Nairobi to Istanbul

Itinerary

Day 1 Nairobi

Set off from Kenya's bustling capital.

Day 2 Lake Naivasha

Walk with giraffes and zebras or take a guided hippo safari.

Days 3-4 Lake Nakuru

This gorgeous lake blushes pink with flamingos.

Days 5-7 Samburu/Thomson Falls

Seize the chance to spot the Big Five.

Days 8-9 Marsabit/Moyale

Traverse a surreal black lunar landscape.

Days 10-11 Konso

See wooden grave carvings and experience traditional village life.

Days 12-15 Omo Valley/Turmi

Meet tribal people in extraordinarily pristine countryside.

Days 16-18 Arba Minch

Gigantic crocodiles congregate by Lake Chamo.

Day 19 Shashemene

Visit the spiritual home of Rastafarianism.

Days 20-22 Bale Mountains

Try to spot the elusive Simien fox in this alpine paradise.

Day 23 Lake Abiyata

Soak in hot springs and camp among a flurry of lakeside birdlife.

Days 24-25 Addis Ababa

Delve into tribal history in Ethiopia's capital.

Days 26-30 Nile Valley/Bahir Dar

Gaze at Blue Nile Falls and descend into a dramatic gorge.

Days 31-33 Lalibela

These hillside medieval chapels are an astounding engineering feat.

Days 34-36 Mekele

Explore rock-hewn Tigray churches.

Days 37-38 Aksum

Ethiopia's oldest city houses dramatic obelisks.

Days 39-41 Simien Mountains National Park

Trek through stunning scenery, spotting mountain creatures.

Days 42-44 Gonder/Gedaref

Visit an Ethiopian king's palace. Gaze at painted angels swarming a church ceiling.

Days 45-47 Khartoum

Watch whirling dervishes achieve religious euphoria.

Days 48-50 Khartoum/Meroe Sites

Explore Kushite architectural marvels.

Days 51-54 Nubian Desert/Wawa

Traverse rugged terrain, perhaps passing camels making their way along ancient trading routes.

Days 55-58 Wadi Halfa

Cross Lake Nasser, passing spectacular desert.

Days 59-61 Aswan

Relax beside the Nile.

Days 62-64 Luxor

Ride a donkey to the Valley of the Kings.

Days 65-67 Dakhla Oasis

Stay amid lush gardens against a rose-tinted rock face.

Days 68-69 Bahariyya Oasis/White Desert

Palms and hot springs shimmer in the White Desert.

Days 70-75 Cairo

Gaze in awe at the legendary Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza and explore the sprawling Saqqara cemetery.

Day 76 St Katherine's

Explore this ancient monastery, which is fabled to hold an offshoot of the biblical burning bush. For those feeling energetic, why not follow in the footsteps of Moses and climb to the summit of soaring Mt Sinai.

Days 77-78 Dahab

Rejuvenate in the beautiful waters of the Red Sea, perhaps taking the opportunity to try some snorkelling or scuba diving.

Day 79 Wadi Rum

Camp under the desert sky.

Days 80-81 Wadi Musa/Petra

Venture through a narrow chasm to the extraordinary lost city of Petra to admire the rose-coloured buildings carved out of the sheer rock face.

Day 82 Mt Nebo

Glide in the buoyant waters of the Dead Sea.

Day 83 Jerash

Marvel at the magnificent Bosra Amphitheatre and wander the colonnaded streets of ancient Jerash.

Days 84-86 Damascus

Relish the sweetness of some local baklava from the city's charming bazaar.

Days 87-88 Palmyra

Explore the extensive ruins of Palmyra including the Temple of the Bell.

Days 89-90 Aleppo

Revel in the atmosphere of the souq or visit the city's impressive citadel.

Days 91-92 Goreme

Be enchanted by remarkable underground cities and fairy chimneys carved out of soft volcanic rock.

Day 93 Termessos

Behold the astounding ruins of Termessos perched on a dramatic precipice.

Days 94-95 Olu Deniz/Fethiye

Laze on Mediterranean coast or perhaps hike through olive groves to the remarkable abandoned town of Karmylassos.

Days 96-97 Selcuk

Delve into the region's rich history at legendary Troy and the majestic ruins of Ephesus.

Day 98 Eceabat/Gallipoli

Tour historic Gallipoli and visit the stark memorial at Lone Pine.

Days 99-101 Istanbul

Celebrate the end of an amazing adventure in the only city in the world that straddles two continents. Spend some time exploring the sights including the massive Grand Bazaar and awe-inspiring Blue Mosque.