TOUR OVERVIEW
This is a two day-extension that can be done at the end of any of our group tours. It begins in Tripoli on the final day of the standard tour, and ends in Benghazi. It is perfect for those who want to get a glimpse of the other half of divided Libya, while they're already in North Africa.
Libya is currently torn into two main sections: The Government of National Unity (GNU) in Tripoli, and the Government of National Stability (GNS) in Benghazi. The GNU is backed by the UN, but the GNS controls most of the country's wealth in oil reserves, and has the power of the Libyan National Army, controlled by Khalifar Haftar, whose image we will see all over Benghazi. We'll have visited the West, but now it's time to venture East!
In addition to seeing the real Benghazi outside of its media portrayal, we'll be able to see ancient Cyrenaica, once a thriving Pentapolis of the ancient Greek empire. The five cities making up Cyrenaica then went through control by Ptolmaic Egypt and ancient Rome. The ruins here are not only well preserved, but are surrounded by lush green mountains and pine forests not seen in western Libya.
View the full itinerary
We have designed this as a two-night tour, as we think this is a good amount of time to see everything in this area, however it is possible to do this as a one-night extension if your time is tight. Please note though that the permit just to enter Benghazi is EUR 600 (included in the tour cost), regardless of how long you spend there.