In the Footsteps of Alexander

from USD 2525 for 31 days

Traverse the Middle East, all the way from Istanbul to Cairo!

Brief Description Show detailed

Day 1 - ISTANBUL

Arrival day.

Day 2 - GALLIPOLI

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

Day 3 - SELCUK

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)

Day 4 - SELCUK – EPHESUS

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

Day 5 - PAMUKKALE

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

Day 6 - PAMUKKALE - FETHIYE – GULET

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)

Day 7 - DALYAN

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

Day 8 - DALYAN

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 with no lunch (15 YTL). (B)

Day 9 - OLYMPOS

Drive to Olympos where there is the chance to visit ancient Olympos and Chimera. Chimera tour (15 YTL) (BD)

Day 10 - ANTALYA – CAPPADOCIA

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

Day 11 - CAPPADOCIA

After we arrive on the overnight bus, we check in to the hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore this spectacular region.

Day 12 - CAPPADOCIA

A full day for further exploration. (B)

Day 13 - KAHTA

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

Day 14 - MT NEMRUT – URFA

Excursion to see to visit Mt Nemrut to see the massive Commagene stone heads (entrance fees 7 YTL). In the afternoon we drive to Urfa. (B)

Day 15 - URFA - ALEPPO

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

Day 16 - ALEPPO

Free day in Aleppo. Explore the exotic atmosphere of the covered bazaars or take a walking tour (1,100 Sr).   (B)

Day 17 - HAMA

We have a short drive to Hama, famous for its old water wheels. Option to visit the imposing Crac des Chevaliers crusader fortress (1,100 Sr). (B)

Day 18 - PALMYRA

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

Day 19 - PALMYRA

Guided tour of these marvellous Roman ruins. (B)

Day 20 - DAMASCUS

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

Day 21 - DAMASCUS

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

Day 22 - DAMASCUS – AMMAN

Transfer to Amman by service taxis. (B)

Day 23 - AMMAN

Morning walking tour of Amman. (B)

Day 24 - AMMAN – PETRA

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

Day 25 - PETRA - WADI RUM

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)

Day 26 - CAMEL TREK - AQABA

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)

Day 27 - AQABA - NUWEIBA – DAHAB

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

Day 28 - DAHAB - ST CATHERINE

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)

Day 29 - ST CATHERINE - CAIRO

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

Day 30 - CAIRO

Morning guided tour of the Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza. Free afternoon. (B)

Day 31 - CAIRO

Tour ends. (B)

Itinerary Notes

ITINERARY NOTES
During the winter we do not stay on the gulet, and also don't visit Mt Nemrut. Please see below for details:

Winter Itinerary

Please note that during the winter we do not stay on the gulet or visit Mt Nemrut. The alternative itinerary features:

Day 6, Pamukkale - Fethiye - Dalyan
Leaving Pamukkale we head to the pretty seaside town of Fethiye where we stop for lunch. In the afternoon we continue on to Dalyan where we'll stay for 2 nights (B)

Day 7, Dalyan
Dalyan lies in a stunning location between the mountains and the sea, and is known for its hot springs and the nearby conservation area for loggerhead turtles. We have a day at leisure to explore the town. (B)

Day 8, Kas
Today we drive to Kas, a small town with a picturesque fishing harbour. (B) Approx. 5 hrs driving

Kas
The ancient Lycian city of Kas is now a quiet seaside village lying on a stunning section of the Turquoise Coast at the foot of the Taurus Mountains. It is a perfect place to stroll and you can explore the narrow alleyways or the small harbour. The town is also dotted with relics from the past and there are a number of impressive rock tombs in the hills above the town as well as a unique seaside amphitheatre. There are some excellent restaurants near the harbour where you can dine outside in the evening warmth, eating delicious locally caught fish.

Day 9, Olympos
Drive to Olympos where there is the chance to visit the ancient Olympos and Chimera. (BD)

The tour then follows the original itinerary above until day 13 which is detailed below.

Day 13, Cappadocia
We have another free day to explore this extraordinary landscape. (B)

Day 14, Iskenderun
Today we drive to Iskenderun, the city close by to Antakya known as Antioch in biblical times. We will have some free time to take in the town's many sights. The Hatay Museum possesses one of the best collections of Roman mosaics anywhere. (B)

Day 15, Antakya - Border - Aleppo
We have a free morning to explore Antakya's rich history. In the afternoon we drive to Syrian Border and cross over to Syria. A short drive will bring us to Aleppo. (B)

The tour then follows the original itinerary above from day 16 onwards.

Note: The Egyptian Government might impose changes to the trains tourists are allowed to travel on. Please see page 189 of the brochure for details.