Map of Libya showing major places visited
X marks approximate position of Eclipse Camp.
This page came from an idea that we should have some information on where we went and when, and maybe a little on what happened. . But I've run out of time, and for now have just dumped a couple of items onto it as below.
Extract from Ursula Kammlott's notes on her website.
Libya trip. March 23. - April 2. 2006 Full notes here http://kammlott.net/Libyatrip.html
We just returned from our trip to Libya. The main reason to visit Libya was to view the total solar eclipse on March 29. at a favorable location in the Sahara desert and of course do some serious site seeing along the way. About 7000 Eclipse watchers (this seemed to be the number given) from all over the world came together at the many desert camps, which were specially set up for the event. Being part of this enormous temporary invasion, we toured Tripoli and the nearby ancient ruins of Sabratha and Leptis Magna, Cyrene near Benghazi and simply took in the sights and sounds around us along the way and sampled the local cuisine.
Our local outfitter 'Taknes' had everything well organized, no complaints on our part, this trip ran smoothly.
The Libyans were very friendly and tried their utmost to make us feel safe and comfortable. Special thanks to Salah! The desert camp was well equipped and protected, we even saw fireworks the first night. Three meals a day were to be had in a huge mess tent in several shifts, everybody had plenty of food which was dispensed by a large cheerful staff. And no, the beef served then was not camel :-)
Walking through the ancient ruins was very enjoyable. Aside from listening to the guide's lectures and taking in the historical content, I was delighted to discover the many different beautiful wildflowers. The interesting ruins were simply smothered with pretty flowers, but they didn't overgrow them and that added to the allover experience. If one wanted to find out more about Sabratha, Leptis Magna and Cyrene, I found wikipedia a good place to start. (Note - links are on the left).
Hope you enjoy the tour as much as we did,
Ursula
Itinerary:
I've just put the brochure through an OCR - apologies for any scanning errors. Updates and corrections gratefully received.
Day 1 - Friday 24th March 2006 - London to Tripoli
(I've omitted some details here - check in was THREE hours before departure.) Your Tour Manager, carrying an AWT clipboard, will be waiting to greet you
at the check-in queue. Please identify yourself to the Tour Manager - this is
important as we need to know that you have joined the tour.
Flight Time: 1110
Flight Number: 8U913G
IMPORTANT NOTE: On arrival, the Tour Manager will be ready to escort you through passport control, baggage reclaim and customs.
Please do not leave the baggage reclaim hall until requested.
Your Tour Manager will take you to your private transfer coach which will be waiting to take you to you through the city of Tripoli on an introductory tour before transferring to your first hotel the Ghamata Tourist Village (** Stayed at the Wahat - a Government Hotel).
At the hotel, we will check you in as swiftly as possible and give you the first
meeting time for the group which will be at dinner (D).
Your Tour Manager, Guide and hotel staff are on hand at all times to answer any queries and give you every assistance.
Day 2 - Sabratha
We visit the splendid and atmospheric ruins of Sabratha, a great Roman City which started as a Phoenician trading post where we can explore the magnificent baths, mosaics, temples, theatre and forum. Sabratha is a UNESCO World Heritage Site - justifiably so. We also visit the museum in Tripoli which contains artefacts from the entire history of Libya. (Museum not open so visited the old town in the afternoon) (B/L/D)
Day 3 - East to Benghazi
Today we explore the old city (Actually visited the museum this morning) before flying.
Overnight Benghazi. (B/L/D)
Day 4 - Over the Mountains.
A wonderful full day's excursion over the Green Mountains to the ancient Greek city
of Cyrene. Ruled in turn by Greeks, Egyptians (Ptolomeic) and Romans, this beautiful city features some stunning mosaics. Much
of the ancient city's overall plan can still be seen and there are splendid ruins and theatre - but above all, look out for those mosaics and the magnificent temple of Zeus. (We also visited Appollonia - the port town in a beautiful setting. Cyrene was in a superb setting, but why was it so far from the sea?) Overnight Benghazi. (B/L/D)
Day 5 - Into the Desert
This morning we head south towards the Great Sand Sea to set up camp for the night at a fixed
govemmwent camp near Jalo Oasis, this will be a major eclipse watching area so we don't expect the usual peace and quiet, but a great sense of mounting excitement (B/L/D)
Day 6 - The Total Eclipse
This morning we will drive to our centre line site and set up our eclipse viewing site
out in the desert some miles from the Oasis at a carefully chosen spot.
We predict 3 minutes 57 seconds of
totality - only 3 seconds short of the maximum possible. Refreshments will be on hand!
After this magical event we relax over lunch before returning to the
camp via a tour of Jalo. (B/L/D)
Day 7 - Westward
We drive back to Benghazi and fly to Tripoli and return to the Ghamata Tourist Village (B/L/D)
Day 8 - Leptis Magna
A full day's excursion to this extraordinarily well preserved site, arguably the greatest remaining Roman site in the world and one that fully justifies its tide as a 'World Heritage Site'. Founded in about 1000 EC as a Phoenician trading port, the city became a Roman cultural centre for more than 600 years. There will be plenty of time to admire the spectacular theatres, temples and markets - too numerous to mention - of this most beautiful city. Leptis is a photographer's dream! (B/L/D)
Day 9 - Homeward Bound, Saturday, 1st April 2006
After breakfast, we will check out and depart for the airport. Fly to London arriving
late morning on the 8U912G. (B/L)