Istanbul to Cairo - Overland Trip

Itineraries

Arrival day. No meals.

Drive to the small town of Canakkale. Free afternoon to visit Gallipoli or Troy. (B)

We travel to the pretty town of Selcuk with its rich history and beautiful setting. (B)

A full free day to visit the amazing ruins at Ephesus. (B)

A morning drive takes us to Pamukkale where there is time to visit the famous calcified falls and the ancient city of Hierapolis. (B)

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)

After breakfast we disembark and drive to Dalyan, known for its hot springs and the nearby conservation area for loggerhead turtles. (B)

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)

Drive to Olympos where there is the chance to visit ancient Olympos and Chimera. (BD)

After leaving Olympos we drive to Antalya where we have time to explore the old harbour before taking an overnight bus to Cappadocia. (B)

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.

A full day for further exploration. Those after a bit of action can explore by mountain bike. (B)

A day’s drive across the stunning Eastern Taurus Mountains to Kahta, near Mt Nemrut. (B)

Free morning to visit Mt Nemrut to see the massive Commagene stone heads. (B)

Visit Urfa, the city of the prophets, before continuing to the Syrian border and transferring to Aleppo. (B)

Free day in Aleppo. Explore the exotic atmosphere of the covered bazaars. (B)

We have a short drive to Hama, famous for its old water wheels. Option to visit the imposing Crac des Chevaliers crusader fortress. (B)

A drive through the desert brings us to the breathtaking city of Palmyra. (B)

Guided tour of these marvellous Roman ruins. (B)

Drive to Damascus in the morning. Free afternoon. (B)

Free day to explore the old city with its many souks, palaces and mosques. (B)

Transfer to Amman by service taxis. (B)

Morning walking tour of Amman. (B)

Morning option to visit the Dead Sea. Afternoon transfer to Wadi Musa, beside the hidden city of Petra. (BD)

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)

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)

Board the hydrofoil to Nuweiba and transfer to Dahab on the Red Sea coast. (B)

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)

Rise early to ascend Mt Sinai in time for sunrise. Afternoon drive to Cairo. (B)

Guided visit to the Pyramids & Sphinx at Giza. Overnight train to Aswan. (B)

A free day to explore this colourful and vibrant Nubian city. (B)

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)

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)

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)

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)