Istanbul To Cairo

This is another of our ultimate Middle Eastern adventures! Wander the ruins of ancient civilisations, explore exotic desert towns, and bargain at bustling bazaars doused with the smells of local foods and brilliantly-coloured spices. Fall in love with friendly locals, gain an insight into a variety of unique cultures and submerge yourself in this truly amazing region.

Countries Visited:

Turkey Syria Jordan Egypt

Itinerary:

Days: 1 - 2 Istanbul -Gallipoli Istanbul is a fusion of East and West. Narrow alleys are flanked by wooden Ottoman houses while a nearby funky restaurant and bar strip in the downtown area pumps out Turkish pop. You can explore the Blue Mosque, St Sophia Museum and Underground Basilica, and the sprawling Grand Bazaar. In your free time maybe treat yourself to a meal at one of the countless restaurants along the narrow alleys of downtown Taksim, take a Turkish bath, board a local ferry on the Bosphorus to observe the beautifully lit sprawl of Istanbul by night and then finish your evening with the timeless wind-down of smoking a nargileh (Ottoman water pipe). On day 2 we drive to the small town of Eceabat and have a guided tour of Gallipoli, where we visit the memorial to this conflict. This site is one of the more brutal campaigns of WW1 and is of major significance to New Zealanders, Australians, and the British. The reality of war becomes very clear when you visit the memorial museum and walk through the area and trenches that tell a gruesome story. We then cross over by ferry to Canakkale where we stay overnight. Days: 3 - 4 Troy & Selcuk -Ephesus Today we will have a guided tour of the archaeological site of Troy on our way to Selcuk. Troy is a famous ancient city and it contains the remains of many civilisations layered on top of each other. In Homer's Iliad Troy was a legendary city and the centre of the Trojan War. Here you will also see a huge monument of the famous horse; however this is only around 20-30 years old. We then travel to the pretty town of Selcuk which has a rich history and beautiful setting. Selcuk is set in the shadow of an impressive Ottoman town and we spend the night here. Day 4 is a full free day to visit the amazing ruins at Ephesus, or the option of a guided tour. Ephesus is by far the most preserved and intact ancient Roman city of the Eastern Mediterranean. The library is of significant importance as it was built for Alexandria. Days: 5 - 7 Pamukkale - Dalyan -Olympos In the morning of day 5 we drive to Pamukkale where there is time to visit the famous calcified falls and the ancient city of Hierapolis. This is by far one of the highlights for people visiting Turkey. These calcified formations or ‘cotton castles' spew down the mountainside impressively. Why not stay for sunset or get up early for sunrise to see them in their element? On day 6 we travel to Dalyan, a town known for its hot springs and the nearby conservation area for loggerhead turtles. Dalyan is a great place to relax and take in the natural surrounds with options to visit the hot springs or take a mud bath. If you feel like exploring, there is the option to hire a boat and go down the Dalyan River to discover the local area or visit the tombs carved into the rock face. On day 7 you may wish to take the early morning option to visit the turtles as they sunbathe and bury their eggs on the beach. Then we journey towards Olympos to admire the ruins of this famous ancient city. Olympos is equally popular for its ruins and its location - it is located inland from a beautiful beach along a stream that runs through a rocky gorge. The ruins are widely scattered among bay trees, grapevines and pines. From here you can also visit the famous Chimaera -a mysterious phenomenon where gas escapes from the earth and spontaneously ignites! Many legends from ancient times were based here, likening the flames to the breath of a monster. The optional excursion to visit the Chimaera at Olympos involves a 45 minute drive and 20 minute walk. Days: 8 - 10 Antalya -Cappadocia After a free morning in Olympos on day 8 we drive to Antalya before boarding the overnight bus to Goreme. We now have two free days to explore the spectacular region of Cappadocia. Most travellers leave Turkey claiming Cappadocia was their favourite place by a long shot. In the afternoon the tour leader will give an on foot guided tour to discover the strange rock formations and ‘fairy top' chimneys resembling a scene from Star Wars. Entrance is free and it's a great way of discovering the area without tripping over tourists. This area once acted as underground cities. You can explore the area by foot, mountain bike or go horse riding. If you are feeling more adventurous, you can even explore by hot air balloon (Cappadocia is said to be one of the best places in the world to hire a hot air balloon). When you have exhausted the rock formations and worn your memory card thin, you can visit the open air museums of Zelve and Goreme as well as the underground cities of Kaymakli or Derinkuyu. You can also take advantage of numerous walking and hiking opportunities throughout the area and explore at your leisure. Departing in the evening of day 10 we take the overnight bus to Kahta. Days: 11 - 14 Kahta - Mt Nemrut - Gaziantep -Aleppo On day 11 we drive across the stunning Eastern Taurus Mountains to Kahta, we will check in and relax before heading off to scale Mt Nemrut. This is one of the most famous attractions in east Turkey. Atop the summit sit a collection of mysterious stone statues of lions, eagles and Gods. They are positioned amongst a dramatic landscape of open air temples which were once home to the Commagene Kingdom. The statues' heads alone are taller than the average person! Transport included though the guide is optional. After our visit to Mt Nemrut on day 12 we make our way to Gaziantep, a modern, sprawling city with a busy bazaar and many old stone houses. Here you have the option to visit the Gaziantep Museum, which holds the remains of many Roman mosaics. On day 13 we depart Gaziantep and continue on to the Syrian border and transfer to the traditional Arab city of Aleppo. The people of Aleppo claim their city is the oldest inhabited city in the world. You can make your own mind up whilst wandering through the maze of covered bazaars, mosques, and temples. You will need to brush up on your bargaining skills due to the amount of local goodies to purchase! We have a free day in Aleppo to take in the exotic atmosphere. Why not take a full day to loose yourself in the markets, souqs or Citadel of Aleppo. You can find more optional excursions to do in Aleppo in our Optional Excursions Guide. Days: 15 - 17 Hama -Palmyra The town of Hama is our next stop. On our way we will stop in Ebla, to visit some famous archaeological sites. Here you will see Maaret En Numaan, a site that became especially famous for the savage activities of the Crusaders, as well as Sergilla, one of the most interesting of the Dead Cities. Hama is known for its ‘norias' (water wheels) which are said to date back as far as 1100 BC. The town is also an important agricultural and industrial centre, and is considered by many to be the most picturesque city in Syria. You can take time out here to relax in the attractive gardens along the river banks. On day 16 we take a drive through the desert, keeping our eyes out for mirages, to the stunning oasis town of Palmyra. On our way we visit the imposing Crac des Chevaliers crusader castle and learn about its 800 year-old history. This castle is one of the most important preserved medieval military architectures in the world, still retaining its original structure. In Palmyra ‘City of Palms' you can wander the streets, admire the temples, meet the friendly locals and indulge in the delicious local food. This was once a vital caravan city for travellers crossing the Syrian Desert. Palmyra prospered from 2nd Century BC and was a well-established kingdom. You can see the remains of this today. There are many temples remaining in the architecture of the Palmyra ruins, which cover an area of 6 square kilometres. On a tour you can see the Baal-Shamin Temple, Bel Temple, Arch of Triumph, the Amphitheater, the Baths, the Straight Street, the Congress Council and the Cemeteries. You may also wish to take in a beautiful sunset at the hilltop fortress of Zenobia. Days: 18 - 19 Damascus In the morning of day 18 we drive to Damascus, the capital of Syria and one of the oldest cities in the world. Damascus first appearance in history around 15th Century BC as a city conquered by the Pharaoh Thutmosis III. According to the Old Testament, it was once the capital of the Aramean Kingdom in the 11th Century BC. In the 10th Century BC, it started being attacked and it was in battle with several other kingdoms including the Assyrians. Some years after the fall of the Assyrian capital, Nineveh, Damascus was destroyed by Babylon. Enjoy free time during our stay here to explore historical monuments, exotic bazaars and souqs. Try the traditional shisha pipes with a thick local coffee or simply shop ‘til you drop. You can visit the Damascus Museum which contains a world-class archaeological and historical collection of artifacts. You may also wish to do a walking tour of the Biblical sites of Damascus (optional) including the Christian Quarter, the Chapel of Ananias, St Paul's Chapel and window, St. Thomas' Gate and Beit Nassan Courtyard. Days: 20 - 23 Amman - Petra -Wadi Rum We now enter Jordan and travel to Amman, the country's modern yet conservative capital. Situated on a hilly area between the desert and the Jordan Valley, the city blends modern culture with an ancient past. There are ultra-modern buildings, hotels, smart restaurants, art galleries and boutiques to explore in the commercial hub of the city. You can also visit traditional coffee shops and artisans' workshops. Visit the amphitheatre and the restored Roman Theatre, or walk up to the citadel and admire the fantastic view of the city and surrounding landscapes. From Amman you can also visit the Dead Sea. Other optional trips you can take include the Citadel and the Roman Ruins of Jerash. Take a Turkish bath if you wish, and visit the old souq to test your bargaining skills once more! We begin day 22 with an early morning transfer to Wadi Musa, beside the infamous city of Petra. We check in and go to discover the site of Petra with a guide. This magnificent city is made up of stone structures carved into the sheer rock face by the Nabataeans, an ancient Arab civilisation. The Nabataeans settled in Petra over 2,000 years ago and turned it into an important trade route linking China, India and southern Arabia with Egypt, Syria, Greece and Rome. Located deep inside a narrow desert gorge, it is the most mystical and historical of all Jordan's treasures. You will be able to see the remains of what was once a prosperous, thriving community. The beautiful colours of the city lost in the desert have to be seen to be believed! On day 23 we have the morning free to re-visit and explore the site of Petra. Later in the afternoon we travel to the spectacular desert area of Wadi Rum where we will spend the night in a Bedouin-style camp. We spend 3 hours exploring the desert by 4 wheel drive and ending our day watching the sunset. Wadi Rum is one of the desert wonders of the world, where endless layers of golden and red sands are enclosed in towering carved rock mountains. We stay with a local Bedouin family, eating local food cooked over a fire under a full sky of stars. Days: 24 - 26 Aqaba - Nuweiba - Dahab -St Catherine On day 24 after our Bedouin-style camp, we travel to the picturesque Red Sea port of Aqaba. Aqaba is a pleasant resort town and the gateway to the Red Sea. Here you will also find bustling markets and medieval archaeological sites. On day 25 we board the fast ferry to Nuweiba and then transfer to Dahab on the Red Sea coast. Dahab is a beautiful town famous for its diving and snorkelling. Meaning ‘gold' in Arabic, Dahab has amazing beaches and an almost unrivalled variety of coral gardens and coloured reefs. Here you may find yourself hanging out in a beach café; with a shisha pipe, eating sea food while watching the moonlight reflect on the crystal water, riding a camel in the desert, having tea with a Bedouin family or simply watching the local children wander beneath the palm trees selling handmade Bedouin crafts. Day 26 is a free day in Dahab we transfer to St Catherine late in the evening. Named after the monastery at the foot of Mt Sinai, St Catherine is surrounded by spiky granite mountains, and between two of the highest and most religious mountains in the Sinai, Mt Sinai and Mt St Catherine. Take a walk around the village and you'll be sure to come across Bedouins, camels, trekkers and pilgrims united by the spirit of adventure found so close to Mt Sinai. We leave Dahab in the late evening and transfer to Mt Sinai -no hotel is required for this evening. Days: 27 - 29 Mt Sinai -Cairo Today we have a very early start to climb Mt Sinai in time for sunrise. Mt Sinai is believed to be where Moses received the Ten Commandments from God. Following in Moses' footsteps we have the opportunity to ascend to the summit in time for sunrise. This means a very early start (between 1-3am depending on the time of year) and involves a fairly strenuous uphill walk along a camel path and finally up 750 stone steps accompanied by your tour leader. The climb takes about three hours although it is possible to take a camel up as far as the steps or hire one halfway up if necessary! There are teahouses dotted along the way and one at the top so not only can you follow the glow of their lights but you can stop for a hot drink and a breather. The view from the top as day breaks is worth every step. There are two routes down the mountain. From the top you must follow the 750 stone steps back down and then can either return along the camel path or follow a winding route down the 'steps of repentance'. Neither route is difficult (particularly as you will no longer need your torch!) however the 3000 or so steps of repentance do have some steep sections and can take around two hours to descend. This afternoon we drive to Cairo via the Suez Canal. On day 28 we arrive in Cairo where you are thrown headfirst into the hustle and bustle of this wonderful city. As you wander the streets your senses will be assaulted on all levels - with cars tooting, donkeys braying and the call to prayer; the mix of smells like the aroma from cooking pots and the scent of apple tobacco; the delicious taste of mint tea as you sit in a shaded café; to relax; and the endless river of life that you can watch roll past you - women haggling in the bazaars, men talking whilst enjoying a traditional shisha pipe, cars vying for space on the crowded roads, camels ambling serenely along and children playing in the back streets. You have an included visit to the amazing Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza guided by an Egyptologist. The Pyramids really do have to be seen to be believed! To get there we weave our way through the manic Cairo traffic, out into the suburbs and then, suddenly, there they are: huge majestic tombs rising out the desert, towering above the modern city of Cairo and an incredible testament to the immense achievements of the Ancient Egyptians. Built over five thousand years ago the Pyramids are the only one of the seven wonders of the ancient world that is still standing. We explore the Pyramids and the Sphinx with our local leader who can explain all the mysteries surrounding their creation, were they built by aliens or are they aligned to the stars? Our tour will end after breakfast on day 29. If you don't want to go home yet then continue the fun and join one of our tours in Europe? See our brochure or website for a full list of trips.

Group Size:

N/A

Type of Accommodation:

Hotels

Comments:

Inclusions: Accommodation: 24 simple hotels, 1 night desert overnight, 2 overnight buses, 1 night trekking Meals: 19 breakfasts, 1 dinner plus one Bedouin dinner included Excursions: Pyramids and Sphinx including transport, entrance and Egyptologist. Crac des Chevaliers including transport and entry. Petra one day entry pass. Gallipoli including transport, guide and entry. Troy including transport, guide and entry. Mt Nemrut including transport. Transport: a combination of private and public buses, ferry, plus extensive walking Group: average 08-12, max 18 Age: 18-60 recommended Staff: Tucan Travel Tour Leader throughout the duration of your tour Exclusions: Local Payment International Flights and Departure Tax Tipping kitty: allow approx up to US$15 per person per week (see below for details). Please note the Tour Leader is not included and all tips are gratefully received if you are happy with the service. Pre and post tour accommodation Visas, travel insurance (compulsory), personal items, other tips, sleeping bag. Airport transfers Spending money - allow at least US$25-30 per day to cover meals, snacks, drinks, limited souvenirs, laundry, entrance fees and any extras (see the relevant Country Dossier for advice on how to carry your funds). Please note that this does not cover Optional Excursions. Optional Excursions -Please see our Optional Excursions Guide (available from http://www.tucantravel.com/) for a comprehensive list of optional activities and excursions available on this tour. Important note: the itinerary listed above is to be used as a guide only. Occasionally we may need to update this document and it may be different to the information printed in our current brochure. Tour Leaders may need to make adjustments due to unforeseen circumstances during the tour. It is very important that you visit our website and review a copy of this dossier as close as possible to your departure date in case of changes that may affect your plans. Any last minute changes may also be posted in the Latest News section of our website. Pre and Post Tour Accommodation Very little time is spent in the starting and finishing cities and you will need to allow a few days at the beginning or end of your tour if you want to explore them further. For details of pre and post tour accommodation bookings please refer to our website or our reservations team. About Adventure Tours Adventure Tours travel by public transport wherever possible and so have a high degree of interaction with the local people. This hands-on style means that you will need to travel light (see below for details). Adventure Tours will bring you into contact with cultures and experiences that contrast dramatically with those at home and therefore a sense of humour and patience is essential! Don't forget that Tucan Travel also offers four other tour styles: Discovery Tours (Central & South America) where we travel by private and comfortable, custom-built vehicle staying in hotels; Overland Expeditions (in South America only), which usually have a high percentage of camping, travel by overland truck and suit travellers who love the great outdoors; Budget Expeditions (great value tours for 18 to 35s) are flexible tours offering travellers optimum control over their budgets, travelling in our custom-built expedition vehicles, plus coaches and local transport, staying in pleasant hotels, hostels and campsites; Independent Travel offers personalised itineraries, stopovers and language schools with your choice of accommodation and flexible travel days. Local Payment The cost of all Tucan Travel tours includes a compulsory Local Payment which is in addition to the Tour Price paid to your booking agent. The Local Payment MUST be paid to your Tour Leader in full $USD cash at the pre-departure meeting on the first day of your tour. The Local Payment is administered by Tour Leaders and no refunds can be made for any unused services or if you decide to leave the tour early. Tipping Kitty In our Middle Eastern destinations we operate a compulsory tipping kitty system to save you money and embarrassment in countries where tipping is a way of life and where requests for tips can be infuriatingly persistent. Each member of the group contributes to the kitty (approx US$15 per person per week) and this is then used to pay tips to any people who provide services to the group as a whole e.g. guides, porters, drivers, housekeeping staff in hotels etc. The tour leader administers these tips. Please note the Tour Leader is not included in the tipping kitty -all tips are appreciated if you are happy with the service. Pre Departure Meeting The address of your joining hotel can be found on your joining letter and tour voucher. On arrival you should look for a Tucan Travel information sheet on the hotel notice board where you will find details of the pre-departure meeting. The Tour Leader will normally hold the pre-departure meeting on the afternoon of Day 1 (assuming that all clients have arrived by then). Your Tour Leader will give a briefing about the tour, outline the plan for the next few days, answer any questions and collect your Local Payment and tipping kitty in full in US$ cash. Then there may be an option for everyone to go out for dinner and drinks to start to get to know one another. Please note that you will need to bring the following important items to the pre departure meeting: 1. Passport (including any necessary visas) - original document and a photocopy. 2. Vaccination certificates (e.g. Yellow Fever, if required) 3. Travel voucher 4. Travel insurance policy 5. Local Payment . Tour Personnel Adventure Tours use a variety of different styles of leadership in order to maximize your enjoyment and experiences. On this tour you will have a combination of Tucan Travel Tour Leader and local guides. The Tucan Travel Tour Leader accompanies your tour and local guides will lead your included and optional excursions. Degree of Difficulty/Fitness Adventure Tours suit people who are fit and active. Although no experience is required there are many walks between bus/train terminals and hotels and travellers must be able to carry their own luggage over various terrains as well as lift up luggage onto the tops of buses! Climbing Mt Sinai As we depart early morning for our ascent up Mt Sinai for sun rise (roughly 2-3am depending on time of year), we will be climbing in the dark so a torch is essential as the ground can be quite rough in places. Also good strong footwear with ankle support and grip is recommended as the ground can be unstable, and is easy to lose balance. As we will be climbing uphill, it is likely that we will be sweating on the way up, and you will be very hot, however, upon reaching the summit, generally it is very cold with a cold wind so warm clothes are needed. A jumper, hat, gloves, thick socks, or a sleeping bag are useful items, although there tends to be local Bedouin's renting blankets at the top. For those not wishing to climb, there is also the possibility of renting a camel which will take you most of the way, so you can take in the beautiful view of the stars on the way up. Drinks may be purchased along route by the stalls however they tend to be priced higher that usual and become more expensive the higher you get, so is recommended to buy some prior to travelling. The climb will take approximately 2-3.5 hours depending on your level of fitness and the group will be accompanied by a local Bedouin guide as apposed to the Tour Leader, who is familiar with the route and knows the area. Pre-departure Information Once you have booked your tour, your travel agent will provide you with our Middle East & North Africa Pre Departure Information Booklet to help you prepare for your trip (if you do not receive this, please ask your agent for a copy or you can download it from our website). It is very important that you read this document before you travel for valuable info on the Local Fund, travel documents, insurance & health; money & budgeting; packing; joining your tour & life on the road; accommodation, transportation, crew & food details. Country Dossiers This Tour Dossier is designed to be read in conjunction with the relevant Country Dossiers which you can download from our website or obtain from your booking agent. The Country Dossiers contain essential information about visas, arrival transfers, spending money and costs, taxes and tips, climate, local food etc. What you need to bring The Pre Departure Information Booklet includes an extensive luggage checklist. However you will need to make sure you bring a sleeping bag (or sleeping sheet in summer), a towel and torch. Please note: You must be prepared to carry your own bags at all times. We therefore strongly urge you to limit your luggage to a maximum of 10-14 kgs. Please see the relevant Country Dossier and Pre Departure Information booklet for further information about luggage requirements and what to pack. Transfers We do not offer airport transfers. Please see the relevant Joining Letter and map for detailed guidelines about how to get a taxi. Accommodation All hotels and hostels are chosen for their central locality, security, friendliness, cleanliness and authentic ambiance. Although sometimes simple, you will find clean comfortable rooms with en-suite facilities (occasionally bathrooms may be shared but this is rare), and often a bar and restaurant are attached or close by. All rooms will be allocated on a share basis, usually in twins or triples (depending on the male / female ratios). Transport On Adventure Tours our goal is to offer you as much variety as possible while meeting the local people. On this tour we will be using local public buses, mini buses, taxis, 4 wheel drives and extensive walking. There will also be some walking with your luggage between bus terminals and hotels. This tour also features optional excursions that may use other forms of transport, for example boats, horses and mountain bikes. Meals Most breakfasts are included. Breakfasts can be basic so if you tend to get hungry why not buy some fruit or snacks to eat during the day. All other meals, extra snacks and drinks on the tour are at your own expense. Please see the relevant Country Dossier for more information about the local food. Tour Highlights Check out the Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar and take a Turkish bath Guided tour of the memorial to the ANZACs Guided tour of ancient city of Troy Free day to visit the ancient ruins of Ephesus Visit the ancient city of Hierapolis Pamukkale and Dalyan -Soak in the hot springs, visit tombs Visit the loggerhead turtles (optional) and visit the famous city of Olympos Explore the fairy top chimneys of Cappadocia Take a hot air balloon ride over the fairy top chimneys (optional) and visit the open air museums of Zelve and Goreme (optional) Kahta -Climb Mt Nemrut and view the open air temples Gaziantep -Visit the city bazaar, Gaziantep Museum (optional) Aleppo -Wander the bazaars of the worlds ‘oldest inhabited city' Hama - visit the ancient water wheels of Hama Visit to Crac des Chevaliers Palmyra -Admire the temples of this former caravan city and take an optional guided tour of the ruins and nearby Zenobia fortress Try traditional shisha pipes with local coffee in Damascus. See the Biblical sites (optional) Explore the archaeological remnants of an ancient Arab civilisation in Petra Watch the sunset at our Bedouin-style camp in the desert in Wadi Rum Explore the medieval sites of Aqaba Relax on the splendid beaches of Dahab or take a camel ride (optional) Climb Mt Sinai for a spectacular sunrise at the summit Visit the Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza Day to Day Itinerary and Meals Day 1 - Istanbul - Day 2 - Gallipoli - B Day 3 - Troy - Selcuk B Day 4 - Selcuk - Ephesus - B Day 5 - Pamukkale B Day 6 - Pamukkale - Dalyan (optional) B Day 7 - Olympos - Excursion to Chimaera (optional) B Day 8 - Antalya - Cappadocia Day 9 - Cappadocia B Day 10 - Cappadocia B Day 11- Kahta B Day 12 - Mt Nemrut - Gaziantep B Day 13 - Gaziantep - Aleppo B Day 14 - Aleppo Day 15 - Hama Day 16 - Palmyra Day 17 - Palmyra Day 18 - Damascus Day 19 - Damascus B Day 20 - Amman B Day 21 - Amman B Day 22 - Amman and Petra B Day 23 - Petra and Wadi Rum D Day 24 - Aqaba B Day 25 - Aqaba - Nuweiba - Dahab Day 26 - Dahab - St Catherine - B Day 27 - Mt Sinai - Cairo Day 28 - Cairo B Day 29 - Depart Cairo - tour ends after Breakfast B (B - Breakfast, L - Lunch, D - Dinner included)   Please note the day to day itinerary above is given as a GUIDELINE ONLY.   Optional Excursions Choose as many or as few optional excursions as you like! Your tour leader will be able to make recommendations and bookings in advance for most of these extras so you have more flexibility and control over your trip. Visit http://www.tucantravel.com/ and download our Optional Excursions Guide for details. Entrance fees to many of the sites described in the itinerary are not included but may be reduced if you show your student card. Important Information: It is very important that you check the Latest News section of our website before you travel. These pages contain information about any natural disasters, political unrest, Visa and regulations changes (e.g. Inca Trail or Gorilla Trek permits) that may affect your tour. See http://www.tucantravel.com/ for further information. Local Payment of USD $440

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