JORDAN  SYRIA 65 MIDDLEEAST A Journey through Jordan & Syria Imaginative Facts Tour code: ETJS • Activities: Hiking and walking at Petra and Palmyra, jeep safari in Wadi Rum • Accommodation: 12 nights tourist class hotels, 2 nights restored Ottoman mansion • Transport: Private air- conditioned transport • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader, services of licensed guides in Jordan & Syria days 1- 7 DAY 1: AMMAN- Arrive in Amman and check in to your hotel. DAY 2: AMMAN - DESERT CASTLES- We visit the desert castles east of Amman. On our return we visit Amman's great Roman theatre. ( BD) DAY 3: AMMAN - AQABA- Drive to Aqaba on the Red Sea coast. Free afternoon. ( BD) DAY 4: WADI RUM - PETRA- This morning there is the chance to go snorkelling in the Red Sea. In the afternoon we visit the deserts of Wadi Rum and its famous Seven Pillars of Wisdom. Enjoy a jeep safari through some of the most spectacular areas and afterwards continue to the hidden ' rose- red' city of Petra. ( B) DAY 5: PETRA- A full day to explore this magnificent site ' as old as time'. ( BD) DAY 6: KERAK - MADABA - MT NEBO - DEAD SEA - AMMAN- Crusader castles, ancient mosaics, panoramic views of Moses' ' Promised Land' and a visit to the famous Dead Sea. A busy day ends in Amman. ( B) DAY 7: JERASH - DAMASCUS- Visit the well- preserved Roman site of Jerash. Later continue into Syria and visit the Nabatean city of Bosra, famed for its Roman amphitheatre en route to Damascus. ( B) DAY 8: DAMASCUS- We have a walking tour through this amazing city, including the Omayyad Mosque and the National Museum. ( B) DAY 9: MAALOULA - CRAC DES CHEVALIER- Maaloula is one of Syria's most beautiful villages, with houses clinging to the face of enormous rocks. It is also the only place in the world where Aramaic ( the original language of the bible) is still spoken. We visit its monastery and then continue to Crac Des Chevaliers, one of the most impressive Crusader castles to be found in the Middle East. After visiting the castle, we walk through the nearby valley to St George's Convent. ( BD) DAY 10: APHAMIA - HAMA - ALEPPO- We visit the Roman ruins at Aphamia and then continue to Hama, famous for its huge water wheels. Later we drive to Aleppo, one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world. ( BD) DAY 11: ALEPPO- We have a walking tour of Aleppo including the Aleppo Museum. A walk through one of the best preserved souqs in Syria allows you to experience the genuine friendliness of the locals. In the afternoon we visit nearby St Simeon's Monastery. ( BD) DAYS 12 & 13: PALMYRA- Drive through the desert to the ancient city of Palmyra, one of the world's greatest historical sites, dating back to the 2nd Century. This evening we can watch the sunset over this spectacular setting from Queen Zenobia's Castle. The next day we will have a guided tour of this breathtaking ancient city. ( B) DAY 14: DAMASCUS- Return to Damascus where the rest of the day is free. ( B) DAY 15: DAMASCUS- Tour ends. ( B) Note: This trip can also commence in Cairo. Days 1, 2 and 3 are spent in Cairo, the Sinai and Aqaba. Day 4 onwards as per published itinerary. Please see dossier ETJX. Combine our ' Jordan Insight' & ' Syrian Highlights' tours • Enjoy a full day exploring the magnificent city of Petra • Take a jeep safarithrough the magical desert landscape of Wadi Rum • Visit the crusader castlesof Crac des Chevaliers and Kerak • Tour Damascus, Aleppo, Amman and the stunning desert city of Palmyra • Relax at the Red Seaand visit the salty Dead Sea en route to Mt Nebo Desert Kingdoms Imaginative Facts Tour code: IADE • Activities: Extensive walking at Petra and Palmyra and camel trek. Trek grade - Easy • Accommodation: 12 nights simple hotels, 1 night Bedouin style camp • Transport: Private and public buses and service taxi • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader ( except at some border crossings), services of guides at Palmyra and Petra • Imaginative Traveller Suggests: Spend a few more days in Aqaba, relaxing on the beach, or continue by hydrofoil or ferry to the Sinai and one of our many tours in Egypt DAY 1: DAMASCUS- Arrival day. DAYS 2 & 3: DAMASCUS - ALEPPO-Travel to Aleppo, one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world where the rest of the time is free. Explore the exotic atmosphere of the covered bazaars, a great introduction to the region. Perhaps visit the Aleppo Museum, the Citadel or St Simeon's Monastery or a traditional ' hamam' for a Turkish bath. ( B) DAY 4: HAMA- We have a short drive to Hama, famous for its old water wheels. Option to visit the imposing Crac des Chevaliers crusader fortress, one of the most impressive Crusader castles to be found in the Middle East. ( B) DAYS 5 & 6: PALMYRA- A drive through the desert brings us to the breathtaking city of Palmyra. Palmyra is one of the world's great historical sites and dates back to the 2nd century. On the following day we enjoy a guided tour of these marvellous Roman ruins. ( B) DAYS 7 & 8: DAMASCUS- Drive to Damascus in the morning. Free time to explore the old city with its National Museum, souqs, palaces and famous Omayyad Mosque. ( B) DAY 9: DAMASCUS - AMMAN- Transfer to Amman by service taxis. ( B) DAY 10: AMMAN- Morning walking tour of Amman, including the amphitheatre, the citadel and the old souq ( bazaar). ( B) DAY 11: AMMAN - PETRA- Morning option to visit the Dead Sea, afternoon transfer to Wadi Musa, beside the hidden ' rose red' city of Petra. ( BD) DAY 12: PETRA - WADI RUM- A whole day to take a guided tour of the magnificent site of Petra, the city ' as old as time'. Late in the afternoon we travel to the spectacular desert area of Wadi Rum, site of the ' Seven Pillars of Wisdom' where we spend the night in a Bedouin- style camp. ( BD) DAY 13: CAMEL TREK - AQABA- We join the Bedouin people of Wadi Rum for a short camel trek into the desert. Later we travel to the picturesque Red Sea port of Aqaba. Overnight in Aqaba. ( B) DAY 14: AQABA- Tour ends. ( B) Note: Our tour ends in Aqaba to allow you maximum flexibility. Amman is a 4- 5 hour bus journey from Aqaba and tickets can be bought locally for approx. US$ 10. Your tour leader will be able to advise your options. ' Syrian Caravan' combined with the highlights of Jordan • Tour the exotic sites of Damascus, Aleppo and Amman • Visit the stunning desertcity of Palmyra • Enjoy a full day exploring the magnificent city of Petra • Ride a camel through the desert of Wadi Rum • Relax at the Red Seaand option to visit the salty Dead Sea Single Supplement £ 150 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 6.50 * Price includes tour price of £ 940and local payment of US$ 300All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 1099pp Land Only * Single Supplement £ 100 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 7.48 * Price includes tour price of £ 525and local payment of US$ 170All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 615pp Land Only * travelleradventurer Tour duration 15 daysTour duration 14 days Starts MonEnds Mon AmmanDamascus 2009 09- Mar- 0923- Mar- 09 20- Apr- 0904- May- 09 01- Jun- 0915- Jun- 09 Starts SunEnds Sun 12- Jul- 0926- Jul- 09 23- Aug- 0906- Sep- 09 04- Oct- 0918- Oct- 09 15- Nov- 0929- Nov- 09 Starts SunEnds Sun AmmanDamascus 2010 07- Mar- 1021- Mar- 10 18- Apr- 1002- May- 10 30- May- 1013- Jun- 10 11- Jul- 1025- Jul- 10 22- Aug- 1005- Sep- 10 03- Oct- 1017- Oct- 10 14- Nov- 1028- Nov- 10 Starts SatEnds Fri DamascusAqaba 2009 10- Jan- 0923- Jan- 09 24- Jan- 0906- Feb- 09 07- Feb- 0920- Feb- 09 21- Feb- 0906- Mar- 09 07- Mar- 0920- Mar- 09 21- Mar- 0903- Apr- 09 04- Apr- 0917- Apr- 09 18- Apr- 0901- May- 09 02- May- 0915- May- 09 16- May- 0929- May- 09 30- May- 0912- Jun- 09 13- Jun- 0926- Jun- 09 27- Jun- 0910- Jul- 09 11- Jul- 0924- Jul- 09 25- Jul- 0907- Aug- 09 08- Aug- 0921- Aug- 09 22- Aug- 0904- Sep- 09 05- Sep- 0918- Sep- 09 19- Sep- 0902- Oct- 09 03- Oct- 0916- Oct- 09 17- Oct- 0930- Oct- 09 31- Oct- 0913- Nov- 09 14- Nov- 0927- Nov- 09 28- Nov- 0911- Dec- 09 12- Dec- 0925- Dec- 09 26- Dec- 0908- Jan- 10 Starts SatEnds Fri DamascusAqaba 2010 09- Jan- 1022- Jan- 10 23- Jan- 1005- Feb- 10 06- Feb- 1019- Feb- 10 20- Feb- 1005- Mar- 10 06- Mar- 1019- Mar- 10 20- Mar- 1002- Apr- 10 03- Apr- 1016- Apr- 10 17- Apr- 1030- Apr- 10 01- May- 1014- May- 10 15- May- 1028- May- 10 29- May- 1011- Jun- 10 12- Jun- 1025- Jun- 10 26- Jun- 1009- Jul- 10 10- Jul- 1023- Jul- 10 24- Jul- 1006- Aug- 10 07- Aug- 1020- Aug- 10 21- Aug- 1003- Sep- 10 04- Sep- 1017- Sep- 10 18- Sep- 1001- Oct- 10 02- Oct- 1015- Oct- 10 16- Oct- 1029- Oct- 10 30- Oct- 1012- Nov- 10 13- Nov- 1026- Nov- 10 27- Nov- 1010- Dec- 10 11- Dec- 1024- Dec- 10 25- Dec- 1007- Jan- 11 Trek grade - Easy Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243 Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243

MIDDLEEASTSYRIA 66 " We have had a fantastic experience with Imaginative Traveller. This is the first tour that I have ever done and I would definitely consider doing another one." Sara McCuntock middle east Syrian Caravan Imaginative Facts Tour code: IASC • Activities: Extensive walking at sites • Accommodation: 8 nights simple hotels • Transport: Public buses • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader and services of guide at Palmyra DAY 1: DAMASCUS - Arrival day. DAYS 2 & 3: DAMASCUS - ALEPPO-Travel to Aleppo, one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world where the rest of the time is free. Explore the exotic atmosphere of the covered bazaars, a great introduction to the region. Perhaps visit the Aleppo Museum, the Citadel or St Simeon's Monastery or a traditional ' hamam' for a Turkish bath. ( B) DAY 4: HAMA- We have a short drive to Hama, famous for its old water wheels. Option to visit the imposing Crac des Chevaliers crusader fortress, one of the most impressive Crusader castles to be found in the Middle East. ( B) DAYS 5 & 6: PALMYRA- A drive through the desert brings us to the breathtaking city of Palmyra. Palmyra is one of the world's great historical sites and dates back to the 2nd century. On the following day you enjoy a guided tour of these marvellous Roman ruins. ( B) DAYS 7 & 8: DAMASCUS- Drive to Damascus in the morning. Free time to explore the old city with its National Museum, souqs, palaces and famous Omayyad Mosque. ( B) Day 9: DAMASCUS- Tour ends after breakfast. ( B) Imposing castles, ancient cities and wonderful desert scenery • Explore ancient Aleppowith its citadel, monastery and exotic atmosphere • Take a guided tour of the stunning desert city of Palmyra • Time in Damascus to enjoy its palaces and mosquesand capital vibe • Option to visit the imposing crusader fortresses of Crac des Chevaliers • Experience the genuine friendliness of the localsin the souqs Syria HamaPalmyra Aleppo Damascus Maaloula Crac des Chevaliers Syrian Caravan Syrian Highlights Syria EgyptJordan Middle East Highlights Cairo St Catherine Dahab AqabaWadi Rum Petra Amman Damascus Palmyra Hama Aleppo Single Supplement £ 95 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 6.42 * Price includes tour price of £ 360and local payment of US$ 125All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 425pp Land Only * adventurer Tour duration 9 days © Imaginative Traveller © Imaginative Traveller Starts SatEnds Sun DamascusDamascus 2009 10- Jan- 0918- Jan- 09 24- Jan- 0901- Feb- 09 07- Feb- 0915- Feb- 09 21- Feb- 0901- Mar- 09 07- Mar- 0915- Mar- 09 21- Mar- 0929- Mar- 09 04- Apr- 0912- Apr- 09 18- Apr- 0926- Apr- 09 02- May- 0910- May- 09 16- May- 0924- May- 09 30- May- 0907- Jun- 09 13- Jun- 0921- Jun- 09 27- Jun- 0905- Jul- 09 11- Jul- 0919- Jul- 09 25- Jul- 0902- Aug- 09 08- Aug- 0916- Aug- 09 22- Aug- 0930- Aug- 09 05- Sep- 0913- Sep- 09 19- Sep- 0927- Sep- 09 03- Oct- 0911- Oct- 09 17- Oct- 0925- Oct- 09 31- Oct- 0908- Nov- 09 14- Nov- 0922- Nov- 09 28- Nov- 0906- Dec- 09 12- Dec- 0920- Dec- 09 26- Dec- 0903- Jan- 10 Starts SatEnds Sun DamascusDamascus 2010 09- Jan- 1017- Jan- 10 23- Jan- 1031- Jan- 10 06- Feb- 1014- Feb- 10 20- Feb- 1028- Feb- 10 06- Mar- 1014- Mar- 10 20- Mar- 1028- Mar- 10 03- Apr- 1011- Apr- 10 17- Apr- 1025- Apr- 10 01- May- 1009- May- 10 15- May- 1023- May- 10 29- May- 1006- Jun- 10 12- Jun- 1020- Jun- 10 26- Jun- 1004- Jul- 10 10- Jul- 1018- Jul- 10 24- Jul- 1001- Aug- 10 07- Aug- 1015- Aug- 10 21- Aug- 1029- Aug- 10 04- Sep- 1012- Sep- 10 18- Sep- 1026- Sep- 10 02- Oct- 1010- Oct- 10 16- Oct- 1024- Oct- 10 30- Oct- 1007- Nov- 10 13- Nov- 1021- Nov- 10 27- Nov- 1005- Dec- 10 11- Dec- 1019- Dec- 10 25- Dec- 1002- Jan- 11 Damascus is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. amazing fact ... We can also offer Extra Accommodation, Adventure Travel Insurance& Flights Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243