Waypoint Journeys Presents
Libya
Leptis Magna, Sabratha, and the Sahara Most Travellers Will Never See
Choose 2, 3, 5 or 8 Nights
Roman Africa, Berber Oases, and the Rock Art of the Acacus
View Expedition Details ↓A Country Most Travellers Will Never See — Built on Roman Africa and the Sahara
Libya sits in a strange place on the world map: a Mediterranean country with two of the most spectacular Roman cities ever built, an interior of Berber mountains and oasis towns, and one of the most extraordinary stretches of the Sahara — and a foreign-tourist count so low that for years it barely registered in international statistics. After a quiet reopening of organised travel, a small number of professional operators are running tightly-curated expeditions to a country where, on any given week, you may have a UNESCO World Heritage Site essentially to yourself.
Leptis Magna is the headline. Founded by the Phoenicians and expanded into a showpiece capital by Emperor Septimius Severus — a Libyan-born Roman — it is one of the most complete Roman cities anywhere in the Mediterranean: marble colonnades, an Arch of Severus, a basilica, an amphitheatre, and an ancient harbour, almost all of it still standing. Sabratha, an hour west of Tripoli, is its quieter twin — a seaside theatre that catches the light like a postcard. Tripoli's Old City wraps Ottoman souks around a Red Castle that has been a fortress for two thousand years.
Beyond the coast is another country entirely. The Nafusa Mountains hold Berber granaries, fortified villages, and Gharyan's troglodyte houses carved into the limestone. Ghadames, the "Pearl of the Desert," is a UNESCO-listed oasis city of covered streets and whitewashed houses where you can still meet families who have lived inside the medina for centuries. And the Tadrart Acacus — reached by a domestic flight to Ghat and two days of 4×4 — is a sandstone-and-dune wilderness covered in 12,000-year-old rock art. We offer four trip lengths so you can choose how deep to go.
"Leptis Magna at golden hour, with nobody else in the forum but you and the wind off the Mediterranean — there is nothing else like it left in the Roman world."
Six Reasons to Make the Journey
One of the most complete Roman cities in the Mediterranean — Septimius Severus's marble showpiece, with an arch, an amphitheatre, the basilica, and an ancient harbour. Featured on every itinerary length we offer, because it is the reason most people come to Libya.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site an hour west of Tripoli, with a theatre that catches the Mediterranean light like a postcard. A Phoenician trading post turned Roman city, smaller and quieter than Leptis Magna — and on most days, almost empty.
A walled medina of Ottoman souks, Italianate arcades, and the Red Castle Museum — one of the great unexplored North African capitals. Espresso in the old Italian cafés, mint tea in the souks, and a working harbour that has been a working harbour for two and a half millennia.
A UNESCO-listed oasis city on the Algerian-Tunisian frontier — a labyrinth of covered streets, whitewashed houses, palm gardens, and a way of life designed entirely for desert heat. We overnight here on the 5- and 8-night itineraries.
Gharyan's troglodyte homes carved into limestone (3- to 8-night options) and the dramatic Berber granaries and hilltop fortresses of Qasr Al-Haj, Nalut, Kabaw, and Tarmisa on the 5- and 8-night routes.
The deep Sahara, reached by domestic flight to Ghat and 4×4: UNESCO-listed prehistoric rock art carved into sandstone, the Maghadet dunes, and the impossibly turquoise oases of the Ubari Lakes hidden between high dunes. Available on the 8-night Magic of the Desert.
Four Ways to Experience Libya
From a long weekend at the Roman cities to a nine-day Sahara expedition. Pick the depth that fits.
Classical Libya
The essential first taste: Sabratha on the coast, Leptis Magna in full, and Tripoli's Old City. Perfect for a long weekend.
Met on arrival at Tripoli's Mitiga International Airport. Drive west along the coast to Sabratha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site whose seaside theatre, temples, and mosaics flourished in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD as a Phoenician-Roman trading port between Africa and the Mediterranean. Return to Tripoli for overnight in a 4★ hotel.
Travel east to Leptis Magna — founded by the Phoenicians and expanded by the Libyan-born Emperor Septimius Severus into one of the most spectacular Roman cities ever built. Walk the Arch of Severus, the basilica, the amphitheatre, the ancient harbour, and the marble forum. Return to Tripoli for overnight.
Explore Tripoli's Old City — its lively souks, the Red Castle Museum, and the Ottoman-era arcades and mosques. If time allows, a coffee by the Mediterranean before transfer to Mitiga Airport for your onward flight.
Cultural Highlights of Libya
Everything in Option 1, plus a full day in Gharyan to see the Berber troglodyte homes carved into the limestone of the Nafusa foothills.
Met at Mitiga Airport and direct transfer to Sabratha for a guided visit of its Roman theatre, temples, and ancient harbour, with an introduction to its role as a Phoenician trading centre between Africa and the Mediterranean. Return to Tripoli for overnight.
A full day at Leptis Magna — the pride of Roman Africa. Marble colonnades, ancient markets, bath complexes, the basilica, and the amphitheatre all reflect the grandeur of an empire at its height. Return to Tripoli for overnight.
Morning walking tour of Tripoli's Medina — whitewashed alleys, colourful shops, and centuries-old mosques. Afternoon excursion to Gharyan, famous for its underground troglodyte homes carved into the soft limestone and its traditional pottery workshops. Return to Tripoli for overnight.
Breakfast and transfer to Mitiga Airport for your onward flight.
Desert and Coastline Wonders
Our most popular Libya itinerary. Adds the Berber Nafusa mountains and two nights inside the UNESCO-listed Ghadames oasis to the Sabratha + Leptis Magna core.
Met on arrival at Mitiga Airport and direct drive to Sabratha for a guided exploration of its impressive ruins. Return to Tripoli for overnight.
Journey through the Nafusa Mountains, visiting Qasr Al-Haj — an ancient circular granary used for centuries by Berber tribes — and Nalut, known for its hilltop fortress overlooking the desert plain. Continue to Ghadames, the UNESCO-listed oasis city often called the "Pearl of the Desert." Overnight in the traditional Dar Ghadames Hotel.
Spend the day inside Ghadames' old town — a labyrinth of covered streets, whitewashed houses, and oasis gardens designed entirely for desert life. Meet local families and learn the architecture of the medina. Optional evening Touareg dance performance and dinner.
Return toward the coast via Kabaw — an ancient fortified village with a panoramic castle — and Tarmisa, a scenic mountain town in the Nafusa range. Arrive in Tripoli for overnight.
A full day at Leptis Magna — one of the most complete Roman cities anywhere in the world. Return to Tripoli for a farewell dinner and overnight.
Transfer to Mitiga Airport for your onward flight.
Magic of the Desert
The deepest experience: a domestic flight south to the Tadrart Acacus for three nights of 4×4 expedition through prehistoric rock art and the Maghadet dunes, plus the Ubari Lakes, before flying back for Leptis Magna. Two domestic flights included.
Welcome at Mitiga Airport, then a guided tour of Sabratha's Roman theatre and temples on the Mediterranean. Overnight in Tripoli.
Domestic flight south to Ghat, an ancient desert town on the edge of the Acacus Mountains. Visit the old medina and an introduction to Tuareg culture. Overnight in Ghat.
Transfer into 4×4s and begin the desert expedition. Explore the Tadrart Acacus, a UNESCO World Heritage site famed for prehistoric rock art carved into sandstone, dramatic arches, and golden dunes. Overnight camping under the stars.
Continue deep into the Sahara across Maghadet, an area of golden dunes and spectacular desert landscapes. The peace and silence of an empty desert. Overnight camping.
A second day in Maghadet — rock formations, dune walking, traditional desert meals around the fire. Overnight camping.
Drive to the Ubari Lakes — Gabroun and Umm Al-Maa, hidden between high dunes. The turquoise water surrounded by golden sand is one of the most surreal sights in the Sahara. Overnight in Ubari or Sabha.
Morning flight from Ubari or Sabha back to Tripoli. Afternoon at leisure to recover after the desert — coffee in the old quarter, the seafront promenade. Overnight in Tripoli.
A full day at Leptis Magna, exploring its vast Roman ruins. Return to Tripoli for the farewell evening.
Transfer to Mitiga Airport for your international flight.
What's Included
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Common Questions About This Expedition
Expedition Investment
Four Options, Four Prices
All-inclusive of accommodation, AC vehicle (and 4×4 on the 8-night), licensed English-speaking guide, all park entrance fees, and the Libya invitation letter. Daily breakfast on every option; full board during desert camping on the 8-night. International airfare to Tripoli and the Libya visa fee (~$63) are not included.
Email Us for Help ChoosingLibya carries advisories — we take that seriously. The corridor we operate (Tripoli, Sabratha, Leptis Magna, the Nafusa Mountains, Ghadames, and the southern Acacus) is stable and well-travelled by a small community of foreign visitors. Our in-country partner has been running professional expeditions for years and handles every transfer, permit, and itinerary registration with the authorities. You are met at Mitiga Airport and accompanied by a licensed English-speaking guide throughout the trip. We monitor advisories continuously, and we will not operate any segment that has become unstable — full refund applies if we have to cancel for safety. We're happy to address any specific question directly.
