Middle East Basix (22 days)

Day	Itinerary	Night stop
1	Arrive in Amman.	Amman
	You can arrive at any time in the morning of day 1 as there are no activities planned until the important welcome meeting at 6pm. If your flight arrives too late we recommend that you consider booking a night's accommodation prior to the trip so you can ensure you are able to attend this meeting. We will be collecting your local payment, insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting so please ensure you have all details on hand to provide to your leader. Your group leader will leave a note at reception telling you where this important meeting will take place. Please ask a member of reception for this information. If you are going to be late please inform the hotel reception. Your leader will leave details for you on your arrival on where and when to meet. Check-in time at our joining point hotel is after 2:00pm. Early check-in is not guaranteed, however if you arrive early, luggage storage is available. Speak to the hotel reception on arrival. Your leader will collect the first part of your local payment on day 1 at the group meeting. Please bring USD notes/bills in large denominations. Torn or marked USD are not able to be exchanged in Egypt and Jordan and therefore can not be accepted as part of the Local Payment. Please only bring new and clean bills. Please note that there is very little time spent in Amman on this itinerary, so it is worth arriving a day or two early to explore the surrounding sights, including the Dead Sea, the town of Madaba and the Roman ruins of Jerash. We depart Amman on day 2 so there is little time to explore the sights unless you arrive early. We recommend you arrive with time enough for excursions to see the Dead Sea and have a float, soak up more history at the Roman ruins of Jerash or to head to Madaba for its Ottoman-style houses and beautiful Byzantine-era mosaics- all possible from Amman.
	Accommodation: Hotel/Guesthouse
	Included Meals: Please see summary
2	Travel to Petra, remainder of day to explore.	Petra
	We travel by public bus to Wadi Musa, our base for exploring Petra (approx. 4.5 hours). Hewn out of rose coloured rock, the ancient Nabataean city of Petra is one of the most spectacular destinations in the Middle East and one of the new seven wonders of the World. We spend the next few days exploring the imposing facades of its awesome buildings and tombs.
	Accommodation: Hotel/Guesthouse
	Included Meals: Please see summary
3	Full day in Petra to explore.	Petra
	We have a full day in Petra. While here, there is an opportunity to have a BBQ - Jordan style. Our hosts usually choose a site close to Little Petra - a much less visited but equally dramatic site that is well worth seeing followed by a great BBQ in an atmospheric setting.
	Accommodation: Hotel/Guesthouse
	Included Meals: Please see summary
4	Travel to Wadi Rum, night in desert camp.	Wadi Rum
	Extraordinary desert scenery awaits us as we follow in the footsteps of Lawrence of Arabia. A 2-hour public bus trip takes us from Petra to Wadi Rum, where we explore the fascinating landscape by jeep and sleep under the stars.  Our 4 hour jeep safari takes us through some of the beautiful and sublime desert scenery on the planet. A true highlight of this trip. Please be aware that while the desert may be tropical during the day, you may still need warm clothing and a sleeping bag for the night as conditions will be very basic at our desert camp. Your dinner tonight is included and will comprise dinner cooked in local earth oven. Tonight you have the choice of sleeping under a camel hair tent or out under the stars. A mattress is provided for the night. The toilet is usually a local style squat affair and there are generally no showers available.
	Accommodation: Camping
	Included Meals: Please see summary
5	Travel to Nuweiba on the Red Sea.	Nuweiba
	We board a ferry this afternoon to cross the Gulf of Aqaba and make our arrival in Egypt (approx. 4 hours). Your leader will help you board the ferry and say good-bye. You will be met by your next leader on arrival in Egypt after you have passed through immigration. Expect a warm welcome at our Red Sea beach camp. We stay here in simple but comfortable huts with the water right at the front door. Set on one of the only stretches of fine golden sand along this coast, this is a place you will be raving about to your friends for years to come. The showers here are slightly salty due to the lack of fresh water in the Sinai desert.
	Accommodation: Beach hut
	Included Meals: Please see summary
6	Full day in Nuweiba.	Nuweiba
	The Red Sea is justifiably famous for its beautiful underwater scenery. Why not start the day with a snorkelling trip to explore this spectacular undersea world, then relax on the golden sands watching the mountains of Saudi Arabia light up across the gulf at sunset? Put a perfect end to the day chatting with our Bedouin friends over a delicious traditional meal or fresh seafood feast.
	Accommodation: Beach hut
	Included Meals: Please see summary
7	Travel to and climb Mount Sinai.	Mount Sinai
	We travel into the harsh interior of the Sinai peninsula, passing classical desert landscapes. Mt Sinai is where the Ten Commandments where Muslims, Jews and Christians collectively believe were revealed - whatever your beliefs, climbing to the top is sure to move you. The summit provides perfect vistas of a glorious desert sunset or sunrise so why not take the option of riding a camel up if walking all the way up the mountain is not your thing. At the foot of Mt Sinai is the Greek Orthodox monastery of St Katherine built around the burning bush that spoke to Moses. The complex was built in honour of the young woman who admonished the Roman Emperor for his persecution of Christians in the 4th century BC. Tortured and beheaded for daring to do so, Katherine's body was believed to have been flown by angels to the base of Mt Sinai. If there's time, you can explore this holy site, where Christians pilgrims have been coming for centuries. In the interests of your safety, we will provide a local bedouin to guide us up the mountain . The tour leader will accompany you also. Note: During June to September (in the summer months), we may climb Mt Sinai in the early morning to avoid the extreme heat.
	Accommodation: Guesthouse
	Included Meals: Please see summary
8	Travel by bus to Cairo.	Cairo
	On the morning of day 8 we take a public bus to Cairo (approx. 9 hours). There are toilet and meal stops en route. As this is a combination trip please note that the composition of our group may change on day 9 as some travellers leave and others arrive, though the maximum group size is always 12. The second part of your local payment will be collected by your leader today.
	Accommodation: Hotel/Guesthouse
	Included Meals: Please see summary
9	Full day in Cairo, overnight train to Aswan.	Overnight train
	Wonderfully chaotic, crowded but always colourful, Cairo is a fascinating mixture of modern city and ancient wonders. Day 9 is your opportunity to head to Giza to visit the unsurpassed Pyramids and Sphinx before heading back to the city centre to visit the Egyptian Museum, where it's easy to get lost among the thousands of exhibits - but don't miss the Tutankhamun rooms.  The evening is free to continue exploring before catching our overnight train to Aswan. In the evening of day 9, we catch an overnight seater train back to Aswan (13 hours). The seater train has a large, padded reclining chair for your comfort (Please note this is not a sleeper train and you will be sitting up all night. Remember to pack what ever items you might need for your comfort such as a blow up pillow and a sleeping bag). Bring some food that you can easily share as a sure fire way to make some great local friends on the journey.
	Accommodation: Overnight train
	Included Meals: Please see summary
10	Arrive in Aswan, remainder of the day to explore.	Aswan
	Superbly located on the banks of the Nile, the Nubian city of Aswan is Egypt's southern gateway to Africa. Check out a local island village and take the opportunity to try some delicious local food. There is a great option of checking out the river by motorboat, eating some traditional food and even going for a swim to cool off in the hotter months.
	Accommodation: Hotel/Guesthouse
	Included Meals: Please see summary
11	Full day in Aswan or optional trip to Abu Simbel.	Aswan
	An option on day 11 is is to visit the magnificent temples of Abu Simbel (approx. 45 minute flight). Abu Simbel is an archaeological site comprising twin temples carved out of the mountainside in 13th century BC. Please note this road to Abu Simbel can be dangerous due to the high speeds of other traffic and therefore Intrepid recommends flying to Abu SImbel.
	Accommodation: Hotel/Guesthouse
	Included Meals: Please see summary
12	Felucca boat trip on the nile, overnight on the felucca.	Felucca boat
	Today we board feluccas to spend the day out on the river and then a night under the stars. Our Nubian sailing crew provides all the meals, which are hearty and delicious.  A felucca is a traditional wooden sail boat with broad canvas sails. The boat has a canopy that offers shade and protection from the elements, however there is no cabin or enclosed section. Please note that conditions are very basic during our felucca trip but if you are prepared to rough it a bit you are sure to have the adventure of a lifetime. We sleep outside, on the deck of the felucca on comfortable mattresses. While blankets are provided, you will need to bring a sleeping sheet, and a sleeping bag is necessary during the colder months (October to April) where it can get as cold as 3 degrees Celsius. Unfortunately there is no sleeping bag hire available. There are no toilets on our Nile felucca. While sailing, every so often our felucca will stop on the riverbank for a toilet stop. After the days sailing we set up a toilet tent a safe distance from the riverbank, close to where our felucca moors. The toilet comprises a western style seat over a hole we dig into the ground.
	Accommodation: Felucca boat
	Included Meals: Please see summary
13	Day 2 aboard our Felucca boat.	Felucca boat
	Our felucca trip takes us from Aswan and stops at points of interest en-route and watching the sun setting across the Nile in the evening is a sight you will remember.  Please note that we may need to make slight alterations to our Nile itinerary throughout the year, depending on winds and currents.
	Accommodation: Felucca boat
	Included Meals: Please see summary
14	Travel to Luxor, remainder of day to explore.	Luxor
	Heading north, we travel to the ancient capital of Thebes, now known as Luxor, which is filled with well-preserved monuments. From the spectacular temple complex of Karnak to the extraordinary paintings and hieroglyphs in the tombs in the Valley of the Kings, this open-air museum is full of reminders of the pharaohs of Egypt. Why not take donkeys over to the west bank to visit some of the tombs or hot air balloon over the beautifully lush Nile Valley? You could spend an afternoon at the Winter Palace, a lovely 5-star historical building with wonderful views over the Nile - a great place for a late afternoon drink.
	Accommodation: Hotel/Guesthouse
	Included Meals: Please see summary
15	Full day in Luxor, overnight train to Cairo and onward to Alexandria.	Overnight train
	We have a full day in Luxor before we take the overnight seater train up to Cairo and then onward to Alexandria.
	Accommodation: Overnight train
	Included Meals: Please see summary
16	Arrive in Alexandria	Alexandria
	We jump off the overnight train in Alexandria. The city is spread along the Mediterranean sea and is wonderfully evocative, with its trams, cafes and a slight air of decay.  Explore the catacombs of Kom Ash-Shuqqafa, the largest Roman burial site in Egypt and the modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina, inspired by the original great library of Alexandria, built to hold over 8 million books. Take the opportunity to visit the lovely Graeco-Roman Museum and stroll down the waterfront to the historical Fort Qaitbey. Fresh seafood here is also available at prices you won't believe so make sure you stop to sample some. The second-largest city and the main port of Egypt, Alexandria was built by the Greek architect Dinocrates in 331 BC under the orders of Alexander the Great. The city, immortalising Alexander's name, quickly flourished into a prominent cultural, intellectual, political and economic metropolis. It was the renowned capital of the Ptolemies and the site of the Pharos (lighthouse). One of the seven wonders of the ancient world, it acted as a beacon, guiding sailors away from this notoriously treacherous stretch of coastline. It was along these shores that history took a tragic turn at the time of Cleopatra, Julius Caesar, Mark Antony and Octavian. For anyone interested in WWII history, you can visit the El-Alamein war cemetery, 45 minutes west of Alexandria. Trains or private transport can be organised through your leader. In Alex we stay in a great character hotel. Set right on the corniche, overlooking the ocean, the hotel has shared bathroom facilities. This is more than made up for by the location and the quirky decor.
	Accommodation: Hotel
	Included Meals: Please see summary
17	Travel to Siwa, explore the fort of Shaili.	Siwa
	A long drive by local bus takes us out west to the desert oasis of Siwa (approx. 8 hours).  With its extraordinarily lush vegetation and relaxed atmosphere, Siwa seems a world away from the bustle of the cities. This afternoon, we explore the vast, maze-like ruins of the mud brick fort, Shaili, which overlooks the town. The buildings here, made with a mixture of salt and clay, were in full use until early last century, when three days of torrential rain washed most of the structures away.
	Accommodation: Hotel/Guesthouse
	Included Meals: Please see summary
18	Full day in Siwa.	Siwa
	Bicycles are the main form of transport here. Cheap to hire, they can take you to the fascinating Mountain of the Dead - where for centuries Siwans buried their dead - and the mysterious 6th century BC Temple of the Oracle, where Alexander the Great sought confirmation that he was the son of Zeus. Or perhaps you'd like to take a dip in Cleopatra's bath? In the evening, head to the outskirts of the Libyan Desert to enjoy a perfect desert sunset.
	Accommodation: Hotel/Guesthouse
	Included Meals: Please see summary
19	Travel to the Western Desert.	Western Desert
	We spend the next few days discovering the Western Desert region of Egypt. This area borders Libya in the west and Sudan in the south. It is filled with small and isolated, yet thriving, oases. Although there are tourists in this area, there is still a sense of adventure exploring this relatively less-travelled region. We spend the first day zipping through the desert in a 4WD (approx. 8 hours), and the scenery is spectacular as we pass rippled windswept dunes dotted with oases. Later, we make a stop at the Bahariya Oasis to visit its picturesque mud brick villages and monuments dating back to the New Kingdom and Roman times.
	Accommodation: Hotel/Guesthouse
	Included Meals: Please see summary
20	Full day in the Western Desert, night in desert camp.	Western Desert
	We spend one night out under the stars camping in the White Desert, among bizarre white rock formations caused by wind erosion, which give the area a mysterious arctic appearance. We camp out with no tents! Conditions will be basic but you can be sure that the night in this surreal landscape will be most memorable. The toilet is a hole dug into the sand and in this beautiful and fragile landscape it is important that we dispose of our toilet paper responsibly. Your leader will give you more details about camping responsibly.
	Accommodation: Camping
	Included Meals: Please see summary
21	Day 3 in the Western Desert.	Western Desert
	A third day to enjoy the Western Desert.
	Accommodation: Hotel/Guesthouse
	Included Meals: Please see summary
22	Return to Cairo where your trip ends.	None
	There are no activities planned for day 22 so you are free to depart at any time.  If you have booked extra time in Cairo for the end of your trip or are leaving late today then you could go back to the Khan al-Khalili bazaar and watch the world pass by from one the many coffee shops, or perhaps even return to the Egyptian Museum for one last fix of ancient Egyptian history. Baggage storage can be arranged through our hotel.
	Accommodation: None
	Included Meals: Please see summary

Accommodation

Guesthouses/hotels (13 nights), overnight train (2 nights), desert camp (2 nights), beach hut (2 nights), felucca (2 nights).

Transport

Train, taxi, public bus, felucca, metro.
 

Meals

4 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 4 dinners.

Staff

Group leader, local guides.

Age Restriction

Minimum of 18 years unless accompanied by a legal guardian.

Optional Activities

All optional activities are entirely your choice and are not included in price of this trip. The following is not an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only.
Citadel, includes entrance to National Archaeological Museum (Amman) - 2JOD
Roman Theatre (Amman) - 1JOD
Entrance (Jerash) - 8JOD
Gladiator Show (Jerash) - 10JOD
St George Church (Madaba) - 1JOD
Archaeological Pk, Church of Apostles & Madaba Museum combo ticket (Madaba) -2JOD
Mt Nebo Entrance - 1JOD
Kerak Castle - price includes entrance to Museum - 1JOD
Petra:
*1 Day Pass - 21JOD
*2 Day Pass - 26JOD
*Guide - 20JOD
*Petra by Night - 12JOD
Bethany entrance price includes guide & shuttle bus to sites -7JOD
Ajlun Castle entrance - 1JOD
Mukawir - Free admission to site
Umm al Rasas - Free admission to site, including St Stephen's Church
Snorkel Hire (Nuweiba) - EGP20 per day
Ras Mohammed National Park (Sinai) - USD20
St. Catherine's Monastery (Sinai) - Free
St. Catherine's Icon Museum in the Monastery (Sinai) - EGP25
Agricultural Museum (Cairo) - EGP20
Citadel (Cairo) - EGP40
Coptic Museum (Cairo) - EGP40
Dr. Ragab's Papyrus Institute (Cairo) - EGP4
Dr. Ragab's Pharaonic Village (Cairo) - EGP50
Egyptian Antiquities Museum (Cairo) - EGP50
Antiquities Museum Mummies Hall (Cairo) - EGP100
Gayer Anderson House (Cairo) - EGP30
Islamic Art Museum (Cairo) - EGP30
Mahmoud Khalil Museum (Cairo) - EGP25
National Museum of Egyptian Modern Art (Cairo) - EGP20
October War Panorama (Cairo) - EGP20
Sultan Hassan Mosque (Cairo) - EGP20
al-Refai Mosque (Cairo) - EGP20
Cairo Tower (Cairo) - EGP60
Manial Palace (Cairo) - EGP25
Bayt il-Suhaymy (Cairo) - EGP25
Hosh il-Basha (Cairo) - EGP15
Horse riding at the Pyramids(Cairo) - EGP60
Camel riding at the Pyramids (Cairo) - EGP90
Entering Pyramid of Khufu (Cairo) - EGP100
Entering Pyramid of Khafre (Cairo) - EGP25
Entering Pyramid of Menkaure (Cairo) - EGP40
Solar Boat Museum (Cairo) - EGP40
Sound and Light Show (Cairo) - EGP60
Abu Simbel bus transport (Aswan) - EGP85
Abu Simbel flight (Aswan) USD150
Abu Simbel Temple (Aswan)- EGP70
Philae Temple transport - EGP20
Boat to Philae - EGP10
Philae Temple (Aswan) - EGP40 - not including boat
Monastery of St. Simeon (Aswan) - EGP25
Nubian Museum (Aswan) - EGP40
Botanical Gardens (Aswan) - EGP5
High Dam (Aswan) - EGP10
Aswan Museum (Aswan) - EGP25
Philae Temple Sound and Light Show (Aswan) - EGP33
Tombs of Nobles (Aswan) - EGP20
Unfinished Obelisk (Aswan) - EGP25
Kalabsha Temple (Aswan) - EGP25
Temples of Karnak (Luxor) - EGP50
Karnak Open Air Museum (Luxor) - EGP40
Karnak Temple sound and light show (Luxor)- EGP55
Luxor Temple (Luxor)- EGP40
Luxor Museum (Luxor) - EGP55
Valley of the Kings tour - including donkey ride (Luxor) - EGP120-150
Valley of the Kings 3 Temple Entry inc:
*Ramses I (KV16)
*Ramses III (KV11)
*Ramses VII (KV1)
*Ramses IX (KV6)
*Seti II (KV15)
*Amenhotep II (KV35)
*Tausert/Sethnakhte (KV14)
*Merneptah (KV8)
*Tuthmosis III (KV34)
*Saptah (KV47) - EGP70
Hatshepsut Temple (Luxor) -EGP25
Medinat Habu (Luxor) - EGP20
Mummification Museum (Luxor) - EGP40
Hot Air Balloon (Luxor) - USD125
Bicycle hire (Luxor) - EGP10
Colossi of Memnon (Luxor) - Free
Ramessum (Luxor) - EGP25
Medinat Habu (Luxor) - EGP25/15 students
Deir el-Medina (Sennedjem, Inherkau, Temple) (Luxor) - EGP25/15 students
Deir el-Median Pashedu (Luxor) - EGP20
Temple of Seti I (Luxor) - EGP25
Merenptah Temple (Luxor) - EGP20
Tomb of Tutankhamun (KV54) (Luxor) - EGP80
Valley of the Queens- Titi, Amenherkhopshef, Kahemwaset (Luxor) - EGP25
Tombs of the Nobles (Luxor) - EGP12-25 each
Pompey's Pillar (Alexandria)- EGP15/10 stundents
Fort Qait Bey (Alexandria)- EGP20/10 students
Greco-Roman Antiquities Museum (Alexandria)- EGP30
Villa of the Birds (Alexandria)- EGP15
Jewellery Museum (Alexandria) - EGP35
Catacombs of Kom a El-Shuqqafa (Alexandria) - EGP25/15 students
Alexandria Library (Alexandria)- EGP10
Roman Amphitheatre (Alexandria) - EGP15/10students
Montazah Palace Gardens (Alexandria) - EGP5
National Museum (Alexandria) - EGP30
Abu El-Abbas Mosque (Alexandria) - Free
St. Marcos Church (Alexandria) - Free
Mustafa Kamel & El Anfoushi Tombs (Alexandria) - EGP20
Visit to El-Alamein War Cemetery (near Alexandria) - EGP 60
El-Alamein Military Museum (El-Alamein) - EGP10/5 students

What To Bring

Suitcases are not recommended. Most travellers carry their luggage in a backpack, although an overnight bag with a shoulder strap would suffice if you travel lightly. Smaller bags with wheels are acceptable, although we recommend your bag has carry straps as well, as you may be required to negotiate bus and railway station steps. You will also need a day pack/bag to carry water and a camera etc for day walks and day trips.

You will be on the move a good deal, so pack as lightly as possible (try to stay under 10 kg /22lb). It is in your own interest as you are expected to carry your own luggage, though distances are never great. It is also important that your bags can be locked, as on the trains and boats it may be necessary to store your luggage separately from the group. The smaller your bag in the better, for when it comes to travelling its usually only the smaller bags that will fit into the storage areas. If your bag does not fit in these areas then often the only place to put it is on your seat. So to get maximum comfort, pack small and light!

Temperatures in Egypt are generally hot and with little rain. This can become extreme towards and during the summer months of June to August. In the months of November to March it can be very cool at night particularly next to the river or the ocean and out in the desert where night temperatures can drop to 5c or less. Even in the hot months out in the desert it can get cold at night. Egypt is an Islamic nation and is very conservative so you should dress accordingly. As a general guideline, shoulders and knees should be covered at all times. The wearing of shorts is not allowed away from the beach as it will restrict your entry into buildings of a religious nature and family homes. A light water and windproof jacket is useful and a hat essential. From mid November to late February a sleeping bag is essential for your night on the felucca . At other times a sleeping sheet will suffice.

Although bottled water is available, the sale of bottled water contributes to an enormous environmental problem around the world. In addition to the water in bottles, the production of a 1 litre plastic bottle takes 2 litres of water and 200ml of oil. A large proportion end up in limited landfill or discarded in waterways and natural environments. Please avoid the purchase of bottled water by bringing a water purification method. Some of the options are:

Water purification tablets available from camping stores or pharmacies.

2% tincture of iodine available from pharmacies - used at 4 drops per litre of water and left for at least 20 minutes. Longer in very cold weather.

Personal water filters available from camping stores. (Bottles with filters built into the cap are lightweight and easy to use. Water is forced through the filter by squeezing the bottle as you drink.)

The following checklist is to be used as a guide only and is not intended to be a complete packing list. Any other items that you wish to pack are at your own discretion however you should attempt to comply with the suggested luggage weight limit.

Travel documents: passport, visa, travel insurance, air tickets, voucher
Health requirements arranged
Money: travellers cheques/cash/credit card
Money pouch
First aid kit
Day pack to carry your personal needs during the day
Alarm clock and torch/flashlight
Mosquito repellent
Warm clothes for the cooler nights
Ear plugs can be useful
Tampons can be difficult to buy in Egypt
Lock for your bag
Sleeping bag or sleeping sheet depending on season
Swiming costume
Refillable water bottle and water purification method.
Small pillow (inflatable type) for felucca and train and bus trips
Eye shades
Small travel towel - for use on felucca, at Mt Sinai and for swimming
Sarong for covering up on the beach in Sinai
Hat
Sun block
Walking shoes for Sinai
Warm clothing (depending on the season)
Sunglasses
Reading material (felucca)
Respectable clothing

Group Size

Min 1, Max 12

Other Information

The best value adventures on the planet! On a Basix trip, you can expect some amazing experiences, but none of the inclusions or 'extras' that you may not want. Which means simple and often multishare accommodation and a lot of local transport. These trips are ideal for first time travellers seeking fun and independence with the security of a group leader at hand and for backpackers wanting minimum hassle and maximum flexibility at the lowest possible price. 

While travelling with us you will experience the vast array of wonderful food available in the world. Generally, to give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat, not all meals are included in the trip price. This also gives you more budgeting flexibility. As a rule our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. There is no obligation to do this though. Your group leader will be able to suggest favourite restaurants during your trip.

Allow USD $250 for meals not included.

Multiple leaders on this trip:
On this trip you will have the services of 2 different leaders:
~ Amman to Aqaba (ferry port in Jordan)
~ You will travel unescorted from Aqaba to Nuweiba on the ferry (approx 2-4 hours)
~ Nuweiba (ferry port in Egypt) to Cairo 

Extreme temperatures in Middle East:
Please note that as a desert region, the MIddle East can have extreme weather! Summer (approximately April to September) can be very hot everywhere we travel. Winter (approximately November to March) can be freezing. It is recommended to bring a good sleeping bag, thermals, scarf, gloves and a warm jacket for travel in this period. We even sleep outside in negative temperatures! Some of our guesthouses/hotels do not supply heating. This would be a major financial and environmental strain on our hotels and the local towns. It is also a case of energy supply and timing provisions, which is limited in some places. Please be prepared for cold showers- which for most times of the year, are a pleasure. Airconditioning systems (if available) do not always function. In the Middle East summer temperatures can reach approximately 50 degrees Celsius, which means that it can be quite uncomfortable for those not used to extreme heat. Not all our hotels have air conditioning.

Alterations to the itinerary:
While we operate successful trips in the Middle East throughout the year, some changes may occur in our itineraries due to inclement weather and common seasonal changes to timetables and transport routes. This can happen with little notice so please be prepared for modifications to the route while you are travelling particularly in the Winter months (although not limited to Winter, which is defined as November to March). Travel time may be significantly delayed, roads can be closed due to avalanches, heavy snow, ice cover or dense fog or we simply choose an alternative (and longer) route due to safety concerns. Please be prepared for these possible itinerary alterations.

Passport photocopies:
Please bring five (5) copies of your passport. These are used to assit with Hotel check-in and road passes required to travel on some sections of Egyptian roads.

Travelling in the Middle East:
The Middle East is a region which may be very different to anything you have experienced before. Heat, pollution, poverty and the crowds can result in initial culture shock but should be seen as an exciting new challenge. During our time here we have come to love this wonderfully different country but we know that we should always expect to encounter some difficulties along the way. In the Middle East there are very different attitudes to time keeping, public cleanliness, privacy and service. If you are able to travel with a lot of patience and a sense of humour, then we know that you - like all of us - will be captivated by the Middle East.

Additional Accommodation:
If you have purchased pre or post trip accommodation (if available), you may be required to change rooms from your trip accommodation for these extra nights.

Arrival Transfers:
There are no arrival transfers available in Amman.

Ramadan:
The important month long Ramadan festival will be in progress from 2 September to 28 September 2008. This is a festival of sacrifice where the devout refrain from eating or drinking during daylight hours. During Ramadan business hours are shortened, including opening hours at all popular tourist attractions. Alcohol is not permitted during daylight hours and many restaurants will be closed. While you definitely need to expect some delays and inconveniences during this period, the month of Ramadan is a fantastic month to travel in Muslim countries as it offers a chance to witness the nightly celebrations when the sun sets and the fast is broken.

Early check-in throughout the trip:
Throughout the trip we request that our hotels prepare rooms in time for our arrival, however this is not always possible which means we will not be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead we can store our luggage and explore our new destination.

Accommodation:
The style of accommodation described in the day to day itinerary is a guideline. On rare occasions alternative arrangements may need to be arranged due to availability of rooms in our usual accommodation. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances.

Felucca trip:
There are no toilets on our Nile felucca trip. While sailing, every so often our felucca will stop on the riverbank for a toilet stop. After the days sailing we set up a toilet tent on the riverbank close to where our felucca moors.

Expense in the Middle East:
The Middle East is often misjudged as being an inexpensive destination. With tourism booming, the influx of cheap flights from Europe, prices for some items are becoming more equivalent to prices you would be used to at home. Eating in local restaurants, road side stalls and from markets can be inexpensive, but for nights out at tourist friendly restaurants you can expect to pay much more. With drinks, tipping and of course - shopping, it can all add up. Budgets are a personal choice but please bare in mind that you should not expect the Middle East to be a budget destination.

All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leaders or our local partners' group leaders. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. We endeavour to provide the services of an experienced leader however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your leader is new to a particular region or training other group leaders. Your leader will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see and recommend local eating venues. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects.