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, China, 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).

All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.

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.

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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Vaccinations & Protection

Nothing compulsory, but we recommend protection against tetanus, typhoid, hepatitis A and polio.

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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, which makes them pleasant in most seasons. Winter can have cold days on the coast and spring (Mar/Apr) is a good time to visit after the rains when trees and flowers are in blossom.

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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 daypack. Total allowance: 44lb/20kg. Remember you are expected to carry your own luggage so don't overload yourself.

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Clothing

You should pack for ‘Hot Conditions’ between April and September. During winter (October to March) pack for ‘All Tours’, when medium weight clothing and rainwear is advisable. A fleece will be useful during this time when it can be chilly on the coast. Clothes should be casual and practical. Knee length shorts are acceptable in Libya for both men and women, but please dress sensitively in accordance with Muslim traditions and avoid wearing revealing clothing. Legs should be covered when entering a Mosque and women must also cover their shoulders and heads.

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Footwear

Lightweight trail boots or comfortable walking shoes or sandals, plus something to relax in of an evening.

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Equipment

Sunglasses, sun cream and a torch.

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Personal First Aid Kit

For an exclusively designed Explore Medical Kit, visit www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore

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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

Spending a weekend enjoying the delights of North Africa’s Mediterranean coastline, we set out to explore the great Roman cities of the Tripolitania: Oea, Sabratha and Leptis Magna. At their height these outposts of the Empire provided Rome with a rich and seemingly endless supply of slaves, grain and trade from sub-Saharan Africa. Starting in Tripoli, with its exciting mix of Arab, European and African influences, we visit the prime sites of the old city, before heading along the coast to Sabratha, once a thriving centre of Carthaginian trade with the largest theatre in Roman Africa. We then have two days to explore what is without doubt one of the most impressive archaeological sites in the world, the ancient city of Leptis Magna. Considered to be the best preserved example of a Roman city anywhere, Leptis Magna is opulence and grandeur on a truly epic scale and we will have the opportunity to examine in depth this magnificent site and its world renowned mosaics. This truly is a weekend with a difference, a comprehensive tour of the greatest Roman sites in North Africa, mixed with the vibrant legacy of this most culturally diverse of regions.

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Please note:

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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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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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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