Libya

Morning: departure from Italy on a flight to Tripoli, gateway to Libya and the historic heart of Tripolitania.

Afternoon: arrival in Tripoli and hotel check-in. Exploration of the Libyan capital and its atmospheric old medina, a maze of narrow alleys where North African, Ottoman, and Italian colonial influences intertwine. Visit to the historic Red Castle overlooking the harbor, the ancient Arch of Marcus Aurelius, one of the few surviving Roman monuments in the city and Martyrs’ Square, the symbolic center of modern Tripoli.

Evening: dinner along the Corniche, where the Mediterranean shapes the rhythm of the city, with fresh seafood and views over the bay. Overnight stay in Tripoli.

Morning: departure from Tripoli towards the extraordinary archaeological site of Sabratha, one of the best-preserved Roman cities in North Africa and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit to its spectacular 2nd-century Roman theater overlooking the Mediterranean, along with temples, forums, mosaics, and ancient streets that once connected Tripolitania to the wider Roman world.

Afternoon: continuation inland through the landscapes of western Libya toward Nalut, gateway to the Nafusa Mountains and the Berber regions of the country.

Evening: traditional dinner and overnight stay in a local guesthouse, immersed in the quieter atmosphere of Libya’s interior.

Morning: departure from Nalut after a visit to the historic Nalut Ksar, a traditional fortified Amazigh granary-village perched on the edge of the Nafusa Mountains. The journey then continues southward across increasingly remote desert landscapes toward the legendary oasis city of Ghadames, long considered one of the great caravan crossroads of the Sahara.

Afternoon: exploration of the ancient fortified oasis of Ghadames, often called “the pearl of the desert.” Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the old city is a masterpiece of Saharan architecture: a maze of covered alleys, tunnels, courtyards, and interconnected homes designed to shield inhabitants from the extreme desert heat. The whitewashed passageways and labyrinthine structure reveal centuries of adaptation to one of the harshest environments on Earth.

Evening: dinner and overnight stay in a hotel in Ghadames.

DAY 4 – 5: The true desert expedition begins. Leaving the oasis of Ghadames behind, the route ventures deep into one of the most remote and hauntingly beautiful regions of the Sahara, where human presence becomes increasingly rare and landscapes seem almost otherworldly. Traveling close to the Algerian border aboard 4×4 vehicles, the journey crosses the immense red plains of Hamada al Hamra, a vast rocky desert stretching toward the horizon. The expedition continues through dramatic canyons such as Bin Duqish, immense dune fields sculpted by the wind, and surreal rock formations rising unexpectedly from the sand like natural monuments. One of the highlights of the crossing is the region of Magadet, a dreamlike landscape of sandstone pinnacles, eroded towers, and labyrinthine rock formations that create one of the Sahara’s most visually striking environments. Far from roads, cities, and artificial light, nights are spent camping beneath extraordinarily clear skies, surrounded by silence and the immensity of the desert.

DAY 6: After several days navigating desert tracks and remote Saharan landscapes, the expedition reaches Ghat, an ancient caravan city that for centuries served as a crossroads for trans-Saharan trade routes linking North Africa to the Sahel. The city preserves traces of its long history through its old medina and traditional architecture, dominated by a historic fort overlooking the settlement and surrounding desert plains. Dinner and overnight stay in Ghat provide a moment of rest before continuing toward the extraordinary landscapes of the Acacus Mountains.

DAY 7 – 8: The journey continues into the extraordinary Tadrart Acacus, one of the most spectacular and untouched regions of the Sahara. Endless dunes, sandy valleys, ancient lava fields, bizarre rock formations, and magnificent natural arches create an almost surreal landscape. Highlights include the impressive Afzejare Arch and Wadi Tashwinat. This area was once inhabited by nomadic populations who found refuge among the wadis and caves, as shown by the many prehistoric rock carvings and paintings, some dating back more than 10,000 years. These artworks, now protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, can also be found in Wadi Tin Lalan and throughout the vast network of valleys and ancient dried waterways of the Acacus region. Nights will be spent camping under the stars in the heart of the Tadrart Acacus.

Morning: breakfast and departure toward the stunning Ubari Lakes. Arrival and check-in at the desert bungalows.

Afternoon: exploration of the beautiful Ubari Lakes, true desert oases surrounded by a spectacular landscape of towering sand dunes. Hidden among the vast emptiness of the Sahara, these lakes create one of the most surreal and unforgettable sceneries in Libya.

Evening: dinner and night in a bungalow at the Ubari Lakes.

Morning: breakfast and departure for the long journey back toward Tripoli, crossing the vast landscapes of the Fezzan region. Brief stop in Sabha, the historic capital of southern Libya and an important crossroads of Saharan trade routes.

Afternoon: continuation of the journey north toward the Libyan capital, with arrival in Tripoli in the evening.

Evening: dinner and evening in Tripoli

Morning: after breakfast, departure along the coastal road toward Leptis Magna, one of the most extraordinary Roman archaeological sites in Africa. Founded by the Phoenicians and later flourishing under Carthaginian and Roman rule, the city reached its peak during the reign of Septimius Severus, who was born here. Explore its remarkably preserved theater, forum, basilicas, triumphal arches, and colonnaded streets, all bearing witness to the grandeur of the ancient city.

Afternoon: on the return journey to Tripoli, visit Villa Selene, a splendid 2nd-century Roman villa renowned for its beautifully preserved mosaics. Return to Tripoli in the late afternoon and relax at the hotel.

Evening: dinner and evening in Tripoli.

DAY 12: transfer to Tripoli airport, flight back to Italy… And on to the next adventure!