• Overall

  Roman theatres rising from the Mediterranean shore, a UNESCO desert oasis at the edge of the Sahara, Berber granaries built into clifftops, and troglodyte homes carved into the earth. Libya is one of the most extraordinary countries in the world, and almost no one has been there.
  
  Libya's western region holds a concentration of history that is genuinely difficult to believe until you are standing in it. Three UNESCO World Heritage Sites within a few hours of each other. Roman cities that rival anything in Italy or Tunisia. A desert oasis town whose covered alleyways and rooftop networks have remained largely unchanged since the medieval period.
  
  And at almost every site, you will have the place to yourself.
  
  The tour begins in Tripoli. We then head out along the Mediterranean coast to Sabratha, one of the three ancient cities that gave the region its name (Tripolis).
  
  Its Roman theatre, the largest in Africa, rises three storeys against the sea sky, its stage wall reconstructed by Italian archaeologists in the 1930s and still standing almost entirely intact. From Sabratha, the tour moves inland, climbing into the Jebel Nafusa mountains, where Berber communities built their fortified granaries into the clifftops and their villages on the edge of escarpments that fall away to the Jeffara Plain below.
  
  The night is spent in Ghadames, the most remarkable desert town in Libya, a UNESCO-listed oasis city near the point where Libya meets Algeria and Tunisia.
  
  Its architecture is unlike anything else in North Africa: an underground network of covered passages and interconnected rooftops designed for a community living in extreme heat. In the evening, we will enjoy a Tuareg music performance beside the Sahara dunes. For the women in the group, Al-Mourin, a traditional women's cultural performance unique to Ghadames, is arranged separately.
  
  From Ghadames, the tour loops back through Nalut and its fortified granary, where lunch is taken in a traditional cave house, before returning to Tripoli for the centrepiece of the program: Leptis Magna.
   
  Founded by Phoenician traders and transformed into one of the most magnificent cities in the Roman Empire by the emperor Septimius Severus, who was born here, Leptis Magna is simply one of the greatest archaeological sites in the world. You will almost certainly be the only tourists there. A Zokra traditional band performs during the visit.
  
  The final days bring Gharyan's underground troglodyte houses and pottery workshops, the Berber old city of Yafren, and a proper circuit of Tripoli itself. The old medinas and mosques, a cooking workshop in a traditional house, the newly opened Libya National Museum*, and a farewell dinner by the Arch of Marcus Aurelius.

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  ---

  Don't want the journey to be over so soon?
  How about joining our 12-night Libya tour that visits the recently opened Eastern part of Libya to visit one of the most marvellous ancient Greek ruins the World has to offer while no other travellers are in sight?
  
  Check out our Travel Libya: East and West Tour here. 

  Highlights

  • Explore Tripoli's Old Medina
  • See the historic 2,000-year-old Arch of Marcus Aurelius
  • Discover the ancient Phoenician and Roman ruins of Sabratha

  click image to expand

• Itinerary

  Day 1 of 9

  1. December 1 | Tuesday

     Arrival in Tripoli

     Independent travel to Tripoli

     • Fly into Tripoli Mitiga International Airport (MJI) in the morning from Istanbul or Cairo.
        
     • You will be met by your guide at the airport and then transferred to the hotel in Tripoli to check in and settle in.

     
     First Impressions of Tripoli

     • Tripoli Old Medina | A dense, atmospheric maze of souqs, mosques, and Ottoman-era architecture hugging the Mediterranean shore. Wander through souqs where craftspeople and traders have been selling their wares for centuries.
        
     • The Arch of Marcus Aurelius | The only surviving Roman monument in the old city centre, standing improbably in the middle of the medina, still largely intact after nearly 2,000 years.

     Accommodation | Hotel in Tripoli

     Included Meals | Dinner

  2. December 2 | Wednesday

     Sabratha

     Excursion west along the Mediterranean coast to Sabratha, one of three ancient cities that gave the region its name – Tripolis, meaning 'three cities'.

     • Departure | Early morning departure for a full-day excursion west along the Mediterranean coast to Sabratha (ca. 2-hour drive).

     Exploration of Sabratha

     • Sabratha Archaeological Complex | Began as a Phoenician trading post around 500 BCE, serving as a coastal outlet for goods flowing north from the African interior: ivory, gold, exotic animals. It passed through Numidian and then Roman control, flourishing most spectacularly in the 2^nd and 3^rd centuries CE during the reign of the Severan dynasty, before earthquakes in the late 4^th century caused its eventual decline. The entire archaeological complex was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982.
        
     • The Roman Theatre | Sabratha’s theatre is the crown jewel of the site and one of the most breathtaking Roman monuments in Africa. Built between approximately 175 and 200 CE, its three-storey stage wall was largely reconstructed by Italian archaeologists in the 1930s and soars almost intact against the blue Mediterranean sky. It could seat between 5,200 and 6,450 spectators through its 25 entrances. It remains the largest theatre in Roman Africa.
        
     • Ancient Ruins and On-site Museum | Beyond the theatre, the site includes temples dedicated to Liber Pater, Serapis, and Isis; the Byzantine-era Basilica of Justinian; well-preserved mosaic floors in the Forum Baths; and an on-site museum housing statuary and mosaics recovered from the ruins.

     Return to Tripoli

     •  Return to Tripoli in the evening for dinner and rest.

     Accommodation | Hotel in Tripoli

     Included Meals | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  3. December 3 | Thursday

     Jebel Nafusa & Gaser Alhaj

     Tripoli to Ghadames via Jebel Nafusa

     • An early departure from Tripoli heading southwest into the Jebel Nafusa, a long escarpment of mountains rising above the Jeffara Plain, the traditional heartland of Libya's Berber population. The route takes in several remarkable stops before arriving in Ghadames for the night.

     Journey Through the Berber Heartland

     • Qasr Alhaj | A 13^th-century fortified granary, or qasr, built by the Berber communities of the Nafusa mountains as a communal storage facility and place of refuge. The structure is arranged around a central courtyard, with storage cells stacked on multiple levels, connected by external staircases; each cell belongs to a different family and is lockable independently.
        
     • Turmesa and Kabaw | Continue through the mountain villages of Turmesa and Kabaw, ancient Berber settlements perched on the edge of the escarpment with sweeping views across the plains below. These communities have maintained their distinct language, culture and building traditions for centuries.
        
     • Arrive in the oasis town of Ghadames in the evening for dinner and rest.

     Accommodation | Hotel in Ghadames

     Included Meals | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  4. December 4 | Friday

     Ghadames

     • A full day in Ghadames, the most extraordinary desert town in Libya and one of the most remarkable in the Sahara. Ghadames sits roughly 462 km southwest of Tripoli, near the point where Libya meets both Algeria and Tunisia, in an oasis fed by the Ain al-Faras spring.
        
     • Ghadames Old Town | Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986. Its architecture is unlike anything else in North Africa—a labyrinth of covered alleys and interconnected passageways creates what amounts to an underground network through the city, shielding inhabitants from the ferocious summer heat.
        
     • Vertical Desert Homes | Houses are arranged vertically, with storage on the ground floor, family rooms above, and open-air rooftop terraces reserved for the women of the household, who had their own separate network of routes across the rooftops. Whitewashed interiors are decorated with geometric patterns and traditional motifs in rich colours, each family's distinctive designs marking their space.

     Sahara Sunset

     • The Great Sand Sea | In the late afternoon, we visit the edge of the great sand sea of the Sahara for sunset over the dunes.
        
     • Tuareg Performance | In the evening, a Tuareg music performance accompanies traditional bread baked under the sand, known as khobz al-jamar, alongside a 4x4 desert safari experience.
        
     • Al-Mourin | For the women, Al-Mourin, a special traditional women’s cultural performance unique to Ghadames, is also arranged here. (Women-only event).

     Accommodation | Hotel in Ghadames

     Included Meals | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  5. December 5 | Saturday

     Ghadames, Nalut & Return to Tripoli

     • Today we depart Ghadames in the morning and head back northeast towards Tripoli, with a stop in Nalut.

     Exploration of Nalut

     • Nalut Ancient Berber Town | An ancient Berber town perched on the edge of the Nafusa escarpment, with commanding views across the desert plains. Like Ghadames and Gaser Alhaj, it is built around a fortified granary.
        
     • Qasr Nalut | The Nalut granary, or Qasr Nalut, is one of the finest surviving examples of Berber defensive architecture in Libya. A multi-storey structure of mud brick and stone, it contains over 400 individual storage cells arranged around a courtyard, each belonging to a different local family.
        
     • Cave House Lunch Experience | Lunch nearby Qasr Nalut. Enjoy a traditional fattat meal inside one of the historic cave houses, known locally as a damous.
        
     • Continue the journey back to Tripoli in the afternoon for an overnight stay.

     Accommodation | Hotel in Tripoli
     
     Included Meals | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. December 6 | Sunday

     Leptis Magna

     • A full day excursion east along the coast to Leptis Magna, 130 km from Tripoli. There is no hyperbole in saying this is one of the greatest Roman sites in the world.
        
     • Morning departure for a full-day excursion travelling east along the coast to Leptis Magna (ca. 130 km from Tripoli).

     Leptis Magna Archaeological Site

     • Imperial Roman Legacy | Founded by Phoenician colonists from Tyre in the 7th century BCE. Its golden age came when a local boy, Septimius Severus, became Roman emperor in 193 CE and transformed his hometown into one of the most magnificent cities in the Roman Empire. The city was buried by sand after its eventual abandonment, preserving it until 20th-century excavations. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
        
     • The Triumphal Arch of Septimius Severus | This stands at the intersection of the city's two main roads, a four-sided tetrapylon richly decorated with carved reliefs celebrating the emperor's victories.
        
     • The Hadrianic Baths | Among the largest and best-preserved bath complexes in the Roman world, covering an area comparable to the Baths of Caracalla in Rome.
        
     • The Amphitheatre | Partially cut into the hillside, this massive venue once hosted gladiatorial contests and public spectacles for the city's substantial population.
        
     • The Severan Basilica | A vast collonaded hall with pilasters intricately carved with scenes from the Twelve Labours of Hercules and the Life of Dionysus.
        
     • The Severan Forum | A marble-clad statement of imperial power, featuring the old forum at the heart of the original city, along with temples and original market buildings.
        
     • Enjoy an exclusive performance arranged on-site by a Zokra traditional band during the visit.

     Accommodation | Hotel in Tripoli

     Included Meals | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. December 7 | Monday

     Gharyan & Yafren

     • A day exploring two more facets of Libya’s extraordinary cultural landscape: underground cave architecture and Berber mountain towns.
        
     • Morning departure south toward the Nafusa mountain region to explore Gharyan and Yafren.

     Cultural Treasures of Gharyan

     • Troglodyte Houses | Gharyan is famous for its troglodyte houses, known locally as hosh. These are underground pit dwellings excavated vertically into the soft rock, with rooms cut horizontally around a central courtyard open to the sky above. They offer remarkable natural insulation against the summer heat. A visit to Hosh Gharyan Damos reveals how ingeniously human beings adapt to extreme climates.
        
     • Gharyan Ceramics | The town has been a vibrant centre of pottery production for centuries. Its active kilns and local workshops continue to produce handmade earthenware using artisanal techniques passed down through generations.

     Heritage of Yafren

     • Ancient Berber Mountain Town | An ancient town in the Nafusa mountains featuring a well-preserved old city of stone architecture. It holds deep historical significance as a prominent centre of Ibadi Islam, the distinctive form of Islam practised by the Berber communities of this region.
        
     • The Old City | Offers a quieter, less-touristed, and deeply authentic version of the Nafusa mountain experience.
        
     • Return to Tripoli in the evening for the final day of the tour.

     Accommodation | Hotel in Tripoli

     Included Meals | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  8. December 8 | Tuesday

     Tripoli City Tour

     • A day in Tripoli for a proper exploration of the capital and surrounding areas before departure from this fascinating and rarely visited country.

     Tripoli Old Medina

     • Historical Old Town | Explore the historic quarters, including the Arch of Marcus Aurelius, Al-Nakah Mosque, Gurgi Mosque, the Old British Consulate, Karamanli House, the fish market, and the dense network of interconnected souqs.
        
     • Architectural Fusion | The Italian Tripoli Church of Santa Maria and the Abu Lila tower round out the picture of a city that has absorbed and adapted every layer of its complex history without losing its essential Libyan character.

     Afternoon Cultural Highlights

     • Red Castle (Assaraya al-Hamra) | The great red castle rising above the harbour has guarded this coastline for over 2,000 years. It began as a Roman fort, was expanded under the Byzantines, transformed by the Ottomans, and further developed under Karamanli rule in the 18th and 19th centuries.
        
     • Libya National Museum | Located inside the castle, it houses an extensive collection of prehistoric, Phoenician, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Islamic artefacts, making it an excellent stop for understanding the profound depth of local history.
        
       • Please note: The National Museum's opening in December 2025 is still currently delayed. We anticipate the museum being open for the trip, but participants should note this may not be possible on the day.
          
     • Cooking Workshop | A cooking workshop hosted inside a traditional old house in the Old City, where you will learn to prepare a traditional Tripolitanian dish.
        
     • Farewell Dinner | A final celebratory dinner at a local scenic restaurant overlooking the Arch of Marcus Aurelius, accompanied by a live traditional music performance.

     Accommodation | Hotel in Tripoli

     Included Meals | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  9. December 9 | Wednesday

     Departure

     • Bid farewell to the historic city of Tripoli as your journey through West Libya draws to a close.
        
     • Departure from Mitiga International Airport (MJI) | Your dedicated driver will meet you in the hotel lobby to facilitate your transfer back to the airport. The best outbound routes offering worldwide connections include Turkish Airlines to Istanbul and EgyptAir to Cairo.

     End of Tour

     Included Meals | Breakfast

• Extras

  • Upgrade to your own room (international tours)

• What is / is not included?

  INCLUDED

  • All accommodation 
  • All meals
  • Airport pick-up and drop off, as well as all ground transportation
  • All travel permits and entry fees to tourist sites
  • E-Visa support letter
  • Licensed local English-speaking tour guide
  • Koryo Tours tour leader
  • Security guard

  NOT INCLUDED

  • Flights to and from Tripoli
  • Libya eVisa fee ($63 USD)
  • Single room supplement ($tbc USD per night)
  • Travel insurance (mandatory)
  • Tips for the local guide and driver ($20 USD per day per traveller)

• Notes

  Visa for Libya

  You must apply for an electronic visa through the official government website. Koryo Tours will provide you with the necessary sponsor documents. The eVisa fee is $63 USD. Further details will be provided upon booking the tour with us.

  Flights to/from Tripoli

  Tripoli is served by Tripoli Mitiga International Airport (MJI).

  The most reliable ways to fly there are currently through Istanbul with Turkish Airlines or through Cairo with Egyptair.

  ITA Airways also plans to resume its flights from Rome-Fiumicino starting in September 2026. However, tickets for these upcoming ITA Airways flights are not yet available for booking.

  Visa

  Koryo Tours requires all participants to maintain comprehensive travel insurance for Libya. We recommend International Medical Group (IMG), as their policies cover our specific destinations.

  *National Museum

  Please note: The National Museum's opening in December 2025 is still currently delayed. We anticipate the museum being open for the trip, but participants should note this may not be possible on the day.

  Got any questions about Koryo's Libya travels?

  Please email Zoe Stephens, the tour manager for this tour.

Please apply by 15th November, 2026.