+44 (0)20 8741 7390 Turkey and Syria: On part one of your epic journey, follow in the footsteps of some of the great medieval travellers such as Marco Polo and Ibn Battuta as you follow the Silk Road. Beginning in Istanbul travel to the shores of the Black Sea, and explore the amazing landscapes of Cappadocia before crossing the land border into Syria. TOUR INCLUDES: 13 nights 4 star hotel accommodation. 13 breakfasts. Accompanied by an experienced English speaking local guides. Private basis. Private chauffeur driven vehicle, normally a saloon car for one or two people. Sightseeing programme including all entrance fees. Private guided transfers to and from all airports. Departures: Daily Comment: Travel through the more remote regions of eastern Turkey and Cappadocia is always interesting. Some days do have long drives. Flight Inclusive Price: Based on return economy class flights with Turkish and BMI; from London Heathrow to Trabzon via Istanbul, and returning from Damascus to London. UK Airport Passenger Duty and airport taxes are also included. Tour Prices: Whilst all best endeavours are made to ensure the prices for private journeys on our website are accurate - given the nature of peak season air supplements and fuel surcharges - prices given above may vary depending on departure date and availability. *Please note the prices shown are per person and based on two persons sharing a twin or double room
ITINERARY DAY 1: TRABZON On arrival in Trabzon meet your local guide and transfer to your hotel. DAY 2: TRABZON Founded in the 7th century BC, Trabzon is the main city of the Black Sea region. On your tour of the town, visit the 13th century Byzantine Church of St. Sophia and wander around the delightful old quarter. Later drive through densely forested roads, until through the mist Sumela Monastery appears suspended high on a cliff face above tortuous gorges. (B) DAY 3: TRABZON - UZUNGOL - TRABZON Today drive south to Lake Uzungol. Set high in the mountains this clear lake was formed by a landslide that created a dam in the River Haldizen. Towering peaks surround the lake and this is a lovely place for hiking and camping. Take a walk along the lakeshore and enjoy the scenery before returning to Trabzon. (B) DAY 4: TRABZON - KAYSERI (CAPPADOCIA) Fly to Kayseri and then drive to Urgup, your base for exploring Cappadocia, a land of beautiful natural geological formations. Created by repeated volcanic eruptions around 40-50 million years ago, the area was covered with layers of a light rock called tufa creating a natural 'lunar like' landscape. (B) DAY 5: CAPPADOCIA With your guide discover the natural citadel and fortress of Uchisar, in the Goreme Valley, the Zelve Valley and the underground city of Kaymakli built by the Christians escaping Arab oppression. You can walk to 10th and 11th century churches, monasteries, and houses carved in the rocks. (B)
DAY 6: CAPPADOCIA Continue exploring this fabulous area with your guide and visit a family living in one of these rock dwellings. (B) DAY 7: CAPPADOCIA - ADANA Today drive south and stop at Eski Gumusler Monastery near Nigde. Continue south crossing the scenic Taurus Mountains to Adana, Turkey's fourth largest city. (B) DAY 8: ADANA - ALEPPO Crossing the Turkish-Syrian border via Bab Elhawa continue your journey to Aleppo. Stop off along the way to visit the well-preserved Byzantine monastery of St Simeon who spent 37 years of his life on top of a column 12 metres high and two metres in diameter. (B) DAY 9: ALEPPO Enjoy a half day tour of Aleppo with your guide. Discover Aleppo's Citadel which dates from the 12th century AD and the Great Mosque of Aleppo, built by the Seljuks in 1070. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure to walk around the old city and souks. (B) DAY 10: ALEPPO - PALMYRA Leaving Aleppo this morning travel to Apamea, a Roman site, where visitors can walk the paved streets once trod by Cleopatra, Septimus Severus and other notables. Later on stop off at the town of Hama and see the medieval water wheels on the Orontes River. (B) DAY 11: PALMYRA Spend the day with your guide visiting this enormous city, once the stronghold of the great Arab Queen Zenobia. Discover the impressive sights of Palmyra, such as the Baal Temple, the Arch of Triumph, the amphitheatre, the baths, the Colonnade Street, the Congress Council and the Cemeteries. (B)
DAY 12: PALMYRA - DAMASCUS Travel south to the small Christian town of Maaloula where Aramaic, the language of Jesus Christ, is still spoken and also visit the Convent of our Lady in Seydnaya. Continue to Damascus, Syria's capital. (B) DAY 13: DAMASCUS On this morning's tour, visit Saladin's Mausoleum, before walking to the splendid Umayyad Mosque, containing the tomb of St John the Baptist. Nearby is the 18th century Azem Palace, built for Assad Pasha Al-Azem, the Ottoman Governor of Damascus. Afternoon at leisure. (B) DAY 14: DAMASCUS After breakfast transfer to the airport where your tour ends. (B)
ACCOMMODATION Wild Frontiers Adventure Travel Ltd Tel +44 (0)20 8741 7390 Email info@wildfrontierstravel.com Website wildfrontierstravel.com