Oasis Caravan (37 Days) Cairo to Istanbul

Day 1

Cairo - visit the Pyramids and Sphinx and the Egyptian History Museum - Egyptologist Guide and entrance fees included. With almost 20 million people this is a hectic, chaotic city. We include a visit to the Sphinx and Pyramids at Giza, with a local guide (this also includes a camel ride around the Pyramids), and a visit the Egyptian History Museum in the afternoon. Entry fees and Egyptologist guide are included.

Days 2 to 5

Arguably the most attractive city on the Nile, Aswan is imbued with the relaxed attitude of the Nubian people who live here. During the two days we are in Aswan we stay in a two star, locally-owned hotel. You will have the opportunity to visit Abu Simbel, the great stone monuments built by Ramses II, as well as a number of temples and tombs on the West Bank of the Nile, across the river from Aswan, accessible by ferry or felucca. Elephantine Island is also well worth visiting, with small ferries crossing to and fro' all the time. From Aswan we take a traditional Egyptian sailboat or 'felucca' on the Nile River a "must-do" experience during any travel to the Middle East. We spend the next two days aboard watching Egypt glide by and sleeping under the stars. As well as the felucca captain, we also have a cook who will be preparing three meals a day for us while on board. We have the option of stopping off at Kom Ombo and visiting the Temple of Horus at Edfu, before continuing on to Luxor.and tombs on the West Bank of the Nile, across the river from Aswan, accessible by ferry or felucca. Elephantine Island is also well worth visiting, with small ferries crossing to and fro' all the time. From Aswan we take a traditional Egyptian sailboat or 'felucca' on the Nile River a "must-do" experience during any travel to the Middle East. We spend the next two days aboard watching Egypt glide by and sleeping under the stars. As well as the felucca captain, we also have a cook who will be preparing three meals a day for us while on board. We have the option of stopping off at Kom Ombo and visiting the Temple of Horus at Edfu, before continuing on to Luxor.

Days 6 to 8

Luxor is where we re-join our overland truck and we camp here for three nights. We visit the Valley of the Kings with a local guide who will explain the 3000 year old history of the Pharaohs and their mummification and journey through the underworld. There is also the option to go to the Valley of the Queens and the Valley of the Workers, Queen Hatshepsuts Temple, Karnak Temple with its sound and light show, and Luxor Temple. We drive for a day and a half through the desert passing under the Red Sea and the Suez Canal where we may well see the amazing spectacle of huge ships seemingly passing through the desert sands. We will stop off at Mount Sinai and St. Catherine's Monastery which are deep in the desert. It was here, that Moses received the Ten Commandments. It is a great place, if a little cold, to camp the night and watch the sunrise.

Days 9 to 14

Nearby is Dahab, on the Red Sea Coast which is our base for the next couple of days. Here, you can snorkel or scuba dive to some of the best coral reefs in the world, go desert quad biking or just lie on the beach. You can also take a one-day camel safari and trek off-road down the desert coastline This morning we leave Egypt by ferry across the Red Sea to Aqaba in Jordan. From here it is a short drive into the Wadi Rum desert where we camp overnight. The silent nights are unforgettable with their stunning blanket of stars. Wadi Rum has some of the most spectacular desert scenery anywhere in the world and it was here that Lawrence of Arabia and his Arab forces had their secret base. Here you have the option of taking a 4WD jeep safari with Bedouin guides.

Days 15 to 19

Climbing into the mountains we spend the next two nights in a locally-owned hotel at Petra. Situated in a deep ravine with towering sandstone cliffs and hills, the ancient City of Petra is carved out of the rock. The sheer size and architecture of the rock hewn buildings is quite breath-taking. The Nabetaeans who built Petra over 2000 years ago grew to immense wealth by first plundering and then extorting 'safe passage' tolls from the spice and slave caravans that had to pass through their territory. Eventually the Romans took Petra, and some of their influence can also be seen. A visit to the lowest point on Earth! The Dead Sea is over 1000ft below sea level, very hot throughout the year, and is claimed to have many therapeutic qualities. Situated in the northern-most point of the Great Rift Valley of Africa it is formed by the River Jordan which flows into it. Here you can indulge in relaxing mud baths and an unusual swimming - or rather floating - experience in this highly buoyant salt sea. This is another one of the 'must do' activities of any travel to the Middle East. In the late afternoon we have a short drive to Mt Nebo with its stunning views over Israel - it is also the final resting place for Moses.Regarded as the most important Biblical sight in Jordan, this is where Moses, after leading the Israelites for 40 years through the wilderness, first saw the promised land. This is also where Moses died and we visit the Church Of Moses dating back 1700 years. If we have time we also visit the nearby town of Madaba and stop briefly in Amman, the capital of Jordan. Steeped in history - it is mentioned in the Old Testament and the Bible - it is now a modern, cosmopolitan Arab city with an extremely friendly and well-educated population, many of whom speak English. It is less than a days drive to cross the border into Syria and arrive in Damascus.

Days 20 to 21

Damascus - We spend some time in the oldest inhabited city in the world. Syrians are among the most hospitable people you will ever meet. The country has a rich and varied history with the Egyptian, Roman, Babylonian and Persian Empires having all passed through here along with Jesus and his disciples! From here, depending on the political and security situation in Lebanon, there is the option of taking a one day guided tour into Lebanon and Beirut, which includes a guided visit to Baalbek Roman Temple, an 'all you can eat' Lebanese lunch, city tour of Beirut as well as free time in this quickly regenerating city, fast recovering from the civil war of the 80's and 90's.

Days 22 to 25

From Damascus we visit Crac de Chevaliers - an 800-year-old Crusader Castle - perched high on top of a mountain. Then travelling out to the oasis town of Palmyra we really get into the desert proper. Sleeping out in this vast wilderness, untainted by artificial light is an experience not to be missed. Before leaving Syria our final destination is market town of Aleppo where you can get lost in the local souk and discover small cafes and tea houses and go for a relaxing bath in a hamam.

Days 26 to 31

Driving through stunning mountain scenery in the crisp clear days of summer, and ice and snow in winter, we wend our way into Turkey. From here we travel inland and upwards for a day to the visually powerful, windswept landforms of Cappadoccia. Over the centuries houses, churches, fortresses and even underground cities have been carved into this eerily eroded volcanic rock. The Goreme Valley provides us with an astonishing setting in which to spend a few days investigating the region. We will take you to one of the underground cities where you can explore alone or with a guide this ancient and mysterious area! We then head towards the Turkish Coast and spend time at Olympos, we stop of off at Saklikent Gorge where there is the opportunity to go river tubing on our way further down the Mediterranean coast to Olu Deniz. Our accommodation is tree houses and campsites and we spend the next couple of days relaxing on the beach. You can also take boat trips around the coast, tandem para-glide or hire small motor bikes.

Days 32 to 37