Libya, desert route Derj to Adiri
 

We are planning to visit Libya in February and were going to drive route L1 from Derj to Adiri (Idri) as described in Chris's book. But we've just heard from our agent in Libya that this is now a "good tarmac road". Does anyone know if there is still an interesting desert piste over this route, or between Ghadames and Adiri?

Derj to Idri a tarmac road? Your local travel agent gave you this information? Either I don't really know what one shall understand under "tarmac" or -if it is still this black stuff- then I would recommend you to chose another agent who has a basic knowledge about Libya ;-)

I asked my friend in Ghadames. It is not true.
If you are looking very good guide, I recommend you FESSANO TOURS - About Fessano Tours
This travel agency arranged my trip two years ago and I was very satisfied.
February 2009 I will go again with same agency.

...this is one of the standard routes in Libya; I would not tight it to one or the other local tour operators. And as far as I know, there is no intention to cover such a routing with a tarmac-layer; the priorities are set to the repair to exisiting roads as for example Kufra-Tazerbo (Junction) and Sebha-Tripoli. Darj-Idri has no meaning for the Libyan local traffic at all and to build an asphalt-road for the tourists only is out of question...