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Why Choose Al Qadima Tours as your tour operator? Al Qadima Tours is a licensed company based in Tripoli and offers years of experience in tourism, both within and outside of Libya. Our staff have spent time living abroad and are familiar with the expectations of western travellers. Libya has only recently opened its doors to tourists and this has seen many tour companies open for business. Unfortunately, some are only interested in taking advantage of the recent growth in tourism and do not possess the expertise and connections such a business requires. At Al Qadima Tours we guarantee our professionalism and dedication to providing you with an extraordinary holiday experience. Our aim is to send you home completely satisfied with the promise of coming back to revisit Libya. Al Qadima Tours are able to offer you very competitive prices because we deal directly with local hotels and operators in our various destinations; there is no middle agent. This can be most important in desert regions where the people have a distinct culture and way of doing things. We have personal contact and good relations with operators in the desert towns, as well as extensive experience living and travelling through the desert. We know what you can expect on your travels around Libya because we have been there too. With Al Qadima Tours you have the freedom and choice of designing your own tour itinerary. According to your budget, you can also choose what class of accommodation you prefer (see accommodation question below). Let us know what you’re looking for and we’ll take care of the arrangements. We can also cater for groups of all sizes, from the lone traveller upwards. When is the best time to travel to Libya? Summer in Libya, especially in the desert, is extremely hot. For this reason if you are travelling into the desert or desert towns such as Ghadames, we recommend the period between October and April. If you are visiting the archaeological sites and the coastal regions where the temperatures are more moderate, we recommend travel between September and May. Is it safe to travel in Libya? www.smartraveller.gov.au The culture of Libya is Islam, however the country lacks the destabilising Islamic fundamentalism that is present in certain Muslim countries. Thanks to oil revenues and a small population, the Libyan state has been able to invest in reducing poverty and creating social programs and infrastructure. As a result, the religious views are moderate and crime levels extremely low. Actually, travelling in Libya is much safer than most places in America and Europe. You will be pleased to discover for yourself that Libyans are some of the most genuinely friendly, hospitable and honest people in the Arab world. How do I organise an entry visa? Tourism in Libya is still in the early stages of development and only visitors travelling as part of an organised tour are issued with visas to enter the country. We will pre-arrange your visa and it will be issued to you on arrival at the airport as we assist you through customs. All you need to do is provide us with a faxed copy of your passport (open on the photo page) at least three weeks before the commencement of your holiday. Alternatively, you can send us an email with a scanned copy of your passport. What is accommodation like in Libya? Libya has the full range of hotels from deluxe five stars through to simple two star hotels and guesthouses. As it is only in the last years that tourism has expanded through the country, some hotels can be well below European standards. Ratings shown alongside hotel names should not necessarily be measured against similar ratings in Europe. Recently, new private hotels have begun to appear and their numbers are always increasing. These hotels tend to be more efficiently run with better-equipped rooms and more attentive staff. At Al Qadima Tours we understand the expectations of visitors to Libya, the hotels we choose have been inspected for service and quality to ensure your comfort and satisfaction. Although many hotels offer high levels of service and accommodation, please come with an open mind and be prepared for the possibility of basic accommodation in certain areas outside the main cities. At Al Qadima Tours we are happy to offer you the freedom to choose your desired level of accommodation. In cities and towns, for those on a budget the 3 star hotels we deal with are clean and comfortable. If you prefer 4/5 star hotels we can arrange that too. In the desert we offer two accommodation options. For those who seek the adventure and excitement of setting up camp in a different desert location each night, we arrange camping in portable igloo tents. Tents and mattresses are provided; all you need to bring is a sleeping bag. Alternatively, if you prefer to take the comforts of home into the desert with you, we can arrange accommodation in a recently opened fixed camp which offers large tents on the sand with outdoor sitting areas, wooden floors, beds and running water. The cost of your tour will vary depending on the chosen level of accommodation so please contact us for a quote. You’ll find we are very competitive. What will transportation be like on the tour? In and between cities and towns we provide transport in air-conditioned mini vans or buses according to the group size. On desert trips we use 4 WD vehicles and drivers who are highly experienced with driving in desert conditions. Some tours include flights between major Libyan cities and these are on domestic commercial carriers. How do I book a tour and how much will it cost? As we prefer to give you the freedom of deciding exactly how you would like to spend your holiday, we are not able to give standard prices for our tours. After you have looked at our suggested itineraries, choose one or you may decide to plan your own tour. In either case, email us with the following details: - preferred itinerary or details of your tailor-made itinerary - period of travel, arrival and departure dates - number of people travelling in the group - preferred class of accommodation (3 or 4/5 star hotels in cities and towns; portable igloo tents or fixed camp in the desert) We will then arrange a working itinerary for you and provide you with a quote. What meals are included in the tour? All meals and catering are covered in the cost of our tours. In cities and towns, breakfast is taken in your hotel and we arrange 3 course meals in restaurants for lunch and dinner. Meals in the desert are fully catered for by our guides and cooks. Lunch includes salads and cold dishes; dinner is cooked each night by the campfire. What expenses are not included in the tour? Entry fees to all historical sites and museums are covered by Al Qadima Tours. If you would like to use a camera at any of these sites, you will be charged a fee of 5 LD for a still camera and 10 LD for the use of a video camera. Other than this, you will need cash for personal purchases at markets, shops, coffee shops, etc. and for tipping hotel staff and guides.
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