Solar Eclipse 2027: Eastern Libya Tour

Start
Jul 31, 2027
Benghazi
End
Aug 4, 2027
Benghazi
Duration
5 days
Price
EUR2250.00


TOUR OVERVIEW

Perfect for eclipse chasers, an avid traveller, or anyone who just loves a unique adventure, this tour is designed around catching the full solar eclipse in an extremely unique location.

Already dubbed “the eclipse of the century”, the solar eclipse on August 2nd of 2027 is set to have one of the longest totality durations in recent history at 6 minutes and 10 seconds, and the path crosses directly through Eastern Libya and Benghazi.

We’ll dedicate most of the day to the rare excitement and beauty of a total solar eclipse and we’ll be spending it at one of the least visited places for tourists on the planet, Benghazi. The area is not prone to cloud coverage, so the chances for a perfect viewing are very high here. We have also chosen the specific spot that we will be in for the eclipse to make sure we will be directly in the path of it and have the absolute best view of it that is possible.

Of course, we’ll explore Eastern Libya while we are there, including the ancient Greek and Roman ruins of Cyrenaica. We’ll see all five ancient cities that once made up this magnificent pentapolis. Many of the ruins are set on cliffsides next to the sea, and the natural views themselves are worth the visit. We’ll also visit the Italian fortress of Qasr Libya, and stop at some popular local viewpoints.

Our visit wouldn’t be complete without a tour of Benghazi, the de facto capital of Eastern Libya. We’ll visit where the 2012 revolution kicked off, eventually leading to the overthrow of Muamar Gadaffi. There is still much evidence of blasts and shelling in the buildings around Benghazi, and Libya remains divided, but life goes on as normal here. We’ll see families strolling on the corniche, groups of ladies getting lunch, and men laughing at coffee shops.

Looking for an adventure? We've got you!

View the full itinerary



Fireworks, Revolution Day, Tripoli, Libya
Family home, Libya


If you like the look of this tour but the dates don't work for you, or you'd like to do part of the tour, please get in touch and let us know. All our tours are able to be split into smaller sections, we're always scheduling new tours and your dates might work for one of them, or we can always organise an independent tour.


Note: All foreigners must be accompanied by tourist police at all times while travelling in Libya, as required by the government. Even if you're just running from the hotel to the corner store, you must be accompanied by a security escort. This will be arranged by SAIGA Tours.

INCLUSIONS:

Eastern Libya tourism permit ($600)

Accommodation in twin share rooms, breakfast included

Transport, beginning and ending in Benghazi

Entrance fees to all sites mentioned in the itinerary

Western and local guides, and all required security requirements


SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: EUR 200

What is the single supplement? This is paid to guarantee a single room. If you are travelling alone and would like to be roomed with another single traveller, you do not need to pay this.

EXCLUSIONS:

Meals other than breakfast

Flights to and from Tripoli

Personal expenses such as souvenirs or any optional activities



Old town Tripoli, Libya
Old town of Tripoli, Libya

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS


Experience the awe of being directly in the path of a full solar eclipse lasting 6 minutes and 10 seconds

Explore the rarely-visited Eastern Libya, including Apollonia, Cyrenaica, Cyrene and Ptolemais

*A note about pricing: whilst most of our tours are priced and paid for in USD, EUR is king in North Africa, so it makes much more logical sense to price everything in and receive Euros for our North Africa tours.


Itinerary
Day 1Sat Jul 31
Banghazi, Tocra, Ptolemais, Shahat
  • This morning, you’ll arrive into Benghazi as most international flights arrive before noon. Once the group is assembled, we’ll make our way East to Shahat where we’ll spend the night.
  • As we drive, we’ll start seeing billboards depicting Khalifa Haftar, who currently controls Eastern Libya.
  • On the way, we’ll stop at Tocra, which will be our first glimpse of the ancient Pentapolis of Cyrenaica. Like many of the sites we’ll visit, this fortress is set next to the sea with beautiful views. There is also a small museum where you can get up close and personal with artifacts from the site.
  • A little further along we’ll make a stop at the historic city of Ptolemais, which was also once a part of the five major cities that formed the Pentapolis of Cyrenaica. The ruins are fairly well-preserved and feature a Hellenistic mausoleum.
  • We’ll continue our journey to Shahat, where we’ll spend the night.
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Day 2Sun Aug 1
Cyrene, Apollonia, Qasr Libya, Benghazi
  • We’ll start our morning by visiting one of the biggest highlights of Cyrene, the Temple of Zeus. This massive temple is one of the most important sites in Eastern Libya. We’ll continue exploring the ruins of ancient Cyrene, which is absolutely massive. Of course we’ll have the whole place to ourselves! The complex city of ruins is set on a hill, with a gorgeous view over the valley below.
  • In the afternoon, we’ll drive east to Apollonia to see the furthest reaches of the ancient Pentapolis of Cyrenaica. This site houses an impressive rock-cut theatre. We’ll also stop at Ras Al-Hilal, where we’ll see incredible rock formations jutting out from the sea.
  • On the way back to Benghazi we will also make a stop at Qasr Libya to see some amazing mosaics.
  • We will then return back to Benghazi where we will stay overnight.
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Day 3Mon Aug 2
Solar Eclipse Day, Benghazi
  • Today is the big day - a total solar eclipse!
  • We will be heading to our special eclipse viewing location near Benghazi which will be one of the best places in the world to see it. We will experience just over 6 minutes of totality with this being one of the longest times you can experience a full eclipse.
  • Once the solar spectacle is over we will be spending the day debriefing about what we just saw. This will be a life changing event for most people and you will want nothing more than to chat about it.
  • In the evening, we will have a special Libyan feast for everyone to celebrate the amazing solar event.
  • Overnight in Benghazi.
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Day 4Tue Aug 3
Benghazi
  • Starting the morning in Benghazi, we’ll begin our city tour. This city was where the Libyan Revolution began in 2011, and as we travel around the city, we’ll see plenty of evidence of the fighting that took place here. We’ll visit the tomb of Omar Mukhtar, who led the Libyan revolt against the Italian occupation, the Al-Kish military camp, the Benghazi lighthouse, and more.
  • Overnight Benghazi.
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Day 5Wed Aug 4
Benghazi, End of Tour
  • Today is our departure day. You’ll be transferred to the airport before your flight. Most international flights leave in the morning. Let us know if you need help figuring out your flight plan.
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