Martyr’s Square
• Visit to the Arch of Marcus Aurelius
• External view of the Red Castle
• Gurgi Mosque interior visit
• Insight into the Karamanli residence

Important for you today

• Ottoman Tripoli
• Karamanli dynasty
• Roman arch Tripoli

The day begins early with departure from Tripoli at 07:30. After a one-hour drive, you’ll reach the Roman city of Sabratha by 08:30. After exploring this seaside archaeological site, you’ll continue inland toward the Jebel Nafusa region.

At Sabratha, you’ll explore the impressive 2nd-century CE Roman theater, its well-preserved stage and three-story backdrop among the most striking in North Africa. The site also includes Punic-era foundations, early Christian basilicas, and a forum area. Around 11:30, you’ll arrive at Qasr al-Hajj, a circular fortified granary used by Berber communities. Then, at 14:30, visit Kabaw Qasr, another multi-story stone granary with internal storage cells still intact. By 19:00, you’ll reach the oasis town of Ghadames and check in at your local accommodation.

This stop gives context to how ancient trade shaped the region and sustained desert communities.

Travel Distance & Time:
Approx. 610 km – 9 hours total (with stops)

Historical Context:

• Sabratha: Founded by the Phoenicians in the 6th century BCE; Romanized in 1st century CE
• Qasr al-Hajj: Likely constructed in the 12th–13th centuries for communal grain storage
• Kabaw: Used as a fortified storehouse and seasonal settlement point

Curiosities & Local Facts:

• Sabratha’s basilicas show early Christian use during the 4th century
• Berber granaries were often managed by local tribes or families to control food distribution

5 Key Highlights:

• Roman theater of Sabratha
• Early Christian basilicas
• Visit to Qasr al-Hajj granary
• Exploration of Kabaw stone storehouse
• Scenic arrival into Ghadames oasis

Important for you today:

• Roman ruins Sabratha
• Berber granaries
• Jebel Nafusa Libya

Your day begins at 08:30 with a guided tour of Ghadames, a UNESCO-listed old city. The morning includes walking through its covered alleyways, unique multi-story homes, and rooftop passages. Lunch is arranged locally.

The Old City of Ghadames features a labyrinth of passages designed for protection from the sun and tribal conflicts. Homes are built from mud, palm wood, and gypsum, with communal water channels and shared courtyards. In the afternoon, the group transitions to 4WD vehicles and heads into the surrounding desert. The tour includes Ras Al-Ghoul Fort, believed to be a watchtower site on ancient caravan routes, followed by a visit to nearby dunes for sunset views. The day ends at a desert Touareg-style fire camp.

You’ll walk through places that still carry the marks of past empires and desert traditions.

Travel Distance & Time:
Approx. 60 km – 2 hours (local + off-road)

Historical Context:

• Ghadames: Settled since Roman times; called “Cydamus” in antiquity
• Ras Al-Ghoul Fort: Used historically to monitor caravan trade routes into Algeria and Tunisia

Curiosities & Local Facts:

• Ghadames homes often had separate entrances for men and women
• Traditional Ghadames architecture uses white gypsum to reflect sunlight and cool interiors

5 Key Highlights:

• Walk through Ghadames old city
• Rooftop corridors and hidden alleys
• Ras Al-Ghoul desert fort
• Sunset in the Saharan dunes
• Night at traditional fire camp

Import for you today:

Touareg desert camp

Ghadames architecture

Saharan caravan routes

Departing Ghadames at 07:30, you’ll head northeast through remote desert roads. By 10:30, you’ll drive along the Al Majabrah route, a sparsely populated plateau cutting across western Libya. Around 14:30, you’ll arrive in Bu Gheilan, a lesser-known site home to troglodyte dwellings carved into sandstone hills.

The cave houses of Bu Gheilan were used by Berber communities and designed for thermal insulation and security. Many still show smoke-blackened ceilings and stone-carved niches. After exploring the site and a short break, you’ll return to Tripoli by 17:00 and check back into your hotel.

This journey helps illustrate how geography and environment shaped rural life in Libya.

Travel Distance & Time:
Approx. 580 km – 9 hours (remote road conditions)

Historical Context:

• Bu Gheilan dwellings date back several centuries and were used into the 20th century
• Region was traditionally part of trans-Saharan nomadic networks

Curiosities & Local Facts:

• Troglodyte homes stay around 20°C year-round regardless of outside temperatures
• Local Berber families sometimes use the caves for seasonal storage today

5 Key Highlights:

• Scenic Al Majabrah desert road
• Exploration of troglodyte dwellings
• Insight into Berber survival techniques
• Return to coastal Tripoli
• Overnight rest after desert crossing

Important for you today:

Al Majabrah plateau

Troglodyte Libya

Berber cave homes

Depart Tripoli at 08:00 and drive 130 km east along the Mediterranean coast to Leptis Magna, arriving mid-morning. After an extended guided visit, return to Tripoli by 16:00 for a short coastal tour of the Corniche area.

Leptis Magna, originally founded by the Phoenicians, flourished under Roman Emperor Septimius Severus (193–211 CE), who was born here. The site includes the grand Severan Basilica, a large amphitheater by the sea, Hadrian’s Baths, and a monumental arch dedicated to the emperor. Returning to Tripoli, you’ll explore the seafront Corniche, Algiers Square, and the Italianate buildings from the colonial era.

This visit shows how Roman urbanism reached its peak in North Africa.

Travel Distance & Time:
Approx. 260 km – 4.5 hours round trip

Historical Context:

• Leptis Magna: Roman expansion from 1st century BCE; Severan building boom in early 3rd century CE
• Amphitheater: Built c. 56 CE and seats 16,000
• Severan Forum and Arch: Constructed c. 203 CE

Curiosities & Local Facts:

• Septimius Severus is the only Roman emperor born in Africa
• Leptis Magna’s harbor was once one of the largest in the Roman Empire

5 Key Highlights:

• Visit to Leptis Magna ruins
• Grand Roman basilica and amphitheater
• Return drive along coastal highway
• Walk along Tripoli Corniche
• View of Algiers Square’s colonial architecture

Important for you today:

Tripoli Corniche

Leptis Magna ruins

Roman Libya

After breakfast, transfer to Tripoli International Airport at 09:00 for your scheduled departure with Turkish Airlines at 12:05. There are no visits scheduled today.

Travel Distance & Time:
Approx. 30 km – 40 minutes (hotel to airport)

5 Key Highlights:

• Final morning in Tripoli
• Organized airport transfer
• Flight check-in assistance
• Departure by Turkish Airlines
• End of RJ Travel services

Important for you today:

Turkish Airlines Tripoli

Tripoli departure

Libya airport transfer