Tour Overview
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1, ISTANBULArrival day. No meals.
Day 2, GALLIPOLI
Drive to the small town of Canakkale. Free afternoon to visit Gallipoli or Troy. (B)
Day 3, SELCUK
We travel to the pretty town of Selcuk with its rich history and beautiful setting. (B)
Day 4, SELCUK – EPHESUS
A full free day to visit the amazing ruins at Ephesus. (B)
Day 5, PAMUKKALE
A morning drive takes us to Pamukkale where there is time to visit the famous calcified falls and the ancient city of Hierapolis. (B)
Day 6, PAMUKKALE - FETHIYE – GULET
Today we travel to Fethiye where we have lunch before boarding our private gulet. We spend the afternoon cruising along the scenic Turquoise Coast. (BD)
Day 7, DALYAN
After breakfast we disembark and drive to Dalyan, known for its hot springs and the nearby conservation area for loggerhead turtles. (B)
Day 8, DALYAN
A day at leisure. Nearby are the picturesque ruins of Caunos, accessible only by boat, or you may prefer to just relax on the beach. (B)
Day 9, OLYMPOS
Drive to Olympos where there is the chance to visit ancient Olympos and Chimera. (BD)
Day 10, ANTALYA – CAPPADOCIA
After leaving Olympos we drive to Antalya where we have time to explore the old harbour before taking an overnight bus to Cappadocia. (B)
Day 11, CAPPADOCIA
Free time for you to explore this spectacular region. You can visit the open air museums of Zelve and Goreme, the underground cities of Kaymakli or Derinkuyu, or take advantage of numerous walking and hiking opportunities throughout the area.
Day 12, CAPPADOCIA
A full day for further exploration. Those after a bit of action can explore by mountain bike. (B)
Day 13, KAHTA
A day’s drive across the stunning Eastern Taurus Mountains to Kahta, near Mt Nemrut. (B)
Day 14, MT NEMRUT - URFA
Free morning to visit Mt Nemrut to see the massive Commagene stone heads. (B)
Day 15, URFA - ALEPPO
Visit Urfa, the city of the prophets, before continuing to the Syrian border and transferring to Aleppo. (B)
Day 16, ALEPPO
Free day in Aleppo. Explore the exotic atmosphere of the covered bazaars. (B)
Day 17, HAMA
We have a short drive to Hama, famous for its old water wheels. Option to visit the imposing Crac des Chevaliers crusader fortress. (B)
Day 18, PALMYRA
A drive through the desert brings us to the breathtaking city of Palmyra. (B)
Day 19, PALMYRA
Guided tour of these marvellous Roman ruins. (B)
Day 20, DAMASCUS
Drive to Damascus in the morning. Free afternoon. (B)
Day 21, DAMASCUS
Free day to explore the old city with its many souks, palaces and mosques. (B)
Day 22, DAMASCUS – AMMAN
Transfer to Amman by service taxis. (B)
Day 23, AMMAN
Morning walking tour of Amman. (B)
Day 24, AMMAN – PETRA
Morning option to visit the Dead Sea. Afternoon transfer to Wadi Musa, beside the hidden city of Petra. (BD)
Day 25, PETRA - WADI RUM
A whole day to explore the magnificent site of Petra with a guide. Late in the afternoon we travel to the spectacular desert area of Wadi Rum where we spend the night in a Bedouin-style camp. (BD)
Day 26, CAMEL TREK - AQABA
We join the Bedouin people of Wadi Rum for a short camel trek into the desert. Later we travel to the picturesque Red Sea port of Aqaba. Overnight in Aqaba. (B)
Day 27, AQABA - NUWEIBA - DAHAB
Board the hydrofoil to Nuweiba and transfer to Dahab on the Red Sea coast. (B)
Day 28, DAHAB - ST CATHERINE
Free morning to relax on the beach before an afternoon transfer to St Catherine where we spend the night near the foot of Mt Sinai. (BD)
Day 29, ST CATHERINE – CAIRO
Rise early to ascend Mt Sinai in time for sunrise. Afternoon drive to Cairo. (B)
Day 30, CAIRO - ASWAN
Guided visit to the Pyramids & Sphinx at Giza. Overnight train to Aswan. (B)
Day 31, ASWAN
A free day to explore this colourful and vibrant Nubian city. (B)
Day 32, ASWAN - FELUCCA CRUISE
A free morning when there will be an opportunity to visit the magnificent temple of Abu Simbel. In the afternoon we board feluccas to sail around the islands of Aswan, visit a Nubian village and have a typical Nubian dinner. Overnight on board the felucca. (BLD)
Day 33, ASWAN – LUXOR
Drive from Aswan to Luxor visiting the riverside temple of Kom Ombo and the Temple of Horus at Edfu en route. In the afternoon we take horse-drawn carriages to Karnak Temple and have a guided tour of this wonderful complex. (B)
Day 34, LUXOR
We get up before sunrise to ride sturdy donkeys to the Valley of the Kings. Free afternoon in Luxor. Overnight train back to Cairo. (B)
Day 35, CAIRO
Arrive in Cairo and transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is free. Later this afternoon there is the opportunity to ride camels or horses into the desert and enjoy sunset over the Pyramids. (B)
Day 36, CAIRO - Tour ends. (B)
Notes
WINTER ITINERARY CHANGE: During the winter we do not stay on the gulet, and also don't visit Mt Nemrut. Please refer to the dossier for further details.
AQABA TO NUWEIBA: If the hydrofoil service from Aqaba to Nuweiba is not operating, we will travel by ferry instead.
TRAIN CHANGES: The Egyptian Government might impose changes to the trains tourists are allowed to travel on. Many of our adventurer tours in Egypt make use of overnight 'seater' trains between Cairo and Luxor / Aswan. At the time of going to press these trains continue to be in operation and tourists are allowed to travel on them. However, there have been indications that this may change at some point in 2005 and that tourists will be required to use the more expensive 'sleeper' train. Whilst we are lobbying against this change, if legislation is introduced we will unfortunately be compelled to use the sleeper trains and to charge a US$35 surcharge per journey. Please ask our online consultant for further details at the time of booking.
