Istanbul to Cairo - Overland Trip

Itineraries

Arrival day. No meals.

Drive 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

Optional 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

A full free day to visit the amazing ruins at Ephesus. Half day guided tour of Ephesus (50 YTL). (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) Approx. 4 hrs driving

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) Approx. 5-6 hrs driving

After 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)

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. Full day boat trip (US$10 - US$15). (B)

Olympos Drive to Olympos where there is the chance to visit ancient Olympos and Chimera. Approx. 5-6 hours driving. (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) Approx 9 hours driving

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 / hiking opportunities throughout the area. A minibus can be hired for a full day of sightseeing, and the costs shared between the group. (B)

A 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)

A day’s drive across the stunning Eastern Taurus Mountains to Kahta near Mt. Nemrut. (B) Approx. 8 hours driving

Free morning to visit Mt. Nemrut to see the massive Commagene stone heads.(Excursion US$12 - US$15 by minivan). (B) Approx. 3 hrs driving

Morning visit to Urfa, the city of the prophets, before continuing to the Syrian border and transferring to Aleppo. Approx. 4-5 hrs driving. (B)

Free day in Aleppo. Explore the exotic atmosphere of the covered bazaars. Optional guided tour (1,100 Sr). (B)

We 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.

A drive through the desert brings us to the breathtaking city of Palmyra. (B) Approx. 4 hours driving

A full free day to explore these marvellous Roman ruins. (B)

Drive to Damascus in the morning. Free afternoon. Approx. 6 hours driving

Free day to explore the old city with its many souks, palaces and mosques. Optional walking tour (1,100 Sr). (B)

Transfer to Amman by service taxis. (B) Approx. 6 hours driving

Morning walking tour of Amman. Optional afternoon tour to Jerash (US$30). (B)

Morning 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

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) Approx. 2 hours driving

We 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

Board 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.  

Free 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

Rise early to ascend Mt Sinai in time for sunrise. Afternoon drive to Cairo. (B) Approx. 7 hours driving.

Guided 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

Arrive 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)

A 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)

Drive 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

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) Approx. 10 hrs train journey

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 (US$35). (B)

Tour ends. (B)