Middle Eastern Odyssey - Overland Trip
3 ½ weeks: Damascus to Cairo (IMT-IAMO08)
Intro
Following the ancient caravan routes through Arabia, we journey from Damascus to Cairo, taking in the exciting cities of Damascus, Aleppo and Cairo, the remote desert landscape of Wadi Rum, the ancient ruins of Petra and Palmyra and the Pharaonic treasures of Egypt. What more could you ask for?Group Size
Max 18Activities
Extensive walking in Palmyra and Petra, donkey ride to the Valley of the Kings, optional snorkelling at Dahab.Trek grade
EasyAccommodation
18 nights simple hotels, 1 night Bedouin-style camp, 2 nights seater train, 1 night feluccaTransport
Private and public buses, service taxi, overnight seater train, donkey, horsedrawn carriage, felucca, hydrofoilFully Escorted
By Imaginative Traveller tour leader (except at some border crossings), services of guides at Palmyra and Petra, and Egyptologists at Karnak Temple, the Valley of the Kings and the Pyramids of GizaMeals
As per itinerary. B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-DinnerItineraries
Day 1, DAMASCUSArrival day.
Day 2, DAMASCUS ALEPPOTravel to Aleppo, an exciting town in the north of Syria and a great introduction to the region. (B)
Day 3, ALEPPOFree day in Aleppo. Explore the exotic atmosphere of the covered bazaars. (B)
Day 4, HAMAWe have a short drive to Hama, famous for its old water wheels. Option to visit the imposing Crac des Chevaliers crusader fortress. (B)
Day 5, PALMYRAA drive through the desert brings us to the breathtaking city of Palmyra. (B)
Day 6, PALMYRAGuided tour of these marvellous Roman ruins. (B)
Day 7, DAMASCUSDrive to Damascus in the morning. Free afternoon. (B)
Day 8, DAMASCUSFree day to explore the old city with its many souks, palaces and mosques. (B)
Day 9, DAMASCUS - AMMANTransfer to Amman by service taxis. (B)
Day 10, AMMANMorning walking tour of Amman. (B)
Day 11, AMMAN - PETRAMorning option to visit the Dead Sea. Afternoon transfer to Wadi Musa, beside the hidden city of Petra. (BD)
Day 12, PETRA - WADI RUMA 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 13, CAMEL TREK AQABAWe 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 14, AQABA - NUWEIBA - DAHABBoard the hydrofoil to Nuweiba and transfer to Dahab on the Red Sea coast. (B)
Day 15, DAHAB ST CATHERINEFree 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 16, ST CATHERINE CAIRORise early to ascend Mt Sinai in time for sunrise. Afternoon drive to Cairo. (B)
Day 17, CAIRO - ASWANGuided visit to the Pyramids & Sphinx at Giza. Overnight train to Aswan. (B)
Day 18, ASWANA free day to explore this colourful and vibrant Nubian city. (B)
Day 19, ASWAN FELUCCA CRUISEA 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 20, ASWAN LUXORDrive 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 21, LUXORWe 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 22, CAIROArrive in Cairo and transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is free. (B)
Day 23, CAIROTour ends. (B)
Last updated: 8th June 2008
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