Middle East Highlights - Overland Trip
2 ½ weeks: Damascus to Cairo (IMT-IAMI)
Intro
This exciting journey takes us all the way from Syria to Egypt, through some of the Middle East’s most spectacular scenery and to some of the world’s most impressive sights.Group Size
Max 18
Activities
Extensive walking in Palmyra and Petra, optional snorkelling at Dahab.
Trek grade
Easy
Accommodation
15 nights simple hotels, 1 night multi-share hostel, 1 night Bedouinstyle camp
Transport
Public and private buses, service taxi, hydrofoil
Fully Escorted
By Imaginative Traveller tour leader (except at some border crossings), services of guides at Palmyra and Petra, and Egyptologist at the Pyramids
AQABA TO NUWEIBA
If the hydrofoil service from Aqaba to Nuweiba is not operating, we will travel by ferry instead. This may necessitate a change to the published itinerary.
Itineraries
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 or visit the town’s imposing citadel. (B)
Day 4,HAMAWe have a short drive to Hama, famous for its old water wheels. In the afternoon there is the 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, including the amphitheatre, the citadel and the old souk (bazaar). (B)
Day 11,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 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 where the rest of the day is free. (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. In the afternoon we drive to Cairo. (B)
Day 17,CAIROMorning guided tour of the Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza. Free afternoon. (B)
Day 18,CAIROTour ends. (B)
Last updated: 30th September 2008
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