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Explore the Libyan Desert with Al Sawan
Tours...
the most captivating way to discover Libya...
A family run travel company specialized in
the over-land exploration of distant regions
and customs of this fascinating and
wide-ranging country. Through experience, we
have created specialist journeys that are
audacious and enjoyable. Find out more
about our service and
itineraries
and join us for the most exciting expedition
of a lifetime!
A journey in Libya has many
highlights...
Explore the spectacular
remains of the Roman cities
of
Leptis Magna
and
Sabratha,
testaments to ancient
civilisations. Travel
through the vast Saharan
desert and camp amongst
great sand seas. View
galleries of pre-historic
rock art in the remote
Acacus
mountains. Wander the dark
covered alleyways of desert
towns home to the indigenous
Tuareg tribes people. Enjoy
a picnic in the shade of a
palm-tree on the edge of a
desert lake. Experience
Berber hospitality in well
preserved troglodyte caves
in Western Libya. Take a
tour through the wooded
mountains of East Libya,
scene of the Libyan
rebellion against their the
Italian occupation. Explore
the bustling souks and
Italianate streets and
squares of
Tripoli.
Discover the wonderful
countryside, Mediterranean
coastline and climate of
Cyrenaica.
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"A journey through the desert is
unforgettable experience.
For expert travellers as well as
those who are no longer
astonished and in search of a
new atmosphere.
The desert of Libya is one of
the last stunning places of the
world. It is the setting where
just living is enough to
experience intense joy. The
desert lifestyle experienced in
Libya is indeed unique. It is
still an uncontaminated world,
where the traces of transiting
tourism are quickly erased with
the moving sands.
The climate is without doubt,
hard, dry and essential,
while it also knows how to be a
wrapping sweetness, that can
even melt the most hurt of
hearts.
The landscapes in the desert of
Libya alternate with an
impressive speed and one passes
from a syrupy Mediterranean
territory to the heart of the
Sahara. The "erg" of sand are a
mesmerizing vision in their
facets of colours and the black
cliffs of the Akakus are a
source of incredible energy.
And then the people... simple
and jovial, with a smile
that beams straight to the
heart.
One the marvellous discoveries
that Libya has to offer, is
Tuareg music, a perfect
accompaniment for a journey into
the profound and wonderful."
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Practical Advice
A journey in the
desert requires
attentive
preparation. The
winter months are
very cold at night,
and one must be
equipped with tents
and heavy sleeping
bags. At dawn there
is often hoarfrost
and by day the
temperature is mild.
In order to cross
the desert one
travels for
approximately 8
hours per day, from
9 a.m. to an hour
before sunset with a
stop for lunch.
The camp changes
each evening. The
guides are also
cooks. Supplies are
refurbished more or
less every 3 days,
according to the
route, when one
reaches an oasis
where what it
lacking is
purchased.
A journey across the
desert is
recommended from
October to
mid-April, while
along the coast the
climate is
Mediterranean and
pleasant all year
round.
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The ideal number
of days for a route
that comprises the
coast (Sabrata and
Leptis Magna are two
magnificent
archaeological
sites) as well as
the desert, ranges
from a minimum of 9
to 15 days.
One can explore the
desert also in only
two persons plus
guide and driver,
but the ideal number
for a visit is at
least two vehicles.
Cellular telephones
work well along
coast and at times
in the oasis of
Ghadames. Public
telephones and an
Internet café are
found in all the
oases, although
often one or the
other of the
facilities is out of
service.
Satellite telephones
of Turaya exist and
almost all the
guides/drivers have
at least one.
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Passaports e Visas
There are two ways
to obtain a tourist
visa: the Libyan
agency engaged in
organising the
journey sends a
"Letter of
Invitation" which
one presents at the
Embassy (at least 3
weeks before
departure) and
requests a visa.
Otherwise, a more
comfortable method,
is to send copies of
passports via e-mail
and the visa is
bought directly in
the airport through
the local agency.
The cost is
identical.
Remember, the
lighter you travel
the better you feel,
because every day
the camp changes,
which means mounting
and dismantling
tents, packing and
unpacking.
(After some days you
get accustomed to
it).
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Not to forget:
•
sun cream
•
gloves, heavy hat
for the winter
•
sunglasses
•
cacao butter
•
eye-drops
•
personal medicines
•
plate, glass,
cutlery for camping
•
small knife
•
frontal torch
•
camping mattress
•
pillow
•
small basin for
bathing & washing
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About Libya ...
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