| HIGHLIGHTS: Cairo - Aswan - Abu Simbel - Nubian Village - Edfu - Luxor - Mt. Sinai - Aqaba - Petra - The Kings Highway - Amman - Jerash - Amman - Damascus - Palmyra - Krak Des Chevaliers - Aleppo - Gaziantep - Goreme - Cappadocia - Ankara - Istanbul
When you think of 'great journeys' a few come immediately to mind. The Silk Road, the Trans - Siberian and Kathmandu to London have all impressed themselves on the minds of travellers, however there are few that can offer the wealth of history that can be uncovered on the journey from Cairo to Istanbul. This is a region that has seen Pharoahs, Greeks, Romans, Assyrians, Nabataeans, Phoenicians and Turks, to name but a few, and each successive civilisation has left behind an incredible supply of tombs, temples and artefacts.
We start in Egypt, where we explore the ancient pyramids and Sphinx before heading south to Aswan. We visit the awesome temples at Abu Simbel and sail aboard a relaxing felucca to Luxor, a great way to observe everyday life.
Crossing the Sinai we arrive in Jordan, where we discover friendly people, excellent food and the fabulous 'lost city' of Petra, one of finest ancient cities in the world. Up the road from Amman is Damascus, the oldest continually - inhabited city in the world, with its atmospheric old quarter and the stunning Ommayad Mosque. To the east lies the legendary ancient city of Palmyra and to the north the fabulous city of Aleppo, with probably the most interesting bazaar in the Middle East.
We reach southern Turkey and travel north into the remarkable landscapes of Cappadocia where we hike through picturesque valleys, explore several troglodyte villages, visit the massive underground city at Kaymakli and discover amazing churches carved deep into the rock.
The grand finale is Istanbul, perched on the cusp of Europe and Asia Minor, with a rich and complex history, outstanding mosques and minarets that seem to soar into the heavens. It's a fitting end to an incredible journey
Day 1 Cairo. Your trip starts today in Cairo. No activities are planned so you may arrive at any time. Rooms are generally available after 1.00 pm. If you have not pre-booked an arrival transfer you will find taxis available on arrival at Cairo Airport. Make sure you agree the price before you set off into town Your tour guide may make contact tonight; otherwise you will see him/her tomorrow morning at the tour briefing, which usually takes place after breakfast. When you arrive in Cairo you are thrown headlong into the hustle and bustle of this wonderful city. As you wander the streets your senses will be assaulted on all levels - an endless cacophony of noise with cars tooting donkeys braying and the muezzin calling the faithful to prayer; the mix of smells like the aroma from cooking pots bubbling with 'foul' (pronounced 'fool' - a local bean paste dish that we will certainly get to sample); the delicious taste of mint tea as you sit in a shaded cafE to relax; and the endless river of life that you can watch roll past you - women haggling in the bazaars, men talking whilst enjoying a traditional sheesha pipe, cars vying for space on the crowded roads, camels ambling serenely along and children playing in the back streets. There are many things to do in Cairo, from visiting the fantastic Egyptian Museum to the bazaars of Khan al - Khalili.
Day 2 Cairo. Today we enjoy a guided visit to the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx at Giza. The Pyramids really do have to be seen to be believed To get there we weave our way through the manic Cairo traffic, out into the suburbs and then, suddenly, there they are. Huge majestic tombs rising out of the desert, towering above the modern city of Cairo, they are an incredible testament to the immense achievements of the Ancient Egyptians. Built over 5000 years ago the Pyramids are the only one of the seven wonders of the ancient world that is still standing. We explore the Pyramids and the Sphinx with our Egyptologist guide who can explain all the mysteries surrounding their creation - were they built by aliens or are they aligned to the stars? We also have the opportunity to climb inside the Great Pyramid (optional) and see for ourselves the burial chamber inside (not for the claustrophobic). Later there is the option to visit the Egyptian Museum with an Egyptologist. What a museum, what a collection This museum houses the world's greatest collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts including many of the treasures discovered in the tombs of pharaohs, the amazing golden mask of Tutankhamun and a large number of mummies. To put that in perspective, if you spend just one minute at each exhibit it would take more than nine months to see everything In the evening we catch our Overnight Train and travel south to Aswan. The journey takes about 13 hours and we will be travelling in 1st class reclining seats. Our air - conditioned carriage has large, comfortable seats (similar to business - class seats on a plane) that recline to about 45°. A simple dinner and breakfast are served on board. There is a toilet located at the end of the carriage.
Day 3 Aswan. Aswan is one of our favourite places. Despite the fact that it is Egypt's third largest city, it has an easy - going, laid - back atmosphere that belies its size. There is certainly a lot to see and do. For those keen on visiting as many great sites of antiquities as possible, we highly recommend a visit to the exquisite Temple of Isis at Philae. Alternatively you can take a sailboat across to the Botanical Gardens on Lord Kitchener's Island and then continue to the other side of the river, where you can take a fun camel ride up to the Monastery of St. Simeon. Your tour guide will give you all the information you require. At any time of the day the Nubian Bazaar, which snakes through the back streets of town, is a hive of activity
Day 4 Abu Simbel - Nubian Village - Aswan. Rising early we travel by road to Abu Simbel, one of the most impressive temples ever built and one of the highlights of our visit to Egypt. We follow the shores of Lake Nasser and generally arrive at the temple just after sunrise, a perfect time for photographs. Located deep in the heart of the desert and miles from the nearest habitation, this site is a gigantic monolith out of which are carved four colossal statues - each one the seated figure of Ramses II, one of Ancient Egypt's greatest pharaohs. Built in the 13th century BC, the temples remained totally hidden by sand until 1813 and were almost destined to be submerged again 150 years later by the rising waters of Lake Nasser - a man-made lake formed due to the construction of the Aswan High Dam. Remarkably, a massive UNESCO project dismantled the entire temple and the cliff out of which it is carved, and reassembled it on higher ground, redirecting the magnificent stare of Ramses II across Lake Nasser's blue waters. It is still possible to see just how close they came to being submerged by the watermarks around the base of the statues. We enjoy a tour of the site and later return to Aswan, arriving around midday. In the late afternoon our Nubian sailors meet us and we travel by boat to their village for dinner. We enjoy a variety of traditional dishes and it's a great chance to meet their family.
Day 5 - 6 Felucca Cruise. Boarding our feluccas we set sail, travelling with the current towards Edfu. Sailing down the Nile is a magical experience, lying on thick mattresses, watching the dark waters glide past. We stop off at Komombo to visit the classic Greco - Roman Temple of Sobek (the crocodile - headed god) overlooking the river and the rest of our time is spent relaxing and enjoying timeless scenes of local life, as we travel slowly down the Nile. Nights are spent sleeping on board and our crew provides simple, healthy meals. Feluccas are simple sailing boats, no more and no less. They have no engines and no toilets. There is a single deck on which you can stretch out during the day under a shade awning. It is an extremely relaxing way of travelling down the Nile, however many people find the pace very slow, especially when contrasted with a busy life back home. We strongly recommend you take books, magazines, card games, your mp3 player and any other items which might help to while away your time on board. Meals are simple. They are prepared by your Nubian crew and include chicken, rice, local breads and vegetables. Each evening your crew pulls into the shore. They generally find a flat, sandy area for the night. Toilet facilities are very basic. Note that, during the winter months (Oct - Mar), it be very cold on the river at night so you should bring thermals and a fleece. A sleeping bag is required.
Day 7 Edfu - Luxor. Reaching Edfu we say farewell to our Nubian friends and then explore the Temple of Horus - one of Egypt's finest temples, before travelling by bus into Luxor. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the town and there's certainly a lot to see and do. The bazaar is extensive and it can occupy you for several hours. Alternatively you can visit the exquisite Luxor Museum - or take a stroll around Luxor Temple, which dominates the centre of town. Entrance fees for these two options are listed below. Another popular activity is to take a horse - carriage ride to Karnak Temple, dedicated to the great God Amon, and considered one of the greatest of ancient Egypt's monuments. Our tour guide can help organise the carriages.
Day 8 Luxor - Cairo. Today we rise early to cross the Nile where our donkeys are waiting to take us into the Valley of the Kings. After matching up donkeys and riders we head off, just as the sun begins to rise in the eastern skies. It's great fun and one of the highlights of our visit to Egypt. We return to the east bank where the afternoon is free to explore the town further. In the evening we take the overnight recliner train back to Cairo, with dinner served on board.
Day 9-10 Cairo - Mt. Sinai. Arriving back in Cairo we are transferred to our hotel and the rest of the day is free to explore. In the older part of the city there is a lot to see, including the fantastic Khan al - Khalili bazaar - an amazing mix of shops and stalls that have traded goods and gossip since the Middle Ages. We drive east from Cairo early the next day and head into the Sinai, an untamed wilderness of immense beauty, with jagged pink granite mountains punching up into clear blue skies. We spend the night in a simple multi - bed hostel near St. Catherine's Monastery, close to Mt. Sinai. There's a large, inviting pool to relax in after the long drive from Cairo.
Day 11 Mt. Sinai - Aqaba. Those wishing to ascend Mt. Sinai (2285 m) to watch the sun rise over the peninsula will be woken up between 2.00am and 3.00am (depending on the season). It is a fairly steep climb (with stairs all the way) and most people take about two and a half to three hours to reach the summit. We take it easy, with plenty of rest stops, and our aim is to reach the top in time to watch the sun rise over the southern end of the peninsula - a magical experience We then continue to Nuweiba, where we farewell our Egyptian leader before boarding the hydrofoil to Aqaba. On arrival in Aqaba we meet our Jordanian guide/leader and drive to our hotel, located just near the beachfront. Note that, during the winter months (Oct - Mar) it can be very cold on Mt Sinai, so you should bring thermals and a fleece.
Day 12 Aqaba - Wadi Rum - Petra. For many people, Wadi Rum represents everything that a desert should be. It's a magical place where weathered sandstone mountains rise out of pink - coloured sands. T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) spent a fair bit of time here, and the region is also home to the famous Desert Police, who can sometimes be seen riding camels and wearing their long - flowing robes and headdresses. We enjoy a fantastic jeep tour into the desert and later we continue our journey to Petra.
Day 13 Petra. We spend much of the day exploring the many wonders of this ancient city, founded more than 2000 years ago as a temporary refuge for nomadic Arabs and Bedouin. We enter through the narrow ‘siq' and visit the numerous tombs, temples and public buildings - as well as the impressive rock - hewn amphitheatre. It's a really interesting day, but a tiring one, and at the conclusion we can enjoy an optional Turkish Bath at our hotel - a great way to end the day.
Day 14 Petra - The Kings Highway - Amman. We follow the ancient Kings Highway, a road that dates back to the Old Testament, and beyond. We reach Dana, where we have time to stroll though the ancient village. Recent finds have revealed evidence of Paleolithic, Egyptian, Edomite, Assyrian, Nabataean and Roman civilisations. While here we can visit the craft centre to purchase attractive locally - made silver jewellery and charms. Continuing our journey, we reach the splendid crusader castle at Shobak, originally built to protect the eastern flank of the Latin Kingdom and its trade routes to the sea before falling to Saladin in 1189. Further on, at Madaba, we visit the Greek Orthodox church of St. George, which houses a 6th century mosaic map depicting the old city of Jerusalem. We arrive in the lively city of Amman, where we check in to our hotel before heading out 'on the town'.
Day 15 Jerash. The Roman city of Jerash is in a fine state of preservation. Founded in the time of Alexander the Great, it had become a centre of considerable importance by the 3rd century AD. Today it is one of the grandest ancient cities in the world, with an imposing collection of archways, theatres, baths and colonnaded streets. We enjoy a morning tour and the afternoon is free for an optional excursion to the Dead Sea, or to explore Amman further.
Day 16 Amman - Damascus. From Amman we catch the local bus to Damascus. Along the way we pass through the border, a relatively straightforward exercise, and before long the anticipation builds as we are enter the outskirts of Damascus. On arrival we are met and taken to our hotel. In the evening, around 6.30pm, we get together with our Syrian guide for a briefing.
Day 17 Damascus. We begin with a tour of the National Museum, where our leader/guide explains the various periods of Syrian history. There are numerous artefacts from Palmyra as well as a superb collection of clay tablets, all inscribed with cuneiform letters - one of the earliest forms of the alphabet. We then make our way into the old city, where we visit the wonderful and impressive Ommayad Mosque. Be sure to be properly clothed today (shorts are not allowed and women are expected to cover all limbs. If you don't pass the test you will be directed to the ‘Putting On Special Clothes' room where you will be lent a large sack - like garment to put over your clothes). The Omayyad Mosque is an absolute gem and after time to absorb it we head into the numerous streets, alleyways and bazaars that make up the heart of the old city.
Day 18 Damascus - Palmyra. This morning we drive to the celebrated ancient city of Palmyra, arriving around lunchtime. Palmyra's ‘golden age' was during the first two centuries A.D, first as a Greek city and then as part of the Roman Empire. It was a major link in the ancient 'Spice Route' to India and pack - camels once arrived here laden with spices and perfumes. In the afternoon we visit the Temple of Bel, Palmyra's principal deity, identified with Roman Jupiter and Greek Zeus. We walk along parts of the ceremonial colonnade (once the main street) and explore the various other places of interest, including the baths of Diocletian and the remains of the agora, or marketplace. We spend the night in the little village of Tadmor, just outside the old city.
Day 19 Palmyra - Krak Des Chevaliers. Leaving Palmyra we make our way to Krak Des Chevaliers, described by Lawrence of Arabia as ‘the finest castle in the world'. After time for lunch we explore this magnificent castle, which rises from the desert floor like a fairytale fortress and is one of Syria's premier attractions. It dates back to 1031, but it was the 12th century Crusaders who expanded and extensively remodelled it. In the late afternoon we head to our nearby hotel for the night.
Day 20-21 Aleppo. From Krak we drive along the valley to Aleppo. Along the way, we stop at the pretty town of Hama. On the banks of the Orontes River, the tree - lined streets, peaceful gardens and ancient water wheels make this a very pleasant place to visit. Most of our time here is spent exploring the historic limestone - vaulted souk, where the thick pall of ground spices hangs in the gloomy submarine light and sheep and goats are put out to graze on the roof. It is a fascinating area and one of the highlights of our trip, with its splendid khans (merchant houses) and caravanserais. The Great Mosque is also well worth a visit, and you can take an optional morning excursion to the dramatic Monastery of St. Simeon. One evening we can visit the historic bathhouse of Hamam el Nasri, which has been in operation for over 600 years, and there are several good restaurants to check out.
Day 22 Aleppo - Gaziantep. After a short bus trip, your Turkey leader meets us at the border. After passing through Immigration and Customs we continue to Gaziantep and we hope to be in town a little after midday. After checking in we set off to a nearby park for a delicious BBQ lunch and later there's time to explore the local markets before heading back to our hotel.
Day 23 Gaziantep - Goreme. We are taken to the bus station where we catch the bus to Göreme. It's a longish day and we expect to reach our hotel by around 6.00 pm, where the evening is at leisure. Cappadocia is an extraordinary region that has bewitched travellers for centuries. It was formed thousands of years ago as volcanic ash settled, hardened into soft rock and then eroded, forming strange and fantastic spires, domes and gorges.
Day 24 Cappadocia. We drive to the top of the trail at the beginning of the Akvadi (White Valley) and walk amongst fruit gardens and vineyards to arrive in Uçhisar around noon. We visit the village and high viewpoint known as The Fortress. In the afternoon we walk in Pigeon Valley before heading back to Goreme. We also have the chance to discover the local handicrafts of carpet making and pottery. Tonight is free to experience Goreme's nightlife or there is also an option of attending an original Whirling Dervish 'Sema' performance. Back to the pension for the night.
Day 25 Cappadocia. For early birds, there is the option this morning to experience the best views of the sunrise in Cappadocia - from a hot air balloon Alternatively, after a leisurely breakfast, we drive to the start of Pasabaglari (Priest Valley) and follow a trail to the picturesque village of Çavusin. We walk through Kizilçukur (Red Valley) - the most beautiful valley in Cappadocia. Tonight is one of the highlights of our adventure - we experience traditional Turkish meal as guests of a family in their local village house to get a taste of the legendary Turkish hospitality. We then return to our pension for the night.
Day 26 Ankara. We visit Derinkuyu - an incredible underground city that descends eight floors below the surface. We depart by public bus and head for Ankara through typical Anatolian landscape via the salt lake (Tuz Golu) - one of the richest salt beds in the world. We catch an Overnight Train to Istanbul.
Day 27 Istanbul. After an early morning arrival to Istanbul, we transfer to our hotel. Our guide will introduce us to the treasure - trove of the historic old town. We visit the iconic 17th century Blue Mosque, built for Sultan Ahmet I, and a unique piece of architecture. It is a mosque with six minarets instead of the usual four. Another striking feature is its 20,000 beautiful Iznik tiles. The ancient Hippodrome with Obelisk of Theodosius, Snake Pillar and German Fountain of Wilhelm II are also visited. We continue on to the Aya Sofya Museum (St Sophia): this ancient basilica, built by Constantine the great in the 4th century and reconstructed by Justinian in the 6th century, is one of the architectural marvels of all time. The beautiful decorations include stunning Byzantine mosaics. We next head to the Basilica Cistern, the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city of Istanbul. A stay in Istanbul is not complete without a traditional and unforgettable excursion by local ferry along the Bosphorus, the waterway separating Europe and Asia. Along its shores is a delightfully surprising mixture of past and present, grand splendour and simple beauty.
Day 28 Istanbul. Today we have more time to visit the stunning Old Town of Istanbul. An UNESCO World Heritage site since 1985. We head to Topkapi Palace; the primary residence of the Ottoman era Sultans for around 400 years of their rule. Later, if you have time you may also like to visit the exotic Spice Market and the famous Grand Bazaar. Istanbul is the only city in the world to be situated on two continents and offers a plethora of great eating spots and lively night venues. Our tour guide knows all the best places, so tonight is sure to be a fitting finale to our amazing trip.
Day 29 Istanbul. Our tour ends after breakfast in Istanbul. Additional accommodation is available in Istanbul should you wish to further explore this fascinating city.
This mother of all Middle East trips is an inspiring adventure covering all the top highlights 29 day tour departing Cairo. 2 nights accommodation onboard a felucca. 3 nights accommodation onboard an overnight train. 23 nights accommodation in hotels. 28 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 8 dinners. Gecko's expert English-speaking local guides in all countries, and local site guides at some sites. Sightseeing including entrance fees where applicable. Excursion to Abu Simbel. Donkey ride to explore the Valley of the Kings. Full day exploring Petra. Jeep safari in the Wadi Rum. 2 days hiking in Cappadocia. Optional ascent of Mt Sinai (included in price). Traditional Turkish meal with a local family in a village in Cappadocia. Traditional Nubian dinner with the felucca crew's family in a village near Aswan. Hydrofoil from Egypt (Nuweiba) to Jordan (Aqaba). Local ferry along the Bosphorus in Istanbul
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