Middle East Adventure

All content by Intrepid

28 days (ex Cairo)

Destinations visited: Jordan, Syria, Turkey, Istanbul, Egypt, Cairo, World

Physical rating:
Culture shock rating:

Physical Ratings

The physical rating gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the trip. While generalisations are always tricky, a summary of our ratings follows:

Rating 1

These trips are a relaxing break. You don't have to worry about doing anything physically demanding unless you want to.

Rating 2

Some easy physical activities included in your trip. No physical preparation is required to make the most of the journey.

Rating 3

This trip will raise your heartbeat. Moderate physical activities are included and a good level of fitness is required.

Rating 4

Be prepared for some serious physical activity. The majority of activities included on this trip will be challenging. The fitter you are, the more you will enjoy your holiday.

Rating 5

Intrepid’s highest physical rating. Get ready for a heart-pumping adventure with plenty of challenges and some extreme conditions. You will be required to be seriously fit for this trip as difficult activities are included.

Culture Shock Ratings

The culture shock rating considers the level of development in the location, the area's infrastructure and how easy it is to access services. It also takes into consideration how different the food and customs are and whether English is widely spoken. While generalisations are always tricky, here’s a summary of the ratings:

Rating 1

This is the least confronting of Intrepid's product range. English is the native language and the food, customs and access to services will be familiar to you.

Rating 2

You will probably have experienced food like this in restaurants back home and English is commonly spoken. Services are available most of the time but there may be some cultural differences.

Rating 3

Expect some culture shock. You will be exposed to signs of poverty and access to services may be sporadic. The food will be quite different to home and English speakers harder to find. Respecting the local culture will make it easier to fit in and really experience the location.

Rating 4

The comforts of home are more of a rarity. English is not common and the food will be quite different to what you are used to. It is important to observe some of the local customs to not cause offence. Many of the locals' standard of living may be confronting.

Rating 5

You're really out there! You'll need to pay specific attention to health and hygiene. A large proportion of locals' living conditions are a world away from standards you are used to. You may have difficulty finding an English speaker and there is little or no access to services. Paying heed to local customs is essential.

from USD$3,605

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Description

Holidays in the Middle East are eye-opening adventures into another world. From Cairo to Istanbul, travel through lands bearing legacies of Egyptian, Islamic, Christian, Persian and Roman civilisations. Visiting Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Turkey, you can cruise the Nile on a felucca, discover impressive temples, delve into underground cities, snorkel incredible underwater worlds and be humbled by the locals' generous hospitality. Discover it all on this epic adventure through the intriguing Middle East.

Highlights

Discover Cappadocia's surreal landscapes.
Experience the ancient city of Damascus.
Marvel at the lost city of Petra.
Uncover hidden gems in the backstreets of Istanbul.
Snorkel or dive in the Red Sea.
Cruise the Nile on a felucca.
Visit Cairo and see the Pyramids of Giza.
Climb Mt Sinai.
Explore Luxor's Valley of the Kings.

Itinerary

Days 1-2 Cairo

Welcome to a city like no other. Be immersed in Cairo's chaos, colour and culture with a trip to Khan al-Khalili, Egypt's most famous bazaar. For a change of pace, climb aboard a camel and visit the impressive Sphinx and Pyramids of Giza for those iconic vistas. Take time to visit the fascinating Egyptian Museum, home to more than 120,000 antiquities and relics including the famous burial treasures recovered from King Tutankhamun's tomb. In the evening, take an overnight sleeper train bound south.

Days 3-5 Aswan/Nile Felucca

Join a local Nubian family for dinner to experience a slice of Nile culture firsthand. There is also time for an optional day trip to the fascinating temples of Abu Simbel. Later, set sail down the Nile on a magical overnight felucca journey, sleeping on deck under the starry sky.

Days 6-7 Luxor

Known as Thebes to the ancient Egyptians, Luxor conceals amazing treasures. Pay a visit to an Intrepid-supported animal care project and wander the amazing Temples of Karnak. Enjoy a donkey ride before heading to the Valley of the Kings to visit three of the best-preserved pharaonic tombs. Afterwards, join a local family for a traditional home-cooked lunch and enjoy free time before boarding an overnight sleeper train back to Cairo.

Day 8 Cairo

Welcome to Egypt. Why not arrive early to discover the ancient wonders of Cairo? The Egyptian Museum holds a glittering array of treasures and the Sphinx and Pyramids of Giza inspire wonder and awe.

Day 2 Mt Sinai

Climb Mt Sinai for panoramic desert views. Visit the monastery of St Katherine, built at the site of the burning bush.

Day 10 Red Sea Beach Camp

Stay in beach huts and use free time to laze on the beach, snorkel the Red Sea's underwater world and tuck into tasty seafood. With warm sunsets, spectacular reefs and golden sand, this area of immense natural beauty is the perfect spot to sit back and relax.

Day 11 Aqaba

Step on to a ferry and cross into Jordan to spend the night in Aqaba, Jordan's only seaport.

Day 12 Wadi Rum

Bunker down in a desert camp in Wadi Rum with Bedouin tribespeople. A safari reveals the sublime beauty of the desert; sand dunes are interrupted by lunar-like rocky peaks, some of which bear carved inscriptions from ancient civilisations.

Days 13-14 Petra

Explore the long-lost city of Petra, carved out of a cliff face. A local guide helps to reveal the history of this ancient wonder.

Days 15-16 Madaba

Head to the coast for a soak in the Dead Sea. The salinity of the Dead Sea makes for effortless floating and the mud is known for its healing properties. Make a stop at Mt Nebo before reaching Madaba.

Days 17-18 Damascus

Cross the border into Syria and roam the alleyways of the ancient city of Damascus.

Day 19 Palmyra

Explore the ruins of Palmyra, the former Silk Road city that rises hauntingly from the desert.

Day 20 Krak des Chevaliers

Visit this imposing fortress which remains one of the world's most impressive castles.

Days 21-22 Aleppo

Revel in the excitement of the souq and perhaps enjoy a rejuvenating scrub in a Syrian hamam.

Day 23 Sanliurfa / Homestay

Cross the border into Turkey and revel in the exotic charms of this pilgrimage town. Enjoy warm hospitality and a spicy homemade meal while staying with a friendly local family.

Day 24 Mt Nemrut

Be entranced by the colossal stone heads of Mt Nemrut.

Days 25-27 Goreme

Be spellbound by the Cappadocia region, famous for its underground cities, whimsical fairy chimneys and stone churches.

Day 28 Istanbul

A fascinating fusion of East and West, Istanbul begs to be explored.

Group Size

Maximum of 12 travellers per group

Accommodation

Hotel (18 nts), Overnight sleeper train (3 nts), Pension (2 nts), Felucca (1 nt), Beach hut (1 nt), Desert camp (1 nt), Homestay (1 nt)

Transport

Van, Camel, Overnight sleeper train, Felucca, Bus, Ferry, Jeep, Taxi

Budget

Allow USD $400 for meals not included.

Check dates and prices
Book this trip with Intrepid Travel on their site

from USD$3,605

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