Libya Country Dossier

"Before arriving in Libya I didn't really know what I was letting myself in for, but as soon as I got back I found I couldn't stop talking about everything I saw.

I was amazed by the Libyan people. They were so friendly and so generous – it didn't matter who you were or where you came from. I wandered happily on my own inside the shops totally free from hassle – something I am not used to. But Libya is also full of history, with the breathtaking old cities of Sabratha, Leptis Magna and Tripoli along the northern coast and many Greek and Roman sites even more spectacular than you can see in Greece itself!"

Sameh Samir – Tour Leader, Imaginative Traveller

• Factfile
• Preparing to go
• Money
• Cultural & Environmental Guidelines
• Arrival
• On Tour
• General Information

Factfile

Capital: Tripoli.
Official Language: Arabic.
Others: Tuareg
Religions: Muslim 97%, Christian 3%
Voltage: 240 volts. Sockets are of the European, two-pronged variety. 

Preparing to go

Visas

A group visa will be arranged through our operator in Libya and a copy will be sent to you just prior to your departure.  We will need the following information from you in order to process the visa application: (Please note - if you are American, or one of the nationalities listed at the bottom of this section, we will not be able to issue you an authorisation letter. You will need to arrange your own visa) 

1. Full name, Gender, Nationality, Date of birth, Occupation, Passport number, Date of issue and Expiry date.  We will also require your arrival and departure flight details as well as the flight’s Locator Number(s). You must ensure we have this information at least one month before travel.  For South African and Italian nationals we require a copy of your passport.

Please note: Entry to Libya will be refused if your passport contains evidence of travel to Israel, even if you have been granted a Libyan Visa. Note this is not confined to an Israeli visa stamp. It also includes Egyptian & Jordanian entry or departure stamps obtained at the land border with Israel.

2. We submit an application for a group visa to the local immigration authorities, and should know within a couple of days from the date of the application whether there are any restrictions on any passenger.

3.  We receive the visa authorization letter from Libya 4 to 5 days prior to the tour departure date. We will then send you a copy via email.

4. All passengers should have a copy of the authorization when making their airline check-in.  If you do not have a copy of the authorisation letter you will be refused boarding. 

5. On arrival into Libya, the letter of authorisation must be presented at Immigration and a visa is then issued.

 The cost of this service is USD30.

You will need an Arabic translation of the main pages in your passport which must be provided by an agency authorized by the Libyan embassy. Currently the cost of the translation provided by the Libyan embassy in London is £25.  A visa services agency will be able to help you obtain this.  Please note that the Embassy will only accept translations or visas on biometric passports (chipped). Should you have an old passport you will be required to apply for a new passport.

Please note:  We will not be able to arrange a visa for the following nationalities:  Americans, Chinese, Bangladesh, Pakistan , India , Vietnam, Philippine, Thailand, North Korea, Indonesia , Malaysia , Iraq, Lebanon and all African countries except Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, and South Africa.  If you are hoping to travel on our tour and are one of these nationalities, we suggest you try to arrange the visa through the Libyan Embassy in your home country.

US nationals should obtain their visa prior to arrival. At this time, visas for American passport holders are very difficult to obtain. If you are planning to enter Israel during your visit to the region we advise you to enter Libya first or have your Israeli stamps issued on a separate piece of paper so you can throw away prior to your arrival into Libya.

 

Money

Local Currency
The monetary unit in Libya is the Libyan Dinar (LD), which is divided into 1,000 dirhams. Approximate exchange rates (as at March 2009) are as follows:

1 Pound Sterling  = 1.85 LD  
1 US Dollar  = 1.30 LD
1 Euro  = 1.62 LD

Changing Money, Credit Cards & ATM's

There is a bank in the arrivals area of Tripoli airport where you can change money (dollars, euros, pounds) and the rate seems to be more or less standard at all banks in Tripoli.

ATMs are available in Tripoli only. Your Tour Leader will be able to advise you on local facilities and give you an idea of how much local currency you will need.

Working out your Budget

The Pre Departure Booklet contains general information about the things you will need to consider when budgeting for your holiday. Below are some specific notes relevant to our tours in Libya.

Entrance Fees
Entrance fees are not included in this tour. The average entrance fee is approx US$3.5, with the most expensive being US$15. At most historical sites, there is also a fee for the use of cameras and video cameras. Camera tickets usually cost US$4 and video cameras cost US$8.

Meals
You will find the meal plan for your tour clearly indicated in the brochure and on your Trip Dossier. On Traveller tours breakfast is provided on most days, and some lunches and dinners are also included.

The cost of living in Libya is high mainly due to the fact that as an oil economy, the country must import a lot of its necessities from abroad. Therefore you may be surprised to find that eating in restaurants and cafés is not much cheaper than at home.

Approximate costs for meals and snacks not included are shown below;
Simple snack   US$3
Light meal   US$8-12
Fancy restaurant  US$25-40 
(For a guide to the type of food you will find in Libya see the general information section of this dossier)

Drinks
Tea and Coffee is always provided with breakfast. All other drinks (i.e. bottled water, soft drinks) are at your own expense.

Approximate costs for drinks bought in a shop in the street are shown below. Note: Prices in restaurants and hotels can be as much as double those specified.

Water 1.5L: 0.50 to 2.50 LD
Coffee and Tea: 0.75 to 3.00 LD
Soft drinks: 0.50 to 5.00 LD
Sandwiches: 1.5 to 5.00 LD

It is not recommended that you drink the local tap water in Libya however bottled water, carbonated soft drinks and fruit juices are widely available throughout the country.

What to Take

The Pre Departure Booklet that you will receive once you have booked your tour contains a comprehensive list of items that you should consider bringing with you. There are certain items of equipment (e.g. sleeping bags, towels) that you will need on this tour. Please note that you DO NOT need a mosquito net on any of our tours in Libya. Check your Trip Dossier for any special requirements

Cultural & Environmental Guidelines

Clothing
As a general guideline, clothing should be lightweight, loose fitting, hard-wearing and easily washed. In the hotter months, cotton clothing is much more comfortable than man-made materials like nylon. The winter is normally quite mild but in the north it can get quite cold with rainy spells. These, though, are usually interspersed with periods of brilliant sunshine. Nevertheless make sure you allow for climate changes and remember that even in hot countries, night-time and early morning temperatures can be cold. You will generally find it is better to have several thin layers rather than one thick layer as it gives you more flexibility and warmth. A fleece can be invaluable and double as a pillow.

You should bear in mind that Libya has conservative attitudes towards dress, particularly in remote areas. Women, and also to a certain extent men, will find that the way they dress will often determine the degree of respect they receive from both men and women. In certain areas it may be acceptable for men to wear shorts, however please check with your Tour Leader in advance. For women, its best to wear loose fitting clothing at all times although it is not necessary to wear a headscarf except when you are visiting religious sites. At these sites it is also best to wear a skirt or dress rather than trousers.

In certain areas and religious sites your Tour Leader may ask both men and women to dress conservatively. Out of respect for local values, we ask that you follow your Tour Leader’s advice at all times.

Imaginative Traveller recommends ...
Make sure you bring lots of clothing that covers shoulders and knees and also several outfits which cover your legs to ankles and your arms past the elbows. A sarong is an invaluable item to carry as it can be used to instantly cover any exposed areas (i.e. head, legs).

Toilet Paper
Whenever you use a western or squat style toilet please place your toilet paper in the rubbish bin provided – DO NOT flush it down the toilet as this may block the sewerage system. You may also want to carry your own toilet paper as not all toilets will supply it.

Religion
We encourage travellers to experience religious festivals, such as the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, as a visit to the Middle East during this time will give you a whole different perspective. If you would like to know more about Ramadan or you are travelling at this time please consult our special Ramadan Information Sheet (this can be found on the download pages of our website).

Photography
You should always ask permission before taking anyone's photograph and respect their decision if they say no. It goes without saying that you should not photograph military installations and it is also wise to be careful about photographing women. If you are male it is probably a good idea not to take pictures of women at all.

Haggling
Haggling is a way of life in much of the Middle East; however this is not the case in Libya and generally speaking you should not haggle in shops or for transport.

 What NOT to take

Alcohol
Alcohol is strictly prohibited in Libya and severe penalties will be incurred by anyone attempting to bring it into the country.

Literature
Certain controversial literature (particularly that which is critical of the Government) is banned in Libya and serious penalties could be imposed on anyone attempting to bring books of this nature into the country. Customs officials may also confiscate books and magazines featuring pictures of people in immodest dress/poses (e.g. fashion magazines).

Prepare Yourself

Whilst few of our tours can be described as physically demanding you will find all activities more enjoyable if you are reasonably fit and active.

Arrival

Arrival Transfers
Upon arrival at Tripoli International Airport, please look for our representative after you have passed through immigration - he will be holding a sign with The Imaginative Traveller or Wings Travel and Tours on it. Our representative will then help you with baggage retrieval and customs.

Making Your Own Way
The Meeting Point for your tour should be clearly marked on your travel vouchers.  Please check the website before travelling in case of  last minute changes to the meeting point hotel.

At Tripoli International Airport, you will find government licensed taxis outside the arrivals hall. A taxi from the airport to the meeting point hotel should cost approx. US$25.

Registration of Passports
All visitors to Libya are required by law to register their passports with the ministry of Interior within seven days of arrival. Your passport should be automatically sent for registration by the hotel in Tripoli. Before leaving Tripoli you should check to make sure you have been registered. Look for an ink stamp accompanied by 5 LD postage stamp on the page opposite to your visa.

Note: Failure to register within the prescribed time will result in a fine or possibly, a delay to your departure.

On Tour

Safety

Most people find that Libya is a very friendly and hospitable country and feel quite comfortable wandering around alone during the day. However, as with any country you are not familiar with (and in particular in large cities such as Tripoli), it is recommended that you exercise more caution at night and generally take taxis rather than walk especially if you are a lone female. It is also important for women to dress and behave conservatively to avoid attracting unwanted interest.

Tour Leaders & Guides

Your Tour Leaders role is to ensure all aspects of the trip run smoothly. He/she will share their local knowledge, advise on how to fill your free time and co-ordinate the day to day running of the tour – although occasionally he/she may need your understanding if things do not go according to plan. If you have any problems on the tour, please let your Tour Leader know so that steps can be taken to put it right. Tour Leaders are supported by our regionally based office staff and, in most cases, a locally based manager.

In Libya we also use the services of local guides at sights of particular historical interest such as Leptis Magna and Sabratha.

Accommodation

Our main criterion for choosing hotels is cleanliness. Hotels on Traveller tours almost always have private bathrooms, air conditioning and restaurant facilities. Please bear in mind that hotels can sometimes suffer from minor problems and technical difficulties.

At each hotel your Tour Leader will try to organise the rooming arrangements to suit everyone's requirements. If you are travelling alone you will be allocated a room with another group member of the same sex (unless you have paid a single supplement*). If you are travelling as a couple please note that we cannot guarantee the availability of double beds.

*Note: Single supplements are only applicable to single travellers who wish to have their own room.

Laundry

A laundry service cannot be guaranteed in every hotel (although is usually available in Tripoli) so it is a good idea to bring travel wash with you just in case!

Local Food & Drink

Food
Libyan food is rich with flavour, combining fresh ingredients – such as vegetables, fruits, nuts and pulses – with exotic spices. Add to this the influence of other cuisines such as Middle Eastern and Italian and the result is array of delicious dishes.

A standard Libyan meal will consist of a main dish supplemented by a number of appetisers such as tahina (sesame seed puree), humus and baba ghanoug (tahina, garlic and charred aubergines) dips, salads and side-dishes. One of the most common starters is Sherba or “Libyan soup” – a thick soup made from meat, tomatoes, macaroni, herbs and spices.

Main dishes include lamb kebabs, spit roasted chicken or hot vegetable dishes (such as fasuliya) prepared in a spiced tomato-based sauce.

Drinks
The Libyans are great tea drinkers and coffee, which is similar to Turkish, is also popular. In both cases these beverages are served strong, black, and sweet. If you do not normally take sugar, make sure you mention this to your host. Nescafe has also found its way to Libya, but this is relatively expensive. There is also a wide selection of fruit juices available, determined by the season.

Note: Alcohol is strictly prohibited in Libya and severe penalties will be incurred by anyone attempting to bring it into the country.

Special Dietary Requirements

Vegetarians
Libyans like to include a lot of meat in their meals. Even in savoury dishes where meat is not the main feature of a meal, it can be found even if only as a stock. Therefore, if you are a strict vegetarian you may experience a distinct lack of variety in the food available at meal times. Your Tour Leader will do their best to offer a vegetarian alternative, but your patience and understanding is requested.

Food Allergies
If you have food allergies or preferences, please make them known to your Tour Leader who will do their best to ensure that your requirements are met.

Please note: Unfortunately we can give no guarantee that special requirements can always be met.

Communications

Email
Internet cafes can now be found in Tripoli. The cost for an hour is approx US$5.

Phone
The Libyan phone system is not the best! A 3 minute call (to the UK) will cost you approx. US$25 from a hotel and approx. US$5 from an international communication office.

Post
The postal service is good and stamps are available everywhere. An overseas stamp will cost approx. US$1.5.

Cameras
At most historical sites, there is a fee for the use of cameras and video cameras. Camera tickets usually cost US$4 and video cameras cost US$8.

Availability of Film
Camera film can be found in Tripoli and is usually of reasonable quality (always check the sell by date). However it may be better to bring your supply from home particularly if you require fast, slide or video film.

General Information

Weather

The climate in Libya varies considerably throughout the country. The Mediterranean coastal strip, running along the north enjoys a sunny climate throughout most of the year although temperatures drop significantly in the winter months and humidity is very high in summer.

The Jabal Akdar (Green Mountain) area in the north east, rising up from the coast, has the highest annual rainfall in the country (300 mm per annum).

Dry arid areas are found in the centre and across the deserts and mountains of the Sahara in the south. Summer is scorching hot, although humidity is very low. However, if you are travelling in the desert in December and January you should be aware that while the days will be warm, temperatures fall below zero at night.

The following chart shows average daily temperatures (in degrees Celsius);

J    F   M    A   M   J    J    A   S   O   N   D
T  16  17  19  22  24  27  29  30  29  27 23 18
(T – Tripoli)

Holidays

Islamic Holidays
Islamic Holidays are fixed in accordance with the Lunar Calendar. 2009 dates are:

• Islamic New Year - 18 Dec
• Prophet Mohammed's B'day - 9 March
• Ramadan starts - 22 Aug  
• Eid el Fitr - 21 Sept 

National Holidays

• Revolution Day - 23 July
• National Day - 1 Sept 

http://www.worldtravelguide.net/country/148/public_holidays/Africa/Libya.html

Useful Phrases in Arabic

• Hello (greeting) - Salaam or Salaam Alaykum
• Hello (response) – Wa Alaykum Salaam
• Goodbye - Ma Salama
• How are you? - E-zayak(M) /E-zayik(F)
• I'm well, thank you - El Humdoolelaa! (literally - "Thank God")
• Good morning - Sabah el Kheir
• Excuse me - Lao Samaht(M)/Samahti(F)
• Please - Minfudluk (M)/Minfudlik (F)
• Thank you - Shokran
• Yes - Aiwa
• No - La
• How Much? (price) - Bekam?
• Water - Maya
• Coffee - Ahwa (Arabic Coffee), Nescafe (instant)
• Tea - Shy
• The bill - El Hesab
• I don't understand - Ana mish fahem[m]/ fahma [f]

Notes: Many words contain the sound ‘Kh’. The ‘K’ is not pronounced. Instead the sound is like the ‘ch’ in Loch.

(M) - when addressing a man
(F) - when addressing a woman
[m] - when said by a man
[f] - when said by a woman

Arabic Numbers

• 0 - (۰) - Sefer
• 1 - (١) - Wahed
• 2 - (٢) - Etneen
• 3 - (٣) - Talata
• 4 - (٤) - Arbaa
• 5 - (٥) - Hamsa
• 6 - (٦) - Sitta
• 7 - (٧) - Sabba
• 8 - (٨) - Tamannia
• 9 - (٩) - Tissa
• 10 - (١٠) - Ashera
• 11 - (١١) - Hedosha
• 12 - (١٢) - Etnosha
• 13 - (١٣) - Talatosha
• 20 - (٢٠) - Ashreen
• 30 - (٣٠) - Tallateen
• 40 - (٤٠) - Arbaeen
• 50 - (٥٠) - Hamseen
• 100 - (١٠٠) - Miya
• 1000 - (١٠٠٠) - Elf

Note: Although Arabic script reads from right to left, numbers are read from left to right.

Contact Details

Local Office
The Imaginative Traveller
C/o Wings Travel & Tours
Garnata Street.
PO BOX 10070
Tripoli, Libya
Tel: +218 021 33 31855
+218 021 33 41 655
Fax: +218 021 33 30 881

UK Office
The Imaginative Traveller
1 Betts Avenue
Martlesham Heath
Ipswich
Suffolk
IP5 3RH
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)1473 667337
Fax: +44 (0)1473 614566

24hr Emergency Contact
MOB: +20 1222 11 699 or +20 1005 00 065