Libya small group journey
2026
Tripoli • Roman Cities • Nafusa Mountains • Ghadames • Sahara Desert
Libya isn’t a place you rush through.
This journey is designed to experience it with all your senses — walking through centuries-old streets, tasting traditional foods along the way, and watching the landscapes unfold from Mediterranean coast to Sahara dunes.
Why I’m hosting this trip
Put simply — because my time in Libya left a lasting impression, and I want others to experience it for themselves.
If you’re after places that aren’t performing for tourists and places that feel like themselves, yet still have so much to offer, Libya is it.
After visiting so many misunderstood countries, Libya captured my heart in a way others have not. It has some of the most intact and sprawling Roman ruins you’ll find anywhere in the Roman world. A medina that genuinely exists for locals. Stretches of shimmering blue Mediterranean and some of the freshest seafood you’ll ever taste. It has history that stretches back thousands of years, a delightful diversity of cultures and traditions, and a fascinating mix of civilizations that have left their mark at this crossroads of the Mediterranean and Sahara.
I want you to see the version of Libya that I fell in love with — the version the media won’t show you. The version with extraordinary people, history, and landscapes. Oh, and did I tell you how delicious Libyan cuisine is?
Hosting this trip is my way to share that experience with others curious enough to see it for themselves.
Trip Overview
Dates & Length
Oct 3 – Oct 10, 2026 (8 days / 7 nights)
Start / End Location
Tripoli, Libya
Group Size
small group size (minimum of 5)
Price
$2,950 USD per person (double occupancy)
Single Supplement
$350 USD
Deposit
$500 USD, non-refundable to secure your spot
The route includes Libya’s most important historic sites, but the journey is designed to experience them at a slower pace — with time for mountain villages, local food, and desert sunsets along the way.
why this libya journey is different
Libya isn’t a place you rush through. It’s the kind of country where you notice more when you slow down — in morning walks through Old Town, long afternoons wandering Roman ruins, tea shared in mountain villages, and sunsets that stretch wider than you expect.
This small group Libya trip is designed intentionally. We’ll move at a pace that gives us time to take things in, not just check them off. Throughout the week, food is woven into the experience — from breakfast in Tripoli to lunch in cave homes to sand-baked bread in the Sahara — so you don’t just remember what you saw, but how it felt to be there.
We’ll experience Libya in its many forms: ancient, desert, mountain, and modern. If you’re curious, open-minded, and ready to see it for yourself rather than through headlines, this is the trip for you.
Libya may feel unfamiliar, but we’ll be traveling with experienced local partners who manage logistics and required security arrangements throughout the trip. I’ve worked closely with our on-the-ground guide to design this experience carefully, so you can focus on being present rather than figuring things out on your own.
Trip Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival in Tripoli
Welcome to Libya. After airport pickup and hotel check-in, we’ll ease into the feel of the city with a relaxed walk through Old Town and along the Corniche as the sun sets over the Mediterranean. In the evening, we’ll explore the local fish market and enjoy our first dinner together — fresh, simple, and distinctly Libyan.
Day 2 – Tripoli: Past & Present
Today is about slowing down and settling in. We’ll wander through the Old Town in the softer morning light, stopping for coffee and to try sfinz — a Libyan fried dough commonly eaten at breakfast — before diving deeper into its corners, markets, and shops. There’s time to browse, sip, and explore at an unhurried pace.
We’ll also spend time at the Libya National Museum, where Libya’s story unfolds from prehistoric civilizations through Roman rule and into the modern era — revealing just how rich and expansive the country’s history truly is. We’ll end the day with dinner overlooking the sea.
Day 3 – Leptis Magna
We head along the coast, stopping to take in Mediterranean views before arriving at Leptis Magna. In the afternoon, we’ll explore the extraordinary ruins of Leptis Magna — one of the most impressive Roman cities in the world. We’ll have time to linger among its columns and grand amphitheater just like the locals do, admiring the scale of this ancient city before heading to the modern part of Tripoli for dinner.
Day 4 – Sabratha & The Nafusa Mountains
Today we visit the Roman site of Sabratha — home to one of the most intact and striking Roman theaters anywhere in the world. Standing before its soaring columns with the sea behind you feels awe-inspiring.
After exploring the ruins, we turn inland toward the Nafusa Mountains, stopping in its earthy, ancient villages along the way. The Nafusa region has long been a place of refuge and resilience, its elevated villages and stone granaries reflecting centuries of history and Amazigh heritage. We’ll enjoy the sunset with sweeping views across the mountains before settling in for the evening.
Day 5 – Journey to Ghadames
We continue exploring villages within the Nafusa region. If timing allows, we’ll experience a traditional lunch in one of the cave homes along the way. Afterwards, we drive toward the edges of the Sahara, passing ancient villages, scattered ruins, and landscapes that gradually shift from mountain terrain to open desert. By evening, we arrive in Ghadames, an oasis town near the Algerian and Tunisian borders.
Day 6 – Ghadames & The Sahara
Today we explore Ghadames — a UNESCO listed desert oasis town — at a relaxed pace, learning about its history and how its thoughtfully constructed old city protected residents from both the desert heat and outside invaders. We’ll wander shaded passageways, visit a traditional home, and gain insight into daily life in this remarkable oasis community.
We’ll share a traditional lunch in a local home before resting and heading into the Sahara. As sunset nears, we’ll climb onto the dunes to watch the sand shift from gold to rose as the sun lowers against the horizon. Afterwards, we’ll visit a Tuareg camp where we’ll learn how they prepare sand-baked bread and sample it alongside traditional Sahara tea before returning to town for a simple local favorite dinner spot.
Day 7 – Return to Tripoli
We begin our journey back to Tripoli, stopping along the way at any traditional Amazigh mountain villages we may have missed earlier.
In the evening, we gather for a farewell dinner overlooking Tripoli — a chance to take in the city from above and reflect on the many sides of Libya we’ve experienced, from ancient ruins and desert dunes to mountain villages and modern life along the Mediterranean.
Day 8 – Departure
Airport transfers and onward journeys.
What’s Included / Not Included
Included:
Not included:
what should i know before joining
Unlike many tours to Libya, this isn’t a fast-paced “check the box” tour. I designed this itinerary so it matches how I believe travel is best experienced — time to explore places without rushing through them, to linger, to dip into cafes to re-energize, and to sample local treats and cuisine.
A side note: Travel in Libya is not like travel to Europe, but this is what makes it special and extra rewarding. It requires a degree of flexibility. While the trip is planned to be as seamless as possible, plans can occasionally change. This is a reality of traveling to a place that receives few visitors and is in the midst of rebuilding itself. Travelers who view “friction” as bonus insight into a country will walk away with a richer understanding of the complexities and richness of Libya today. For what it’s worth, I trust the local provider immensely — or else I would not be offering this group trip.
Because this is a small group trip, the overall experience is also influenced by who joins.
Who This Trip Is For
This journey is designed for travelers who are curious about places that are often misunderstood. People who enjoy learning about history and culture, who travel with patience and an open mind, and who are comfortable embracing the occasional unpredictability that comes with exploring places still off the tourist map. If you thought Libya was only for extreme travelers, this trip will show you it’s not.
If you enjoy slowing down, asking questions, and experiencing a place as it is rather than how tourism has reshaped it, you’ll likely feel very at home on this trip.
Who This Trip May Not Be For
If you prefer highly structured travel where every moment runs exactly on schedule, or destinations with polished tourism infrastructure and extensive restaurant and hotel options, this trip may not be the right fit.
Imagine yourself in libya
Standing among the towering columns of Leptis Magna with the Mediterranean stretching out in front of you.
Watching the Sahara shift from gold to deep amber as the sun sets over the dunes.
Meandering through the shaded passageways of Ghadames as you learn how this oasis town once thrived as a crossroads of Saharan caravan trade.
Lingering over tea and small plates with new friends — fresh seafood along the coast (including the Libyan shrimp I can’t stop thinking about), snacks after long afternoons wandering Roman ruins, and meals shared inside homes and cave dwellings tucked into Libya’s mountain landscapes.
Anyone can go to Libya and “see stuff”. I want you to come away with memories that stay with you long after the trip ends.
Booking & payment
$2,950 per person (based on double occupancy) / Single supplement: $350
Note for solo travelers:
If you’re traveling solo but interested in sharing a room, let me know and I will try to match you with someone of the same sex. If no matches are available, the single supplement will apply.
How to Book
1. Submit the Interest Form
If you’d like to join this Libya trip, start by completing the Interest Form.
2. Deposit Link Sent
Once submissions are reviewed, you’ll receive a link to submit the $500 non-refundable deposit to secure your spot.
3. Spot Confirmed
Spots are confirmed once the deposit is received and are first come, first served.
Because of Libya’s travel logistics and required arrangements, this trip is intentionally limited to a small group.
Final payment details will be shared with confirmed participants.
Trip Preparation Support
Travel to Libya requires a bit more preparation than a typical vacation destination.
Once your spot is confirmed, you’ll receive a pre-departure guide with helpful information about visas (please note: there is an e-visa process so there’s no need to go to an embassy; I will provide guidance on filling out the e-visa), arrival logistics, packing considerations, and what to expect during the trip. I’ll also be available to help answer questions as we get closer to departure so you feel prepared and confident heading into the journey.
Ready to experience Libya for yourself?