Compulsory guide in Libya?

[AtleG]

Anybody who can answer the following question.
We are planning a Libya tour with own vehicle.
Enter Libya in Ras Adjir, down to Ghadames
Ghadames to Ghat
Roundtrip in Akakus and Murzuq sand sea
Idri to Darj
Leptis Magma and then back to Europe.
Its a bit difficult to find out if a guide is compulsory for the hole Libya stay or just in the desert areas.
Anybody who can help?
Planning for easter 2007 for about three weeks.
Best regards
AtleG, Oslo Norway

[Georges]

Hello,
I was in Libya 7 time in the last 6 years. I am there for christmas.
I know very god and safe guide for this region betwen Ghadames-Ghat-Akakus-Messak-Edri-Derj.
I can help you if you want.
Bye

[Hadi Bkai]

Hi Atle G.
Fessano-w-tours.com can provide you a package price for:

• invitation.
• visa.
• border formalities.
• desert expert guide.
• all other official paper works.
• and more...

Hadi

[Haakonbj]

As far as I know, a transit visa in Libya is only vallied for three days. Anyone to confirm that?

Greetings
Haakon

[rob_hutch]

Should be able to get transit visa for Libya valid for 10 days at least perhaps up to 2 weeks? I would guess that minimum would be 7 days but definately not 3 days only as this wouldn't give much time to cross the country?

See previous thread:

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...239#post107268

for more details

Good luck

Regards
Rob
www.southwardbound.co.uk

[rob_hutch]

Also came across this previous thread from a month ago:

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...sit-visa-16152

i.e. Valid for a week but extendable till 2 weeks if you need more time - no guide required as long as you don't leave the northern/mediteranean road

HTH

Rob
www.southwardbound.co.uk

[Budrinna]

Hi Rob

Correct info !

The transit visa is issued only for one week , but note that his extension is a hassle as you have to renew it Tripoli or Benghazi's passport offices before it expires. Not easy without the help of an agency.
Guide is not requested unless you don't leave main coastal road, but you have to give fotocopies at each control stations.

Budrinna

[Roman]

Originally Posted by Budrinna

Guide is not requested unless you don't leave main coastal road, but you have to give fotocopies at each control stations.

Budrinna,

I'll be travellling to Ghat in February. What paperwork (photocopies) will I need for the checkpoints? Will I still need it if I travel with a guide?

[Lone Rider]

Originally Posted by Daedalus Films

So what are they going to do, throw you into the sea or arrest you?

Hows the filming going for one man riding to the most dangerous places on earth?

[Luke]

Originally Posted by Lone Rider

Hows the filming going for one man riding to the most dangerous places on earth?

Surely it's the act of filming yourself while on a motorbike that's the most dangerous part...

[Roman]

Originally Posted by Daedalus Films

So what are they going to do, throw you into the sea or arrest you?

Whatever they do to you, let's hope they will do it "in a thought-provoking and entertaining way"!

[beba]

In October 2006 I was in Libya with my friend. We went there on motorbikes.

Our report:
http://www.weber.cz/bebaweb/Libye/Report/report.html

Photogallery:
http://www.weber.cz/beba/2006_Lybie/

We used services from Hadi - excelent!

[NAMSA]

Hi All,

As are probably a few other people, I am slightly mystified by this whole transit visa thing! I've just recieved a quote from a tour operator saying that a guide IS needed for a Libya transit visa, but he probably just wants to make money out of us.(Quote was for 1250euro!)

Can anybody provide me with a name of an agency that can arrange a transit visa that doesn't require a guide, or if an agency is not needed, can you please tell me how to go about applying for a transit visa e.g. apply at the embassy in country of residence or can it be done at the embassy in Tunisia?

Obviously it must be possible, because some of you guys have done it!

Thanks,

Namsa.

[Haakonbj]

Hi!
As far as know, people are getting transit visa in Tunisia, may have to wait a bit, and I also read about a guy who got it on his way south, (Bern??), cant remember. Libya has got an Ambassy in Copenhagen.

But its only the nothern road towards Egypt that are possible without a guide

And it seems like if youre going through an agency, they want you to take a guide. Dont know if this helps.


Cheers
Haakon

[rob_hutch]

Yes Haakon and Namsa

I have experienced this over the last few weeks as well and it just seems to be the way it is. very frustrating!

It is possible (but not guaranteed I suppose-although I have yet to hear from anyone who has been refused as long as you have all the necessary documents and paperwork) to obtain transit visa in Tunis as people have done it, read more postings on this site on this topic and you will see eg search for postings by Landygirl - she also gives more info on exactly how but you will have to wait 7 to 10 days in Tunis.

We also contacted the Libya "consulate/embassy" in London - although it goes by a slightly different name - something about People's in the tile (?) - can't quite remember :confused1: and they confirmed it is possible to obtain transit visa in Tunis which SHOULD/WILL allow you to ONLY cross along the top of Libya in 7 days (?)
ps they - and I presume it is the same in your counrty - only issue visas valid for a short period from date of issue (something like 45 days from date of issue) which is the reason you can't apply before you go either if going on an extended trip like us.

I have also contacted official Libyan tour agencies who will organise a visa for you to collect at the border when you arrive simply by emailing copies of your passport 2 weeks before you arrive (sounds too good to be true doesn't it) but again people have done it this way too. But they say you must take a guide and the whole border formailities & organising visa is expensive too (once you add guide in you are looking at 1000 euro)

So I suppose it is a time vs money thing... whether the agencies are just doing this to make money or if they are being told this by the government (as they say they are) I suppose no one will really know. there is only one way and that is to try.

we can't afford a guide for both algeria and libya so will be trying the transit visa sans guide for Libya.

I will be able to tell you in 2 months whether we were successfull or not
HTH
Rob