Across the Sahara - Cairo to Casablanca

Itinerary

Day 1 Cairo

A melting pot of ancient and modern Egyptian civilisations, Cairo is our base from which to admire the awe-inspiring Pyramids and mighty Sphinx.

Day 2 Alexandria

Immortalising Alexander the Great's name, this city flourished as a prominent cultural, intellectual, political and economic metropolis. Explore the eerie Catacombs of Kom Ash-Shuqqafa and the modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina.

Day 3 Marsa Matruh

Chill out on a sandy beach or ride a colourful donkey cart across town.

Days 4-5 Apollonia

The first major Libyan city after crossing from Egypt, Tobruk was an important strategic sea port in World War II. Make a visit to the moving Knightsbridge Cemetery, built on the site of an actual battleground. Travel on to 'The City of Churches' via the stunning mountain landscapes of Ras al-Hillal and its Byzantine church ruins. Spend a day exploring Cyrene, the most important ancient Greek city in North Africa.

Day 6 Benghazi

Shop in Souq al-Jreed.

Days 7-8 Tripoli

We take an early morning flight to the capital of Tripoli, and embark on an afternoon walking tour of the city. Founded by the Phoenicians, but bearing marks left by Romans, Turks, Italians, Spanish and Arabs, Tripoli is a fascinating capital to explore. .

Day 9 Gharyan

After visiting the Roman sights of Villa Sileen and Leptis Magna, we head through the spectacular Berber region of the Jebel Nafusa Mountains and arrive in Gharyan, sprawled across a plateau. Explore the unique 'troglodyte' dwellings that dot the terrain and find out why this area is famous for its pottery.

Days 10-11 Ghadames

We'll stop at the Qasr al-Haj to see Libya's finest example of Berber architecture, the fortified Berber grain castle of Kabaw en route to Nalut then onto the oasis city of Ghadames beckons with an orientation walk to the old Atik Mosque and a traditional lunch. Enjoy a sand dune ride for an evocative sunset and maybe catch a Tuareg cultural show.

Days 12 Sabratha

Second only to Leptis Magna, the more initimate World Heritage site of Sabratha is a wonderful place to explore.

Days 13-14 Jerba

Departing Libya we cross the border into Tunisia and reach the Island of Jerba. Known as the "land of the lotus eaters" Jerba was the port Ulysses and his men were detained on their return from Troy. Visit the Ghriba synagogue and the nearby town of Guellela home to the famous cave of Ali Baba and the 40 thieves.....or simply relax on one of the islands beautiful beaches.

Day 15 Desert Safari

Travel across towering dunes on an exciting desert safari.

Day 16 Matmata

Stay in a troglodyte cave house and explore the site where parts of Star Wars were shot.

Day 17 Mahdia

A delightful fishing village and a reminder of what Tunisian towns were like in years gone by.

Days 18 Kairouan

One of the seven holy cities of Islam, Kairouan's age-old mosques, mansions and medina make for interesting exploration.

Days 19-21 Tunis

Tour the sights of fascinating Tunis.

Day 22 Ain Draham

Leaving Tunis we travel westward to the coastal village of Tabarka before head through thick dense forests to the typically Tunisian resort spa village of Ain Draham.

Day 23 Le Kef

Moving on we reach Le Kef, our base for the night. Set high in the hills, Le Kef is one of Tunisia's hidden secrets. With its cobbled streets, narrow alleys and stunning views, it is a great place to relax with a glass of chai and watch the world go by. Wash off the day's travel by taking a bath in a 2nd century Roman hamman.

Days 24-25 Tozeur

With its extensive palm groves, traditional architecture and delightful old quarter, Tozeur is a great base to explore some of the beautiful and ancient Berber villages in the surrounding area.

Day 26 El-Oued

Check out the famed carpets of El-Oued.

Days 27-28 Ghardaia

In the river valley of the Oued (dry river bed) is Ghardaia, a town whose sand-coloured houses stand on a curious heap, with a single minaret sticking out on top like a birthday cake. The town is famous for its carpets and for its massive daily souq in the old town.

Day 29 Djanet

In the middle of nowhere, tranquil Djanet is home to shady palms trees and slow desert lifestyles.

Day 30 Tadent

Travel to the great sea of sand, Erg Admer and watch the dunes change and shape as the sunlight hits them and various times of day. A scenic, shallow river bed leads to the mountainous Oued Tadent and an opportunity to learn about the Tuareg way of life at one of their settlements.

Day 31 Tin Agoula

Through a landscape of low rocky mountains, piles of rock and small rolling sand dunes we head for the mountain range of Tin Agoula. With a bit of luck we'll run into some camels, gazelles or one of the very rare leopards that live here.

Day 32 Youfihakit

Huge rock formations and mushroom shaped boulders are surrounded by softly rolling sand dunes. It is a great area to explore with lots of beautiful photo opportunities. Set up camp surrounded by ancient rock engravings.

Day 33 Tamekrest

Crossing a vast plain and a lunar landscape with piles of dark rock, we arrive at the miraculous guelta (natural spring) of Tamekrest. We'll camp by this small waterfall which runs down polished pink and purple granite. Mingle with the Tuareg from the surrounding camps as they bring their goats and camels to drink.

Day 34 Hoggar Mts

Take in the views over the volcanic landscape of the Hoggar mountain region. All around is a chaotic scene of black and forbidding rocks, basalt peaks and cliffs. Stop by the Father Foucault Hermitage, built in 1911.

Day 35 Tamanrasset

Our desert safari comes to an end in the red mud-brick city of Tamanrasset. The biggest of all Tuareg cities it is regularly visited by camel caravans and those 'blue men of the desert'.

Days 36-37 Algiers

Explore the winding alleys of the kasbah, Turkish Palaces, medieval houses and cool courtyards.

Days 38-39 Casablanca

Celebrate the journey in cosmopolitan Casablanca.