We've given each of our tours a comfort rating and a tour pace, walking or cycling grade to give you a general idea about the level of activity on each tour and the standard of accommodation you will be staying in at the end of your day's adventure.
Often you'll stay in different styles of accommodation during your tour; so we make an average rating across the entire tour. For more information on where you'll stay each night, please refer to the day by day tour itinerary.
The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these trip notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations.
All passengers please note: Villa Sileen is closed indefinitely.
Accordingly, you should allow approx. US$40 for tipping.
Local Costs
| |
UK |
Libya |
| Tea/Coffee |
£1.50 |
$1.00 |
| Soft Drink |
£1.50 |
$1.30 |
| Bottled Water |
£1.50 |
$1.00 |
| Bottle of Beer |
£3.50 |
|
| 2 Course Meal* |
£15.00 |
$9.00 |
| 3 Course Meal** |
£20.00 |
$20.00 |
| Bottle of Wine |
£14.50 |
|
| Breakfast |
£5.00 |
|
*Cheap local fare in a small cafe or restaurant.
**Typical food in a simple, reasonably comfortable mid-range restaurant.
Important Information
Travel Insurance
It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must have valid travel insurance. It must indicate that you have cover for (at least) medical expenses and emergency repatriation in the event of illness or injury. We also strongly recommend your policy includes cancellation protection as all deposit paid are non-refundable.
If you require travel insurance for your tour, Explore Worldwide is an appointed representative of Campbell Irvine Limited, who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services authority. Our travel insurance policy is specially tailored to the needs of the adventure traveller and will cover you for any included activity on any Explore trip. You can either purchase this at the time of booking or call us 0844 499 0901 after you have booked.
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Passport Requirements
We have recently been advised that an Arabic translation of passport bio data page, is no longer required for Libyan tourist visa applications. All other requirements remain unchanged.
For information on entry requirements you are advised to check with the Libyan People’s Bureau in London at 61/62 Ennismore Gardens, London, SW7 1NH, Tel: 020 7589 6120, fax: 020 7589 6087.
Biometric passports have been required previously but are currently not an entry requirement however this could change at short notice. The following link will tell you more about biometric passports: http://www.ips.gov.uk/passport/aboutbiomet ric.asp
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Visa Requirements
Visas are required by all nationalities and a group visa is now available on arrival however authorisation must be organised in advance. In order to obtain a visa on arrival passport information must be forwarded to Explore with booking details.
Important Notes: Visa applications may take up to 3 weeks to process, as Explore have to seek authorisation from the Ministry of Interior in Libya. We regret, therefore, that we cannot accept bookings less than 3 weeks before the tour departure date. Once authorisation is obtained, the Libyan authorities issue a visa on arrival.
Please note that Libya regularly change and amend their entry requirements. We can not currently guarantee visas for the following countries – Switzerland, Chinese, Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Vietnam, Philippine, Thailand, North Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Iraq, Lebanon, and all African countries except Egypt, Tunis, Algeria, Morocco and South Africa.
Please note the situation may change at short notice.
If you are arranging your own visa for Libya please be aware you will be required to attend the Libyan People's Bureau to give your fingerprints and submit the required documents and passport photos. For further information on entry requirements you are advised to check with the Libyan People’s Bureau in London. For those travelling on the Explore arranged group visa will not be required to give their fingerprints and data to the Libyan People’s Bureau as this will be a group visa and biometric requirements will not apply. For passengers NOT on the standard group flights please note that in order to obtain the visa on arrival you must be met by a member of staff from Explore’s ground handlers at the airport in Tripoli. Therefore your flight details are needed at the point of booking (please contact Explore to discuss costs/logistics for any entry point other than Tripoli airport).
Please note: You must have at least $1000 USD on arrival in cash with you or a valid Credit card to prove you have sufficient funds for your stay. Failure to prove this may mean entry to Libya is denied.
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All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.
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Vaccinations & Protection
Nothing compulsory, but we recommend protection against malaria, tetanus, typhoid, hepatitis A and polio. Consult your travel clinic for latest advice on different prophylaxis available against malaria.
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The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at http://www.explore.co.uk/Travelhealth/ and from your local healthcare provider.
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.
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Know before you go
We strongly recommend that you check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs, including advice re: the legality of and local attitudes towards same-sex relationships. For UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice follow the link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
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Preparing for your tour
Climate
Libya has a Mediterranean climate around the coastal strips of Tripoli, the Nafusa Mountains and the Akhdar Mountains. This makes them pleasant to visit in most seasons. Winter can have some very cold days on the coast and in the mountains with occasional snow in the Nafusa Mountains. Spring (Mar/Apr) is a good time to visit after the rains when trees and flowers are in blossom. Hot summers are tempered by sea breezes and sites are usually free of other visitors. Autumn is cooler. Winter can be very cold.
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Seasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable. For up-to-date information on the weather worldwide please visit www.bbc.co.uk/weather.
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Packing for your tour
To assist with packing for your tour, we have detailed some of the essential items you should take with you.
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Luggage
Unfortunately it does occasionally happen that luggage does not always reach its destination on the same flight as its owner, or possibly it may be damaged in transit. If you are unlucky enough for this to occur, it is important that you file a PIR (Property Irregularity Report) with the airline before leaving the airport. This is essential when you come to make a claim either against the airline or from your travel insurance company
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One main piece of baggage and a day bag. Total allowance: 44lbs/20kgs. Please note many Libyan hotels do not have porters and you will need to carry your own luggage.
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Clothing
Pack essentially for 'All Tours' plus 'Hot conditions'.
Summer (Apr to Sept): Clothing should be lightweight. However, a warm fleece and/or a warm sweater is strongly recommended as the desert can become very cold at night – even in the summer.
Winter (Oct to Mar): Cold days and nights where the night-time temperatures fall sharply. Therefore, much thicker clothing is essential for cold days and colder nights. We strongly recommend that you take warm clothing to sleep in (eg. track suit or thermal underwear) as the quality of heating in Libyan accommodation can be variable. Waterproof jacket and trousers and a thick fleece are strongly recommended between December and January.
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Footwear
Comfortable shoes/trainers for exploring rocky and sometimes thorny sites, and sandals for relaxing in.
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Equipment
A day bag, torch with spare batteries, sun hat, high factor sun cream, sunglasses, a water bottle and a towel for the night in the guesthouse is essential
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Need help on Clothing or Equipment?
Then we suggest you contact Nomad Travel, our equipment partner, who specialise in kitting people out for adventurous travel. You receive a special 10% discount in-store or online. Visit one of their stores, phone 0845 260 0044, or visit their website www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore for further information.
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General Information
Trip Summary
From the vast and beautiful expanse of the Sahara desert to the formidable remains of an almost intact Roman city at Leptis Magna, Africa’s fourth largest country is a land of contrasts. Travellers to Libya will find a friendly and hospitable people without the hassle that one may find in other more tourist-oriented Arab nations. Vast oil reserves have created a wealthy nation and development has managed to progress, despite trade sanctions. Our tour examines the main attractions of the traditional provinces of Tripolitania and Cyrenaica in northern Libya, with a glimpse into Saharan life at Ghadames. Travel is by chartered bus, generally on good quality asphalt roads, and also by domestic flight. Due to the immense size of Libya (three times that of France) we cover over 3,500 km during our journey. So please come prepared for a fair bit of road travel and some long driving days. Also please note that the tourism infrastructure in Libya is still in its embryonic stages and plenty of patience is required as service can be slow.
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Please note:
Please note: The possession and consumption of alcohol is strictly forbidden in Libya. Penalties are severe for breach of this law. Please ensure you do not take any alcohol at all into Libya.
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RAMADAN 2010 11th August – 9th September
Please note that Ramadan is a month of fasting observed by Muslims throughout the world, during which time the followers of Islam should not eat or drink between sunrise and sunset. There may be some restrictions to services and minor amendments to the itinerary. Restaurants may have limited supplies of fresh food available during this period.
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Libya is a Muslim country and people may be offended by shorts or revealing dresses, which can attract unwelcome attention. Therefore, you should dress with respect for local sensibilities. Women should also cover their heads when entering a sanctuary, though in general, mosques are forbidden to non-Muslim.
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Any passport that has an endorsement or a visa for Israel, either valid or expired, will not be accepted. Nor will immigration accept the passport of anyone who has travelled to Jordan or Egypt via Israel, even without gaining a stamp from the Israel/Jordan or Israel/Egypt border, as this implies entry via Israel.
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Electric Supply & Plugs
For comprehensive information regarding voltages and plug types in use in the countries visited, follow the relevant link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
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