Small Group Tours 10 to 18 passengers FULLY INCLUSIVE

Wonders of the Middle East - 30 Days From AUD$9680

Day 1-3: Australia/Singapore/Amman
Fly with Singapore Airlines to Amman, via Singapore. On arrival in Amman on Day 3, we will be welcomed by our National Escort and transferred to our hotel for 1 night. Rest of Day 3 at leisure.

Day 4: Amman/Wadi Rum/Petra
This morning we visit the capital city of Amman, including the Citadel and Umayyad Palace. Afterwards we drive to Wadi Rum. After lunch, we embark on a desert tour before driving on to the hidden city of Petra. Overnight at hotel in Petra.

Day 5 :Petra
This morning we visit the ancient capital of Petra, approaching via a short horseback ride and walk. After lunch, we tour the rose red city including the Treasury, the Royal Tombs and the High Places of Sacrifice. Overnight at hotel.

Day 6: Petra/Madaba/Jerash/Amman
This morning we head out on the Kings Highway to visit Kerak Castle, Madaba and finally Mt Nebo. After lunch, we continue on to Jerash, one of the best preserved Roman provincial towns in the Middle East. Return to Amman. Overnight at hotel.

Day 7: Amman/Cairo
After breakfast, departure transfer to airport to board flight to Cairo. Arrive in Cairo to be welcomed by our National Escort and transferred to our hotel for 2 nights. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Day 8: Cairo/Memphis/Saqqara/Cairo
This morning we tour the Great Pyramids at Giza and The Sphinx. This afternoon we drive to Memphis to visit the necropolis at Saqqara, the Step Pyramid and the colossal statue of Ramses II. This evening we enjoy a sound and light show at the pyramids at Giza. Overnight at hotel in Cairo.

Day 9: Old Cairo
This morning we visit the Egyptian Museum that houses the golden treasures of Turtankhamun. Evening board the train to Aswan. Overnight 1^st Class cabin.

Day 10: Aswan
On arrival at Aswan the following morning, we visit the Temple of Isis on Agilika Island. We then visit Aswan and the Aswan High Dam before checking in to hotel for 1 night. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Day 11: Aswan/Abu Simbel
After breakfast we drive 280 km to the village of Abu Simbel at the southern end of Lake Nasser. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Day 12: Abu Simbel/Aswan/Boat Cruise
This morning we visit the Temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari. Afterwards, return to Aswan and board cruise boat. This afternoon we enjoy a felucca sail around Elephantine Island. Overnight 1^st Class cabin on cruise boat.

Day 13: Kom Ombo/Edfu (Boat Cruise)
This morning we sail to Kom Ombo.. After stopping at the magnificent Temple of Kom Ombo, we continue sailing to Edfu. Overnight on cruise boat.

Day 14: Edfu/Luxor (Boat Cruise)
This morning we visit the Temple of Horus in Edfu. We continue sailing via the Esna lock to Luxor. Overnight on cruise boat.

Day 15: Luxor (Boat Cruise)
After breakfast we visit Kamak and Luxor temples followed by the Valley of Kings. This evening transfer to train station to board overnight train to Cairo. Overnight 1^st Class cabin.

Day 16: Cairo/Alexandria
Arrive in Cairo early the next morning and drive to Alexandria, the 'Pearl of the Mediterranean'. This afternoon we tour the magnificent gardens of Montazah Palace before checking in to our hotel for 2 nights. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Day 17: Alexandria
This morning we visit the Catacombs of Kom Ash-Shuqqafa, Pompey's Pillar and the Library of Alexandria. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Day 18: Alexandria/El Alamein/Cairo
After breakfast we dirve to El Alamein to visit the War Museum and tour the Commonwealth War Cemetery. Drive to Cairo. After lunch, transfer to your hotel for 1 night.

Day 19: Cairo
This morning we visit Coptic (Christian) Cairo and Islamic Cairo, including the Citadel, the alabaster Mosque of Mohammed Ali and the Khan El-Khalili Bazaar. Afternoon at leisure. This evening we enjoy a farewell dinner. Overnight at hotel.

Day 20: Cairo/Istanbul
After breakfast departure transfer to the airport to board flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival, check in to hotel for 2 nights. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Day 21: Istanbul
Today we enjoy a full day's sightseeing in Istanbul including Topkapi Palace, St. Sophia Basilica, the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome and the Grand Bazaar. Overnight at hotel.

Day 22: Istanbul/Ankara
This morning we wander through Istanbul's colourful Spice Bazaar before cruising the Bosphorus Strait. This afternoon we drive to the capital city of Ankara in central Anatolia. Overnight at hotel in Ankara.

Day 23: Ankara/Cappadocia
This morning we visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations before proceeding to the Mausoleum of Ataturk. This afternoon we drive to Cappadocia where we check in to our hotel for 2 nights.

Day 24: Cappadocia
Today we visit the rockcut Byzantine chapels at Goreme, the underground city of Kaymakli, the abandoned monastic complex at Zelve and finally we enjoy views from the natural citadel at Uchisar. This evening we enjoy a performance by Whirling Dervishes. Overnight at hotel.

Day 25: Cappadocia/Konya/Pamukkale
After breakfast, we drive to the mausoleum of the sufi philosopher Mevlana. This afternoon we continue on to Pamukkale where we stay for 1 night.

Day 26: Pamukkale/Ephesus/Kusadasi
This morning we visit the ancient necropolis of Hierapolis and tour the thermal pools at Pamukkale. This afternoon we drive to the Roman ruins of Ephesus and tour the Archaeological Museum, the Great Theatre and the Library of Celsus. Overnight at hotel in Kusadasi.

Day 27: Kusadasi/Bergama/Troy/Canakkale
After breakfast we visit St John's Basilica and continue driving to the ancient city of Bergama (Pergamum) where we tour the Acropolis and its library, the Asclepion (medical centre), the Altar of Zeus and the steepest theatre in the world. In the afternoon, we visit the famous wooden horse at Troy before continuing on to Canakkale where we stay for 1 night.

Day 28: Canakkale/Gallipoli/Istanbul
This morning we drive to the Gallipoli Peninsula. Here we tour Anzac Cove, Lone Pine Cemetery, Chunuk Bair and the Kabatepe War Museum. This afternoon we return to Istanbul for 1 night.

Day 29-30: Istanbul/Singapore/Australia
After breakfast, departure transfer to airport to board flight to Australia via Singapore. Arrive home the following day.