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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