TUNISIA  LIBYA 71 MIDDLEEAST Libya Revealed Imaginative Facts Tour code: ETLR • Activities: Extensive walking at sites • Accommodation: 7 nights tourist class hotels, 7 nights camping • Transport: Buses, 4WD jeeps • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader and Libyan local guide DAY 1: TRIPOLI- Arrival day. DAY 2: LEPTIS MAGNA- Tour the magnificent site of Leptis Magna, an amazingly preserved Roman city picturesquely located on the Mediterranean coast. ( B) DAY 3: SABRATHA - GHARIYAN- Visit the ancient city of Sabratha then continue to Ghariyan, renowned for its traditional underground houses. ( BD) DAY 4: GHARIYAN - GERMA- Drive through the heart of the country to the southern region of Sabha. ( BD) DAY 5: GARAMA - AKAKUS MOUNTAINS-Tour the ruins of Garama, the ancient trading capital. We also visit Germa Museum - a great introduction to the wonders of the Akakus Mountains. Journey into the remote Akakus to camp in the desert. ( BD) DAYS 6 & 7: AKAKUS MOUNTAINS- The Akakus form some of Libya's most spectacular scenery. We spend two full days here exploring eerie rock formations, immense sand dunes and caves decorated with incredibly well preserved rock art, some of which is 10,000 years old. ( BLD) DAY 8: AWAYNAT - GERMA- Emerge at the oasis of Awaynat to freshen up before heading through Wadi al Hayat (' The Valley of Life') back to Germa. ( BLD) DAYS 9 & 10: UBARI ' SAND SEA' & SALT LAKES- We embark on an exhilarating two day jeep safari across the dunes of the Ubari ' Sand Sea'. The desert here is punctuated with lush oases and beautiful salt- water lakes where we stop for buoyant ' swims'. Camp on top of the dunes with breathtaking views of the ' sea of sand'. ( BLD) DAYS 11 & 12: GHADAMES- Our journey sweeps westward to Ghadames - known as ' The Jewel of the Desert' - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Free time to explore this intriguing ancient city, one of the oldest pre- Saharan settlements. ( Day 11 - BLD, Day 12 - BD) DAY 13: NALUT - TRIPOLI- Traverse the Nafusa Mountains stopping en route to visit the old citadel and granaries of Nalut. ( B) DAY 14: TRIPOLI- A full day tour of Tripoli takes us to Saray al Hamra ( the Red Castle), the National Museum, and the labyrinth of winding streets and ancient souqs ( market places) of the medina. ( B) DAY 15: TRIPOLI- Tour ends. ( B) Discover the ancient sites and deserts in this ' hidden' country • Visit the famous Roman citiesof Leptis Magna and Sabratha • Explore the eerie formations and rock art of the remote Akakus Mountains • Take an exhilarating jeep safarithrough the dunes of the Ubari ' Sand Sea' • Relax at desert oases and ' swim' in the salt lakes • Wander the ancient streets of Ghadames - the ' Jewel of the Desert' Imaginative Facts Tour code: EATD • Activities: Extensive walking at sites • Accommodation: 6 nights simple hotels, 1 night camping • Transport: Buses, 4WD jeeps • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader and Tunisian local guide DAY 1: TUNIS- Arrival day. DAY 2: CARTHAGE - SIDI BOU SAID-Explore the ruins of the first South Mediterranean capital, Carthage to see the Antonin baths and the Museum. Then visit the picturesque village of Sidi Bou Saïd built on the hillside overlooking the Bay of Tunis. ( B) DAY 3: DOUGGA - KAIROUAN- Drive to Dougga, the most impressive of Tunisia's Roman archaeological sites, set in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains. Continue to Kairouan, the holiest town in North Africa ( B) DAY 4: KAIROUAN - TOZEUR- Visit some of the town's famous monuments including the Great Mosque and the Mausoleum of Sidi Sahbi, one of the prophet Mohammed's companions. Continue to the ancient water reservoirs, the Aghlabid pools before driving to Tozeur, where in the evening there is the chance to experience a traditional Berber folklore show. ( B) DAY 5: CHOTT EL JERID - SAHARA - KSAR GHILANE- Cross the massive Chott El Jerid salt lake en route to Douz, on the edge of the Sahara. Continue to Ksar Ghilane, in the heart of the Sahara, where we spend the night in tents and have the chance to ride a camel into the desert.( BD) DAY 6: CHENINI - MATMATA - Travel to Matmata via the dramatic Berber village of Chenini. Matmata, a village famous for its troglodyte houses and bizarre lunar landscape is where Star Wars was filmed. ( B) Day 7: EL JEM - TUNIS- Continuing north we visit El Jem, the magnificent Roman amphitheatre that once held gladiatorial contests, which is now one of Tunisia's most magnificent sights. We then continue to Tunis. ( B) Day 8, TUNIS- Tour ends. ( B) Roman ruins, Berber villages and the remote Sahara - all in a week! • Explore the impressive Roman sitesof Carthage, Dougga and El Jem • Cross the Chott El Jerid salt lake and ride a camel into the Sahara • Explore ancient Kairouan, the holiest town in North Africa • Visit a traditional Berber villageand experience a folklore show • Wander the lunar landscapes of the ' Star Wars' village of Matmata Tunisian Adventure Single Supplement £ 65 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 3.37 * Price includes tour price of £ 560and local payment of US$ 150All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 635pp Land Only * Single Supplement £ 680 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 4.28 * Price includes tour price of £ 1249and local payment of US$ 400All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 1460pp Land Only * adventurertraveller Tour duration 8 daysTour duration 15 days Starts SunEnds Sun TunisTunis 2009 08- Mar- 0915- Mar- 09 12- Apr- 0919- Apr- 09 17- May- 0924- May- 09 20- Sep- 0927- Sep- 09 25- Oct- 0901- Nov- 09 Starts SunEnds Sun TunisTunis 2010 07- Mar- 1014- Mar- 10 11- Apr- 1018- Apr- 10 16- May- 1023- May- 10 19- Sep- 1026- Sep- 10 24- Oct- 1031- Oct- 10 Starts SunEnds Sun TripoliTripoli 2009 01- Nov- 0915- Nov- 09 Starts SunEnds Mon AmmanAmman 2010 28- Mar- 1011- Apr- 10 31- Oct- 1014- Nov- 10 new tour for 2009 Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243 Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243

MIDDLEEASTOMAN 72 " The soul of the tour was the tour leader who took us to interesting eating spots and opened our eyes. He showed passion and empathy for the local people." Marna Struwig middle east Arabian Quest Imaginative Facts Tour code: ETAQ • Activities: Extensive walking at sites • Accommodation: 7 nights tourist class hotels, 1 night tented camp • Transport: Buses, 4WD jeeps • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader, Omani Local guide DAY 1: MUSCAT- Arrive and transfer to your hotel. ( B) DAY 2: MUSCAT- Enjoy a city tour of Muscat including the Grand Mosque and the colourful Muttrah souq. ( B) DAY 3: SUR - TURTLE BEACH- Take an exciting off road journey along the scenic coast to the ancient port of Sur. The nearby beach is famed for its green turtle conservation project and this evening we may witness them make their solitary journey up the sands to lay their eggs. ( BLD) DAY 4: WAHIBA SANDS- After visiting the fascinating Dhow yards we drive to the beautiful oasis of Wadi Bani Khalid before continuing to our desert campsite in the Wahiba Sands for a camel ride and hopefully a spectacular sunset from the top of the dunes. Enjoy a BBQ dinner under the stars. ( BLD) DAY 5: WAHIBA SANDS - JEBEL AKHDAR-Explore the desert on a roller coaster 4WD with a Bedouin guide. Enjoy the hospitality of a local Bedouin family in their home. Head to the surprisingly lush heights of Jebel Akhdar, the ' green mountain', one of Oman's most spectacular regions. ( BLD) DAY 6: JEBEL AKHDAR- Enjoy a short trek at Wadi Habib past intricate terraces clinging seemingly impossibly to the hillside, mud houses that are still occupied and fertile fruit plantations. ( BLD) DAY 7: NIZWA- Drive to Nizwa, the former capital city, famed for its historical buildings, imposing fort and bustling souq. ( B) DAY 8: AL HOOTA - AL HAJAR - MUSCAT-Visit the second largest natural caves in the world at Al Hoota. Continue to Al Hamra to experience traditional Omani daily life including Qahwa ( coffee) grinding and the making of perfumes. A real once- in- a- lifetime experience. Travel through the dramatic Al Hajar Mountains to the awe- inspiring Snake Gorge. We take a short trek through the wadi before returning to Muscat. ( BLD) DAY 9: MUSCAT- Tour ends. ( B) The perfect destination - culture, desert, mountains and beach • Enjoy the exotic sights and sounds of Muscat and ancient Nizwa • Take a 4WD through the desertat Wahiba Sands with a Bedouin guide • Explore the Jebel Akhdar and Al Hajar mountain ranges • Experience traditional Omani life with a local family • Visit the endangered green turtlesat a beach near Sur Oman Oman Muscat Sur Wahiba Sands Nizwa Al Hajar Al Hoota Jebel Akhdar Arabian Quest Iran Ancient Persia in Depth Mashad Extension Tehran Mashad ZanjanTus Sanandaj Esfahan Hamadan Kermanshah Qom KashanAbyaneh Village Natanz Yazd Kerman Shiraz Pasargad Single Supplement £ 620 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 13.32 * Price includes tour price of £ 1249and local payment of US$ 300All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 1399pp Land Only * traveller Tour duration 9 days © Imaginative Traveller © Imaginative Traveller Starts SatEnds Sun MuscatMuscat 2009 12- Sep- 0920- Sep- 09 21- Nov- 0929- Nov- 09 Starts SatEnds Sun MuscatMuscat 2010 27- Feb- 1007- Mar- 10 11- Sep- 1019- Sep- 10 20- Nov- 1028- Nov- 10 new tour for 2009 We can also offer Extra Accommodation, Adventure Travel Insurance& Flights Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243