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GHADAMES (Full Day)
Ghadames is 630 km southwest of Tripoli and we reach it by air on a 90
minute chartered flight. This legendary oasis is arguably also the
oldest oasis in the world and is located close to the point where the
frontiers of Libya, Algeria and Tunisia join on the famous caravan
route. A bus awaits us with our local guide for a short 30 min trip to
the museum in the centre of the new town where we
can see local traditions, medicine and artefacts excavated from the old
town.
From there, we take a stroll through the streets of to the old town.
Once here we will walk through narrow alleys and courtyards, which
provide protection from the sun. In the desert nights, life could be
lived on the roof terraces. Although a new town, built outside the
oasis, has left Old Ghadames deserted, on Fridays people return to
pray in the mosque and enjoy the cool of the covered streets. Tiny oasis
gardens are still intensely cultivated.
We will then have a lunch stop in a traditional Ghadames house. The
interior of the house would be decorated by the wife and tradition had
it that this must be completed before the day of the marriage.
After lunch we board the bus to visit the sand dunes that are 30 minutes
away. There, one will find peace in the sheer beauty and starkness of
the vast seas of golden sand. The Tuaregs will serve a glass of
traditional Mint Tea. We then make our return journey to the airstrip
for the flight back to Tripoli where our coach will
be waiting for us for the drive to the harbour.
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