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

SYRIA  JORDAN  EGYPT 67 MIDDLEEAST Imaginative Facts Tour code: ITSH • Activities: Extensive walking at sites and easy trekking at Crac des Chevaliers • Accommodation: 6 nights tourist class hotels, 2 nights restored Ottoman mansion • Transport: Private air- conditioned bus • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader DAY 1: DAMASCUS- Arrival day. DAY 2: DAMASCUS- We have a walking tour through this amazing city, including the Omayyad Mosque, the National Museum and a walk through the old souq. ( B) DAY 3: MAALOULA - CRAC DES CHEVALIERS- 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 4: 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 5: 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 6 & 7: 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 ( B) DAY 8: DAMASCUS- Return to Damascus where the rest of the day is free. ( B) DAY 9: DAMASCUS- Tour ends. ( B) Step back in time and marvel at ancient citadels and castles • Explore ancient Aleppo with its exotic atmosphere • Visit the crusader castle of Crac des Chevaliers • Take a guided tour of Damascusand the desert city of Palmyra • Hear ancient Aramaic spoken in the rural village of Maaloula • Experience the genuine friendlinessof the locals in the souqs Syrian Highlights Middle East Highlights Imaginative Facts Tour code: IAMI • Activities: Extensive walking in Palmyra and Petra, optional snorkelling at Dahab. Trek grade - Easy • Accommodation: 15 nights simple hotels, 1 night Bedouin- style camp, 1 night multi- share hostel • Transport: Private and public buses, service taxi, hydrofoil • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader ( except at some border crossings), services of local guides and Egyptologists • Imaginative Traveller Suggests: Add our ' Alexandria Extension' DAY 1: DAMASCUS- Arrival day. DAY 2: DAMASCUS - ALEPPO- Travel to Aleppo, one of the oldest inhabited cities. ( B) DAY 3: ALEPPO- Explore the exotic atmosphere of the covered bazaars or visit the Citadel or St Simeon's Monastery. ( B) DAY 4: HAMA- Drive to Hama, famous for its old water wheels. In the afternoon you can visit the imposing Crac des Chevaliers fortress, one of the most impressive Crusader castles in the Middle East. ( B) DAYS 5 & 6: PALMYRA- A drive through the desert brings us to the breathtaking city of Palmyra, one of the world's great historical sites dating back to the 2nd century. Take a guided tour of these marvellous ruins. ( B) DAYS 7 & 8: DAMASCUS- Drive to Damascus in the morning. Free time to explore the old city with its many souqs, palaces and mosques. ( 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. ( B) DAY 11: AMMAN - PETRA- Morning option to visit the Dead Sea. Afternoon transfer to the hidden ' rose- red' city of Petra. ( BD) DAY 12: PETRA - WADI RUM- Take a guided tour of the magnificent site of Petra, a city ' as old as time'. Late in the afternoon we travel to the spectacular desert area of Wadi Rum, home to the ' Seven Pillars of Wisdom' and our 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. ( B) DAY 14: AQABA - NUWEIBA - DAHAB-Board the hydrofoil to Nuweiba and transfer to Dahab on the Red Sea coast. ( B) DAY 15: DAHAB - ST CATHERINE-Afternoon transfer to St Catherine where we spend the night at the foot of Mt Sinai. ( BD) DAY 16: ST CATHERINE - CAIRO- Rise early to ascend Mt Sinai in time for sunrise. In the afternoon we drive to Cairo. ( B) DAY 17: CAIRO- Morning guided tour of the Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza. ( B) DAY 18: CAIRO- Tour ends. ( B) Note: If the hydrofoil from Aqaba is not operating, we will travel by ferry instead. This may necessitate a change to the itinerary. Syria Jordan Cairo • Explore ancient Aleppo, bustling Damascusand the desert city of Palmyra • Enjoy exploring the magnificent city of Petra • Ride camels into Wadi Rum and overnight at a Bedouin- style camp • Relax on the Red Sea Coastthen climb Mt Sinai • Visit the Pyramids and Sphinxfrom Cairo Single Supplement £ 130 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 6.42 * Price includes tour price of £ 590and local payment of US$ 200All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 695pp Land Only *• Seasonal Supplement £ 35 Single Supplement £ 130 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 6.42 * Price includes tour price of £ 680and local payment of US$ 230All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 799pp Land Only * travelleradventurer Tour duration 9 daysTour duration 18 days StartsEnds DamascusDamascus 2009 Starts SunEnds Mon 15- Mar- 0923- Mar- 09 26- Apr- 0904- May- 09 07- Jun- 0915- Jun- 09 Starts SatEnds Sun 18- Jul- 0926- Jul- 09 29- Aug- 0906- Sep- 09 10- Oct- 0918- Oct- 09 21- Nov- 0929- Nov- 09 StartsEnds DamascusDamascus 2010 Starts SunEnds Mon 13- Mar- 1021- Mar- 10 24- Apr- 1002- May- 10 05- Jun- 1013- Jun- 10 17- Jul- 1025- Jul- 10 28- Aug- 1005- Sep- 10 09- Oct- 1017- Oct- 10 20- Nov- 1028- Nov- 10 Starts SatEnds Tue DamascusCairo 2009 10- Jan- 0927- Jan- 09 24- Jan- 0910- Feb- 09 07- Feb- 0924- Feb- 09 21- Feb- 0910- Mar- 09 07- Mar- 0924- Mar- 09 21- Mar- 0907- Apr- 09 04- Apr- 0921- Apr- 09 • 18- Apr- 0905- May- 09 02- May- 0919- May- 09 16- May- 0902- Jun- 09 30- May- 0916- Jun- 09 13- Jun- 0930- Jun- 09 27- Jun- 0914- Jul- 09 11- Jul- 0928- Jul- 09 25- Jul- 0911- Aug- 09 08- Aug- 0925- Aug- 09 22- Aug- 0908- Sep- 09 05- Sep- 0922- Sep- 09 19- Sep- 0906- Oct- 09 03- Oct- 0920- Oct- 09 17- Oct- 0903- Nov- 09 31- Oct- 0917- Nov- 09 14- Nov- 0901- Dec- 09 28- Nov- 0915- Dec- 09 12- Dec- 0929- Dec- 09 • 26- Dec- 0912- Jan- 10 Starts SatEnds Tue DamascusCairo 2010 09- Jan- 1026- Jan- 10 23- Jan- 1009- Feb- 10 06- Feb- 1023- Feb- 10 20- Feb- 1009- Mar- 10 06- Mar- 1023- Mar- 10 20- Mar- 1006- Apr- 10 • 03- Apr- 1020- Apr- 10 17- Apr- 1004- May- 10 01- May- 1018- May- 10 15- May- 1001- Jun- 10 29- May- 1015- Jun- 10 12- Jun- 1029- Jun- 10 26- Jun- 1013- Jul- 10 10- Jul- 1027- Jul- 10 24- Jul- 1010- Aug- 10 07- Aug- 1024- Aug- 10 21- Aug- 1007- Sep- 10 04- Sep- 1021- Sep- 10 18- Sep- 1005- Oct- 10 02- Oct- 1019- Oct- 10 16- Oct- 1002- Nov- 10 30- Oct- 1016- Nov- 10 13- Nov- 1030- Nov- 10 27- Nov- 1014- Dec- 10 11- Dec- 1028- Dec- 10 • 25- Dec- 1011- Jan- 11 • Seasonal supplement applies Trek grade - Easy Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243 Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243