Few regions of the world can boast such a rich and complex past. Pharaohs, Assyrians, Nabataeans, Greeks, Romans and Turks have all come and gone, leaving us many layers of history to unearth. In Cairo we visit the Great Pyramids, Sphinx and the Egyptian Museum, and spend a day exploring the medieval city. Further south, we see all the highlights of Luxor and enjoy a relaxing four-night Nile River cruise. We watch the sunrise from the summit of Mount Sinai and then cross over to Jordan, where we explore Wadi Rum and discover ancient Petra. Our exploration of the Roman city of Jerash is a fitting preamble for the basalt city of Bosra, the fabulous desert capital of Palmyra and the Seleucid city of Apamea. In Damascus and Aleppo we visit the major sights and browse the wonderful medieval bazaars. A jewel in the crown of our journey is the formidable fortress of Krak des Chevaliers – considered the greatest Crusader castle ever built.
Itinerary
| Day 1 |
(Sat) Arrive in Cairo and transfer to hotel. |
| Day 2 |
Visit Egyptian Museum, pyramids and Sphinx. Sleeper train to Luxor. |
| Day 3 |
Arrive Luxor. Horse-drawn carriages to Karnak Temple. Board Nile cruise boat. |
| Day 4 |
Visit Valley of the Kings, Temple of Hatshepsut and Colossi of Memnon. |
| Days 5-6 |
Sail to Aswan. Visit Edfu and Komombo temples. |
| Day 7 |
Free day in Aswan. Optional visit to Abu Simbel. Sleeper train to Cairo. |
| Day 8 |
Arrive Cairo. Visit Gayer-Anderson Museum, Ibn Tulun Mosque and Khan al-Khalili bazaar. |
| Days 9-10 |
Drive to the Sinai. Optional ascent of Mount Sinai. Hydrofoil to Aqaba. |
| Days 11-12 |
Jeep safari in Wadi Rum and full day in Petra. |
| Day 13 |
Drive to Amman via Shobak Castle, Dana Village and Madaba. |
| Day 14 |
Visit Jerash and the Dead Sea. |
| Day 15 |
Visit Bosra. Drive to Damascus. |
| Day 16 |
Visit the museum, Omayyad Mosque and bazaars. Drive to Palmyra. Tent dinner. |
| Day 17 |
Visit Palmyra. Drive to Krak des Chevaliers. |
| Day 18 |
Visit Krak, Apamea, Hama, the Dead Cities and Maarat-el-Numan. Arrive Aleppo. |
| Day 19 |
Explore the bazaars and visit St Simeon's Monastery. |
| Day 20 |
Visit Ugarit, Saone and drive to Tartus. |
| Day 21 |
Tartus Museum. Drive back to Damascus. |
| Day 22 |
Trip ends in Damascus this morning (Sat). |