Cairo to Istanbul

Salaam Aleikum! Welcome to Egypt.

Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6pm.

You can arrive at any time as there are no activities planned until this important meeting; please ask the hotel reception where it will take place. If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). If you're going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. We'll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please ensure you have all these details to provide to your leader.

Wonderfully chaotic and always colourful, Cairo is a fascinating mixture of modern city and ancient wonders.

As we will be spending little time touring this fascinating city, if you would like to visit locations such as the pyramids and Sphinx at Giza, or the Egyptian Museum - one of the world's best - we strongly recommend that you join one of our Egypt trips beforehand or arrive in Cairo a few days early to discover the city's treasures independently.

Take a van through the harsh, but classic desert landscape of the Sinai, bound for one of the world's most important pilgrimage sites - Mt Sinai and St Catherine's Monastery (approx 8 hrs). Mt Sinai is where Muslims, Jews and Christians collectively believe that the Ten Commandments were revealed to the prophet Moses. Whatever your beliefs, climbing to the top is sure to move you and the summit provides perfect vistas of a glorious desert sunset.

The climb up Mt Sinai is challenging and will take up to 3 hours depending on the fitness of the group. We hire a local Bedouin guide for the walk and your group leader will also accompany you. As a group we take the less physically demanding walking trail rather than the '3750 Steps of Repentance', as this gives all members of the group the best chance of reaching the summit. Those of the group that wish to tackle the steps will need to sign off the trip temporarily for this section of the climb, and rejoin the group at the summit.

Please note that the Saint Catherine Monastery is closed to visitors on Public holidays and Sundays, and it may not always be possible to visit. Please speak with your leader about viewing the monastery on an alternative day.

Visit the Greek Orthodox monastery of St Catherine, built around the burning bush that spoke to Moses. The monastery was built over 1,400 years ago by the Roman Emperor Justinian to protect the monks and hermits residing in the area. A site of Christian pilgrimage since the 4th century, it's the oldest Christian monastery in continuous existence. The monastery is named for the martyr Saint Catherine, who lived in the 3rd century, and whose relics were found at the summit of Mt Catherine (Jebel Catherine).

We then travel to our Red Sea beach camp, close by to the town of Nuweiba (approx 2 hours).The Red Sea coast is justifiably famous for its beautiful scenery both above and below the water. Why not start the day with a fantastic snorkelling trip to discover this spectacular world? There is also time to make an optional scuba dive on nearby reefs. Later relax on the golden sands watching the mountains of Saudi Arabia light up at sunset, and finish the day chatting with our Bedouin friends over a delicious freshly squeezed fruit juice.

This is a harsh and barren land of sprawling windswept plains and rugged mountains, but it's also home to some fantastic beaches. The tiny settlement of Sawa Camp is reminiscent of its Sinai neighbours, Dahab and Sharm el-Sheik, before mass tourism arrived. Thankfully Sawa Camp is still a hidden gem for Intrepid groups. Set on one of the only stretches of fine golden sand along this coast, this is a place that you'll be raving about to your friends for years to come.

Stay in simple but comfortable beach huts with the water right at our front door. The huts in our camps are made from local palm trees and have a mattress on the floor with sheets and mosquito nets provided. The toilets and showers are in a communal block.

Take a ferry across the Gulf of Aqaba to Jordan (approx 2 hours). Your Egyptian leader will help you board the ferry and say good-bye. Please note that you'll be travelling on this ferry unaccompanied by a group leader. You'll be met at the Aqaba ferry terminal by our local representative who will receive and process visas for the group and arrange a transfer to the hotel where you'll meet your Jordanian leader.The ferry crossing can be rough on occasions and those who suffer from sea sickness may want to prepare themselves. Please note this ferry crossing sometimes experiences delays and patience is required. Due to adverse weather conditions there's a possibility the ferry will be cancelled, forcing us to stay an extra night in Egypt. The ferry itself is modern with western-style toilets on board.

Stay in the coastal resort town of Aqaba, the country's only seaport.

Due to the ferry timings we usually arrive in the late afternoon but there may be time to have a look at Aqaba Castle or Aqaba Museum.

Hotel (1 nt)

Follow in the footsteps of Lawrence of Arabia with a short drive (approx 1 hr) to the extraordinary desert scenery in Wadi Rum. A 4-hour jeep safari takes us through some of the most beautiful and sublime desert scenery on the planet, a true highlight of this trip. Wadi Rum is full of weird and beautiful lunar-like rock formations. Traces of ancient civilisations can be seen in the many carved inscriptions found throughout the Wadi Rum area, from pictographs to Thamudic, Nabataean and Arabic texts. The most enduring monuments in Wadi Rum, however, are those carved by nature - the natural rock bridges, towering rose-coloured sand dunes and scattered rocky peaks.

Sleep in a simple desert camp where you'll have the choice of sleeping under a camel hair tent or out under the stars. A mattress and blankets are provided. Please be aware that while the desert may be very hot during the day, it will still be cool at night and warm clothes and a sleeping bag should be considered when travelling outside of the summer months. A dinner cooked in a local earthen oven is included. Western-style toilet facilities are available. Conditions are basic at our desert camp, but the company of our Bedouin hosts is warm and you'll treasure the memory of sleeping beneath the twinkling desert night sky.

Travel by van from Wadi Rum to Petra (approx 2 hrs). Hewn out of the rose-coloured rock face, the ancient Nabataean city of Petra is one of the Middle East's most spectacular destinations, and one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. Visit Petra with a local guide, starting with the exciting walk through the narrow Siq to the Treasury. After admiring the iconic view, continue through the site along the Roman road, past impressive rock-cut tombs, temples and the amphitheatre.

Explore the rest of the site at your own pace. For those with the energy, there's the challenging but highly rewarding walk up the steps to the stunning Monastery (approx 1 hr). Please note a lot of walking is required to see all the sites and viewpoints of Petra. A basic level of fitness will enhance your enjoyment of your visit.

The site remained unknown to the Western world until 1812, when it was discovered by Johann Ludwig Burckhardt, a Swiss explorer. It was once described as 'a rose-red city half as old as time' in a sonnet by John William Burgon and UNESCO has described it as 'one of the most precious cultural properties of man's cultural heritage.' In 1985, Petra was designated a World Heritage site. So you know you are in for an amazing experience here. It's difficult to determine exactly when the history of Petra began. Evidence suggests the Horites, probably cave-dwellers, inhabited the area, lending their traditional habits such burying the dead and offering worship in half-excavated caves to the next wave of inhabitants - the Nabataeans.

Evidence of the earliest Nabataean settlement is also sketchy. Some of the characteristics of the site appear partly Egyptian and partly Greek in style. Strangely, few inscriptions have been found at Petra making dating the civilization a real challenge for historians. We do know the Nabataean settlement doesn't go back farther than the 6th century BC.In 106 AD, Petra was absorbed into the Roman Empire and the native dynasty came to an end but continued to flourish for a century after. Eventually the building of tombs ended and trade moved away from Petra, which fell into steady decline over the centuries. Over time many of the tombs' treasures were stolen by treasure hunters and their glory and whereabouts are unknown. According to Arab tradition, Petra is the location where Moses struck a rock with his staff and water came forth. Please note that when entering Petra as a group, a complimentary horse ride is included in the ticket price from the entrance point down to the Siq. Intrepid doesn't recommend that passengers take this option due to the safety and insurance liability involved.

Our nights here are spent in the adjoining village of Wadi Musa (the Valley of Moses), located a short walk from the entrance to the Petra site.

Travel by van to Madaba, via the Dead Sea and Mt Nebo.

A Dead Sea float is a must for any trip to Jordan. Here at the lowest point on Earth (420 metres below sea level) the water is seven times saltier than a normal ocean at 30% salinity. The Dead Sea is the second saltiest body of water in the world after Lake Asal in Djibouti. When swimming this means you are extremely buoyant and seem to float on top of the water rather than in it.The mud here is supposed to have healing properties and many visitors like to cover themselves from head to toe for a beauty mud bath. Stop at a private beach with pools and a gentle slope to the water. Towels are available for hire. Don't forget to pack your swimwear for today.

Make a stop at Mt Nebo where the prophet Moses is said to have seen the promised land and is supposedly buried. Explore this sanctuary and view the remarkable mosaics of the 4th-century church. Next we continue the short distance to Madaba. The historical town of Madaba is famous for its Ottoman-style houses and beautiful Byzantine-era mosaics, including the famous 6th-century mosaic map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land at St George's Church. Other mosaic masterpieces found within the Church of the Virgin and the Apostles and in the Archaeological Museum depict a rampant profusion of flowers and plants, birds and fish, animals and exotic beasts, as well as scenes from mythology and everyday pursuits such as hunting, fishing and farming. If these interest you, you'll be delighted to know that literally hundreds of other mosaics from the 5th to 7th centuries are scattered throughout Madaba's churches and homes.

Take an optional day trip to Amman, the country's capital city, just 25 km from Madaba. Alternatively you can travel to the Roman city of Jerash, situated in the north of Jordan, 50 km north of Amman and known for the ruins of the important Greco-Roman city of Gerasa. It is sometimes nicknamed the 'Pompeii of the Middle East', because of its size and degree of preservation. It is possible to combine both Amman and Jerash in a one-day excursion from Madaba.

Amman has served as the modern and ancient capital of Jordan and is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with a 1994 excavation uncovering homes and towers believed to have been built during the Stone Age (circa 7000 BC). Check out sites such as the 6,000-seat Roman theatre built in the 2nd century, or the Citadel, offering panoramic views over the city from the highest hill in town. Within the Citadel is the museum that contains the Dead Sea Scrolls, and also the excavated ruins of an Umayyad palace.

Explore the beautifully preserved ruins of Jerash, one of the largest and best-preserved Roman cities left on the planet. These ruins were re-discovered in 1806 and continue to be one of Jordan's most amazing sites. The ancient walled town that survives today is a remarkable evocation of life 2,000 years ago.Excavation and restoration of Jerash has been ongoing since the 1920s. Recent excavations show that the area was inhabited during the Bronze Age as far back as 3200 BC. Conquered by the Romans and then the Persians, Jerash was destroyed by an earthquake in the 8th century. Monuments of note in Jerash include the Corinthium column, Hadrian's Arch, a circus/hippodrome, two temples (to Zeus and Artemis), the oval Forum surrounded by a colonnade, a long colonnaded street, two theatres, baths, small temples and an almost complete circuit of city walls.

Cross the border into Syria by taxi and arrive at its fascinating capital, Damascus.

The Persians, Greeks and Romans all played their part in the history of Damascus, called ash-Sham by the Arabs, until the Muslims and Mongols took over, only to give way to the Ottomans and finally the French, before Syria finally gained independence in 1946. Take a guided walk through the ancient alleyways and bustling bazaars of the capital's old city, including the beautiful Umayyad Mosque and the Souq al-Hamidiyya.

We have some free time to spend here. If you'd like to explore the old city, you can easily find your way around on foot, even though it's a city of 6 million residents. Discover the story behind the great Arabic hero, Saladin, and visit his mausoleum. You'll find other important Islamic figures buried in places nearby, and hopefully, by the end of your visit, you will better appreciate a different perspective on the Crusades.

Travel by bus from Damascus to Palmyra (approx 4 hrs).

Depending on arrival time there may be an opportunity for you to take an optional trip to view sunset from Arab Castle. The oasis city of Palmyra ranks as one of the world's greatest historic sites. Settled in Neolithic times, the ruined city dates to the 1st century AD, when it flourished as an Assyrian caravan route, then became a Greek trading post before being annexed by the Romans. Home to Queen Zenobia, who set her armies against the Roman Empire in the 3rd century and conquered Anatolia, Syria, Palestine, Lebanon and Egypt, before being captured and taken hostage by Emperor Aurelian, Palmyra means 'the city of palm trees' and is still known locally by its pre-Semitic name, Tadmor.

Explore the splendour of these remote and extensive ruins. The Temple of Bel is the main orientation point inside the ruins, although there is a rather poorly marked museum nearby if you want to 'do it all'.

We will also spend the morning of Day 13 exploring Palmyra.

Travel by van from Palmyra to what is considered by many to be the greatest fortress in the world - Krak des Chevaliers. Little has changed in the 800 years since the Crusader knights built Krak des Chevaliers. Reaching the dizzying height of 700 metres above sea level, it commands a view over the valley between Homs and Tripoli. A perfect model of medieval fortification, this castle was never besieged successfully and seemed impenetrable to attack. Held by the Knights Hospitaller, it only fell to the Mamluks in the 13th century when Sultan Baibars tricked the knights into surrendering the castle. Krak des Chevaliers is one of the world's most impressive Crusader castles and we explore it with the help of a local guide.

Please note: the guided tour will take place on the morning of Day 14.

This morning we have a guided visit of Krak des Chevaliers before transferring to Homs on our way to Syria's second-largest city, Aleppo. Architecturally diverse Aleppo, is called Halab (meaning 'milk') by the locals, originating from the ancient story that Abraham gave out milk to travellers as they journeyed through the region. The fabulous and vibrant covered souq is Aleppo's main attraction. Parts of the Souq date back to the 13th Century and little seems to have changed, it is still very much the centre of local commerce, yet to be displaced by tourists. Check out the Al-Jamaa al-Kebir, the younger sibling of the great Umayyad Mosque in Damascus or wander through the Christian quarter, admiring the 15th-century houses and equally old churches.

Cross the border into Turkey by van and travel on to Sanliurfa (approx 4hrs).

Legends abound in Urfa, the Prophets' City. Abraham of Bible fame was born in a cave here, and pilgrims flock to Dergah to visit both the cave and the Throne of Nimrod fortress, where Nimrod threw Abraham into the fire. Here you will also find a scared pool filled with well-fed carp. Keep an eye out for a white one, as legend states you will go to heaven if you see it. You might also like to explore the Urfa Museum, or the wondrous medieval bazaar where villagers make their way to daily to sell their local produce. In your free time wander the meandering alleyways to discover some of the fine old Urfa houses. An interesting blend of Turkish, Kurdish and Arabic influences intertwine here to make your visit a magical one.

Have a wonderful Intrepid opportunity to enjoy fantastic local food and sleep on traditional Urfa mattresses beds made of soft wool. If it is hot you may choose to sleep outside on the roof under the stars, as many people in the area do in the summer months.Our hosts prepare our feast themselves and it's sure to be spiced with the legendary local red pepper isot.Important note: Both men and women are required to dress very conservatively during their stay here due to the traditional values of our hosts. Females are required to wear a long ankle-length skirt and men must wear long ankle-length trousers. Alcohol will not be available for purchase or consumption.

Homestay (1 nt)

Today we head into the remote and ancient lands of King Antiochus.

High on a man-made mountain, the colossal stone heads of Nemrut Dagi look out across the world and at dawn are a sight never to be forgotten. They adorn the tomb of King Antiochus, a warlord and king with amazing visions of grandeur, and what some may call megalomania! Explore this incredible site and enjoy either sunrise (season permitting) or sunset as you gaze out over the arid Anti Totos mountain ranges. Please note: during the winter months of March, April and October/November due to inclement weather and frozen roads it may notbe possible to travel to Mt Nemrut and on these departures we will spend 3 nights in Goreme instead

Take a van from Nemrut to Goreme.

In the heart of Cappadocia, the town of Goreme lies in a fantastic region of cones, needles and columns, fashioned by nature from the soft volcanic tuff rock. It's honeycombed with caves scooped out to make churches and dwellings that are known as fairy chimneys and castles. In times of peace, the people in this region lived on the land but in times of war or persecution they took to living underground.

From our base in the charming village of Goreme we explore these fascinating underground cities, fairytale landscapes and fresco-filled rock-carved churches. We head deep underground into one of the cities that was used during times of invasion and hike through surreal landscapes. Marvel at the wonders of the Open Air Museum just up from the main town or there are lots of sights to see just within Goreme. 

The nearby Goreme Valley National Park offers plenty of opportunities to stretch those legs. On our last day in Goreme we transfer by bus to Ankara for our overnight train to Istanbul. The overnight train to Istanbul takes approx. 9.5 hours. For your comfort we travel on the overnight sleeper train, in air-conditioned, 4-berth cabins. The beds fold away and become comfortable seats.The cabins are compact so please consider bringing a soft bag that is easily stored under the beds or in a small overhead storage space. All bedding is provided on board by the porter and is freshly laundered. Both western- and oriental-style toilets are located at either end of the train corridor. In rare circumstances you may be paired with a group member of the opposite sex in your cabin dependant on the group configuration. On other occasions you might have the opportunity to share with a local person of the same sex, again determinant on the group configuration. This is a real opportunity to get to know a local person on a one to one basis and is often a highlight. A freshly cooked dinner or prepared breakfast as well as alcoholic and soft beverages and snacks are available on the train in the restaurant wagon. There are vegetarian options available.

We arrive back into Istanbul station in the morning at approx 9am (subject to train delays). We then take a ferry across to the European shore marvelling at Istanbul's breathtaking skyline of domes, minarets, turrets and city walls - so keep your camera close by.For your comfort and convenience day rooms are provided on this day until 12 noon, for luggage storage and an opportunity to have a shower and freshen up. Once settled consider joining the rest of the group in a farewell breakfast. Otherwise there are no activities planned on this day, and you are free to depart any time after our arrival. We recommend not booking flights any earlier than 3:00pm to allow for any train arrival delays, time to transfer to the airport, and check in time required at the airport.If you plan on staying in Istanbul after the trip consider our Istanbul City Break program (trip code: ERAZ) which offers great value, combining accommodation, airport transfer, some great Intrepid activities and entry tickets into some of Istanbul's major sights. There is nothing like being able to jump the queues when your time is limited.

Istanbul is the only city in the world to straddle two continents, so it will come as no surprise that this vast metropolis is home to a beguiling mix of different cultures and traditions, blending the influences of both east and west. Originally founded by Greek settlers over 2000 years ago, Istanbul originally went by the name of Byzantium, then Constantinople when the Romans made it the capital of their eastern empire. Today, intriguing Istanbul is a bustling mega-city with a population of over 12 million people and a rich history waiting to be explored.

As there is a great deal to do in Istanbul we recommend allowing a few extra days to make the most of this exciting city. If you need help booking extra accommodation, our reservations team will be able to assist.