Cairo To Istanbul

29 days - from $2795

When you think of 'great journeys' a few come immediately to mind. The Silk Road, the Trans-Siberian and Kathmandu to London have all impressed themselves on the minds of travellers, however there are few that can offer the wealth of history that can be uncovered on the journey from Cairo to Istanbul. This is a region that has seen Pharoahs, Greeks, Romans, Assyrians, Nabataeans, Phoenicians and Turks, to name but a few, and each successive civilisation has left behind an incredible supply of tombs, temples and artefacts.

We start in Egypt, where we explore the ancient pyramids and Sphinx before heading south to Aswan. We visit the awesome temples at Abu Simbel and sail aboard a relaxing felucca to Luxor, a great way to observe everyday life.

Crossing the Sinai we arrive in Jordan, where we discover friendly people, excellent food and the fabulous 'lost city' of Petra, one of finest ancient cities in the world. Up the road from Amman is Damascus, the oldest continually-inhabited city in the world, with its atmospheric old quarter and the stunning Ommayad Mosque. To the east lies the legendary ancient city of Palmyra and to the north the fabulous city of Aleppo, with probably the most interesting bazaar in the Middle East.

We reach southern Turkey and travel north into the remarkable landscapes of Cappadocia where we hike through picturesque valleys, explore several troglodyte villages, visit the massive underground city at Kaymakli and discover amazing churches carved deep into the rock.

The grand finale is Istanbul, perched on the cusp of Europe and Asia Minor, with a rich and complex history, outstanding mosques and minarets that seem to soar into the heavens. It's a fitting end to an incredible journey!

Highlights

• Jordan's capital Amman
• UNESCO World Heritage-listed Petra
• Crusader castle at Shobak
• 2000 year-old ruins of Jerash
• UNESCO World Heritage-listed Cairo
• Wadi Rum's red earth desertscapes
• Fourth most holy Muslim site - Umayyad Mosque
• UNESCO World Heritage-listed ancient city of Aleppo
• UNESCO World Heritage-listed 12th Century Crusader castle of Krak des Chevaliers
• The pink granite columns of UNESCO World Heritage-listed Palmyra
• Souk al-Hamidiyya of UNESCO World Heritage-listed Damascus
• The Valley of the Kings
• The Great Pyramids and Sphinx
• Underground city of Derinkuyu
• Abu Simbel
• The surreal rock formations and valleys of UNESCO World Heritage-listed Cappadocia
• The mystic Sufi order known as the 'Whirling Dervishes'
• Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar - a labyrinth of 4500 stalls
• Cairo Museum
• Edfu and Komombo temples
• Sunrise on Mt Sinai
• Nubean Aswan
• Nile cruise
• Luxor's open air museum
• Istanbul's Aya Sofya - built by Roman Emperor Justinian

Itinerary:

Day 1: Cairo2: Cairo - overnight train3: Aswan4: Abu Simbel - Nubian village - Aswan5-6: Felucca Cruise7: Edfu - Luxor8: Luxor - Cairo9-10: Cairo-Mt. Sinai11: Mt Sinai-Aqaba12: Aqaba-Wadi Rum-Petra13: Petra14: Petra-The Kings Highway-Amman15: Jerash16: Amman-Damascus17: Damascus18: Damascus-Palmyra19: Palmyra-Krak Des Chevaliers20-21: Aleppo22: Aleppo-Gaziantep23: Gaziantep-Goreme24: Cappadocia25: Cappadocia26: Ankara - overnight train27: Istanbul28: Istanbul29: Istanbul

What's It Like?

Gecko's adventures offer authentic experiences and a genuine alternative to backpacking. Our trips are designed for younger travelers on a budget but do include the entrance fees to the ‘must see’ sights while not wasting your money on unnecessary frills. Itineraries utilize public transport and basic twin share accommodations in small locally owned hotels, the occasional multi-share, or simply floor space in a jungle or village hut. Many trips involve some physical activity, the occasional long traveling day and you will need to carry your own bags. On camping trips, meals are freshly prepared by our camp cook, but expect to put up and take down your tent, and assist with camp chores. On all trips we only use local tour leaders who are passionate about their homeland. This is travel, grassroots style - basic but rewarding.

Included:

• Gecko's expert English-speaking local tour guides/guides in each country.

• Sightseeing (including entrance fees where applicable): Cairo – the pyramids and Sphinx; Komombo; Edfu; Kings Highway; Dana ancient village; Crusader castle at Shobak; Madaba's Greek Orthodox Church of St. George; Roman city of Jerash; Damascus including National Museum and Omayyad Mosque; ancient Palmyra; Krak des Chevaliers Crusader castle; town of Hama; Aleppo; Derinkuyu underground city; and Istanbul.

• 2 night felucca sail from Aswan to Edfu, sleeping onboard and enjoying meals prepared by Gecko’s Nubian crew.

• Excursion to Abu Simbel.

• Donkey ride to explore the Valley of the Kings.

• Full day exploring Petra.

• Jeep safari in the Wadi Rum.

• 2 days hiking in Cappadocia: Akvadi (White) Valley; Uçhisar village; Pigeon Valley; Pasabaglari (Priest) Valley; Çavusin village; and Kizilçukur (Red) Valley.

• Optional ascent of Mt Sinai (included in price).

• Traditional Turkish meal with a local family in a village in Cappadocia.

• Traditional Nubian dinner with the felucca crew's family in a village near Aswan.

• Free time to explore Cairo, Aswan, Luxor, Amman, Damascus, Aleppo, Gaziantep and Istanbul.

• Overnight sleeper trains from Cairo to Aswan and Luxor to Cairo. Accommodation in an air-conditioned carriage with large 45-degree reclining seats.

• Hydrofoil from Egypt (Nuweiba) to Jordan (Aqaba).

• Overnight train from Ankara to Istanbul.

• Local ferry along the Bosphorus in Istanbul.

International flights, arrival & departure transfers, some entrance fees, visas, airport taxes, additional meals, drinks, optional sightseeing tours, insurance, tips and items of a personal nature.

An Egyptian leader accompanies you to Nuweiba, a Jordanian leader meets you in Aqaba, a Syrian is with you from Damascus to the border, and a Turkish leader/s accompany you in Turkey. The bus from Gaziantep to Cappadocia is unescorted.