Istanbul to Cairo - Overland Trip
5 weeks: Istanbul to Cairo (IMT-TAIO)
Intro
A fascinating journey between two of the Middle East’s most vibrant and exciting cities. We see some of the most impressive wonders of the ancient world - a real adventure for those looking for an in depth journey to the Middle East!Group Size
Max 18Activities
Optional sea kayaking from the gulet, extensive walking in Cappadocia, Palmyra and Petra, donkey ride to the Valley of the Kings, optional snorkelling at Dahab.Trek grade
EasyAccommodation
29 nights simple hotels, 1 night Bedouin-style camp, 2 nights seater train, 1 night gulet, 1 night felucca, 1 overnight busTransport
Gulet, private and public buses, service taxi, overnight seater train, overnight bus, donkey, horse-drawn 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 GizaWINTER 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.
Itineraries
Day 1,ISTANBULArrival day. No meals.
Day 2,GALLIPOLIDrive to the small town of Çanakkale. Free afternoon to visit Gallipoli or Troy. Half day tour to Gallipoli (60 YTL). (B) Approx. 6 hrs driving
Day 3,SELCUKOptional half day guided tour of Troy (50 YTL). We then travel to the pretty town of Selcuk with its rich history and beautiful setting. (B) Approx. 8 hrs driving
Day 4,SELCUK - EPHESUSA full free day to visit the amazing ruins at Ephesus. Half day guided tour of Ephesus (50 YTL). (B)
Day 5,PAMUKKALEA morning drive takes us to Pamukkale where there is time to visit the famous calcified falls and the ancient city of Hierapolis. (B) Approx. 4 hrs driving
Day 6,PAMUKKALE - FETHIYE - GULETToday we travel to Fethiye where we have lunch before boarding our private gulet. We spend the afternoon cruising along the scenic Turquoise Coast. (BD) Approx. 5-6 hrs driving
Day 7,DALYANAfter breakfast we disembark and drive to Dalyan, known for its hot springs and the nearby conservation area for loggerhead turtles. Approx. 30 mins driving. (B)
Day 8,DALYANA day at leisure. Nearby are the picturesque ruins of Caunos, accessible only by boat, or you may prefer to just relax on the beach. Full day boat trip (US$10 - US$15). (B)
Day 9,Olympos Drive to Olympos where there is the chance to visit ancient Olympos and Chimera. Approx. 5-6 hours driving. (BD)
Day 10,ANTALYA - CAPPADOCIAAfter leaving Olympos we drive to Antalya where we have time to explore the old harbour before taking an overnight bus to Cappadocia. (B) Approx 9 hours driving
Day 11,CAPPADOCIAFree 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 / hiking opportunities throughout the area. A minibus can be hired for a full day of sightseeing, and the costs shared between the group. (B)
Day 12,CAPPADOCIAA full day for further exploration. Those after a bit of action can explore by mountain bike, or you could even take a hot air balloon flight (165 EURO - 175 EURO). In the evening there is the opportunity to relax in a Turkish bath (20 YTL), view a Folkshow (60 YTL) or to see a Whirling Dervish Ritual (60 YTL). (B)
Day 13,KAHTAA day’s drive across the stunning Eastern Taurus Mountains to Kahta near Mt. Nemrut. (B) Approx. 8 hours driving
Day 14,MT NEMRUT - URFAFree morning to visit Mt. Nemrut to see the massive Commagene stone heads.(Excursion US$12 - US$15 by minivan). (B) Approx. 3 hrs driving
Day 15,URFA - ALEPPOMorning visit to Urfa, the city of the prophets, before continuing to the Syrian border and transferring to Aleppo. Approx. 4-5 hrs driving. (B)
Day 16,ALEPPOFree day in Aleppo. Explore the exotic atmosphere of the covered bazaars. Optional guided tour (1,100 Sr). (B)
Day 17,HAMAWe have a short drive to Hama, famous for its old water wheels. Option to visit the imposing Crac de Chevaliers crusader fortress (1,100 Sr). (B) Approx. 1 ½ hours driving.
Day 18,PALMYRAA drive through the desert brings us to the breathtaking city of Palmyra. (B) Approx. 4 hours driving
Day 19,PALMYRAA full free day to explore these marvellous Roman ruins. (B)
Day 20,DAMASCUSDrive to Damascus in the morning. Free afternoon. Approx. 6 hours driving
Day 21,DAMASCUSFree day to explore the old city with its many souks, palaces and mosques. Optional walking tour (1,100 Sr). (B)
Day 22,DAMASCUS - AMMANTransfer to Amman by service taxis. (B) Approx. 6 hours driving
Day 23,AMMANMorning walking tour of Amman. Optional afternoon tour to Jerash (US$30). (B)
Day 24,AMMAN - PETRAMorning visit to the Dead Sea (US$15 entrance). Afternoon transfer to Wadi Musa beside the hidden city of Petra. Optional evening Turkish bath (US$30). (BD)Approx 6 hours driving
Day 25,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) Approx. 2 hours driving
Day 26,CAMEL TREK - AQABAWe join the Bedouin people of Wadi Rum for a short camel trek into the desert. Optional jeep safari (US$15). Later we travel to the picturesque Red Sea port of Aqaba. Overnight in Aqaba. (B) Approx. 1 hour driving
Day 27,AQABA - NUWEIBA - DAHABBoard the hydrofoil to Nuweiba and transfer to Dahab on the Red Sea Coast. (B) Approx. 6 - 8 hrs travelling, including time spent completing port formalities. Note: If the hydrofoil service from Nuweiba to Aqaba is not operating we will travel by ferry instead. This may necessitate a change to the published itinerary.
Day 28,DAHAB - ST CATHERINEFree morning to relax on the beach before an afternoon transfer to St. Catherine where we spend the night in multi-share rooms near the foot of Mt Sinai. (BD) Approx. 2 hours driving
Day 29,ST CATHERINE - CAIRORise early to ascend Mt Sinai in time for sunrise. Afternoon drive to Cairo. (B) Approx. 7 hours driving.
Day 30,CAIRO - ASWANGuided visit to the Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza. Later there is the option to visit the Egyptian museum with an Egyptologist (US$28). Overnight train to Aswan. (B) Approx 13 hrs train journey
Day 31,ASWANArrive to Aswan and transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore this colourful and vibrant Nubian city. You could visit Philae Temple, the Aswan High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk (US$24), see the sound and light show at Philae (US$24) or take a camel ride to St Simeon's Monastery (us$15). (B)
Day 32,ASWAN - FELUCCA CRUISEA free morning when there will be an opportunity to visit the magnificent temples of Abu Simbel by bus (US$50), or by air (US$215). In the afternoon we board our 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 - LUXORDrive from Aswan to Luxor visiting the riverside temple at 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. Evening sound and light show at Karnak (US$28). (B) Approx 7 hrs drive
Day 34,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) Approx. 10 hrs train journey
Day 35,CAIROArrive 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 (US$35). (B)
Day 36,CAIROTour ends. (B)
Last updated: 30th September 2008
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