This is another of our ultimate Middle Eastern adventures! Wander the ruins of ancient civilisations, explore exotic desert towns, and bargain at bustling bazaars doused with the smells of local foods and brilliantly-coloured spices. Fall in love with friendly locals, gain an insight into a variety of unique cultures and submerge yourself in this truly amazing region.

Day 1 to 2 - Istanbul - Gallipoli
Day 1 is simply an arrival day with no pre-organised activities, so you will have free time to relax and see some of the sights. Istanbul is a fusion of East and West. Narrow alleys are flanked by wooden Ottoman houses while a nearby funky restaurant and bar strip in the downtown area pumps out Turkish pop. You can explore the Blue Mosque, St Sophia Museum and Underground Basilica, and the sprawling Grand Bazaar. In your free time maybe treat yourself to a meal at one of the countless restaurants along the narrow alleys of downtown Taksim, take a Turkish bath, board a local ferry on the Bosphorus to observe the beautifully lit sprawl of Istanbul by night and then finish your evening with the timeless wind-down of smoking a nargileh (Ottoman water pipe).

On day 2 we drive to the small town of Eceabat and have a guided tour of Gallipoli, where we visit the memorial to this conflict. This site is one of the more brutal campaigns of WW1 and is of major significance to New Zealanders, Australians, and the British. The reality of war becomes very clear when you visit the memorial museum and walk through the area and trenches that tell a gruesome story. We then cross over by ferry to Canakkale where we stay overnight.

Day 3 to 4 - Troy & Selcuk - Ephesus
Today we will have a guided tour of the archaeological site of Troy on our way to Selcuk. Troy is a famous ancient city and it contains the remains of many civilisations layered on top of each other. In Homer's Iliad Troy was a legendary city and the centre of the Trojan War. Here you will also see a huge monument of the famous horse; however this is only around 20-30 years old. We then travel to the pretty town of Selcuk which has a rich history and beautiful setting. Selcuk is set in the shadow of an impressive Ottoman town and we spend the night here.

Day 4 is a full free day to visit the amazing ruins at Ephesus, or the option of a guided tour. Ephesus is by far the most preserved and intact ancient Roman city of the Eastern Mediterranean. The library is of significant importance as it was built for Alexandria.

Day 5 to 7 - Pamukkale - Dalyan - Olympos
In the morning of day 5 we drive to Pamukkale where there is time to visit the famous calcified falls and the ancient city of Hierapolis. This is by far one of the highlights for people visiting Turkey. These calcified formations or ‘cotton castles' spew down the mountainside impressively. Why not stay for sunset or get up early for sunrise to see them in their element?

On day 6 we travel to Dalyan, a town known for its hot springs and the nearby conservation area for loggerhead turtles. Dalyan is a great place to relax and take in the natural surrounds with options to visit the hot springs or take a mud bath. If you feel like exploring, there is the option to hire a boat and go down the Dalyan River to discover the local area or visit the tombs carved into the rock face.

On day 7 you may wish to take the early morning option to visit the turtles as they sunbathe and bury their eggs on the beach. Then we journey towards Olympos to admire the ruins of this famous ancient city. Olympos is equally popular for its ruins and its location – it is located inland from a beautiful beach along a stream that runs through a rocky gorge. The ruins are widely scattered among bay trees, grapevines and pines. From here you can also visit the famous Chimaera -a mysterious phenomenon where gas escapes from the earth and spontaneously ignites! Many legends from ancient times were based here, likening the flames to the breath of a monster. The optional excursion to visit the Chimaera at Olympos involves a 45 minute drive and 20 minute walk.

Day 8 to 10 - Antalya - Cappadocia
After a free morning in Olympos on day 8 we drive to Antalya before boarding the overnight bus to Goreme.
We now have two free days to explore the spectacular region of Cappadocia. Most travellers leave Turkey claiming Cappadocia was their favourite place by a long shot.
In the afternoon the tour leader will give an on foot guided tour to discover the strange rock formations and ‘fairy top' chimneys resembling a scene from Star Wars. Entrance is free and it's a great way of discovering the area without tripping over tourists.

This area once acted as underground cities. You can explore the area by foot, mountain bike or go horse riding. If you are feeling more adventurous, you can even explore by hot air balloon (Cappadocia is said to be one of the best places in the world to hire a hot air balloon).

When you have exhausted the rock formations and worn your memory card thin, you can visit the open air museums of Zelve and Goreme as well as the underground cities of Kaymakli or Derinkuyu. You can also take advantage of numerous walking and hiking opportunities throughout the area and explore at your leisure. Departing in the evening of day 10 we take the overnight bus to Kahta.

Day 11 to 14 - Kahta - Mt Nemrut - Gaziantep - Aleppo
On day 11 we drive across the stunning Eastern Taurus Mountains to Kahta, we will check in and relax before heading off to scale Mt Nemrut. This is one of the most famous attractions in east Turkey. Atop the summit sit a collection of mysterious stone statues of lions, eagles and Gods. They are positioned amongst a dramatic landscape of open air temples which were once home to the Commagene Kingdom. The statues' heads alone are taller than the average person! Transport included though the guide is optional.

After our visit to Mt Nemrut on day 12 we make our way to Gaziantep, a modern, sprawling city with a busy bazaar and many old stone houses. Here you have the option to visit the Gaziantep Museum, which holds the remains of many Roman mosaics.

On day 13 we depart Gaziantep and continue on to the Syrian border and transfer to the traditional Arab city of Aleppo. The people of Aleppo claim their city is the oldest inhabited city in the world. You can make your own mind up whilst wandering through the maze of covered bazaars, mosques, and temples. You will need to brush up on your bargaining skills due to the amount of local goodies to purchase!

We have a free day in Aleppo to take in the exotic atmosphere. Why not take a full day to loose yourself in the markets, souqs or Citadel of Aleppo. You can find more optional excursions to do in Aleppo in our Optional Excursions Guide.

Day 15 to 17 - Hama - Palmyra
The town of Hama is our next stop. On our way we will stop in Ebla, to visit some famous archaeological sites. Here you will see Maaret En Numaan, a site that became especially famous for the savage activities of the Crusaders, as well as Sergilla, one of the most interesting of the Dead Cities. Hama is known for its ‘norias' (water wheels) which are said to date back as far as 1100 BC. The town is also an important agricultural and industrial centre, and is considered by many to be the most picturesque city in Syria. You can take time out here to relax in the attractive gardens along the river banks.

On day 16 we take a drive through the desert, keeping our eyes out for mirages, to the stunning oasis town of Palmyra. On our way we visit the imposing Crac des Chevaliers crusader castle and learn about its 800 year-old history. This castle is one of the most important preserved medieval military architectures in the world, still retaining its original structure. In Palmyra ‘City of Palms' you can wander the streets, admire the temples, meet the friendly locals and indulge in the delicious local food. This was once a vital caravan city for travellers crossing the Syrian Desert.

Palmyra prospered from 2nd Century BC and was a well-established kingdom. You can see the remains of this today. There are many temples remaining in the architecture of the Palmyra ruins, which cover an area of 6 square kilometres. On a tour you can see the Baal-Shamin Temple, Bel Temple, Arch of Triumph, the Amphitheater, the Baths, the Straight Street, the Congress Council and the Cemeteries. You may also wish to take in a beautiful sunset at the hilltop fortress of Zenobia.

Day 18 to 19 - Damascus
In the morning of day 18 we drive to Damascus, the capital of Syria and one of the oldest cities in the world.

Damascus first appearance in history around 15th Century BC as a city conquered by the Pharaoh Thutmosis III. According to the Old Testament, it was once the capital of the Aramean Kingdom in the 11th Century BC. In the 10th Century BC, it started being attacked and it was in battle with several other kingdoms including the Assyrians. Some years after the fall of the Assyrian capital, Nineveh, Damascus was destroyed by Babylon.

Enjoy free time during our stay here to explore historical monuments, exotic bazaars and souqs. Try the traditional shisha pipes with a thick local coffee or simply shop ‘til you drop. You can visit the Damascus Museum which contains a world-class archaeological and historical collection of artifacts. You may also wish to do a walking tour of the Biblical sites of Damascus (optional) including the Christian Quarter, the Chapel of Ananias, St Paul's Chapel and window, St. Thomas' Gate and Beit Nassan Courtyard.

Day 20 to 23 - Amman - Petra - Wadi Rum
We now enter Jordan and travel to Amman, the country's modern yet conservative capital. Situated on a hilly area between the desert and the Jordan Valley, the city blends modern culture with an ancient past. There are ultra-modern buildings, hotels, smart restaurants, art galleries and boutiques to explore in the commercial hub of the city. You can also visit traditional coffee shops and artisans' workshops.

Visit the amphitheatre and the restored Roman Theatre, or walk up to the citadel and admire the fantastic view of the city and surrounding landscapes. From Amman you can also visit the Dead Sea. Other optional trips you can take include the Citadel and the Roman Ruins of Jerash. Take a Turkish bath if you wish, and visit the old souq to test your bargaining skills once more!

We begin day 22 with an early morning transfer to Wadi Musa, beside the infamous city of Petra. We check in and go to discover the site of Petra with a guide.
This magnificent city is made up of stone structures carved into the sheer rock face by the Nabataeans, an ancient Arab civilisation. The Nabataeans settled in Petra over 2,000 years ago and turned it into an important trade route linking China, India and southern Arabia with Egypt, Syria, Greece and Rome. Located deep inside a narrow desert gorge, it is the most mystical and historical of all Jordan's treasures. You will be able to see the remains of what was once a prosperous, thriving community. The beautiful colours of the city lost in the desert have to be seen to be believed!

On day 23 we have the morning free to re-visit and explore the site of Petra.
Later in the afternoon we travel to the spectacular desert area of Wadi Rum where we will spend the night in a Bedouin-style camp. Whilst staying at the Bedouin camp there are no showers and no hot water. Sleeping arrangements are open plan sharing with other members of your group. A sleeping bag is required. Dinner plus breakfast are provided.

We spend 3 hours exploring the desert by 4 wheel drive and ending our day watching the sunset. Wadi Rum is one of the desert wonders of the world, where endless layers of golden and red sands are enclosed in towering carved rock mountains. We stay with a local Bedouin family, eating local food cooked over a fire under a full sky of stars.

Day 24 to 26 - Aqaba - Nuweiba - Dahab - St Catherine
On day 24 after our Bedouin-style camp, we travel to the picturesque Red Sea port of Aqaba. Aqaba is a pleasant resort town and the gateway to the Red Sea. Here you will also find bustling markets and medieval archaeological sites.

On day 25 we board the fast ferry to Nuweiba and then transfer to Dahab on the Red Sea coast. Dahab is a beautiful town famous for its diving and snorkelling.
Meaning ‘gold' in Arabic, Dahab has amazing beaches and an almost unrivalled variety of coral gardens and coloured reefs. Here you may find yourself hanging out in a beach café with a shisha pipe, eating sea food while watching the moonlight reflect on the crystal water, riding a camel in the desert, having tea with a Bedouin family or simply watching the local children wander beneath the palm trees selling handmade Bedouin crafts.

Day 26 is a free day in Dahab we transfer to St Catherine late in the evening. Named after the monastery at the foot of Mt Sinai, St Catherine is surrounded by spiky granite mountains, and between two of the highest and most religious mountains in the Sinai, Mt Sinai and Mt St Catherine. Take a walk around the village and you'll be sure to come across Bedouins, camels, trekkers and pilgrims united by the spirit of adventure found so close to Mt Sinai. We leave Dahab in the late evening and transfer to Mt Sinai -no hotel is required for this evening.

Day 27 to 29 - Mt Sinai - Cairo
Today we have a very early start to climb Mt Sinai in time for sunrise. Mt Sinai is believed to be where Moses received the Ten Commandments from God. Following in Moses' footsteps we have the opportunity to ascend to the summit in time for sunrise. This means a very early start (between 1-3am depending on the time of year) and involves a fairly strenuous uphill walk along a camel path and finally up 750 stone steps accompanied by your tour leader. The climb takes about three hours although it is possible to take a camel up as far as the steps or hire one halfway up if necessary! There are teahouses dotted along the way and one at the top so not only can you follow the glow of their lights but you can stop for a hot drink and a breather. The view from the top as day breaks is worth every step. There are two routes down the mountain. From the top you must follow the 750 stone steps back down and then can either return along the camel path or follow a winding route down the 'steps of repentance'. Neither route is difficult (particularly as you will no longer need your torch!) however the 3000 or so steps of repentance do have some steep sections and can take around two hours to descend. This afternoon we drive to Cairo via the Suez Canal.

On day 28 we arrive in Cairo where you are thrown headfirst into the hustle and bustle of this wonderful city. As you wander the streets your senses will be assaulted on all levels – with cars tooting, donkeys braying and the call to prayer; the mix of smells like the aroma from cooking pots and the scent of apple tobacco; the delicious taste of mint tea as you sit in a shaded café to relax; and the endless river of life that you can watch roll past you – women haggling in the bazaars, men talking whilst enjoying a traditional shisha pipe, cars vying for space on the crowded roads, camels ambling serenely along and children playing in the back streets.

You have an included visit to the amazing Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza guided by an Egyptologist. The Pyramids really do have to be seen to be believed! To get there we weave our way through the manic Cairo traffic, out into the suburbs and then, suddenly, there they are: huge majestic tombs rising out the desert, towering above the modern city of Cairo and an incredible testament to the immense achievements of the Ancient Egyptians.

Built over five thousand years ago the Pyramids are the only one of the seven wonders of the ancient world that is still standing. We explore the Pyramids and the Sphinx with our local leader who can explain all the mysteries surrounding their creation, were they built by aliens or are they aligned to the stars?

Our tour will end after breakfast on day 29. If you don't want to go home yet then continue the fun and join one of our tours in Europe? See our brochure or website for a full list of trips.