Explore Africa - Ottoman Odyssey

was £ 375.00

only  £352.00

Ottoman Odyssey

Countries:

Turkey Syrian Arab Republic

Duration:

from 18 Days

You might think of Turkey as the sort of place for a package holiday and you’ve possibly never considered a trip to Syria at all. But if you think you’d like to tandem paraglide over the turquoise coast, see the natural flames on Mt. Olympus, walk around an 800 year old Crusader Castle, take a boat trip to deserted beaches or explore Roman ruins in the desert, then this is where you should go!

    

or call:

0845 344 7546

Product Details

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You might think of Turkey as the sort of place for a package holiday and you’ve possibly never considered a trip to Syria at all. But if you think you’d like to tandem paraglide over the turquoise coast, see the natural flames on Mt. Olympus, walk around an 800 year old Crusader Castle, take a boat trip to deserted beaches or explore Roman ruins in the desert, then this is where you should go!

Our Ottoman Odyssey trips run from Istanbul to Damascus and vice versa:

Days 1 - 8 (or day 11 - 18)
Our Ottoman overland trip from Istanbul to Damascus begins as we embark on a half day drive through olive groves and rural settlements to Gallipoli and the Straits of the Dardanelles. In World War I, on this blustery and exposed peninsula, ANZAC and British Forces struggled unsuccessfully for nine months to dislodge Turkish troops from the hills above the beaches and it’s a moving experience to visit the war graves and battlegrounds. From here we cross the Straits of the Dardenelles, leaving Europe and entering the continent of Asia. We visit Troyon our way to Ephesus and spend the next 2 nights camping on the coast. Built by the Greeks a thousand years before Christ and then rebuilt by the Romans, this immense ancient city boasts an amphitheatre that can seat 24000 and a harbour with no water - still in good condition after all these years.
We then travel via either Pamukkale where you can swim in warm, mineral-rich water, or take the more visually scenic route towards Marmaris and camp in the mountains before arriving in Olu Deniz and Olympus further down the Mediterranean coast.Our accommodation is tree houses and campsites and we spend the next couple of days chilling out on the beach, taking boat trips along the coast, paragliding over the coast or exploring it by moped.

Days 9 - 12 (7 - 10)
From here we travel inland and north, stopping briefly at Saklikent Gorge for river tubing(optional). We arrive at the visually powerful, windswept landforms of Cappadocia that have to be seen to be believed. Over the centuries, houses, churches, fortresses and even underground cities have been carved into this eerily eroded volcanic rock. The Goreme Valley provides us with an astonishing setting in which to spend a few days investigating the region. We will take you to one of the underground cities where you can explore alone or with a guide this ancient and mysterious area!

Days 13 - 18 (1 - 6)
Driving through stunning mountain scenery in the crisp clear days of summer, and ice and snow in winter, we wend our way to Syria. Syrians are among the most hospitable people you will ever meet. The country has a rich and varied history with the Egyptian, Roman, Babylonian and Persian Empires having all passed through here along with Jesus and his disciples! Our first stop in this fascinating country is the market town of Aleppo. Nearby we visit Crac de Chevaliers - an 800-year-old Crusader Castle - perched on top of a mountain. Trekking out to the oasis town of Palmyrawe really get into the desert proper.

Sleeping out in this vast wilderness, untainted by artificial light is an experience not to be missed. The night sky dazzles with stars, satellites and shooting stars. On the road to Damascus, we head to one of the friendliest and safest of capital cities. We spend three nights in this, the oldest inhabited city in the world. From here there is the option of taking a one day guided tour into Lebanon and Beirut.

Our trips are led by our two experienced crew who will share with you their knowledge and enthusiasm for Turkey, Syria and Lebanon. Travel is in our fully equipped overland expedition truck and we use a mixture of campsites, bush camps and small, simple hotels. Come and join us for an unforgettable trip in this fantastic part of the world!

Call 0845 344 7546 to book now!

Oasis Overland

Always wanted to travel to Africa, Egypt, South America or the Middle East, to places as yet untrampled by travellers and without the routine and expense of a package holiday? Oasis Overland offers unforgettable hands-on adventure travel experiences … once-in-a-lifetime overland tours to some of the World's most fascinating cultural landscapes.

    

or call:

0845 344 7546