North African Adventure

Our journey along the north coast of Africa starts as we travel from Cairo to Alexandria - a buzzing town with many attractions. We continue west and cross into Libya, visiting the WWII site Tobruk before exploring the stunning ruins of the ancient Greek city, Cyrene. Apollonia is equally impressive, and Leptis Magna is simply jaw-dropping! Tripoli is an amazing city, with a fusion of African, Arabic and European influences, and after a couple of nights here, we visit Sabratha, then cross into Tunisia.

The desert scenery around Matamata was where parts of the first Star Wars film was set, and is home to Berber people, famous for living in 'troglodyte' houses. We spend the night in such a house before heading into the Tunisian desert. The fascinating Islamic city Kairouan, makes for a great break on the journey north to Tunis - an eclectic, exotic and exciting city.

Countries Visited:

Egypt Libya Tunisia

Itinerary:

Day 1 Cairo Your trip starts today in Cairo. No activities are planned so you may arrive at any time. Rooms are generally available after 1.00 pm. If you have not pre-booked an arrival transfer you will find taxis available on arrival at Cairo Airport. Make sure you agree the price before you set off into town! Your tour leader may make contact tonight; otherwise you will see him tomorrow morning at the tour briefing, which usually takes place after breakfast. Day 2 Alexandria Today we travel to Alexandria, arriving around midday. After checking in to the hotel we make an afternoon visit to the new Alexandria Museum, which has a marvellous collection of artefacts dating back to around 350BC-100AD, as well as the the Roman catacombs. The rest of the day is then free to explore this waterfront city, which stretches for some 17 kilometres along the Mediterranean coast. Day 3 Alexandria We have the best part of two free days to check out Alexandria. Among the various things worth doing are visiting the Qaitbey Fortress, now a naval museum, where you can see what remains of the famous Pharos (lighthouse), one of the original seven ancient wonders of the world. You may also like to relax and enjoy a drink in the classic Cecil Hotel, built in 1930 and now one of the city's great institutions, or explore the bazaar on Nokrashi Street. A popular past-time for locals is strolling along the lengthy corniche and watch people having fun on the extensive beachfront. You can also visit one of Alexandria's famous cafes, such as 'Pastroudi's' or 'Trianon', or splash out on a seafood dinner at one of the city's many excellent restaurants. Day 4 Marsa Matruh After breakfast we leave Alexandria by private bus and travel west along the Mediterranean coast. After 2-3 hours of driving we turn south and stop at El Alamein, the site of one of the most famous battles in World War II. In October 1942, Allied troops under the command of General Bernard Montgomery defeated the Axis forces led by one of most brilliant German commanders, General Erwin Rommel (The Desert Fox), in a battle that changed the course of the war in North Africa. It is incredible to imagine that war was conducted in such harsh and hostile desert conditions. We visit the Commonwealth War Cemetery and the German and Italian War Memorial. In our free time you can also make an optional visit to the War Museum, which has a collection of tanks and other artefacts from the battles. We then continue to the coastal town of Marsa Matruh, which is renowned for its white, sandy beaches and clear, blue waters. Day 5 Tobruk Today we farewell Egypt and drive to the border at Amsaad or Al-Burdi. Our Libyan tour leader will meet us at the border and help us complete the necessary formalities, before taking us to Tobruk. This is another famous site from World War II and a place where many Australian soldiers became heroes. Known as the Rats of Tobruk, 14,270 Australian soldiers (out of a total of approximately 24,000 troops) participated in a siege that lasted 240 days from May to December 1941 and ultimately inflicted the first major German defeat in the war. We visit the war cemetery and pay our respects to those who lost their lives. We spend our first night in Libya in the town of Tobruk and enjoy a local dinner.PLEASE NOTE: The one and only 'tourist' hotel in Tobruk is being renovated throughout late 2007 and 2008 - this is a shame as it had a funky retro decor! We have found the next best alternative, although the hotel is a 'local' hotel rather than a 'tourist' hotel so please bear this in mind. The alternative was an itinerary change that involved a huge day's driving. Welcome to Libya! Day 6 Cyrene - Al-Bayda After breakfast we continue to Cyrene, one of the most significant ancient Greek archaeological sites in the world and a most notable highlight of any visit to Libya. As legend has it, Cyrene was founded in 631 BC by settlers who originally came from the Greek island of Thera (known today as Santorini). It soon expanded with more settlers coming from other parts of Greece, enticed by the promise of prime farming land. By the 4th Century BC, it had become a major cultural centre and a place of great wealth. Ensuing rulers ranging from Alexander the Great to the Ptolemies and the Romans held sway over the city, but it suffered from devastating earthquakes in 262 AD and 365 AD. By 643 AD it had lost all power and significance and was taken over by Islamic armies. We enjoy a guided tour of these fabulous ruins and imagine what life must have been like in its glory days. From the ancient gymnasium we make our way past the agora, which was the main public square. The highlight is a climb up to the Temple of Zeus, which is located on the top of a steep hill. We spend the night in the nearby town of Al-Bayda. Day 7 Apollonia - Benghazi We visit another nearby set of ancient ruins - the city of Apollonia, which was the port for Cyrene. Whilst it is not as extensive as Cyrene, it is still well worth a visit with an impressive Greek theatre located in the far eastern part of the site. Our next stop is the small town of Qasr Libya, which has a small but fascinating museum in the Eastern Church that houses a impressive collection of Byzantine mosaics dating back to the 6th Century. We continue to Libya's second largest city, Benghazi, where we have a chance to wander the narrow streets and explore the souk in evocative old part of town. Day 8 Zliten We continue to make our way across the North African coast from one end of the Gulf of Sirt to the other. On the way we stop at the quaint modern city of Sirt, which is the birthplace of Colonel Gaddafi. There is virtually nothing left of the old city and the main sights of interests are the revolutionary murals, which include many portraits of the Libyan leader. We finish our day at the town of Zliten, which is our base for exploring Leptis Magna tomorrow. Day 9 Leptis Magna - Tripoli Today we visit outstanding Leptis Magna, one of the greatest ancient sites in the world. Dating back to the 7th Century BC, it was originally a Phoenician trading port and prospered for nearly 1000 years, before Vandal invasions and sand storms brought its downfall. In its heyday during the reign of Libyan Emperor Septimus Severus, it was second only to Rome and was home to over 100,000 people. This vast city remained buried for some 1300 years, and it wasn't until the 1920s that a major excavation by Italian and Libyan archaeologists revealed the limestone and marble wonders that we explore today. We spend most of the day wandering around this amazing place and visit the excellent Leptis Museum and impressive amphitheatre, before continuing to the Libyan capital, Tripoli. Day 10 Tripoli We visit the Jamhariya Museum, which was built with the help of UNESCO and is one of the best museums in North Africa. It contains an impressive collection of Roman and Islamic artefacts, including fine mosaics mostly lifted from nearby Sabratha and Leptis Magna. We also explore the old whitewashed medina (old city), which is full of mosques and is the historic heart of Tripoli. Compared to the bazaars in Istanbul, Marrakech and Cairo, the old souk here is quiet and peaceful. No one seems to be in a hurry and we have time to explore at our leisure. We make a stop at the Gurgi Mosque and the Arch of Marcus Aurelius, which is the last structure remaining from 163 AD, when Tripoli was an ancient Roman city known as Oea. Day 11 Sabratha - Matmata Like Leptis Magna, Sabratha was a ancient Phoenician trading post that served as an outlet for products coming from the African hinterland. Part of the short-lived Numidian Kingdom of Massinissa before being taken over by the Romans, it was rebuilt in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD. It is beautifully situated overlooking the shores of the Mediterranean and we spend the morning exploring its splendid theatre, baths, fountains and mosaics. After our visit we drive to the border at Ras al-Jedir. Today we say goodbye to our Libyan tour leader and meet our Tunisian tour leader. Our first night in Tunisia is a unique one, as we spend it in one of the troglodyte dwellings in Matmata. In the past, these underground houses not only protected their inhabitants from invasion, but also provided a more pleasant living environment by offering protection from the scorching hot summers and cold winters. However we may be more familiar with this place as a setting for the planet of Tatooine, Luke Skywalker's original home, in the 'Star Wars' movies. We can still see sets from the original movie in the Hotel Sidi Driss. This area is not to be confused with the southern Tunisia city of Tataouine, although the fictional name was derived from the actual name of this other town. Day 12 Douz - Tozeur We continue our drive into the desert and stop at the town of Douz, considered the gateway to the Sahara Desert. We pay a visit to the souk; however like most desert towns in the middle of the day, it is likely to be pretty quiet. We then all get a taste of the traditional local form of transport by enjoying a one hour camel ride in the Sahara Desert. This is sure to be a memorable experience, but make sure you protect yourself from the strong sun by wearing a hat and applying sunscreen. After getting off our camels we drive to Chott el-Jerid, where we make a photo stop at the largest salt lake in Tunisia. We arrive at the oasis town of Tozeur. Filled with over 400,000 palm trees this place is one of the real highlight of any visit to Tunisia. Tonight is also special as we enjoy dinner at the home of a local family - a fantastic opportunity to sample delicious home cooked local cuisine! Day 13 Tozeur - Kairouan We take a walk around the ancient medina of Tozeur and soak up the atmosphere of this timeless place. In reality this place has been here for a long time, with the first settlement dating to the year 8000 BC! It is a fascinating maze of narrow alleyways and small squares, with some unique architectural styles that reflect a fascinating past. We also explore the 'palmeraie', where we are sure to be amazed by the enormous number of palm trees. Departing Tozeur we head northwards and stop at Sbeitla, which was once known as Sufetula and is home to an impressive collection of ancient, but well-preserved Roman temples. Our final destination today is Kairouan, one of the seven holy cities of Islam and home to the oldest mosque in North Africa. Day 14 Kairouan - Tunis Kairouan is the Islamic heart of Tunisia and dates back to the 7th Century AD, although it reached its most prominent epoch in the 9th to 10th Century AD, when it was capital of the Aghlabid Dynasty. The medina is really something special - the white wall of the buildings contrasts with pale blue and green arches. We visit the various Islamic monuments in the city including the Great Mosque, probably the most significant religious structure in the country. The original mosque dates from 670 AD, but it was destroyed and most of the present mosque dates from the Aghlabid period. We need to be appropriately dressed for our visit, however robes are available at the entrance. After our exploration of Kairouan we travel back towards the coast and on to the country's capital, Tunis. Day 15 Tunis We have a free day to explore Tunis, a cosmopolitan city that blends Islamic aspects with modern European influences, especially French. The medina is a World Heritage-listed site and a virtual labyrinth of alleys and tunnels. There are several optional sites that you can visit in your free time, all of them located close to Tunis. The Bardo Museum is located 4km west of the city and is considered the best in the country. It covers the whole spectrum of Tunisian history, from prehistoric times to the Roman era and the Islamic age, and houses an impressive collection of mosaics. You can also visit the remnants of the ancient city of Carthage, one of the greatest cities of the ancient world and the ancestral home to the famous military hero, Hannibal. The whitewashed buildings of the village of Sidi Bou Said are stunning and many famous painters and writers over the years have made it their home. Your tour leader can advise you on getting to these places. Day 16 Tunis Our trip ends today after breakfast. Additional accommodation is available in Tunis on request.

Group Size:

N/A

Type of Accommodation:

Hotels

Comments:

Highlights: Cairo Alexandria Alexandria Museum Roman Catacombs El Alamein Cyrene/Apollonia Leptis Magna Tripoli Sabratha Matmata Douz Kairouan Tunis Grade: Moderate - A moderate level of fitness is required. These trips generally involve some physical activities and occasional long travelling days. Accommodation and travel conditions may be more basic. Included: Gecko's tour leader, local guides, transport, sightseeing and entrance fees. Not Included: International flights, arrival & departure transfers, visas, airport taxes, additional meals, drinks, optional sightseeing tours, insurance, tips and items of a personal nature. Other: Crossing the border into Libya Libyan Visa All European nationalities, Australians, New Zealanders, British and Canadians can get the visa 'on arrival', however you require an approval letter from the Libyan authorities. This letter must be obtained prior to travel via Gecko's and presented at the border. Gecko's will forward a copy of the invitation to you and your travel agent via email or fax 24-48 hours prior to group arrival date in Libya. This is standard Libyan Government policy. Cost is currently about US$35.00 payable when full monies are due for your tour as we organise it for you. It is vital that we have a travelling email address for you. You'll print out the approval letter in Egypt, ready to show at the Egypt/Libyan border and your tour leader can help with this.The procedure is not as arduous as it once was, but it will take one or two hours. There is usually a member of the Tourist Police to assist with formalities. It currently takes about an hour to cross the border (although obviously this can vary). Gecko's requires: a full colour scanned copy of clients passport - no larger than 150 mb - saved in JPEG format; date of birth; and exact arrival details into and flight details out of Libya.This information must be received by Gecko's at least 70 days prior to departure. The approval letter, which can take several weeks to obtain, will be sent to you or your agent via email or fax. It is VITAL that if you are leaving home early, that you provide Gecko's with contact details (email is best) where this letter can be sent. If you fail to do this, you may be refused entry to Libya. On arrival into Libya, the approval letter must be presented at Immigration and a visa is then issued.US nationals should obtain their visa themselves prior to arrival. At the time of writing, it is difficult for US nationals to obtain a Libyan visa. Gecko's cannot assist with this. If you are planning to enter Israel during your visit to the region we advise you to enter Libya first or have your Israeli stamps issued on a separate piece of paper so you can throw away prior to your arrival into Libya. If you have an Israeli stamp in your passport you will be REFUSED entry into Libya. URGENT: New Entry Requirements for Libya Effective immediately, all passengers travelling to Libya are required to have an Arabic translation of all of their passport details. Travellers without this will be (and have been) refused entry into Libya. This must be attached to their passport, or stamped directly onto the passport page. This was an expected announcement and the requirements are still not 100% clear. However, the information provided below will help solve the issue. The translation must be presented on blank page attached to or stamped on their passport and must contain the translation of all the details on the passport photo page as follows: - Surname - Forenames - Place of Birth - Date of Birth - Nationality - Passport No. - Issued at - Date of Issue - Date of Expiry The translation information will need to be authenticated by government stamp (issued by the passport issuing country - so if you're an Australian passport holder, an Australian consulate). There are translation services that have these stamps. The first stamp is like a form, with space provided for translation of all the details listed above. The translator then translates these details into Arabic and then stamps with a second stamp, that is a Government certified stamp.The 'first stamp' is available at most consulates (Australian, British etc) even in overseas countries, so if you are already on the road, please contact your nearest embassy. They should be able to provide the first (form) stamp and the details of a translation service who can do the translation and second (certification) stamp. In an emergency, we hope that people who do not for some reason receive this letter can get this all sorted in Cairo with the help of our local office, but please do not rely on this. Passengers are advised to seek assistance from the relevant passport and visa agencies, or their consulate. We regret that passengers who do not have this translation will not be accepted for travel.For Australian travellers, there is a translation service available in the ACT. If you want to make use of this service, please phone the translator to check their availability, but she can generally provide a same day service. Please send your passport, a money order for $60 (or cash), and a self-addressed Express Post envelope to:Khawla Al Khazarji17 Weavers CrescentTheodore ACT 2905Mobile number: 0402 207 983.For British residents, we recommend Travcour, which can arrange for the stamp and Arabic translation to be entered in to your passport. Currently the price for this service is £11.75 plus postage (price of postage depends on postal service requested). More information is available directly from Travcour. Tel: 020 7223 5295 / www.travcour.comYou should allow 1 week-10 days for Travcour to arrange for the Arabic translation.Your VISA is a totally separate issue and will be sent a few days before arrival into Libya. Passengers on Gecko's tours (or the Peregrine PGEL) will have their visas emailed to them a few days before crossing the border and your Egyptian Tour Leader will ensure this all happens as copies of your visa letter are sent to our Cairo office. Money and Mobiles in Libya ATMs are VERY scarce in Libya. There are a few in Benghazi and Tripoli but that's about it. We strongly advise you to bring US Dollars cash. $200-$300 should be more than enough, as you can withdraw more in Tripoli if you need to. Mobile phones will NOT WORK in Libya. Getting a prepaid SIM card is possible but a bit of a hassle. Internet is widely available.Tunisian VisaWe will need, at least one month before departure, the following information: Full nameDate and place of birthProfessionNationalityAddressPassport numberIssuing date of the passportExpiry date of the passport We will also need a copy of your passport copy (sent by fax or scanned) and your departure flight details if your tour ends in Tunis. This trip is classified as Adventurer style 'Adventurer' holidays are designed for those who really enjoy grassroots travel. They offer excellent value, with all the major sites included, and some have an element off going 'off the beaten track', while others have a real 'pioneering' style. Summertime Schedules As the days get warmer, temperatures can start to soar. From April to October, to avoid the midday heat, some days start very early (eg at 0500). Please be prepared for this: we try to make things as comfortable for you as possible. Your tour leader will keep you fully informed. Along the coast in Libya, the heat is not quite as extreme. 'Baksheesh' Throughout the Middle East, tipping is a way of life. Known as 'baksheesh' it is given for any service rendered and is deeply embedded in the social fabric of the country. Unlike western countries it is not necessarily a reward for good service and shouldn't really be called a 'tip', in the western sense of the word. Everyone gives 'baksheesh' to everyone else and foreign tourists are expected to go along with this. For some, this can become very tiresome (especially if you don't have the right change) and it can often lead to irritation and frustration. To surmount this problem and to save you the obvious embarrassment if you don't have the correct change, your tour leader will collect a 'tipping kitty' from you at the beginning of the trip. This is approximately US$3 per person, per day, and this in IN ADDITION to the 'Local Payment' you pay in Cairo. He will then distribute all 'baksheesh' along the way, on your behalf, to the local guides, drivers, porters and others who provide services for you. Please have this amount ready, in cash, at the beginning of the trip, and when you meet your leader in each country.If you are out on your own at a restaurant, please remember to leave a small tip for your waiter. Tipping your leader It is customary to tip your tour leader, at the end of the trip, if you are happy with his service. A minimum tip of US$2-3 per day, from each member of the group, is the standard expectation. Alcohol Alcohol is ILLEGAL in Libya so if you have any alcohol in your bags, please throw it away (or drink it) before you leave Egypt. Most restaurants do not serve alcohol. Ramadan Ramadan occurs in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is an exciting (and at times, frustrating) time to travel in the Middle East. In the evening there is a celebratory atmosphere as people break their fast, and to witness all this is a real highlight. However, during the day, people must refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and sexual activity, so if you encounter someone who is a bit grumpy, be sympathetic! Tourists sites are generally unaffected although some places may close early, but your leader will plan around this. Most hotels bars and tourist restaurants will remain open. Overall, Ramadan is a really interesting time to visit the Middle East, although you do need to be flexible, sympathetic and sensitive. In 2008 Ramadan starts on 1 September and ends with Eid el Fitr at the end of September. The feast of Eid el Fitr can last between three and seven days, depending on the region. In 2009, Ramadan starts on August 21st and finishes on September 19th, with the Eid el Fitr feast commencing on September 20th. Local Payment: The local payment is the final part of your overall tour cost. It MUST be paid in cash, in the currency indicated, to your tour leader at the start of your trip. Having a local payment helps us to pass cost savings on to you. Please note that the Local Payment is non-refundable. Single Traveller: Most of our travellers are single and like the thought of travelling with a few like-minded souls. As part of Gecko's core philosophy, we do not charge a single supplement. You'll probably be sharing your accommodation with a travelling companion of the same gender, but even if you do get your own room, you won't be charged extra, unless the tour has a minimum of one person. Because many of our travellers come on their own, your tour will probably have a strong social element and you'll almost certainly come home with some great new friends. Local Payement of US$400

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