Libyan visa

[George Philipas]

After months of banging my head against a brick wall - I finally managed to get a reply from a Libyan tourist agency prepared to give me an invitation for my visa (Robban Tours) - they are though quoting me 650 euros for the whole experience (!!!?!!??) - I've pasted the reply here which shows exactly what is included in the price - I am only travelling in transit thru Libya along the coast to Egypt - Does anyone know if this is a reasonable quote or not?

Dear George,
SO SORRY FOR THE DELAY
You find hereafter our reply.
A-Itinerary:
Day 1- The border ý Sabratha ý Triopli
Day 2- Tripoli full day
Day 3- Tripoli ý Leptis Magna ý Zletin
Day 4- Musratha ý Sultan - Benghazi
Day 5- Benghazi ý Ptolemaides ý Gasr Libya ý AL-Baidha
Day 6- AL-Baidha ý Cyrene ý Apollonia ý Tobruk.
Day 7- Tobruk ý the botder ( departure ).
Quotation : ( based on f/b double occupancy ) 650 Euro per client/per
tour
This offer covers, besides the expenses of the escort, the following:
-A letter of invitation to obtain visa.
-An escort guide throughout tour.
-Accommodation at 3 star hotels
-Meals
-Entry fees sites and museums.
Thank you & WISH YOU HAPPY NEW YEAR.
Wanis


thanks
George

[Budrinna]

Indeed a very good and cheap price !

Ais Said

Budrinna

[Geoff van de Merwe]

George,
If you're going alone, that sounds about right,
if there are more of you, I believe its too much

I went through alone last year and the costs were as follows:

visa and invitation: £200, way too much for what I received
meet at border and get motorbike through: 100US, an absolute ripoff considering that they were late and I had already completed most of the formalities
Guide rental per day, including car to follow my motorbike: 100US
I paid for a full days rental on the last day, even though I was through into Egypt by 10am

The Libyan petrol price then was 8US cents per litre and I think it cost 5/10 us dollars to get into Leptis Magna

Hope this helps

Geoff
www.catchthepig.co.uk

[POB/London]

I'm just about to start really working on the paperwork for this leg of my journey. It's going to be probably the most expesive bit of the whole trip (apart from perhaps the Carnet).

Geoff, I didn't realise you'd been into Libya - stupid of me. As you can see, with a few slight differences, my route is the same as yours. How long did it take you to get from west > east of the country?

I'd love to chat about your London > Egypt leg. Have looked thru your photos, and they just make me sit and daydream at my desk!Cheers mate. Looking forwad to our meeting (when my bike's back, as I doubt you'd be interested in my Honda Bros 650 road bike, eh?)

------------------
=-=-= ON THE EDGE! =-=-=
http://www.geog.ucl.ac.uk/~lmiller/PanMed2003.html

[POB/London]

I've just sent a message to these people asking for a quote, for one person departing Tunisia April '04. I will let you know what happens. Which agency did you use, Geoff?

http://www.sarilibyatravel.com/index.html

[Geoff van de Merwe]

mmm,
looks familiar,
I've been working on facts and stories etc from my trip in preparation for putting on my website.
I live in WImbledon, work in Southwark,
so if you want to meet for a in the week and I'll bring all that info.
Geoff

[Kuno2]

@ POB

> Did you drive the route on your map already or is this your planning for a coming tour?

>...just out of interrest: From TUNISIA to EGYPT or vice versa?

> What vehicle?

[POB/London]

Hello!

Still planning (!) - leaving end of March '04.
Riding a 2000 XR650L, modded.
Heading Tunisia > Egypt.

[Kuno2]

@ POB

> As far as I know, there is hardly a chance to cross the border at NALUT. Normally it is RAS JEDIR (ZUARA). At least: The second location is sure.

> After MARADA you have chosen to drive north to MERSA EL BUREGA. Save the detour and go on direct to GIALO. Thre is no official road but the "going" is easy. Since you have a guide with you anyway, you should have no problems in the oil-field area.

> From GIALO to GIARABUB there is not track and for sure no road. I know, they are marked in the maps. However, the route is possible like this.

> From EL ADEM (north of TOBRUK) to the border of EGYPT you have planned to follow the old TRIG CAPUZZO. Forget it please. The track is not used anymore. Military is present in the area and you should not drive into the border area except on official roads! First the area is observed by the authorities and second there are MINES out of the 70ies when Libya and Egypt were not on the same line... Drive to TOBRUK and follow the coastal road. There are some nice places, spectacular views and you will love the beach after this long desert trip.

Best regards & good planning, Kuno